You are obviously very into this and working hard to improve, but
(1) you don’t seem to be having much fun, and
(2) some people offer you encouragement (" They were very kind and I think every runner had something encouraging to say.") and the best you can do is (“I just mumbled back something (inaudible) to the effect that they should spend more time in the pool.”) ?
A commendable analysis in terms of performance and stategies to improve. In other areas, there seems to be something missing.
Nice work and you sound to me like you are having fun.
I did the Steelhead last year. Its a great race. Here’s a navigation tip for you.
Last year we started the swim from the pier, going south to north (actually south west to north east). The course they use depends on the current but If they use that course again this year, pay attention to the sun. If it is not cloudy it will line up a few degrees right of the proper swim course. It will make a nice long line of light you’ll be able to see with your eyes in the water. I was able to do the swim navigating with my head in the water by keeping the sun line over the outside corner of my right eye. I only had to lift my head 5 or 6 times the whole swim to site and I literally was having to turn to miss hitting bouys.
Remember this tip and you can snicker quietly when everyone is bitching at the after race party about not being able to see the bouys becasue the sun was in their eyes.
Swimming in a straight line even if you only breath one side, isn’t hard… but it requires training, that’s all. There are some good drills you can do to improve that in the pool. 
Damn I just dig that green swim caps… I gotta have one of those!
Dude, Johan’s a tough little course. (I did it a couple of years ago).
Swimming is not your biggest issue.
Lose weight (I’ll take your word for this)
Bike more, harder
run more, harder
just my lame thoughts. It’s a jump to an oly.
Sounds like you had a some pretty good splits to me. You will be MOP in no time. Keep up the good work. Stay positive!
Kevin
didn’t ya love the “…ok…go…” routine?
that has to be ranked among the all time low key race starts i’ve ever (barely) heard. do ya think you could use a little emphasis with that next time?
i was there and slow…but recovery is a wonderful thing. that is simply an awesome venue and course. only thing i can think of is that since the race only offers the long course, and has a couple other competing events on the same weekend, it just hasn’t pulled the numbers.
you have lots of items pegged but the most important is you are clearly thinking about what you did and what you are going to do next time around. can’t do much better than that.
cya at Clark Lake…
I wouldn’t be too concerned about your finish. Johan’s may be small in numbers, but it isn’t short on competition. It sounds like you have a good handle on what you are doing, and know what you need to work on. You will be surprised at how much progress you are going to make.
Those swims always look long whether it is a sprint or IM. Being new to the tri scene, don’t get too worked up about where you are at compared to the competition. So much of this sport is about building a base to really race off of. Until last year, I was always a BOP/MOPer. I could see improvement, but nothing dramatic. I think training for IM is what has made the difference for me; that is where the base comes in. Longer bike rides with short runs after will help alot, too. Every time you ride, get off the bike and run for at least 10-15 min; made all the difference in the world for me.
Now after 6 yr in the sport, I am starting to see some significant changes. I raced Johan’s and had a pr along with place in my AG for the first time ever. Still expect some crappy performances, but the good ones make up for it. Hang in there and keep training smart and you will get better.
Might see you at Clark Lake and am Steelhead bound!
Hey NCSH— I stand corrected. As a “don’t tear down the finish line before I get there” kind of racer, I understand that feeling well. Sometimes it’s hard to home in on another’s attitude when reading a post. My apologies. I should have added a congratulations on your race, but in my haste to stand on a rather flimsy soap box, I didn’t. Therefore, congratulations on a good race! Unlike you, I can analyze and plan all I want, the “improvement” will not be there. Such are the facts of aging.
Keep on keepin’ on!