Hopefully, he’s an STer.
I was lead kayaker for your wave. Awesome swim. Everytime I stopped paddling to turn around to check your postion, you were right on my tail. More importantly, thank you for taking the time to wave to me at the last buoy. I know this was your way of saying thank you. It was very much appreciated. Congrats on your race yesterday. Looking forward to being on the starting line next year.
Pat Almeido
Henderson, NV
Brian is a great guy and a stud swimmer. Not surprised he was right on your tail. If you had paddled faster, he might have gone faster…
Not fair to be that fast and get to live in Mill Valley. That’s gotta be one of the coolest towns in the U.S. Right at the foot of Mt. Tamalpais, climbing that will def build your quads.
Hi Pat:
Thanks so much for posting. I have the luck to usually be near the front of the swim and behind lead kayaks, boards, etc. By far, you were the absolute best I have ever followed. You kept a good space (not too far ahead, not too close), took an awesome line (I sighted less and less as the swim progressed). All I had to concentrate on was not slowing down. I can’t tell you how much I appreciated it. I tried to shout “Thank you” as I waived, but took a drink of water instead…the race was super organized, and volunteers like yourself really made this a special event. I can’t thank you and the other volunteers enough for being out there. I’m especially glad I get to thank you personally.
Brian
Thanks Brian. I’ve learned over the years from both competing in triathlon and kayaking for local races. I always chuckle at the kayakers who yell directions to the swimmers on where to go, where to turn, etc. Do they really think we can hear them when we’re in the water swimming?
Fortunately, for the both of us, the women ahead of you on the way back stayed tight to the buoy line which allowed room on their left to pass. It all worked out. I shared your thank you with all the other kayakers. Class act. It made my morning.
Cheers
Thanks for sharing with others. Looks like I will be back there in November for the ITU long course championships along with some team mates. Hope to see you there!
Brian and I swam together at Emory University. I think I was ~2-3yrs ahead of him. I was the distance guy and he was a flyer, I think…sorry, the 80’s are a little hazy for me these days :-).
I saw him for the first time in about 18yrs at IMCDA’08 when I passed him on the bike, did a double take on the last name and said hi. I’ve since seen him at Cali and a couple IM’s. Good to see him racing so well and he’s a much needed kick in the ass to get my IM swims back down into the 53’s! Can’t let a flyer beat a miler! 
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