Gulf Coast Half Ironman

Lara and I spent the last half of last week in Panama City, Florida. Lara competed in the Gulf Coast Half Ironman Triathlon on Saturday morning . Of course, my official role during these four days was to provide support and the occasional spousal-reality check, but I took enough photo gear to make me think I was on assignment. And speaking as a photographer, I loved the big waves pounding onto the beach at the start of the swim. The scale of green water to swimmer was, at times, impressive. However, as group after colored-capped group ran into the water, and then paused to think about the next 1.2 miles, it was obvious that quite a few athletes were not prepared for the swell.