Newfound Lake. Clean water, big buoys.

Usually this event is my strongest of the 3, but I didn't do too well compared to the rest of the field. I felt relaxed but trying to swim like I do in a pool (with a black line to look at to assure that I am going straight) in open water doesn't cut it. I pull to the right A LOT. My stroke while attempting to site was non-existent, it's basically just stopping dead in my tracks and FIXING my course as I never found that I was ever going in my planned direction when I checked where I was.

Typical start where you bump into other swimmers and get kicked or inadvertantly jostled around.

The 60-degree water temperature was perfect for a full suit. No need for booties or neoprene cap although some swimmers opted for wearing them (Race Director was closely monitoring the water temp. in the previous weeks because it was in the 50s up until a week prior.)

Get more comfortable sighting while swimming and STRAIGHTEN UP! Probably do more left-armed one arm drills in the pool to counter that severe right-pulling tendency.

Took my time in transition. 56 miles is a long way to have forgotten something, so I took my time. Wore my bike shorts over my tri suit that I was testing (never did have the opportunity to do a long ride in just the tri suit padding to see if it would work for me).

Rinsed my feet off and dried them before putting on socks.

Stuck 3 Accelgels in the cut-out slot of my saddle (hey, that cutout has use for more than one purpose!) so I'd remember to put them in my pocket and didn't have to fumble around looking for them laid out on my towel. 2 other gels were already taped to my frame.

Wore a camelbak on the ride - glad I did so I could have my fave drink with me when I wanted to drink and not wait to happen upon an aid station. Probably my best move of the day, since it was much hotter this weekend from the rest of our spring.

Nothing. I placed everything where I'd logistically need them, took my time and didn't forget anything. I guess I could have gone thru the transition with a little more sense of urgency, but why?

Lots of rolling hills and a few notable ones. As already reported from the Mooseman Quarter Iron reports, the hill by the marina where the Devil Lady was was the one I was worried about the most, especially having to do it a second time. I had to do a quad check about 3 miles approaching the evil hill the second time to make sure they had enough juice in them to climb. Not that I'd have had any issues with pushing my bike up it (which may have been faster), but coming to the race, my goal was to ride up it. TWICE.

The leg up Rte 104, Ragged Mtn Hwy, was just one laborious bastard of a climb. Some roads were rougher than others, and I am glad I didn't flat. I was worried about the roads enough that I carried 2 tubes and 2 cartridges.

It sucked climbing the hills, but I loved going down a few of the steep ones and pedalling like crazy down them in my biggest gear to gain momentum going back up the next one. This course worried me so I rode it once while training for this race (I also raced on it last year when it was an Olympic - THAT was a pretty shitty surprise the first time).

There were good caution/warning signs for the descending hills that had turns in them. For those planning this tri in the future, be careful of the steep turning downhill by the firehouse. Rumor is that one athlete took it too fast today and lost control, and they found her up in the trees. Luckily she was right by the fire station and the firefighters were out there cheering and she was tended to immediately. Just what I heard!

Also the course isn't closed to traffic. There were reports that one cyclist got hit by a car - bad enough that the ambulance was called out.

I had to pace myself so that I could come off the bike and finish the run. It worked pretty well, as I'd done my fastest mile coming off the bike, and that mile felt the least difficult of the 13.

After having back issues towards the end of April and acknowledging it finally in early May, I had to pay very close attention to my back and stand on my pedals and change position often as soon as I felt it act up. I'm thankful that I completed the whole 56 miles.

Nothing. Actually, slow down when taking water from the aid station. Never really ever grabbed a glass of water from someone holding it out for me and splashed the poor kid who I came across first. Tried again a few feet later at the same speed and splashed that kid too. Needless to say, I never got a cup of water to pour through my helmet, and I'm not sure what those kids really called me, but it started with a "b".

There were aid stations every 10 miles on the bike course.

Took my time again.

Took off bike shorts. I don't get out of my bike shoes and leave them attached to the pedals - ran with bike shoes from dismount to rack, changed shoes in my transition area. and Screwed around with the ponytail, changing it from a low one so my helmet fit to a higher one which is more comfortable with the hair off my neck while I'm running. Of course my mop was all tangled up and so that killed a lot of time. I didn't forget my race number belt which I was worried I'd do (I normally pin my number to a top that I ride and run in, but didn't wear a shirt today, just the tri suit).

Trade the bike sticker on mine with a tri bike that I'd like to bring home instead of my clunker road bike. Ditch my bike and re-rack the newly acquired bike in my own space. Maybe just leave the race there and drive away with a hot bike.

Brutal considering there's two hills that were showing absolutely no love. Had to climb both twice! One hill was steep, levelled off for several yards then went up again. The other was near the "out end" of the turn around - it was short but very steep. The second time up it I re-evaluated whether or not it was faster to continue my pathetic "short, choppy stride pseudo-run" climb up it, or take long strides, while swinging my arms while ascending it. I traveled MUCH faster up the hill by "power walk-striding" up it than jogging up it with short steps, so I thought it was a smart choice. By the time I changed my climbing strategy on that hill, it took about 13 more strides to get up the rest of it. I thanked my lucky stars that I didn't get stuck "walking" and resumed right back into jogging the run. I am a person who is afraid to run-walk for fear of not resuming the run back!

I'd been having pain in my metatarsals during runs exceeding approx. 70 minutes lately (I think mostly due to lack of cushioning) so just in case so I wouldn't become completely miserable, I put callous cushions in a special needs bag. I was glad I did, because as predicted, the balls of my feet became sore - I put one on and enjoyed the second half of the half-marathon run. This race was all about being prepared and having fun, not seeing how much misery I can drive myself into and brag about it later!

It was hot, so I drank HEED at every aid station and threw a cup of cold ice water over me. I kept cool during the run. Stayed hydrated, had 3 gels (2 Accelgels I carried with me, and one of the Carbooms they had out on the course), and some Endurolytes. Not as many as I'd planned, but I didn't feel too bad since I'd been taking them on the bike. Plus HEED has a good electrolyte mix in it anyway. I seriously think the Endurolytes helped my run.

In a given field my standings in the run is usually lower overall. I am going to attribute my higher standing today to people not being prepared for the heat which compromised their run, especially after a demanding bike course. I can't say it's the lack of hill training as most of the entrants were from the Northeast/New England.

Maybe look into a more padded insert for my shoes and use them.

Cold towel, Energice Popsicle and right back into the cool waters of Newfound Lake! But not to swim - had enough of that crap for one day...just to cool my body down.

Burger and Jordan's Ice Cream and Pumpkin muffin after I got out of the water.


Inherent athletic ability!

Coming into the race, I knew the course, I trained fairly diligently, tapered, and took care of my back when it started becoming sore a month ago. During the race, I kept up my nutrition on the bike, stayed well-hydrated, and kept a can-do and will-do attitude during the whole race. I showed up at the start line relatively healthy considering my back problems and twitchy knee on hills, and crossed the finish line without any real complaints other than the pain in my balls. :)

Maybe dropping 10# and more core work would have been ideal. But even with that finish time, I am very happy with my first Half Ironman on this demanding course to kick off my second season of triathlons!


Rest day Monday, then massage and yoga on Tuesday. WHAT'S NEXT???


LOTS OF LOVE TO MY COACH!!

Keith Jordan for President! OK how about just Race Director and Ice Cream stand owner? :)

While it was fun to recall the memories of my race, I mostly wanted to write this report to RECOMMEND MOOSEMAN FESTIVAL (either the quarter or half) FOR 2006 it is a well-run race with great volunteers, expo, post-race food, and location!