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Florida Challenge Triathlon - Half Ironman - Triathlon1/2 Ironman


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Clermont, Florida
United States
Sommer Sports
85F / 29C
Overcast
Total Time = 6h 31m
Overall Rank = 276/471
Age Group = 30-35
Age Group Rank = 34/42
Pre-race routine:

Slept like a log! Woke up at 6am and ate my usual 1/2 clif bar. Drank 1 cup coffee and 1 gatorade. Jig and I got to race site and walked 1.5 miles to the transition area. I looked for Wendi to get marked, but could not find her. Instead, I get this guy that must have been in his late 80s. Lets just say that he had a slight tremor. Most of my body marking was not legible :)
Event warmup:

Got into the increadibly dark water and swam a little. Saw Randall and Peter King. Stood around and waited on my wave to start.
Swim
  • 38m 54s
  • 1900 meters
  • 02m 03s / 100 meters
Comments:

I FREAKED OUT at the beginning. Borderline panic attack. Never had this problem in my life. I think it was a combination of the darkness of the water and the length of the swim. I seriously almost quit before the first bouy. I looked for the nearest watercraft and had it been anywhere near, i would have quit. Don't know how I got through it, but somehow I was able to calm myself down by the end of the out leg. Never was able to breath any slower than everyother stroke. Made the first turn at 16 minutes. Got way off course on the cross leg. The back leg was uneventful. What is my problem???

Saw Jess (Tri take me away)as I was comming out of the water. That was nice!
What would you do differently?:

Who knows?!
Transition 1
  • 03m 25s
Comments:

No socks. Wiped my face with a towel and apparently turned my left contact inside out. It bothered me for the entire ride. Did not want to take it out and not be able to get it back in and have to ride without it. The mental pain was so bad on the run that I forgot all about my contact.

AG23/
What would you do differently?:

Nothing except not F up my contact.
Bike
  • 3h 17m
  • 56 miles
  • 17.06 mile/hr
Comments:

I have been bothered by a right knee problem for the last two weeks. It was no different today. Every time I pushed down with my right leg, my right knee would hurt. This started on the slight hill out of T1 and quit only when I stood on the larger hills. The pain was not excrutiating, but annoying non the less. This was compounded by some sort of right hamstring problem that I decided to have also. It was not a cramp, more of a burning pain that extended from my ass cheek to my popliteal fossa. Therefore, I used my left leg more than my right. Enough excuses... I was doing alright for the first hour, averaging 19 miles...right on target for a 3 hour ride. Then the proverbial wheels fell off! I was not able to muster any more energy until I hit the 3 hills on Buckhill Rd. Standing on those hills felt great! I know that sounds weird, but it was true. By this time my average had dwindled to ~16 mph. Passed Haley at ~40 miles. She had a huge smile on her face. Made me feel better. Limped the rest of the way back to T2. I am very dissapointed with this ride. I know the average is good, but I feel that I could have done better. Goal was under 3 hr.

Nutrition: 5 scoops of Perpetum + 6 endurolytes in my aero mixed with water. Two water bottles in rear cages. Grabbed gatorade on the course and topped my aero bottle off. 1.5 more bottles of water along the course for a total of ~4 bottles of water, 1 gatorade, 5 scoops of Perpetum, 6 endurolytes, 750 Ibuprofen
What would you do differently?:

Spend some time in the gym since I have the legs of a toddler.
Transition 2
  • 03m 37s
Comments:

Put on socks for the run. Took 500 Ibuprofen, 2 endurolytes (I think).

AG 30/
What would you do differently?:

Nothing.
Run
  • 2h 28m 18s
  • 13.1 miles
  • 11m 19s  min/mile
Comments:

The first mile felt great. My overall goal was under 6 hours and I came out of T2 at 4:03 with my goal still attainable. Somewhere between 1.5 and 2 miles, something/someone suggested that I walk for a little while. I did, and never got going again. I probably walked >50% of the run course. I don't know what happened. I just ran out of gas. I think it was more mental than physical! When I would run, my legs felt ok, but I would stop for no reason at all after about 2 minutes, Walk for a while, make myself run for 2 minutes of so, walk, repeat. I was hot yet had chill bumps. I had to urinate at mile 8 or so. The first time all day, so I guess I was a little deyhdrated.

Saw Wnedi (G8RSAX) at the finish, hope I smiled for my picture!

Nutrition: Alternated water and gatorade at each station. Took two gels at mile 4 and one at 9.
What would you do differently?:

Who knows? If anyone knows what I did wrong in my training or race day, please let me know.
Post race
Warm down:

Jig was waiting on me, of course. Rode my bike back to the truck. Hurried back to the house to watch the Alabama/tennessee game. Roll Tide!

What limited your ability to perform faster:

Poor genes.




Last updated: 2005-10-24 12:00 AM
Swimming
00:38:54 | 1900 meters | 02m 03s / 100meters
Age Group: 25/42
Overall: 0/471
Performance: Below average
Suit: no
Course: Triangle. Bouys on left.
Start type: Wade Plus: Waves
Water temp: 78F / 26C Current: Low
200M Perf. Bad Remainder: Below average
Breathing: Bad Drafting: Bad
Waves: Navigation: Below average
Rounding: Below average
T1
Time: 03:25
Performance: Good
Cap removal: Good Helmet on/
Suit off:
Yes
Wetsuit stuck? Run with bike: Yes
Jump on bike: Yes
Getting up to speed:
Biking
03:17:00 | 56 miles | 17.06 mile/hr
Age Group: 34/42
Overall: 0/471
Performance: Below average
Wind: Little
Course: SR19 traffic was heavy.
Road:   Cadence:
Turns: Good Cornering: Good
Gear changes: Good Hills: Good
Race pace: Too hard Drinks: Not enough
T2
Time: 03:37
Overall: Good
Riding w/ feet on shoes
Jumping off bike Good
Running with bike Good
Racking bike Good
Shoe and helmet removal Good
Running
02:28:18 | 13.1 miles | 11m 19s  min/mile
Age Group: 27/42
Overall: 0/471
Performance: Bad
Mile 1 - 8:45, Mile 2 - 10:30, quit taking splits after that!
Course: One out and back that was approx 6 miles. Then 6+ miles around the lake.
Keeping cool Average Drinking Not enough
Post race
Weight change: %
Overall: Bad
Mental exertion [1-5] 1
Physical exertion [1-5] 2
Good race? No
Evaluation
Course challenge Too hard
Organized?
Events on-time?
Lots of volunteers?
Plenty of drinks?
Post race activities:
Race evaluation [1-5]

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2005-10-24 1:42 PM

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Extreme Veteran
339
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Atlanta, GA
Subject: Florida Challenge Triathlon - Half Ironman


2005-10-24 1:47 PM
in reply to: #271286

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Queen BTich
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Subject: RE: Florida Challenge Triathlon - Half Ironman

Congrats! Thats a hard course to break 3 hours. Brett barely did it and puked...sorry brett...trying to make James feel better at your expense.

Glad my stolen Natasha smile approach from Brett helped you out. I smiled and cheered everyone that passed me (a lot of people).

The run is mental. It usually hurts the same to walk or run so RUN!!!!

2005-10-24 2:34 PM
in reply to: #271286

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Extreme Veteran
527
50025
Jacksonville, FL
Subject: RE: Florida Challenge Triathlon - Half Ironman

Congratulations! You finished a tough course. It was great meeting you & now we have a "benchmark" HIM.

Hope the trip back went well, take it easy the next few weeks & get the knee better...

2005-10-24 2:35 PM
in reply to: #271286

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Elite
3223
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Hendersonville
Subject: RE: Florida Challenge Triathlon - Half Ironman
What were you eating/drinking on the run?  I wish I had seen more of you 1/2 guys during the race.  I think you did great! Next time don't spend the whole day before running around and stuff. Try resting or something
2005-10-24 3:09 PM
in reply to: #271286

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Extreme Veteran
401
100100100100
Plant City, Florida
Subject: RE: Florida Challenge Triathlon - Half Ironman
you did great congrats on the time.....it was nice meeting you.....I had the same problem on the run so let me know if you get an answer.....congrats again.....
2005-10-24 4:39 PM
in reply to: #271286

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Champion
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Williamston, Michigan
Subject: RE: Florida Challenge Triathlon - Half Ironman
Congratulations...sounds like a tough bike course!!


2005-10-24 4:41 PM
in reply to: #271286

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Extreme Veteran
562
5002525
Subject: RE: Florida Challenge Triathlon - Half Ironman
Good job, James..

I think all of us spent some time walking on the run. I started walking at the aid station w/the cave girl bikinis (!) and didn't start running again until you passed me. Then I shuffled along, but you stayed ahead...good job!
2005-10-24 7:43 PM
in reply to: #271341

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Extreme Veteran
339
10010010025
Atlanta, GA
Subject: RE: Florida Challenge Triathlon - Half Ironman
Tri Take Me Away - 2005-10-24 3:35 PMWhat were you eating/drinking on the run?

Thanks for reminding me. I added it in.
2005-10-24 7:57 PM
in reply to: #271286

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Elite
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Subject: RE: Florida Challenge Triathlon - Half Ironman

Great race, James.   Strong swim, solid bike, too bad your knee held you back some on the run, but I am glad to hear you did so well.  Congratulations.

TW

2005-10-25 7:27 AM
in reply to: #271286

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Master
2447
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Marietta, Ga
Subject: RE: Florida Challenge Triathlon - Half Ironman
Mr. Reeves, nicely done.  You perservered and finished in spite of the pain and obstacles.  Enjoy your achievement.
2005-10-25 7:48 AM
in reply to: #271286

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The Original
7834
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Raleigh/Durham
Subject: RE: Florida Challenge Triathlon - Half Ironman
Great race James- congrats for being tough and sticking with it.  I heard the bike course was pretty tough!  I have my first 1/2 IM in 3 weeks!  I learned a lot from your race report.  I'll definitely have some Tylenol 8 hour with me for the run!


2005-10-25 10:01 AM
in reply to: #271286

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Master
1661
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Newbury Park, CA
Subject: RE: Florida Challenge Triathlon - Half Ironman
Congrats on finishing another milestone on the way to IM CDA.  Sounds like you learned a lot and will be a lot stronger for it.  That walk is incredibly hard to do as you stare at your watch and see time slipping by with nothing you can do about it.  Get some rest and build your IM training plan.  You've got a big race coming up!
2005-10-25 8:39 PM
in reply to: #271286

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Master
1480
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Plant City, FL
Subject: RE: Florida Challenge Triathlon - Half Ironman
You looked GREAT crossing the finish line!!  Hopefully the pics made it through this time!!
2005-10-26 8:18 AM
in reply to: #271286

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Member
32
25
Lake Mary, FL
Subject: RE: Florida Challenge Triathlon - Half Ironman
Great race, way to grind out the run. I had the same chills you did (for me it happened between the mile 3/4 aid station and the trail turnaround) and realized something is horribly wrong. Plenty of fluids and walking is better than a DNF or medical attention.
2005-10-26 11:46 AM
in reply to: #271286

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Pro
3705
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Vestavia Hills
Subject: RE: Florida Challenge Triathlon - Half Ironman
Good job on finishing a tough race ... you faced issues in each leg, yet mustered what it took to complete some considerably long distances. This is a big accomplishment and something to build upon.

Any race you start in is a good race to finish!

More importantly, good job also making it through the swim demons of doubt - very difficult thing to do - for trudging through a difficulties in the bike and pushing yourself through the run. Remember this resolve when you face adversity or doubt yourself in another race; tell yourself that you did it before, so you can do it

Congrats on the HIM finish!




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