Troika Half Iron Triathlon - Triathlon1/2 Ironman

Felt some pressure to make up some time, our swimmer came in 55 min (never swam a lap until this year - he started at zero in April) I took off a bit fast. Took me about 7-8 miles to settle in to a pace. Having never raced on relay before I had to fight the urge to conserve on the hills as if the run was waiting. Really became aware of the heat at about 2 hrs in but had hydration/electrolytes well covered to this point. I tried to leave it all on the course this day which resulted in some cramping inside my lower right quad that started on the short steep 1st gear climb in the State Park (mile 51 - 52?) It kept nagging me and became worse through Peaceful Valley. Finished as strong as I could, glad to see the finish chute and let some one else take care of the run!

Executed well this day, rode a safe race as fast as my fitness allowed.

Difficult to warm down when it is 95 in the shade. Drove out to the run turn around to cheer our runner, he carried the brunt of the suffering but finished strong considering heat. The run course was full of carnage, a lot of people were struggling, grimacing looks on their faces, etc. Backing off to walk pace for survival.


Troika - Enjoyed the race focus on HIM, not really a family circus type event like some of the area multisport weekends, its all business and loaded with serious athletes. Glad to race on a team, allows for focus on one segement and let 'er rip. But, 2 years in to triathlons I can see passing on races this time of year to avoid some heat.