Muncie Endurathon - Triathlon1/2 Ironman

Swim went great, moved through traffic very well, sighting was good. Had a bit of struggle about 400 yards in due to congestion but more so because I didn't do a warm up swim. Without a warm up, I always go through a short phase where I go into oxygen debt for a minute or so and kinda get panicky. It always passes and a minute or so later I was fine.

Executed swim portion exactly as planned. Just cruised it and exited the water feeling great. No changes here

Excellent T1 - The advice and practice sessions the week before paid off here. Had shoes already clipped in and banded to the bike. Given no wetsuits, I put my glasses and helmet on and was off. Had my feet strapped in and Garmin on and running with a couple hundred yards of the bike start.

No changes here

I put a moderate effort into the bike and much exceeded my goal of sub 3 hours. I was very pleased with my results here. It seemed like I had a slight headwind no matter what direction we were going. Probably just a reflection of my effort as this was definitely my best bike session ever.

No changes here

T2 went well once again. Had feet out of shoes about 100 yards out from dismount. Did a rolling dismount. Jogged to my rack position with the bike and probably spent more time putting on my socks than anything else.

No changes here.

Although I could feel the bike effort here, my legs were ok. Temp was only about 84 but direct sun was very intense and I knew within the first mile I was eventually going to have hydration issues. Drank water at every mile and poured a little over my head. Made it to the turn-around in 1:03 pretty close to where I wanted to be, Tried to pick it up at the turn around but after about 3/4 mile I knew I was in for a long 6 miles. I was dehydrating and there was little I could do at that point. Although I kept drinking at every opportunity at 9.5 miles I had to walk for about a quarter mile or so. I bent over to stretch my legs and was amazed at how close I was to cramping. Started running again and it was pretty well one foot in front of the other to the finish line. Stopped sweating and actually felt chilly so I knew I was battling heat exhaustion. Took about 3 more very short walk breaks on the way in but I made it in tact.

Unsure at this point, maybe take electrolyte pills or find some strategy that will keep me hydrated for these long duration events. As my body weight has dropped, it seems I really have struggled to stayed hydrated.

None - parked my butt in a chair for about 15 minutes to get off my feet.


Lack of training in higher heat and lack of longer duration runs. Additionally, hydration strategy.


This was my first half. I had and overall goal of sub 6 hours. All the way to the run turn around I was on pace for a 5:35 finish. I gave back that time advantage on the last 6 miles of the run but still managed to meet my overall objective finishing at 5:58. I am very pleased and I learned a lot about myself and what it is like to compete in an event of this duration. I can't wait until the next one in September. I know what I need to be working on between now and then.