Pigman Long Course Triathlon - Triathlon1/2 Ironman

Time trial start was different, no early congestion. I felt comfortable the whole way. Good rhythm with my breathing and stroke. I needed to get some water into my wetsuit a couple of times but wasn't ever real hot. SInce we were more spread out, difficult to find a draft.

Not much

2nd in AG +3 secs. Efficient, grabbed my gels/endurolytes, bike, helmet and sunglasses and took off. Barb was there just outside the fence in transition and said I was about 40 min in the swim.

Nothing

I wanted to keep HR 135-140 but with the overcast skies and cooler temps I thought I'd go a little harder and still be OK on the run. I did hold back 1st half but increased my effort on the 2nd half.

I stayed pretty much with my plan, just went a little harder than I originally targeted. Negative split on the bike. Wind was helping a little more on the return overall I believe.

Good T2, Barb was right there and I talked to her some. Grabbed more gels, my hand held water bottle, and more electrolytes. I remembered my Garmin unlike last race at Chisago.

5th in AG, +32 sec

Not much

My goal was to not cramp and run the whole half marathon. I started out easy watching my heart rate. I ran the 1st 5 mile or so with Cory from Nebraska but then pulled away. Sun came out about then too. I passed a 55 yr old just pass the turnaround, he said the guy about 300 yards ahead was 55 as well. I passed him in mile 8. Then the runners thinned out. I started fighting the calf cramping feeling just after entering the park. I did not need to stop until after mile 12. I had to stop 3 times and just bend over and stretch my calves. Never walked, never seized up completely.

Easier for a little longer or not quite so fast when I picked up the pace? One thing I've realized is all the times I have cramped have been marathons or HIM and I've been wearing my racing shoes. I will wear my Brooks training shoes at Madison, was planning on doing that anyway. Maybe that will help.

I'm not at the pace I think I know I should be able to run a HIM but I felt I ran a smart race today. Slight negative split. I would be good to get closer to a 8:00 pace, I've run as fast as 7:40 in the past.

I got a post race massage that felt great. I did have to wait awhile and drank plenty of fluids (HyVee pop) while waiting with Barb and Susan.

Since we didn't stay for awards, I'm not sure if I was officially 2nd or 3rd. Greg Taylor at 58 finished 5th overall and the awards page do not include him in the M55-59 AG. The overall web page lists him in the AG as the winner. This guy is wicked fast, he finished in 4:33:27, He's been to Kona like 20 times and has won his AG there. He used to live in MN but moved to SD a few years back so I don't see him at as many races.


First time at Pigman. I would consider again but it's not a definite. Awards and door prizes were going to wait until the last finisher was in, they were looking at 5:00-5:30. That's 4 hours after I was done, way too much of a wait.