Ironman 70.3 Muncie - Triathlon

As I watched from the shore, I noticed that EVERYONE was swimming to the 1st buoy then heading out. I was wondering why they just didnt swim straight out to the 1st Turn buoy. It seemed to me that they were wasting time, but since I was new, I guess I didnt know what they knew.
I made my way to the left of my wave and to the front because I was sure all these guys were going to do the same thing as the other waves. Swim to the right, to the first buoy, then a slight left and head to the 1st turn buoy.
As I entered the water, I noticed that it was not bad at all, 75 was not cold as I splashed it all over my body.
I got this.
I was far left, right against the dock and sighted the 1st turn buoy waaaay out in the lake. Straight line distance should save me some time.
The horn sounded and away we went!
The other guys turned right and went towards the 1st buoy and I went straight out. I was proud of my decision as I had ZERO traffic and ZERO contact with anyone in the 1st 900. I was breathing on my left, but I would swim into a 3 stroke, Breast-stroke to site and get my bearing. I noticed the other swimmers off to my right and they were swimming in some serious chop and traffic and once again, I was thrilled with my decision. WOOT!
I FINALLY arrived at the 1st buoy and I was spot on where I wanted to be. I finally encountered some traffic, got my ass smacked, got brushed up on and felt some toes as I kept swimming. I swear the water was the darkest water I have ever been in. It was kind of eerie because you wouldnt know you were coming up to another swimmer, until you were on top of them!
So we made the 2nd buoy, turned for home and BAM!! SUNSHINE & GLARE smacked us in the face!! It was crazy. I couldnt see shit, others couldnt see shit because we all were swimming inside the buoys and headed toward the start point!! Opps.
I finally got a break and could see where I needed to go, so I made an adjustment and turned left. I stroked some more, sighted and another small left turn, I was finally back on course.
Adrenaline was kicking in as I was getting closer and closer to the finish. I came across more swimmers and they too sensed the end as it seemed everyone was wanting to get out of the water. There were elbos and asses everywhere as I made my way to shore and finally....
I touched the rocky bottom!!
It got shallow quick, so I just stood up and made my way out of the water.
I was PUMPED!! I FREAKING MADE IT!!! HE LL YEAH!!!
I saw my buddies wife and girls along the barrier cheering. She snapped some pics and was hootin and hollerin! It was a cool morale boost to have someone I knew cheering me on.

Train more. I took it easy and sighted more than I needed to.

Holy run up the hill Batman!! I tried to do extra kicks on my last meters of the swim to get my legs going, but I guess I shouldve kicked more.
I jogged along the carpeted, rock infested trail and made my way into transition.
1
2
3
4
5...
The fifth row is where my bike was waiting for me. So I turned right, made my way to my area, found my bike and looked back at the water. YES! I finished the swim!
Toweled off my feet, sat down to put on socks & shoes. Stood back up, put on helmet, dark glasses, quick double check for nutrition as I drank from an extra bottle. Helmet strap was checked and out I went.
I cussed myself for not peeing in the water, as I made my way to the port a shitter again.
Came out of there, got some suntan lotion on and FINALLY, I was on the road!!

More training so I could go faster.

Who needs more training? This guy!
I HATE getting passed and it seemed like EVERYONE passed me! Ugh, this is going to be a long ride, I thought as I pedaled onward.
I was enjoying the event and the scenery around me, but I knew I shouldve trained more.
The other competitors, WOW!! They have some AWESOME bikes! I was full on Bike Envy this day as they went zinging by me.
The course was pretty decent through the first part with some scenic views and smooth pavement. But when we hit the No Passing Zone, it got ugly.
That section had quite a few riders on the side of the road with flats. I actually slowed my pace as I thought I was going to lose the filings in my teeth with all the breaks in the pavement.
The turnaround seemed to take FOREVER to reach. I wanted off this section, but the Turnaround was no where in site.
Another rider down, another small hill crested, still no TA. UGGHHH...
FINALLY! ITS THE TURNAROUND POINT!!! I swear I wanted to get off my bike and hug one of the volunteers, but I was afraid I wouldnt want to get back on.
Made the 180 turn and headed back. Did I mention I HATED this part of the ride? Made it to the No passing zone, fell behind a slower rider (surprised me as I thought I was the turtle) and managed to suck down another GEL.
Quick note, I did great with my nutrition. I never felt thirsty or hungry.
Made it to 35 and headed north. Now I feel like Im on the return trip.
I kept a steady pace, followed another rider and just sucked it up. I was starting to get that, "GET ME OFF THIS THING" feeling, but I still had a ways to go.
I made my last turn onto the home stretch and thought to myself, "Almost there, keep going, KEEP going!!" My legs werent smoked, but my feet were feeling sore. My left hamstring was sore, but its been sore for the past 6 weeks, so I continued on.
With about a mile to go, I saw my wife and girls!! I saw them first, and when my baby girl, Scarlett saw me, she lit up like a Christmas tree and started jumping up and down!! I wanted so bad to stop right there and hug them all.
"Go DADDY GO!!!" they all screamed!!
WE LOVE YOU!!
God I wanted to be done with this whole race...but I continued on.


More training.
This seems to be a reacquiring theme here. Sure I trained, but I did not TRAIN.
Lesson learned, I will be more prepared next time.

Uggh...Holy crap!! I wanted off the bike, but now I wanted back on!
It was a rough "jog" to my spot as my left hamstring was hurting. I got to my spot, racked my bike, took off helmet and sat down to stretch.
Bad move! I did NOT want to get up. I wanted to be back with my family having FUN instead of this crap!!
Stretched for a bit, got up, and headed out. This was going to suck. No way around it.

Figure a way to make my left hamstring feel better or just harden the F up and work through it.

I think I ran as far as I did in the early going due to the fact that I knew that this was it. I had to finish this last part of the race and I would be DONE!!

It was great to see all the spectators out and the volunteers at the aid stations. They were all so supporting and actually helped me finish. When I reached the third (??) station, the church on the left with the hose. I had them hose me down. Man it felt GREAT!! "Thank you" as I continued onward.
About mile 5 I "ran" into a couple of runners and I just was DONE, so I ended up staying with them. We were all pretty much done, so we just trudged on together. We would pick up another competitor, then drop one. It went like this past the turnaround and back to the Soccer aid station.
I swear, right past the Soccer station, my feet let me know that I forgot to put on Body Glide or any other slick stuff on my feet. I felt blisters coming on and there was nothing I could do about it.
The hills were now murder on my feet. My legs actually were not too bad, but it was now the BLISTERS that kept me from running. This sucked. Miles 8-10 are always mind busters for me anyway, but on this day, the blisters and these miles were telling me to give up.
My heart sank lower and lower with each step. I made it so far, but to give up now....SCREW THAT!!!
I decided right there, between mile 9 and 10, that I WAS going to finish this race! It might take me all Freaking day, but I have worked this hard and sacrificed so much, that I HAVE to finish!!
I came across one of the aid stations and I knew time was running out as they started tearing down. They still were helpful and offered anything that they had left, but I felt bad for the few people behind me. Heck, if they are tearing down now, there are going to be some needy runners out here.
I continued on and made a left turn at the bottom of the lake area. Nice, one more small goal. At this point in the race, I was starting all kinds of goals...
Make it to that tree. Run to that cone. Run to that shaded area. Anything I could to keep my mind of my sore as hell blistered feet.
Another left turn, HOLY CRAP!! This is it!! The Water girl at the Church was still there so she soaked me down one last time. My socks were already soaked, my shoes were wet so I figured, I might as well be totally drenched for the last 1+ mile...Cmon feet, we are almost there.
Where is the end? After passing the last station, thats all I could think of. Im almost DONE.
The crazies in the boats were a slight moral boost. They were partying and would play Rocky every time they saw one of us competitors. The road was now open and the people passing would say, You are almost there, right over that hill.
Crested the hill and there it was...the finishers chute!!
My feet were done, I was done and now the race would be DONE!!
I heard my wife before I saw her. I saw my sister, my neice, mom and then my girls. My friend and his family stayed to watch me finish.
Such a sight to see after this long day.
I crossed the line, got my medal, smiled for the camera and hugged everyone.
I didnt cry that day, but as I type this, my eyes are tearing up. What a day. To finish this race with the support of my family and friends means the world to me.


See above What would I do differently.

Ate a nasty ass Burnt burger, ate a couple bananas, drank some water and sat down. I finally took off my shoes. I swear smoke poured off them!!


I let a sore/injured left hamstring put my mental toughness in the gutter. I felt sorry for my ass and used it as an excuse to not train harder. I knew I could swim and bike so I stuck to them more than I did the run. I took the easier freaking way out and I paid for it. This wont happen again....


This was my 1st Half distance Tri, so I have nothing to go on.
The VOLUNTEERS WERE AMAZING!! If they werent there, I would have been out of the race before I finished. They ROCKED!!
The race director and all of his people, GREAT job!!
The competitors that I talked to, AMAZING as well. EVERYONE wanted EVERYONE to FINISH! Its like a brotherhood that Im now proud to be a member of!!
THANK YOU to my wife, Shawna. My kids. My mother. My Inlaws. Friends Chris and Amanda. Thank you all for the support and love you gave. As a crazy 44 year old that decided to do something like this, I could NOT have done it without you all.

Craig...WOOT!!!