TOUGHMAN Wisconsin Half - Aquabike

5th of 39 Aqua Bikers. Blinded by sunrise on return leg to finish arch. Could not see anything on rounding final buoy at 0.9 miles.

Use defogger on goggles so I wouldn't have to stop to re-sight next buoy.

Loved the wetsuit strippers - took about 4 seconds total, including clearing timing chip on left ankle.

NO GU! Took about 45 seconds trying load 4 packets of GU into Orca jersey pockets.

11th of 39 Aqua Bikers.

Use Infinit carbohydrate/electrolyte drink instead of GU for energy during race, close to bonking from mile 35 onward.

Hydration, eating & lots of walking.


Lack of nutrition on bike, ( I dropped my last GU packet around mile 38 and had to wait until final aid station to get another!).


First Aqua Bike event for DuTriRun! Well organized overall, with traffic and athletes routed nicely. Walked very rocky-bottomed first 0.1 mile starting leg to first orange buoy. Final 0.3 mile leg of swim course was directly into the sun, unable to see finish arch. Occasionally very bumpy bike course with rolling hills. Bike course had excellent traffic control by officers and clear directional flagging by volunteers, with three refill/aid stations, (water, gatorade & GU), along the way. However, most bike course corners had sand/gravel which is tough for athletes pacing 20+ mph. Very good post-race food offerings plus really nice medals and trophies! Will have to do more hill training in preparation for competing next year!