Spirit of Racine Half Ironman Triathlon - Triathlon1/2 Ironman

My goal for today was to not repeat what I've done the last few races. The past few weeks I would try to go fast and end up just thrashing around. I can swim OK in OW practice, but in races I get out of control. Today I just wanted to take long, full strokes and get long with my arms. Focused on rotating my hips/core and keeping good head position. At least I broke 40 minutes for the first time for a HIM, so I'm pretty happy with the swim - considering how much I suck. They had larger buoys marking the course this year so sighting was much easier than last year.

Ummmmm...swim faster

The bikes were really tight together on the racks so I got out of my normal transition routine a little. Seems like it took a long time for me. Didn't put the shoes on the pedals this time because I didn't want to take a chance of a shoe getting caught on someone else's bike.

Nothing

I pushed hard the entire ride, but for some reason I had a tough time settling into what I thought would be a decent HIM pace. After doing so many Olys this season I started getting worried that I was pushing too hard for today. Probably was a little too conservative, but overall satisfied with the ride.

Probably not much, maybe push a little harder.

There were very few bikes in the Elite racks when I finished the bike leg, so I was able to pull off a nice transition in T2.

Legs felt a little heavier than usual, calves a little tight. Getting used to the new bike I guess. Pretty much pushed hard the entire race but I feel like I lost my concentration for a few miles until mile 9 when I re-focused. Need to focus more at Pigman HIM in a few weeks.

It was cool to be able to see the pros during both loops of the course. David Thompson continues to dominate his races. I could not believe the leg speed/turnover of Lisa Bentley - incredible. I thought I recognized pro Heather Gollnick (multiple IM winner) out there and sure enough, she was on the results list.

It was hilarious when I crossed the finish line. My legs were a little wobbly and I kind of bent over and then crouched to the ground to get my balance. Immediately a couple of woman yelled "Medical !!!" That was a first for me. I jumped right up and said (laughing) "MEDICAL ???, no way, don't ever say that!!!!" Everyone laughed. I think they were just anxious to get their first medical customer of the day. Volunteers did a great job.

Focus more during the middle miles

Headed straight to the food tent. No pasta dish this year, which was pretty disappointing. Half a PB & J sandwich, cookies and some cold root beer.


Still need to get accustomed to the new bike,


This was a PR for a half ironman by 8:47. Previous best was on this course - 4:46:18 last year here and placed 102 overall. Gotta be happy about that :)

Overall AG placing reflects my time versus the 45-49 AG even though I was in the Elite Master wave. Elite wave start prevents an offical AG podium. Only one guy older than me placed higher overall, by 5 minutes (son of a b*tch).

I heard a lot of words of encouragement from fellow BT members during the race. THANKS!!!! Hopefully I yelled back something coherent when you did so.

Finished the night off with a pint of chocolate Haagen Dazs in my final splurge before the IM WI weight trimming phase.