Spirit of Racine 2005 - Triathlon1/2 Ironman

thought about turning around when I first started swimming; I let the waves get the best of me; after the 1st turn I started swimming better. first 1/3 was bad, I was having some problems with the waves until I got use to them; second 1/3 was a good swim a little choppy but not as wavey actually got into a grove while swimming, drafted a little, some guy swam perpendicular over me...no idea where he was headed!; last 1/3 was good. Run into the water and out of the water was a little tricky with the sand bars. after my practice swim I thought my time would be 47 min so I was happy when i got out of the water with 36 (plus run time).

Try to relax in the begining of the swim.

Had a little trouble with wet suit but not too bad. Stopped to get on bike but got clipped in right away.

Practice getting on bike faster.

Left leg was sore due to the cracks in the road. At mile 20 I was very sore, by mile 40 I was numb. Felt over heated at last aid station so I poured water into my helmet and slowed down for a bit. Because of the wind I was in the areo bars alot, even while drinking which made my stomache cramp a little so then I had to sit totally up right which slowed me down a lot. 17mph winds with gusts around 20mph.

Pretty sure if I didn't have the left leg/nerve problem I would have gotten under 3 hrs which is what my goal was.

Pretty smooth T2. No issues.

Learn to dismount bike better.

HOT, HOT, HOT. I wasn't familiar with the sport drink so I used e-gel during the run. Took 1st at the Zoo water stop with warm water. Felt it kick in several miles later. Took the 2nd at the Zoo again up on the second loop. Probably should have had one more considering the conditions that day. The stretch on 3 mile/Lake Shore Dr. was very mentally challenging. Walked several times during the run and probably would have walked more if I hadn't met Nona and ran with her. It helped to have someone to talk too while running...kept my mind off of the heat! Walked water stops and took ice and water at ever stop. Soaked in every hose that was on the course! Probably wouldn't have finished with out the hoses! Picked up the pace at mile 12 which was a little too soon so I had to cross the street to stop in one final hose.

Take an additional e-gel. Challenged myself a little more when wanting to walk.

Crossed the finish line and had problems getting a full breath. Stood in the shade of the food tent and ate oranges and watermelon. Then headed back in the lake to cool down. Water felt ice cold but felt good! I was so sick of water when I was done with the race I stopped at the first gas station and got a Dr. Pepper, wow was that good!


I trained in the heat so I don't think it bothered me as much as others but it was definetly an issue.


Overall this was a good race. It went by very fast! My family followed me around the course cheering me on which was great! Wish I would have stuck around after the race to enjoy the moment but I was hot and wanted to get to AC.
1073 finished the race an additional 154 started but DNF (312 no start)