Mountain Man Triathlon - Half Iron Distance - Triathlon1/2 Ironman

The turn bouy was very far away and there were no markers between the start and it, so my wave was all spread out heading down the firts leg. I think I was too far right as it seemed that a group formed to my left and formed a line. I tried to get over to them but the altitiude of nearly 7000 feet really was effecting my breathing. I had to settle down and get into a rhythm before pushing the pace. Once I turned the first marker for the long down leg, I felt great and really tried to push a solid pace with good form. There were no opportunities to draft so I just swam solo and began moving through the back of the first wave. Evryone was really spread out, so it was easy to do. Got to the last turn and headed towards the boat ramp thinking I should have a good split. Stood up, saw 35:xx and just shook my head. I knew it was long. Well, we all had to swim the same course, so no worries.

Not be forced to swim so damn far! :)

I got to the bike and peeled off my suit. I had to grab Jamie's bike for a second to balance myself and almost pulled it off the rack! She wouldn't be happy with that so I made sure it was positioned right before I left. :)

Not mess up my wifes Transition area. :)

I rode up the sort hill to the main road with my feet on top of my shoes. Once on the road, I quickly got into them and settled into a pace. My target HR for the bike was 147-157. Over the first 9 miles, I brought my HR up into the very low 150's but noticed that my PE felt like I was working harder. This also happened at Show Low. In retrospect, i think that I am altitude effected more than I realized. These are the times where I need to ignore HR more and although I was concerend at what my HR monitor was showing, my PE felt like I was pushing and at the end of the day, so did my pace.

I made my way through the first wave but wouldn't really know where I stood until the one out and back section. On an early cllimb, I was passed by a guy who gapped me on the climbs but I would blow by him on the downhills. We went back and forth for the next 30 miles like this. At the turnaround, it seemed like I was around 5th, but I didn't know who was a relay and who was not, so i just kept at it. Eventually I dropped that one guy and rode alone for a long stretch. It was a very scenic course but I didn't have a lot of time to enjoy it. I stayed on top of my nutrition, finishing off my gel flask, a bottle of water, and a bottle of G.E. Somewherea round mile 45 or so, I was passed by a rider who was flying! He went by me right before a big downhill (he later told me we went 50+mph!). I passed him (The Orbea is crazy fast!) and then on the next climb he dropped me like a bad habit. :) At mile 52, I caught another Half racer I hadn't seen since the turn around but I was still not clear where I stood in the overall.



Not worry about my HR and just ride by PE when racing at elevation.

Did my ITU dismount, which reveived some cheers from the volunteers. Ran to my rack but had a bit of an issue getting my bike hung on the rack, the water bottles kept hitting the bar. Got on my sock, visor, race belt, and shoes, turned and headed out.

Toss the bottles before the finish if possible.

As I was leaving Transition, there came jamie heading to the finish! I high fived her and said i love you. She looked great and based on the race time, I knew she had a great day. I headed up the road for the first 1.5 miles, getting my HR into the mid 150's. target for the run was 152-162. I hit the big climb and tried to moderate my pace and keep my effor controlled. I was running through the BOP of the Olympic race and most folks were walking the hill at this point. I hit the switch back and started up the second part when i hear the slap of feet behind me and knew it wasn't one of the Olympic athletes getting a second wind. I didn't look back and then sure enough, the guy who I passed on the bike nearing the bike finsih blew by. 21 years old and looking VERY strong. As we neared the turn, the guy who had crushed the bike came runnignt he other way. He wasn't far ahead.

As the three of us descended the hill, the lead guy trued to gap us and did put in some distance. Once back on the main road, the 21 year old ran him down within a mile. the road wasx straight, so i could see it all. Before i realized it, I had also caught him. he was starting to fade. I hit every aid station and kept up downing some gel from my run flask. the sun was out and although it wasn't Phoenix hot, that high altitude sun rips into you and I was HOT.

I still wasn't clear where I was on the course position wise but knew anyomne I saw running the other way was in my race. Eventually, a lone woman ran by so I pegged her as a relay runner as the top women were behind me. And then....no one esle went by. Holy crap, I'm in second! At the far turn around, I had a chance to see how close 3rd was but he wasn't making up any ground. I decided to burn a few candles at the 5 miles to go maker and pushed the pace for 10min to make sure he wouldn't close up. that hurt and for the last 4 miles I was alone and hot and tired and just ran hard enough to keep my lead. I had no thoughts of trying to run down first, he was 4+min ahead of me, so I stayed within myself and brough it in.

Nothing, it was a good run for the course and conditions, even though the time was very slow.

Crossed and immediatley saw Jamie holding her AG award! She was so happy. :) She had gone back to the hotel and collected the dogs so we let the, swim in the lake. I spoke with the overall winner, he was a college student from Atlanta here in Chandler for the summer. Very nice and very good athlete. Also spoke with 3rd place. He told me he was out to beat the bike course record and that's why I was going so hard. I think he got it, riding a 2:26, but he paid on the run. I went back to pack up my gear and at the end of my bike rack, someone had left a box of donuts so I helped myself! That's the first time I have had a donut in a long time. They were good. :)


Altitude.


This is a fun race in a beatiful spot. Post rrace was lacking in food, so I ate some dudes donuts instead. :)