Toyota Challenge 1/2 Ironman (Formerly Pineman) - Triathlon1/2 Ironman

Goggles decided to leak three times in the first 500 yards. I then pulled the straps so tight I think my eyeballs would pop out. But hey no more water. There were some wave issues that I figured out after swallowing a few buckets of lake.

make sure to have well fitting goggles. I slacked off on swim training the last two months, only swimming maybe once a week. I guess the results were ok

I pushed too hard up the hill because Brue popped up out of the water right next to me and I was trying to keep up with him up the hill- however he was running with shaved legs and I was running in black neoprene.

dont try to zip up the hill

I was most worried about the bike. I had not figured out what nutrition would work as far 1) keeping it down and happy 2) staying fueled for bike and run. I settled on a combo of soy milk (250 cal in 20 oz) and shot blocks. Over the course of the ride I drank the soy milk and ate approx 250 cal of shot blocks. That was enough to fuel the bike but I dont think it was enough to last to the run. The actual bike went fine. I posted positive splits on each lap. That is good right? :) I had fun watching the caterpillars. I wanted to go under 3 hrs but I was still happy with the result. The wind was a little vicious on the backside but the hills felt easy (some training actually showing through)

Not much other than eat a little more. I think next year the biking should really begin to come around as this was my first year of really training for the bike.

I didnt attempt a flying dismount because I think the time savings would not cancel the real chance of killing myself. I can do it in an OLY distance but didnt want to try it here.

I changed socks from the bike. I thought my toes were wet. Turns out they were just a little numb. There wasnt really a need for that

Here is the funny thing - the run felt fine. I was never in pain or cramping. I never had to change my stride. My biggest issue was - and it was the hardest thing about this distance to me- my brain said "F you". When I walked the aid stations it wasnt for any reason. My breathing was fine and legs were fine. I just struggled from about mile 4 on mentally. I think I was hungry as well. I hate gels and dont stomach food well on the run. I managed to eat half a banana at mile 9. I wanted sugar. I could have killed for super sweet koolaid, orange slices or smarties.

Eat a little more on the bike and the run. My physical conditioning was perfect. My mental conditioning was not.

Some stretching and orange slices


Mental Conditioning. I felt good during all aspects of the race physically. I might have been able to go a little faster in a discipline or two but I was being a little reserved since this was my first race at this distance. I have done 4 hour rides and 3 hour runs with no issues. At five hours my brain lost it. Bad thoughts came in "quit" "cut the course" "just walk" "stop at the first loop". I was able to beat the big ones back but I talked myself into walking for no reason. I have never done that during a race. I have walked before to drink or due to a cramp or foot pain but never because I gave up mentally. It was humbling and a good learning experience. I have a lot of respect for 140.6 athletes. I am not so impressed by the physical as I am the mental aspect of it. I dont think this race distance has queered me off 70.3 or even 140.6 but I must find a way to expercise mentally prior to my next race at those distances.

All that aside I beat my goal of 6 hours and just missed my A1 goal of 5:45. I didnt get hurt and was able to fell fine the next day aside from some sore quads.


brown water - the new energy drink