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 Swim
Comments: Finally a cure for my poor sighting and navigation! A river that makes it easy to stay on course. Actually, tried to stay near shore on way out, and near center of channel on way back, on the theory that I'd be working against/with the current. Didn't notice really any. Also, it was pretty shallow in places, but I mostly swam through it. Little faster that way, and saved the legs. What would you do differently?: Not stop all swim training about 9 weeks before race. Aside from the Ventura Olympic, I did almost no swimming before this for way too long. Again, resting on my mediocre days of high school swimming.  Transition 1
Comments: Frankly, wasn't busting it, mostly on purpose. Spent some extra time cleaning feet on the carpet given the sandy/rocky ground. Also, wore gloves and sunglasses, which I usually don't do on shorter races. Room for improvement. What would you do differently?: If I was more time focused for this one, I would do a few things. But, I really wasn't worried about a minute in transition on my first HIM given my training gap. Not. A. Priority. (this time).  Bike
Comments: Since I hadn't trained on many hills, I was a bit concerned going in, particularly regarding miles 40-50. So, I tried to be measured climbing, and that worked out well. I generally gained time on downhills and flats, and lost time on hills. Ended up doing about as good as I could expect given my training. Pretty pleased, even though the time wasn't anything special. If anything, I over-did it a bit and it cost me on the run, or maybe that was the lack of running.... What would you do differently?: Almost nothing. Just put in more long rides before an event like this. Hadn't done but a few 45-50 milers before this. Transition 2
Comments: Did fine. Again, wasn't busting it. Took time for sunscreen. Was fine. What would you do differently?: If I was in better shape, take it more seriously.  Run
Comments: Felt better than expected for the first couple miles. Actually had to rein myself in during the first two. Slowed a bit around mile 3, and consistently walked at water stops. Then started walking steep hills. By the turn around, I was surprised to see my time be not that bad. 2:10-2:15 seemed doable. But, somewhere between mile 6 and 7, the wheels sort of fell off the wagon. Not a nutrition issue. Not an injury issue. Just accumulated fatigue. Never had that feeling. Basically mental commands didn't quite inspire the same activity. Sort of jog/trudged/walked the way back. The family helped get me through the last mile (they were great!), and was DEAD tired by the finish. What would you do differently?: Broken record: train more. Don't skip 6 of 9 last weeks of training program. Also, I need to do something to improve my mental toughness. Aside from that, I did the best I could with what I had in me. Post race
Warm down: Found a spot on the grass. Sat down. Waited for family to arrive. Returned to hotel and enjoyed a beer. What limited your ability to perform faster: Basically, if I'd stuck to the plan, I think I could have easily shaved 20+ minutes off my overall time. I felt like I left 20 minutes just on the run. Maybe 10 on the bike, and a few on the swim. But, that's what next year is for. Event comments: Just a great event. Beautiful and well run. Last updated: 2009-09-08 12:00 AM
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United States
Vineman, Inc.
78F / 26C
Sunny
Overall Rank = 1344/1870
Age Group = M35-39
Age Group Rank = 206/255
This was my first HIM. About 9 weeks before the race, I changed jobs, and started living out of a suitcase in a new town. The workout routine died then for almost 6 weeks. About 3 weeks out, panic ensued, and I briefly considered chucking my plans, after a BOP finish at the Ventura Olympic. After some words of encouragement here, I decided to give it a go with only 2 goals: finish and have fun. Mission accomplished.
Got up on time and was able to get the family into the car pretty easily. Children of 4, 3 and 1 make that interesting sometimes. Blessedly, a Starbuck's next door to the hotel in Santa Rosa opened at 5 a.m. Made it to Guerneville pretty quick, and after some confusion re the parking situation, found a good spot. Made it into transition, got set up, and dropped off my bag with family about 5 minutes before the gun (I was wave 3). No real warm up, besides running around.