Caliman Half Iron - Triathlon1/2 Ironman

Couldn't seem to get out of the pack. I'd have open water for a few minutes, and then start getting into a clump of people again. I started the swim on the outside (this was a mass start), but people were all over the place. I focussed on my technique and pacing, trying to keep a good moderate pace. My goal time was 40 minutes, and I came in just under, but feeling fresh after the swim. Just what I wanted. I had read several things online saying to make the swim your light warmup for the bike, so I did.

Nothing really, except maybe try to draft more. I only drafted for a few seconds at a time.

They had wetsuit strippers, but I wanted to take my own suit off. I have ALOT of experience doing it after 26 years of surfing/bodyboarding. Got into transition, pulled off the suit, on with the bike shorts, helmet, loaded up the pockets with Clif Bars, PowerGel, Endurolytes, lip balm, and got on the bike shoes, and off I went.

Nothing I can think of right now.

I loved this course and it was a great one for my first HIM. Very flat, and not much wind, with tons of great volunteers, police, aid stations with COLD water bottles, great bike tech action following in cars. Fortunately, I didn't need them. The ride was out toward Vacaville through beautiful farmland on rural roads, with a turnaround at Lake Solana that boasted the only hills on the course, and they were short. The mileage was marked incorrectly on the course, and I came upon the 40-mile-marker when I had 50 miles on the computer. Checked with other riders who concurred. Joked with one guy about how great it was to pay someone to let us torture ourselves for a t-shirt. Saw two guys with worn-through bike shorts exposing me to ass crack as they rode by. Saw another guy with training wheels on his bike.
Weather was flawless, save for a less-than-10 knot crosswind that mainly showed up on the return portion of the bike. Not bad though. Awesome spectators too!
My nutrition plan was working well on the bike. Drank mainly Gatorade every few miles, even though it wasn't too hot at all, ate two Clif Bars, and downed some PowerGel halfway and 5 miles out from the finish. I had read from everyone to NOT hammer on the bike even if people were passing me. Save everything for the run, so I did. I had a lower av. speed than most, but felt good off the bike.
Got up every 20 minutes or so and stretched my legs and back. Taint started getting a bit sore after halfway, but adrenaline in the last 15 miles or so helped me forget it.
Got passed alot on the bike, and only passed about 3 people the entire ride.

A lighter bike would help me. My bike is probably around 25lbs with all my liquids (3 bottles) and assorted junk. I also felt the bumps alot with my aluminum frame.
Another problem, I used a Gel flask for the first time, and it sucked! I had to suck and squeeze the hell out of that thing to get a little gel out. I'll have to try something different.

My first "big" race where someone took my bike, another handed me my transition bag, and yet another directed me into a tent to change.
Sat down, pulled off bike shorts (had tri shorts underneath), emptied bag and grabbed shoes, then Fuel Belt, then race belt, then visor and ran out and hit the portapotty. Didn't want to pee on the bike and be soaking in my own piss for the half marathon. Took me around 30-40 seconds.

Just move faster.

This turned out to be my best leg, personally. In training, I was doing this distance at about a 9:30 pace, and expected even slower in the race, but instead, stepped it up alot. Started slow and easy to get my run legs. Aid stations every mile with EPIC stuff: Oreos, M&M's, bananas, apples, drinks, Gu, etc. Kinda wished I didn't wear the Fuel Belt right off the bat. Volunteers were FANTASTIC, enthusiastic, and on top of it. Best I've seen at any race I've done! Joked that I'd like to come back and eat after the race, and thanked everyone I could.
After the first two miles, I tried to settle into a pace that I thought was in the low 9's. Saw some people walking, and passed many more people in the run than passed me. Mentally, really need to make the halfway mark to feel like I was there. After halfway, my legs felt like lead, and it was tempting to lay down under one of the nice trees on the side of the path, but I pressed on, partly motivated by Aid Station #7's messages about pain being temporary. It buoyed me, and I pressed on, with a goal to NEVER walk, even through aid stations. With two miles to go, a lady in front of her house egged me on, "just two short miles!", and I knew I was there, and saw that I was going to beat my goal time. Picked it up further after the last aid station with just 1/4 mile to go and blazed it across the line. I was immediately handed a water bottle and asked if I felt okay. Awesome once again!
My wife and daughter missed my finish by 5 minutes because I had run much faster than I expected, with 8:43 miles. Felt great other than my legs feeling like lead.

Maybe ditch the Fuel Belt. Didn't expect such epic aid stations.

Walked around the field near the finish line and waited for my wife and daughter.
After they arrived, took some photos, and ate the free grub and had s smoothie in the grass. Just basked in the accomplishment a bit, and then headed to the car for the long drive back to SoCal. Showered at the car with jugs of water.


My bike fitness needs more work.


Definitely the best-run of the 10 tris I've done. Hats off to J&A, and I'm surprised the race didn't have more people in it. I kind of liked that as the course wasn't overcrowded. I would definitely do this race again! Maybe the full IM next year....