Delaware Diamondman Triathlon - Triathlon

The bottom of the pond at the entry/exit point was sludge, sometimes waste deep. Getting through that should be an event in itself. I don't know about others, but rather than walk through it again at the finish, I chose to swim to the shore in water so shallow that I must have resembled an evolutionary creature emerging from a primordial morass.

I would not have fallen off my bike two weeks before the race. The result of that was a separated shoulder (not dislocated according to orthopedist who gave ok to compete) which kept me from serious swimming until race day. Tylenol and the wetsuit staved off any pain, but my left arm was not strong. Fortunately, it was serviceable enough to keep me from swimming in circles.

T-1 took longer than I would have liked. Had trouble getting the suit off over my watch and over the timing chip on my ankle. For a good part of the quarter mile run to T-1 I struggled with the arm, perhaps establishing the foundation for a new dance craze. While in T-1 I realized that my gel packs and other nutrition were scattered in the depths of my plastic box being used to keep me organiized. Finally just stuffed a few gel packs in my trisuit and grabbed an apple.

Get up earlier. Spend more time getting everything ready in T-1, tape some nutrition to bike so I don't have to forage, move my butt faster.

The bike was my greatest challenge coming into the half IM, but it went pretty well. I did botch the first bottle exchange, picking up another gatorade instead of water, but recitified it at the second exchange. Resisted the urge to stop and pee in the woods. Why aren't there port-a-johns at the turn-around? There was a nice view of a nuclear power plant which made me wonder what was in the sludge I waded through at the swim start. Pay no heed, probably just the nonsensical ravings of a triathlete's lunatic mind. I was happy with my average speed of 16 mph, which met my goal (6 mos. ago I could barely maintain 14 mph for 10 miles). I also kept up a good cadence of 85-95 through the race. Made a point to thank volunteers along the way.

Pee in the woods. Not think about the nuclear power plant and possible future genetic mutations.

It had been my plan to use T-2 to rest a bit from bike and not rush out on to the run. Must say I executed this part of the race plan masterfully, pulling out my folding mini-seat and doing a leisurely change of my shoes. There's nothing I do quite so well as rest. Spent enough time that I didn't want take more to use the port-a-johns only a stone's throw away.

Remember to put on my race belt so that the T-2 exit isn't barred by race volunteers making me go back to get it and be tempted to rest some more (I resisted the temptation). So, make that run 13.2 miles.

I could hold it no longer and peed in the woods. It was a beautiful day for a hot out and back run along a hot scenic, but unshaded hot canal. Did I mention it felt hot? I don't know how many times I thought about going over to the canal and just sticking my head in. I had to walk frequently in the second half of the run, so I was actually surprised that my run time didn't turn out even slower. I saw one guy bonk on my way out (he had 4 miles left), which made me more diligent about consuming beau coup water and gatorade at every station. On the way back medics told me he had been dehydrated, given an IV, and taken off the canal by ambulance. I understand his small son was waiting to see him cross the finish line, so they let him cross the line with his son. I thought that was a nice gesture by everyone. It's things like that -- keeping the compassion and empathy in the sport -- that make me love it.

Do more long runs. Become a man of leisure so I can spend more time in the saddle (I'm just not the driven type that can do it all). Add bricks to my workouts, though my legs felt pretty good, which is to say they felt more like rubber than Jello.

Are you kidding? The last half of the run WAS my warm-down!

Kept moving my feet only long enough to get a free box lunch and find a chair.


Job, sleep, genetics, family fun and responsibiities, days off because I'm lazy, and everything chocolate.


I'm a back of the packer. I think it was great the way race organizers announced everyone's names with a short commentary coming into T-1. Even by the end of the race they were still watching us come across the finish line and announcing each person's achievement. I'm proud of having completed the Diamondman and remain in awe of the people who surrounded me that day. Sir, may I have another?