Timberman - Half Iron - Triathlon1/2 Ironman

The most amazing thing about this swim was how clear the water was. I could see all of the competitors around me which allowed me to really understand how much space I actually had. It also allowed me to move from one person to another to draft from when I could. The water was a little choppy at times, but I noticed it being choppiest on return trip. This was a solid swim for me and one I can be happy about. I felt strong and confident the whole time. I started out steady and maintained throughout.

Nothing. I'm very happy with how the swim went today.

I bypassed the wetsuit strippers (sounds exhotic, but it's volunteers taking your wetsuit off for you...). I was in and out of transition in pretty short order. I expected about a two minute T1 and there it was.

I forgot to put my number belt on which was required during the bike AND run leg. Normally it is only required during the run leg, so I allowed it to slip my mind. I'm disappointed that I made this error, but it was a very minor issue in the end.

It is a well designed and deceivingly fast course for how many hills there are. I think I could have gone faster (maybe averaged more in the 22.3-22.4 range) but it's hard to say.

Although I think I MIGHT have been able to go faster on the ride, I don't think I would change anything. It was a well executed ride.

I'm pleased with my T2 performance and I am SO glad that I covered my running shoes with a plastic bag during T1. It started raining toward the end of the ride and it was nice to start the run with dry shoes.

Nothing. It was well done.

While cycling I believed I was going to have a good run. Of course this can mean a couple of things. It can mean I'm not riding hard enough on the bike or that it's simply going to be my day.
As it turned out, I wasn't riding quite as fast as I could have been but then again...maybe I did.
When I got off the bike I felt better in T2 than any 1/2 Ironman I had ever done. I took off steady, but controlled and my legs felt springy and light. This was new for me for this event, but I went with it.
Around mile one I connected with a guy named Keith from New Jersey who was clipping along at a similar pace and we were keeping each other motivated and moving. I felt great while running with Keith, but I had to let him go while I made a brief stop at the porta-john. I continued on and the first half of the run still felt wonderful. I looked at my watch with PR's dancing in my head.

..then 7.5 miles came. I started to feel the fatigue really racking up. My hips started to get tight, and my spirits were starting to dwindle.

I walked briefly at aid stations, which I hadn't done all race. I knew if I didn't feel any worse, I would do pretty well.
My hips just kept getting tighter, but I did what I could and continued to walk during aid stations, and once in a while between.
With only a little over a mile to go I felt a pain on the top of my right foot that reminded me very much of when I "earned" the stress fracture in my left foot. Things were looking a bit grim, but that particular pain continued to come and go.
I managed a wobble of sorts, but kept on going and I was still on target of meeting my goal of finishing under 5-hours.
Finally I turned the corner to the long, grassy, straight-away to the finish line. I put one foot in front of the other in my tight-hipped running form, but cruised toward the finish line. I saw my family as I got closer, so I veered over and gave Payton a high five before finally making across the finish line...relieved.
Chrissie Wellington, the reigning, 3x Ironman World Champion congratulated me on a fine finish and handed me my medal. I half expected her to know who I was since I felt like I knew her from following her career. Of course that was illogical, but I still patted her on the back and told her congratulations as well (she had won the race about an hour earlier).

Maybe take the run out a little slower, but I'm not sure. I had committed to myself to try to take the run out a little harder and I didn't feel like I was running too fast early in the race. I felt quite comfortable in my pace.
I hadn't had the kind of hip pain I experienced during this run in previous runs this year, so I didn't do anything ahead of time to prevent it. I'm wondering if it was manifested from the hilly ride.
I don't think I would have done anything differently. I gave it what I had under the circumstances.

I hobbled around...got my food...sat down and ate a bit because I was rather hungry, then I got up again and walked to where my family was. Not long after that, I grabbed my gear and we walked out to the shuttles to take us back to Gunstock.



My hip issue during the run didn't help my situation, and my lack of knowledge of the bike course may have hindered me a little. However, I will not use either of these as excuses because I believe I did the best I could do on the day.


The Timberman 1/2 Ironman has been on my radar for a long time. After seeing the photos in Triathlete Magazine and on-line, this was an event I really wanted to do. After having done it, I can honestly say that it was everything I expected. It is a great event and I am glad I took the leap to head east and have the fantastic experience that I did.
Part of the enjoyment of the Timberman journey is certainly attributed to my fellow BT'ers who I've interacted with along the way. Thanks for sharing this with me!