Beach to Battleship HIM - Triathlon1/2 Ironman

Just could not get into a relaxed groove. I would have to back/side stroke to keep oxygenated. Did not wear aquasocks and did not get cold w/ the sleeveless w.s. Made sure I started at the bop and tried to stay away from people since I felt this was going to be a challenge and I didn't want to upset someone with a side stroke kick to their face. The energy at the start was amazing and luckily a buddy of mine had a condo 1 block away from the start so we watched tv and chilled until a few mins before the race then walked over; no sitting out in the cold on the ground. Struggled through the swim but finally saw the exit ladders and I was happy. This was to only time my wife would let me be touched by a stripper but I passed and took care of business myself.

learn how to relax and breath. Practice more ows with wetsuit; i did great in the pool... Overall bad performance with respect to technique but I'll take the time.

Since this was my first tri ever I didn't know what to really expect even though I had practiced transitions before. I took my time and made sure I got everything on correctly. Took off the wetsuit myself and made sure I dried off.

nothing

Wore tri top, 2XU tri shorts, short sleeve jersey, glooves, and arm warmers. I was very happy with my choice. It felt great to be out of the water. My computer didn't work (pi$$ed me off) so I couldn't tell what my cadence was but I had a 310xt for everything else. Had a power bar gel every 30mins and 1/3 bottle of Hammer sustained energy each hour and sipped on water prn from the "Never Reach" reservoir that I recently bought (I like it). Slight tail wind going out and some/little head wind on the return but not too bad. I've read here that you don't want to kill it on the bike then bonk on the run so I didn't push it as much as I wanted to. In hindsight I feel as if I could have gone a little faster and still done well on the run but I am learning. Had a big smile on my face as I saw the battleship then saw my posse cheering for me at the T2 entrance.

push myself a little more

Got pointed to the wrong rack but I didn't really care that much. I was feeling good and thinking of the run ahead. The only race I have ever run was a 1/2 mary this past Feb in Ocean Isle (2:11) so I was a little nervous in the transition. Made it out fine; the bike grabbers were great. I put on my shades and my special run visor decorated with candles by my 2 girls and was off.

nothing

Since I turned 42 on race day I was feeling the love with my candle visor. The shout outs made me smile, motivated me, and made me think of my family and friends cheering for me. Got water at almost every aid station and took 1 power bar gel @ mile 7. Time flew by and I thought about picking up the pace around mile 4 but I thought it best to stick to my plan of racing "comfortably". I kept thanking volunteers and before i knew it I was at the last bridge. This slowed me down a bunch. At the top of the bridge I knew i was home free. I picked up the pace then kicked it for the last 1/4 mile. I finished strong and got to see family and friends all in their red homemade "Go Hal Go" shirts at the end cheering me on. Spider man guy was cool

Maybe push a little more in the run

Ate pizza, banannas, drank water and one beer


inexperience


This was a P.R. for me- of course it was my first tri. I've heard this before but for me the race was the icing on the cake. The journey that got me here brings so many memories to mind that make me smile. It's good to challenge yourself.