Beach to Battleship HIM - Triathlon1/2 Ironman

We got coralled into the water for about 5 min prior to start and I was able to get over the SHOCK of the cold during this time. Water was 63 degrees.

This swim was point-to-point down the saltwater channel with the current and had a couple of turns to navigate. My goggles fogged up and I could not see the bouys so I stopped to wet them. Afterwards, I could not get a good seal again and they kept leaking. I swam most of the race with a bit of water in my goggles, but at least that bit of water kept them from fogging up again! I figured the salt water was a natural saline solution for my contact lenses anyway.

Swim was comfortable and enjoyable. Time includes stopping for wetsuit stripper and quick shower before hitting the timing mat. This was a PR swim for me, but only because of the help of the current.

Check goggles better before race.

There was a LONG run from the beach to T1 on asphalt (ouchy). Feet were numb anyway from the cold, so the asphalt wasn't so painful.

Since I used a wetstuit stripper, I didn't have to deal with that here. I found Tiny Roo, dried off, put on socks, shoes, dry jersey, garmin, helmet, sunglasses. Decided against the cold weather gear I had planned. Grabbed Tiny and ran.


T1 race morning.



Can't think of anything.

I took off and ... click, click, click. What? I look down and it appeared my front brakes were rubbing so I stopped and adjusted them. I get back on and.... click, click, click. Grrr! Not stopping again, so whatever is clicking is just gonna have to click for 56 miles. About mile 17, someone told me it was my sensor hitting my spokes. Thank goodness I now know what it is! It was driving me insane listening to it and also wondering what was wrong with my bike! Pulled over a second time and fixed the sensor.

Tiny was SO excited for his first race because Sunny (now retired) had told him all about how much FUN it is. He was like a horse at the starting gate; and when the gate opened, he hauled butt! I was just along for the ride. Pixie and Dixie were excited to race too (that's what I call my Zipps). A lot of people name their bikes, but how many people name their wheels too? Ha!

We rode most of this on a main highway! In the left lane even! Right along with the speeding traffic. It was insane. We even had to cross highway traffic and go down exit ramps. The police did a GREAT job of keeping us safe out there.

Headwinds and crosswinds were pretty strong for about 37 miles, then we finally got a break with some tailwinds back to T2.

Coming in to T2 was amazing with the HUGE USS NC Battleship as a backdrop. This was a PR bike for me.

Two servings of Infinit and one Lara Bar (582 calories).


Make sure I've checked/adjusted everything on my bike before racking!

Handed Tiny off to a bike handler and found my rack. Immediately felt pain in my left ITB. Changed shoes, grabbed fuel belt and run belt, and headed out.

Here is T2 with the Battleship peaking over the trees in the background.



Can't think of anything.

I've been battling ITB syndrome for awhile and wasn't sure what to expect here. Left T2 already feeling pain, so I decided to go ahead and stop at the port-a-pot first just for the extra time to re-group (even though I didn't really have to go at this point). Started the run and felt like my socks were bunched up under my feet. Decided to stop and adjust them, but they looked fine. Started running again and to be sure... those socks are bunched up in my shoes caussing discomfort! Stop again, nothing. I actually stopped a third time when I finally decided that is must be a figment of my imagination and decided to ignore the feeling. I now think it was just a feeling on my foot from the bikes shoes/clips/pedaling.

After wasting time messing with socks, I finally got going but had a hard time finding a pace. Seemed I was all over the place with pace. The dull ache in my ITB area was ever present and slowed me down but was manageable up until about mile 6. That was when the shooting pain started up my leg and stopped me in my tracks. I had my ITB compression strap with me, so I put it on and tried running again, but it was just not happening. My pace slowed way down and I just plodded along the best I could.

This was the bigget disappointment because I expected about 15 min better than this. But, today was not my day to run.

Check my socks in T2 and then not mess with them anymore! Nothing to do about ITB issue other than do better with injury prevention techniques.

Walked it off and stretched a bit. Got a ride back to T1 with Jason and his parents. Went back to the race site and had 3 pieces of pizza and a beer, then went to watch a few of the Iron distance folks come in. We got there JUST in time for one of our club members to come into the finish line shoot in 10:30:35! Woo hoo! But we were cold and tired and decided not to wait for our other guy to come in, so we left.




And here's the Battleship!




ITB Syndrome


Loved this race! Despite the crazy dynamics of having two transition areas 8 miles apart plus a separate swim start location... it was organized VERY well. They did a great job of getting everyone and thier gear where it needed to be. Spectator support was awesome and the venue beautiful!