Savageman HIM - Triathlon1/2 Ironman

It was a melee at the start of wave 3. I had a good position on the front row with about three guys to my right. At the sound of the horn, the entire first row took off together and swam about 8-10 abreast in the space necessary for about 5 guys. After 250-300 meters, everyone was still there. Fortunately, one of the guys to my right swam with me the whole way. I bested him around the first turn, he caught and passed, then I passed. His time ended up being about 2 seconds better. On the backstretch, it was really helpful to have him there.
Hardest to see coming into the finish. At the start, exact same vector but I just went straight and tried to keep from getting pummeled by the other guys in the front row. Had no trouble passing people.

Felt like I went about 90 percent. Given the day ahead, any more would not have been called for however in retrospect, I wish that I had gone 100 percent for the second half of the swim just to see how far up the swim rankings I could have moved.

91st rank overall/10th in age group

Took the John Wooden advice, I was quick but not rushed.

I drank a total of 5.5 bottles. Would not have made it without the handoffs. Lots of Shot Blocks and 2 bottles of mostly Gatorade and 3 bottles of water.
I didn't earn a brick. Made it about 75 percent up the Wall and then faltered. Allen came over the top of the wall just as I was re-mounting.


perhaps get a different cassette...but, mainly, lose 15 pounds and really pound the hill workouts. I was in shape for the bike ride and finished the last ten miles really fast...but had tremendous trouble getting over the mountains and Killer Miller.

139 overall/15th in age group

this was a good transition for me. the only thing different would be not to take a bite out of the half eaten Cliff bar. I had no way to get it swallowed and had to spit it out.

Despite my self awareness about running prowess, this performance was disappointing. I fell apart 2-3 miles in and never really got it all together again. Last HIM that didn't happen until mile 9-10 and I was able to get myself on track for the last 25 minutes.
I just wasn't ready for it.
I knew I would finish; but I had no sense of racing after the first 15 minutes of running...once I hit the campground, it was game over mentally and I never got it back.

Up the milage to match the bike rides that I did this year. Do at least one brick every two weeks and run a couple of the routes that I used for biking this summer.

took some pictures, ate and then got out of Dodge in order to get the house packed and back to the homestead.


Running. It would have been nice to hook onto to someone for pacing in the run. I just wasn't ready for the last segment even though I had put in some miles and a few long runs.


Awesome production -- Fabulous volunteers -- Breathtaking Course.
Will certainly do it again but won't necessarily do it every year.