TryCharleston Half - Triathlon1/2 Ironman

I finished so in my book that's a win.

Need to get more agressive and not stop every time I bump someone else. Also need to work on my sighting.

Stripped out of my wetsuit. Helmet, shades, racebelt, and shoes on. Ate half a clif bar.

Not waste time. I think I initially got caught looking around at the folks around me.

The first part of the bike was very strong. I haven't moved up to aero bars yet, so I take the people passing me on tri bikes with a grain of salt. Kept reminding myself to ride my race. I was avg 21 mph for the first half and that is very fast for the type of riding I am used to with all the hills I train on. My hamstrings were very tight and in agony for the first 15 miles. I did a lot of riding out of the saddle to stretch them. Def did the trick. Around the halfway point, we had to turn around. At this point, the wind picked up and my speed slowed down. 19, 18, 17, and finally settled around 16 mph for the last 10 miles. This seemed like an eternity. Went from a sub 3 hr bike to a 3:15 (which is still a PR for me). Nutrition consisted of 700 cal perpeteum bottle over 2 hr span and 2 bottles of heed. From my computer, the route measured almost 1 mile long.

Keep logging miles, add aero bars.

Little bit better here. Felt good. Had a little water. Pulled socks off, threw the Nike 3.0's on. Decided against the sunscreen as still overcast.

Nothing

As soon as I got started I realized it wasn't going to be overcast any longer. First mile was around 9 mins. At this pace, I was still good for a sub 6 finish. Next 2 miles were in the 8 min/miles range. At this point the leaders were coming in and I noticed a few walking. What was that about. A mile later the heat hit me. I decided to start run/walking with 1 min intervals on the walk. I was passing a lot of people that dusted me on the bike (always a good feeling). Never really got passed on run. Each mile consisted of cup of water over head, ingest a cup of water and heed. Later miles I hit the flat cokes. Also tried to keep on top of Electrolyte pills. The last out and back thru the barren industrial park portion of the run was a death march. I saw a lot of people walking. By this point I knew I could finish so I tried to pick up the pace. Sub 6 was def gone, so I set new goal of sub 6:20 and hit it.

Go a little harder on the run. Not leave anything in the tank. Still felt good though.

Beer and watching for B-Rooke to finish


This was my first HIM, so my goal was just to finish. Never really doubted I could do the distance cause I put in the training, but anyone who races knows the doubt I mean. Moving forward, I just need to continue to log bike miles and sharpen my run. I also need to work on my swim, but at this point, I think it is what it is. Still, for just being in the sport for a year I def feel very good about where I am at.


Great race. Very well organized. Only complaint was post race food. I wanted a banana or some cookies, but all I saw was gumbo and shrimp for $8 bucks. Otherwise, will def do race again.