Florida Half Ironman - Triathlon1/2 Ironman

First Tri swim I really enjoyed. I just let the group go & walked in. Started out just swimming my pace & eventually began catching & passing the group. I never felt fatigued or uncomfortable although I ran into previous age group waves. It was crowded but I guess I got lucky and found a good bit of clear water to swim. Never really could find anyone suitable to draft.

I liked the strategy of letting the group go. I can sprint out in front but then I spend the rest of the swim trying to recover.
A side note...read some threads on ST about ankle grabs in the water...something to be aware of...

Long run up from the water into T1. Only thing different here from shorter distance tris was that I put on socks.

Not quite the bike time I had set as a goal, the April/May Europe trip really cut into my bike preparation & could feel the effect but wouldn't have missed that trip for anything!
Started out the 1st 10 miles at about comfortable 21 mph pace & felt comfortable. Then hit, I think it was 535, & some headwinds and fog. Passed several folks in that 1st 10 miles but then started getting caught by the faster cyclists in waves starting after me.
The course had some rollers & smaller hills, I really thought it would be flatter & some of the climbing sent the back into spasms that I had to periodically stand up & work out. (Something to focus on b4 riding 6 Gap this Sept)
I used both chain rings depending on the the terrain & the bike responded well to the constant gear changes.
Stopped somewhere around mile 30 or so at an aid station to use the port-a-potty. Actually felt a little refreshed climbing back on the bike.
Executed the nutrition plan I had worked on in training...Gel @ mile 5, 1 Cliff Bar eaten in pieces over roughly the 10,20, 30 mile marks, bottle of Perpetuem, water w/endurolytes, EFuel and 1 plain water on the bottle exchange. Banana at mile 40ish and finally a gel at mile 45.
Only real issue or near miss was one point when the pros were coming back against us I was of course watching them enthralled with their speed but, noticed one of them looked up to his right & I also looked up in that direction...next thing I know I'm headed off the road, didn't panic just eased back onto the roadway & got a "nice job" comment from a guy passing me...who was now allowing himself plenty of space to get by! Note to self...concentrate for the entire race!
Saw plenty of drafting & was able to stay out of any of those "packs." One girl had just passed me & shortly after we heard a motorcyle engine behind us...startled by the chance it could be a ref, it was not, she quickly pulled up from her next pass approach...we shared a collective nervous laugh over that one.
Started running out of gas at mile 45, just wanted to get off the bike. Kept looking at the odometer in those last 10 miles which is a mistake cause it just makes it seem longer.

I was on target in my "build" phase but due to the trip to Sweden (What a great experience!) did my last long ride 4 weeks prior. I knew this would be a factor in the bike so revised some of my earlier race goals. Still a decent bike segment & I am pleased with my overall training plan...2 more weeks of riding would have resulted in a better bike segment.

Saw my son Leo on near transition, he was hanging out with this Lady I didn't recognize & I assumed she we probably knew her from Jax.
Racked the bike, changed shirts, used the port-a-potty & told Sherrie(Oliveview),directing traffic in T2 I would see her in a couple of hours.

Start out of transition feeling pretty good. Decide to run to each aid station. About mile 4 I'm feeling the legs are feeling tired along with the rest of the old body but then at one of hte aid stations I down a gu shot, a banana, orange slice & water. A few minutes later I begin to feel much better, HS! this never happens to me on the run.
Last Oct at the Fl Challenge HIM I began walking in mile 6 & never really recovered so I thought this time just get to mile 9 b4 I start walking. I kept grabbing water, gatorade, sponges, oranges gu shots and...this time I slammed coke at several stops. While my run time is relatively slow, I actually felt stronger as the run went on...
The first 4 miles I got passed regularly albeit these were stronger athletes on their 2nd & 3rd laps but by mile 6 I was doing the passing.
This is the first run where I've done a course with multiple redundant loops & I always thought that would be really difficult but it's actually easier from a mental perspective since it breaks the run into manageable shorter segments...if that makes any sense.
Anyway, I spent the offseason working on my run & it yielded some results...I thought if there was any chance of a sub 6 hr it would be due to my bike but it turned out I got there from the run!
So, I see my son on each loop who has befriended a lady whose husband is also racing. Turns out he & this lady had lunch together & just hung out watching the race!
I get to the finishing chute & my hammy cramps severly...Uh Oh...I stop & curse loudly, the fans lining the chute keep cheering & coaxing me, I run a little further and boom, cramps again & now I am freaking out that I'm going down! IT SEEMED LIKE SEVERAL MINUTES BEFOER I GOT THROUGH THE FINFISHING CHUTE. I got across & headed to the medical tent.

I am real pleased with the run.
Some thoughts on the conditions; Many were not happy with the course & it was brutally hot, but what would one expect in central Florida in May? Bottom line, if you race in Florida, most likely you will have to contend with heat, this is just the fact.

Dealing with the jeep trail was about attitude, you could easily let it get to you or just power through it & get through each lap.

Medical tent, can't sit down or my legs will cramp all over the place. Got some medical attetnion, Biofreeze, water & Gatorade.
Headed over for a massage & finally went & found my son.


Took 47 minutes off my HIM time from the FL Challenge although not the best comaprison since that race course was much more difficult. The training is progressing & the 4 week bike layoff probably was the biggest factor in not getting a better time. With that said, my goal was to beat 6 hours & after the Europe trip I didn't think it possible so, I am real pleased with the results.


My first IMNA event, as a marketing guy, I am impressed with this brand & its success. The popularity was evident from the throngs of athletes and the IM merchandise flying off the shelves at the expo store.
Certainly a different feel from local tris or SommerSports in Clermont but I wouldn't say better, just different.
Overall, it was all good & of course, meeting the BTers for dinner & seeing them on race day was a highlight for me!