Gulf Coast Triathlon - Triathlon1/2 Ironman

This was my first gulf swim, 2 to 3 foot swells with a chop on top. strong current and wind. I a decent start from the beach and should have chosen to start on the beach on the right side. Picked through the wave pretty easily. fought the current to the first bout and made the turn. At the second turn bouy, wished I had chosen a line down the inside of the bouy line, instead of the outside, fought a strong current back to the beach. Pretty rellaxed swim, no problem.

Quicker stroke, and a better line back to the beach. The time was slower than expected, but being this was pretty rough conditions and my first HIM. pretty happy with my time.

I was not competeing for the podium, I took my time in T1.

This was my second longest bike, ever. I did (1) 60 miler a month before the race. I was hoping for 17.5 or better.

Take better advantage of the tailwind, push my pace harder.

Happy to get off the bike after the last 12 miles..

Not send a text to my wife telling her how much fun I was not having.

Coming out of T2, I planned to walk the first 1/4 to half to get my legs back. However, the crowd thought I should run and run I did. I knocked out the first mile in a little over 9 minutes feeling good at this point. Made my turn and into the subdivision and realized it was miserably hot. Did somebody turn the wind off? why is the sun suddenly beaming down on me? Why did I wear all black today? Sweat pouring out of me and I thought I need more water to make it at mile 5 just under 11 minute mile. Then I entered HELL and it was all down hill. Mile 6-10 was a mixture of walk run and then 10-13 was a walk. I was done, no energy and my stomach was bloated. I survived

Less fluids and run more during trainng

2 beers and a couple of pieces of pizza and the bed


I should riden and run more during my training


This was my first HIM, I survived! I was dissappointed in my overall time. I will spend more time on longer bike rides and longer runs during my training for my next HIM. I bought my bike last August for a ultra sprint and have completed 3 sprints and now HIM in 10 months and have lost 40 lbs in the process.