Mussleman Triathon - 1/2 Ironman - Triathlon1/2 Ironman

Decide the night before to go without a wetsuit. I knew the day would be hot, and the water barely wetsuit legal, so decided to give up the performance gains in favor of keeping cool and not overheating. I knew one of the themes of the day was going to be to try and keep cool, so couldn't make sense of wearing the wetsuit. If I had a sleeveless, may have worn that, but I don't so no wetsuit.

Started the swim relaxed, but steady. It wasn't too crowded at the start. About 1/2 way to the first buoy, really felt like I was in a good rhythm and then got pretty excited. In all my past races, this would normally be the point that my breathing is total out of control and I'd have to breast stroke. But not this one - felt really good and I knew I'd have a good (for me, anyway) swim. Was able to actually concentrate some on my stroke. Felt good coming out of the water, sort of wishing I had pushed it more but knowing I had 4-5 more hours ahead of me.

no problems here.

Great bike course! Legs felt strong the whole time. Started out probably a bit too hard after the excitement of the swim, but realized quickly and got into the groove where I wanted to be. Goal on the bike was under 3 hours, but not too much under 3 hours. Wanted to average between 19 and 20 overall if I could. I was pleased to be able to hold back to try and maintain that speed.

Nutrition was right on. Had 1 Hammer Gel at the start, and one every 50 minutes. About 20 minutes after the Gel, I'd pop an endurolyte too. Drank one bottle of Perpetuem/HEED mix that I had, and 2 more bottles of HEED from the course. 3 Bottles of water also. I started noticing the heat about mile 40. Up until then, I thought it was a perfect day for cycling.

Loved the course. I grew up not too far away in Rochester, so spent a lot of time in the Finger Lakes area and was familiar with the area, but have never been on any rides there. Kept thinking how awesome it would be to be able to ride there more.

No problems here either - except one of my socks was inside out. Not sure how that happened.

Felt really good at the start of the run. First mile was about 8:30, which I was pleased with because I didn't feel like I was pushing it too hard. Left the HRM at home, since with the heat I knew my heart rate would be much higher than I'd want it too be.

Course is generally uphill until mile 7, so I wanted to make sure to tkae it easy until then and reassess at that point. Grabbed cold sponges at each aid station which did great thinkgs keeping me cool. Than and all the sprinklers along the way. Got to purgatory hll before mile 7 and still felt really good - passed a bunch of people who were walking up the hill, but I really expected a lot worse from the way everyone wes talking about the hill.

At the top of the hill, I checked my watch and did some poor math and figured I just needed to maintain just under 9 minute miles and I'd break 5:30. Was psyched about that, and the way I felt and started to pick up the pace a little bit. Shortly thereafter, the course takes you onto Hobart's campus then into downtown Geneva. The unfortunate part about that is no more people in their yards with sprinklers to keep you cool, and I was getting hotter. In downtown Geneva, I realized I was 8 minutes off in my math and there was no way to break 5:30 and I was hot, and got sort of discouraged at that point. It was harder to keep up that increased pace, and I was no longer making jokes with people I saw. Probably should have had the gel that was in my pocket, or any of the gels that all the aid station workers were offereing me (as was my plan), but for some reason never thought of that.

Last two miles were along Sencea Lake and they were tough. Don't know how long they took me, but I was hurting. Still passing people because I refused to let myself walk. Approaching the finish chute, my right hamstring cramped up and I couldn't move it, so I was kind of doing a hop/run into the chute. Managed to bend my leg again for the last 50 yards or so.

Enjoyed everything up until about the last 9 minutes.

Not forget about the nutrition plan.

Dumped ice water on my head to try and cool down. Looked over at the medical tent ice baths, but it was packed with people and I didn't really want to go anyway so I stumbled over to get some ice cream and sit in the shade.

Got a massage and kicked the poor girl who mas stretching my quad and my hamstring cramped up again.


Awesome race and awesome support. I'll definitely be back/