Cutting Edge Half Classic - Triathlon1/2 Ironman

To begin with, I have NEVER been a swimmer. I worked all winter to be able to put my face in the water. Now I am bilateral breathing and getting the feel for a smoother swim stroke, so overall I was happy with the swim. My goal was actually 50 minutes, so I met that, barely. Navigation seemed ok but a few more bouys would have helped. The vegetation near the shore was terrible. I almost lost my Road ID and my timing chip due to the moss getting tangled in them.

Learn to draft and improve my stroke efficiency.

Actually flew in T1 somehow. Wasn't even trying to rush. Just went well.

Nada.

Other than train a bunch more if I had time, nothing.

I was surprised my T2 was this long. I felt it went smooth. I did do the bike and run shirtless and took time to spray more sunblock on in T2 and I always wear socks. I did pull on a pair of running shorts and my fuel belt. Other than that I don't know what took so long.

IDK???

This is where my race, along with many others, went to crap. I started off feeling great, jovial even. I hit the first aid station and took in water and gatorade and grabbed a sponge. Salt, water and gatorade at each after that one and got sponges every chance I could. I saw the Pro coming in to finish as I was hitting the 1 mile mark! Amazing. I kept a sub 10 pace for the first 3 miles to the turn around. That is when I just felt tired. I took my first Gu on the run here and then a Gu every other aid station after that. I wanted a banana and an orange but had not trained with them so I wasn't going to chance it. I stuck to my plan. The heat was brutal. Asphalt was sticking to my shoes. I could feel blisters developing at about mile 8. At mile 10 I felt my toes curl up. I thought it was from the hot roads but later found out differently. I saw many, many people suffering worse than me and checked on each of them. I struck up conversations when I was doing the "recovery" power walk. Everyone seemed to be friendly and talkative since we were all riding in the same boat of misery. But one gal, a dark haired 30-34 with tattoos on her shoulders was by far the most friendly person in Effingham that day! She kept everyone smiling. Thank you! I digress. I honestly thought about just walking the last 6 miles but I wasn't cramping, just tired. So I would jog about a half mile, walk a half, etc. The gravel was actually easier to run on because the heat was not sweltering like it was off the pavement. So I ran most of the way on the gravel. Once on the final leg toward the finish I picked it up the best I could but low and behold, when I could hear the music at the finish line, all 10 toes cramped up!! Never had that happen before. I told the guy next to me that my goal time was 38 minutes old. He said his was 1 hour and 38 minutes old! I was not walking through the chute. I stomped my feet, got my toes to release and finished stronger than I started.

Everything! Actually after having major quad cramps at an OLY race in Carlyle due to heat and salt issues, I trained only in the afternoon heat and added more salt to my routine. It worked I just did not have the UMPH to do what I needed to do.

I drank water, ate a sandwich and drank a Coke. I talked to others who had the toe curling phenomenon. I then jumped in the mossy lake to get the sweat off me as the showers were full.


Conditioning.


The volunteers were absolutely OUTSTANDING! They were out there in the heat too and seemed really concerned with everyone on the course. They did a great job of having all the aid items ready and available. Simply the best I have ever seen. The aid stations were well supplied and had ample choices of wares. No need for a fuel belt here this year but I wore mine an used the water to refill my sponges from time to time. The Deputies controlled traffic very, very well. Mucho Gracias to all of the volunteers, Deputies and event staff.