Timberman - Half Iron - Triathlon1/2 Ironman

Oh boy... Well I a slow swimmer to start with. I tried drafting but would quickly loose the feet I was on. The closer we got to the first turn the choppier it got. I get seasick very easily and had even taken ginger capsules in the morning to try and combat this but I was still feeling queasy. Shortly after the first turn I started feeling some mild cramping in my left calf and would try to flex the ankle to stretch it out while still swimming. I also had to pee at least 2 times during the swim which I thought was strange. I rounded the second turn and started heading back to shore (well behind most of my wave). About 200 or so meters from shore my left calf completely seized up in a severe cramp. Pain like I have never felt. I stopped and a kayak right there threw me a noodle to hang onto. But I was fighting the chop while trying to hold onto the noodle and the cramps/spasms were only getting worse. I was now screaming in pain. A jet ski came up and asked if I was OK. I was trying not be become hysterical but my whole leg was now in complete spasm and I didn't know if I could finish. The guy on the jet ski pulled me up on back and I was still screaming in pain like I have never felt. I feel bad for the guy because I was yelling at him too as he tried to massage it out (sorry!!!) I kept the leg on light stretch for a few minutes while sitting there and he was telling me I should try to get in and stroke without using my legs. After the spasms eased I dropped into the water and slowly stroked into shore letting my legs just drag behind me.

Swim more. Figure out what to do about the sea sickness and figure out what caused the cramping...

Considering how crappy I felt I was OK with this T1 time. I used the wet suit strippers because I knew that the severe cramps would return in my calves if I tried to take the suit off myself. I just took my time, knowing that everyone was already out on the bike course. Used the time to regain my composure.

Not much given the circumstances.

I felt pretty good on the bike considering. The rains came sometime during the first half of the bike. It was real lonely out there for the first 20 miles or so. I think maybe I saw one or 2 other cyclists (other than seeing everyone headed back to Ellacoya on the other side of the road, including Potts and Wellington). I felt pretty good on the hills. Got nervous on the descents with the wet roads and rode the brakes a lot then. I also thought that there were a few sections of road that were pretty rough and that freaked me out a bit. I started catching up to some people around mile 35-40 or so. I could feel some chaffing where my left leg meets my body but there was nothing I could do about it at that point.
I do not think I took in enough calories on the bike. I really need to practice my nutrition. I didn't even finish my 5 scoop bottle of sustained Energy (maybe a little more that 3/4 drank) and I had maybe 3 or 4 shot bloks. That was it! and water. I think I paid for it on the run!
Overall considering the minimal training I did I was OK with this bike split.

Dial in my nutrition better. Get more time in the saddle to improve my speed and bike handling skills.

I had to pee really bad so waited for a port a potty to open up right next to my transition area. Felt bad but I yelled at a kid volunteer who was standing there and started to head into the potty when it opened. I yelled "Dude you can't wait?! I am in the race!" As if it mattered to my time LOL But he did let me go ahead.

Work on taking feet out of shoes on the bike and moving faster.

I felt good for the first 2 or 3 miles and was running at my projected pace. Then it all fell apart around mile 5. I did take in one gel at mile 2 or 3 (can't remember). By mile 5 or so I started feeling some cramping in my calves and was also in a bad place mentally because I knew that most everyone I saw on the course at that time was finishing their second loop. Sure enough on my second loop I was pretty much alone. There was the occasional runner out there with me dragging just as badly as I was. I was beginning to feel pretty nauseous and almost threw up a couple times. I started walking longer and longer distances and was getting emotional. I didn't even know if I would be able to run down the finish chute at all and thought to myself "how sad would it look if I had to walk across the finish line"
When I could hear the announcer I started to "see light at the end of the tunnel". I started running again and crossed the finish line.
I was very disappointed because there was NO ONE paying attention- I stood at the table and said "Do I get a finisher's hat?! and a lady turned around and said "Oh yeah". I asked "What about a medal??" She said " Oh it will be mailed to you" WTF!!!! " You seriously ran out of medals?!?!" "Yes" she says. Thats great, thanks. Then I had to find someone who would take my timing chip. Very frustrated at the end for a bit.

Train more of course.

Wrapped myself in the thermal blanket they gave me and felt sick to my stomach. Watched the pros get their awards right there when I crossed the finish line. Listened to Chrissie's speech and then told my husband I needed to leave. Didn't feel so hot.


lack of training due to outside circumstances. I was OK with that and had no expectations going into the race other than wanting to finish. I had signed up for this race last fall so I felt I needed to follow through with it and did not want to back out.


I will definitely be back next year properly trained to see what I can really do on this course. I didn't get to enjoy any of the post race activities at all since I felt like crap. The volunteers were great for the most part, and the on course support was great. I had fun despite my poor performance and look forward to next year!