Toughman HIM - Triathlon1/2 Ironman

Very good swim especially considering how little I swim. The water was really calm and this swim felt smooth and easy. Had a little trouble sighting on the way back because there were not enough buoys to sight from.

Not much

Wetsuit strippers was a very nice touch, especially since I usually have trouble getting my wetsuit off my feet.

This is a pretty hilly course, but it sort of sneaks up on you because there are no real big climbs. Lots of short climbs, with some of them a little steep. This type of terrain is similar to what I train on, plus I grew up in northern Westchester, so it goes by some old familiar places, so I really like this course a lot.

I'm a fairly good climber for a slow guy, so I did a good amount of passing in the first few miles where there are several steep climbs. Then I tried to settle into a decent pace that would allow me to have a good run. Around mile 20 I realized I was feeling good, so I decided to push it a little more. I really felt strong throughout the whole ride, but I took it a little easier over the last 5 miles in order to prepare for the run. Felt great getting off the bike.

I found the traffic control to be excellent on the whole course. Nice job by the Police.





With how good I felt, and how well my run went, I think I could have ridden harder, and still had a good run.

Too slow. I'm not sure why because I don't remember wasting too much time.

Move faster?

Got off the bike and I felt GREAT!! My quads and hips felt a little sore, but I had a spring in my step, and my breathing was comfortable and relaxed. Within a mile the soreness was gone so I felt that I could really have a solid run. Even the weather cooperated; mid 60's, overcast, and a nice cool breeze. The only thing that could have made it better for me would have been a little rain because I love to run in the rain.

I really like this course. The hills make it challenging, and it is really pretty. There's a nice portion on a trail with a good view of a stream down below. It goes by the Croton Dam which is pretty high plus it has a nice spillway/waterfall. First you run by the base of the dam so you get a good view of it. Later you run over the top of the dam and there is a great view from up there.

Around mile 5 I was still feeling great, and was beginning to realize that I was having my best race ever, and I was going to beat my goal time and PR by a good margin. Plus, I was getting a good "runner's high", so I was having a lot of fun. Probably sounds goofy, but I was smiling an awful lot during this run.

I had a good Spring mentor group, with some people who have really done some good things. Thinking about them, and being glad that I was able to help even a little as a mentor really gave me a good boost as well. Thanks folks!!

Between mile 9 and 10 is the toughest part of the course with a long and steep climb. My original plan was to walk up at least part of it so I could save something for the final 3 miles. I felt so good when I got there that I decided to run it. Maybe I was running pretty slow, but I ran it, passed a few people, and still had enough in the tank to finish the race strong.

There were plenty of aid stations and lots of great, enthusiastic volunteers. I had a blast clapping, thanking, and talking to the volunteers. Really made a great race even better.

My HIM PR, which I set at this course, was 6:24:36, and my goal time was 6:15. I finished with a 6:05:47 so I was absolutely ecstatic! My best tri ever!



I finished strong, so maybe I could have pushed harder at the beginning.

Walked around a bit, drank lots of water, and had some barbecued chicken.


Don't train enough, and I'm not particularly fast.


My only quibble is that they could use some more buoys for the swim.Otherwise, an excellent race.