The Utah Half Triathlon - Triathlon

I started in the middle of the pack - A little busy at first but by the first buoy of the first lap, I was in a groove. Swim went smoothly.

I felt like I didn't push myself as hard as I could have. In my mind, expending a tremendous amount of more energy to gain a minute or two is better served on the bike.

I wanted to be out of T1 in under 3, so a 3:59 was pretty disappointing. I tried something new this time; that was swimming without my Singlet under my wet suit because it seems to rub my arm-pits raw, but trying to put it on wet wasn't too efficient in T1 - also I ended up putting on arm-warmers - all-in-all it actually felt like 7 minutes so I guess I will take just under 4.

Maybe I need to try a different Singlet - I like the DeSoto that I use but I'm a litte broader through the shoulders so I think it may be a bit snug.

My best bike split at the olympic level was 19.2, and I'm usually solidly in the 18's, so I was extremely happy with my bike interval. Instead of GU I had a boiled two potatoes in an 1/8th C. of salt, a day before the race, then cut them up into bite sizes and put them in small bag in my shirt. It was butter - I got off the bike feeling like I could do another 56 mi. At one point I did hit a huge pot hole (some of the road sections were in terrible condition) and all my water bottles fell out and my chain came off. I'm surprised nothing happend to my tube/tire/wheel. I counted at least 15-20 people on the side of the road fixing flats. I'm not sure if that's normal for a race of this distance but it seemed like alot. I lost a minute or two gathering up my bottles and putting my chain back on, and aside from hitting the Red light on the way back (I hit the Green light perfectly on the way out) and one big rain down pour that lasted about 30 seconds the ride was a lot of fun. There was some wind but it didn't seem to be as strong as they had predicted.

I may have not stopped to collect my water bottles when they fell off my bike, because they were handing out water at mile 15, 28 & 45. I would have had plenty of water.

T2 went a little better but I would like to get T2 down in under a minute.

Not stop to pose for a picture for my wife. :)

I felt sooooo good coming off the bike. My first three miles were 8:05 MM average. I knew this was too fast and I should have listened to myself. By mile five I had dropped to an 8:45 MM average. I was nervouse to eat oranges or bananas because I've never eaten them on my long practice runs and I wasn't sure how my stomach would respond. I relied on H20, only. By mile 8 I realized I need somethimg more than water. I decided that if oranges and bananas were going to cause me stomach issues, I would at least stagger across the finish line with cramps, but if I didn't eat something I wasn't going to finish at all. So I started downing the oranges and even some Coke at all the aid stations. About mile 10 I started running with a guy my same age. He kept assuring me we could make it across before the 5:30 mark. I wanted to walk so bad but he kept encouraging me along the way. - He carried me to the end. I think I may have walked the last 2 miles without him. With 1/2 mile to go I told him I would let him cross first, because it was his encouragment along those last 3-4 miles that got me where I was. With about 1/4 mile left his leg cramped so bad it brought him to a complete stop. I stopped with him but he told me to finish out - he would have to walk it out to the end. I went ahead and beat the 5:30 goal by about :43 seconds. He missed it by :07 seconds. I don't think it was as important to him, but oh what he did for me.

Pace myself a little better from the start.

Basically did some stretching while talking with my wife. I was in a state of euphoria. It was a feeling I can't describe as I layed in the grass under a shady tree, recounting to my wife, different successes and obstacles, that had just made up the last 5 hours, 29 minutes and 17 seconds of my life. It all happened on my 40th birthday and with my wife at my side. It was the best birthday, in 40 years.


Mis-judging the run pace at the first.


I loved that it was a 1/2 only. No Sprints or Olys. Taking nothing from them, because I love those as well, but looking around, everone just seemed to be on a different level. It was a fun day - It's what I've spent the last 8 months training for. I trained so that I could enjoy the day, not just survive it. I didn't want to finish, miserable with no desire to go back. In fact, I'm left me wanting more. My next goal.... the FULL MONTY, Next August..... For my 41st b-day.