Timberman - Half Iron - Triathlon1/2 Ironman

Horrible swim! I positioned myself on the outside and to the back. I just wanted to swim nice and easy. And I was...until I got squeezed out between two others, gulped down some water and the rest was pretty bad. The choppy water made me feel a bit seasick. Had to stop a few times, just to relax. Had another wave hit me dead on and another big gulp of water. I really was ready to call it a day, as I felt that bad. But you think about other people experiences and I took strength from that and continued on...sometimes just barely breast-stroking forward. I even had a rescuer in a kayak come over and ask if I was ok (due to my gagging after swallowing water.)

Change sports to the duathlon??? Ehhh, not much I could do. I haven't been to the pool enough this year, so I suppose that would have helped. Definitely no speed workouts. And definitely definitely, I'm cutting back on pre-race food.

Wetsuit strippers were great. But I was still feeling seasick, so walked slowly to transition, and took my time.

Shout curse words at the water.

Surprised myself here. All i've been doing is slowish type rides, trying to build up to the distance. Did get in my longest ride at Lake Placid the day before their Ironman, so that must have helped. Right from the get-go, I felt good. My HR was up, although my stomach was still queasy, so cut back on the fluids/food. Only had about half of what I had planned. The out portion was great. Hit the initial hills - just easy, but since I was so far back from the swim, was passing alot of people. Then we hit the flats and I felt I just took off. Did alot of yo-yoing with a group of others. At the halfway point, it started to drizzle. The way back was a little tough - i started to feel it in the legs, but by now i was able to start eating. By the end, it was pouring rain!! Hit the hills at the end - much bigger than I expected as I hadn't driven this part of the course. The big downhill was a bit dangerous as a car had blocked the road and there was no room to get around. A little bit of the death wobble as I tried to brake. Saw another guy try to go around and almost smack into an oncoming car. Not good. But overall, very happy with the ride. Averaged 20.2mph on way out.

Let's talk about that swim again...
Ok, I'd also get in some more hill training as I was clearly not a climber.

Change my socks? Are you kidding? Why? My sneakers were soaked. My bag was soaked. Everything was soaked. Wait...what's that I hear? They're announcing that both Potts and Wellington are done and in course records? I haven't started my run yet!!!

Nothing really. Maybe put the sneakers in a plastic bag, but not really an issue.

Right from the start, had to hit the portopotties. And my feet were numb from the bike, so some stopping to re-tie the shoes. Walked/Stopped at almost all the aid stations. I knew I was low on fuel, especially when my hammies started to cramp up. So, took in extra fluid/fuel, and that seemed to kick in on the way back. Even with stopping at the aid stations, and walking the couple of big hills, I was keeping under 10:00 pace. Usually that's not good for me, but with my lack of running during training, I was pretty happy about that. Faded somewhat on the second out-and-back, but to be expected.

Ummmm...incorporate running in my training??? (Ok, I did build my long runs up to the full distance, but nowhere near the miles I should have put in overall.)

Seek out Chrissie Wellington for my medal and a hug and kiss.


Genetics. Lack of Motivation. It was my first race since Lake Placid 2009 and I've really been low on motivation, which affected my training, but after this race, I can feel it coming back. NYC Marathon next.


They put on a great race. And the Ironman mystique was pretty nice, even if it's not really an "Ironman" (so says the bitter elitist).