Patriot's Half - Triathlon1/2 Ironman

Got down to the beach and took a look at the course. Didn't quite seem to be the way the RD had described and the tide was a little different than we thought but I had a plan and was ready to execute. Karla and I wished each other luck and waited. Horn sounded and we were off. First hundred meters were ok but I was having trouble finding the yellow buoy. There were only 5 on the entire course. Red buoy, left yellow turn buoy, red buoy, left yellow turn buoy and one more red buoy. Things started to go downhill quick, I was having a very hard time seeing any buoys (never saw any of the red ones) and the current was moving fast underneath me. I could see and feel these tiny little fish w/ every stroke and see them flying by under the water. I got out in the main part of the river and lost track of my surrounding. I've never once had to stop in a race, tread water and spend time looking around trying to orient myself. I did this at least 10 times. At one point, as the yellow buoy seemed to be getting farther away, I started to wonder if I could make it to the buoy. I think I got myself in a bad spot and could not get out of the current. I made a decision to try swimming parallel to the buoy and shorten my stroke but go faster. Eventually I got myself over the right enough to inch along. Finally after an eternity I made it the first turn. I rounded the buoy and couldn't see anything or figure out which direction to go. I start one way and realize it was more of a 120 degree turn and not a 90 degree turn.

In what seemed like 3 strokes I glance to the left and see a buoy, it's the second turn buoy. But I was off course again as a kayaker rows over to me and another swimmer to push us in the right direction. Now the problem is the sun. It is right in front of me and I can't see anything including the shore. I have no idea how much I zigzagged back and forth desparating trying to find the wiggly man landmark. Finally I get close to see only to realize I am still far from shore. My heart sank.

When I finally got close to shore, there was another red cap next to me and she stood up even though we were at least 200m from shore - it was really shallow. I tried to swim again but she was walking as fast as I was swimming so I stood again. I glanced at my watch and saw a line followed by a 2. I thought for a brief second it said 42 which would have been crazy then realized it said 1:02:XX. At that moment I was devasted. Maybe a strong word but emotions run high during a race. It took another 2-3 min to walk out of the water and get to the timing mat before a long run to transition.

The only thing besides being a better swimmer that might have helped would be knowledge of rivers and currents. Looking back, I may have stood a better chance to the first buoy if I had started as far to the right as possible. Then the current could have pushed me right to left instead of the endless pool trap I feel into.

Transition was actually pretty good and ahead of my plan. I would have been even faster if I felt like it mattered. I tried my best to give myself a pep talk and decided that I was not ready to quit. Maybe I thought I could have a great, better than expected bike split. So off I went to give it a try.

Nothing really given my situation

I went hard in the beginning once I got the legs warmed up but I basically was able to sustain my planned effort. The bike was good. I was happy w/ it. I stayed more comfortable in the neck, back and seat than Texas but could still get stronger. After mile 40 or so, I eased off the gas petal a bit b/c I was not making up time.

I tried another bottle handoff and almost wreaked so I stopped at the second aid station and got water.

Nutrition worked out well. I went through 3 servings of Infinit (660 cal) and half a bottle of water.

Keep training so I can get faster.

Legs cramped a tad coming off the bike but I also went too hard from hopping off to running down hill w/ the bike.

Test the legs before trying to take off.

Well my goal was long gone. And I wasn't too thrilled about going to run 13 miles and have all that time to think about it. I started chugging along and decided not to kill myself.

When I hit the first aid station, I saw food. Normally I would not touch anything unless I was desperate but there were yummy looking oranges and Chex Mix. I made up my mind to make the best of the run and eat/drink along the way.

I snacked on Chex Mix a few times just walking through the woods taking in the scenery. I saw a family of deer and a buck w/ 6-8 points. I thought hey buddy you better stay away from the hunters I saw on the bike route. I saw so many colorful butterflies. Lots of color. I talked to one guy walking along. It was his first race at that distance and he was happy to be finishing. He said he had been hit by a car 2 years ago so I wished him luck and jogged off. I saw Karla a few times along the way. She was having an awesome race.

I walked when I wanted and in general took my time. I almost burst into tears at one point on the run - the emotion of the day catching up to me. But I got it together and told myself that was ridiculous. I got a little tired and sore at the end so I tried to pick up the pace just to be done. Karla was waiting for me at the finisher's chute. I stopped and gave her a hug and said I was so happy for her and proud of her effort. She ran in w/ me and then I was done.

Learn to swim.

Walked around, ate some watermelon, drank some water and waited w/ Karla for awards. She finished 2nd in our AG.


I think the world knows by now. ;-)

I already feel better writing this RR. Sometimes it just helps to whine, cry and get it out of your system then you can get back to business. I have a lot of running miles ahead of me for the next 6 months. And someday soon I will take my revenge on a 2000m swim.


One of the better Set Up Events. Great volunteers - lots of aid stations and plenty of supplies. Just please, please mark the swim course better. There need to be more buoys.