Patriot's Half - Triathlon1/2 Ironman

Good start, found open water about 250M into swim - not a lot of contact - a few incidents but no black eyes this time.

I can't think of anything - I can swim forever - just not fast. There must have been some tidal effects, because I was grooving better than the actual 38 minutes in the water.

After substantial uphill run to transition (which I removed my wetsuit at water's edge - I'd recommend this to everyone) I felt pretty good. All my stuff was there...... but my endurolytes (didn't notice till first feed). Not a stellar transition time, but my first HIM and I wanted to be sure I was comfortable. Put on gel bike shorts over zoot tri shorts for bike (save the rear end!).

Next time - I'll boogy a little faster on the T1, but the extra minute I spent paid dividends....... NO suffering on the bike!

Bike started with high HR from swim and run to transition. Held off 10 minutes to get HR back in shape and settle stomach for feeding. Saw the 2 guys at mile 2 crashed on the side of the road.... CRAP! I think one guy was hit by a car. People passing me a bunch - but I just held off. Finally got my HR in the low 140's and found a groove. Pushing and pulling on that nice road.... enjoying the day, talking with some of the guys on the course.... I felt good and I was having fun. Feeding every 20 minutes, taking a little gatorade too, 24-28 oz water per hour. Just grooving, picked up pace a little about mile 40, NOBODY is passing now, I'm catching people pretty regular at 143 bpm and in the 20's mph on the trip back on RT. 5. Finally caught that one female cyclist on that big hill at the bridge... took that hill for me to pass her - lady had some legs! Felt awesome till about mile 50, then the lower back was talking. Hit every 20 minute feed without any GI problems, hydrated and had some electrolytes in me.

I don't think I could have planned a better result for the bike. I had a little room left (now that I know how my run went) to go just a little harder, but I stayed comfortable and was only breathing hard on the 2 larger hills. Bike was beautiful, cool temperatures, guys handled their bikes pretty well, scenery was nice....... I was healthy and faster than I thought I would be (my only training ride was 10 minutes slower). Great split for me.

T2 was longer than I expected. I took a moment to just stop and think - becuase I have never ran more than 10 miles EVER. Put on sunscreen, peeled off the extra bike shorts (thank you gel!) pulled on the fuel belt, visor and off I go for my first HM!

Get to transition before the swim start next time! Have more than 4 minutes to prepare my day dummy!

Great course! Plenty of aid stations! porta johns were nice! I started off slow - per all the veterans out there. Found a groove and saw my HR upwards of 160.... didn't like that 'cause I felt good. About mile 3 I started running with this 44 year old veteran lady that had done a few HM's, and she was running 9's. I felt comfortable so I stayed with her, chatted a bit, nice lady! We ran till mile ten together, but I felt like I could go harder - and she was looking already at a PR at the 9 minute pace.... I said good luck and (begrudgingly) left her behind. I was feeling pretty good - and I glanced at the HRM....160 something. I was feeling good, so I pressed on. Mile 11 came and there was a chance to get in under 5:30, so I gave it another notch. Not enough to get under 5:30, but I did meet my sub 2 hour HM goal nonetheless. Took feedings on the 20 minutes for the first 4 feeds, then the stomach had enough! I tried to get some calories by heed, but basically fasted the last 40 minutes.

I dunno...... I did not thing I'd have the sugars to perform at 160 bpm average for the HM AFTER a 3 hour bike! Maybe the tri-gods were smiling on me, maybe my body burns more fat at 148 bpm on the bike than I thought! Regardless, my pace on the run says I didn't really lose juice (bonk). Maybe somebody heavier than me on physiology reading this can give me a little insight! Total calories burned was 4869, average HR was 154 for the 5:32:30.

My own cognizance and lack of HIM experience. I think the cooler weather certainly allowed me to be that fast, but I could have pushed a little harder at the beginning of the run.... possibly. I was not concerned with speed this time out. I was out there to enjoy my first long course event, healthy as I have ever been (knees), and in the best condition of my life. My goal (which I thought was possible to attain) was 5:40. My girlfriend and her daughter, and my babies were there.....proud day indeed. Love it when a plan comes together! The satisfaction lasted 2 days... yup, I was one of the ones crashing the servers for IMWI registration for 2011!


Great venue, great organization...... I like setupevents, they run a tight ship and do it with a smile!