Las Vegas Triathlon - Half Iron Course - Triathlon1/2 Ironman

First swim in the wetsuit, so I had to adjust to the chest compression for the first few hundred yards. Once I determined I could breath, I relaxed and got into a rhythm. Overall, I was pretty satisfied with my swim effort.

Buy a large wetsuit, I think the Medium Long is just to constricting on my chest. I'm 72", 170lb and it felt too tight.

Way slow, my first wetsuit transition and my first triathlon in 10 years. The funnel for the Olympic athletes came through the half-iron distance folks so I had to cut into a steady stream of athletes just to get out of the transition. This may be normal, but I was surprised. I put socks on, dried my feet, had to put on my bike jersey, load my Cytomax into it.

Definitely run from the exit of the water up to my bike and be more aggresive getting in front of the other competitors coming up the shoot.

I could run 44mph down the hills, but just couldn't maintain any pace going up. I felt good, but could tell my legs were getting crushed and my run was going to suffer.

I am buying a climbing cassette for my rear tire, being able to maintain a high cadence while climbing should help save my quads.

I almost fell unclipping at the dismount, didn't even think of doing it earlier. I had brand new (first time used) race shoes which have no grip at all. My training shoes were really mountain biking shoes and I could easily walk in them.

Uncip early, unsnap my helmet and jog down to my transition spot.

My quads were trashed from the bike. I cramped in the first mile 3 or 4 times requiring me to stop sit and stretch. I eventually got enough salt back in me (Cytomax and water) that my quads released. By then the damage was done, so I began the run down hill and jog the flats, walk the uphills routine. It felt like the Bataan Death march, except instead of freezing to death I was melting in the scorching desert sun.

Not neglect the bike in training. I'm a runner and not real comfortable on the bike. For my next race, I will do my due diligence on the bike and come in prepared.

Stumble around until I found the ice truck, sat on the ice for a few minutes. Jumped in Bro's van and tried to get back to the hotel before late checkout was over to avoid a half day charge. Puked in the Mad Greeks parking lot and had a Gyro!


Failure to respect the bike leg!!!! I'm a natural swimmer and even with the uncomfortable newness of the wetsuit I had not problems there. Frankly, the lack of a climbing gear on my bike and me not putting anywhere near the necessary miles on it caused me to bonk in the run. I'm a 1:30:00 min Half runner and a 3:20:00 marathoner, so I know I can do better and will!


Army ROTC volunteered at the drink stations and did an EXCELLENT job!! Thank you!!
I didn't see any post race activities, but I didn't hang out to long. Drink stations were well stocked with water and gatorade, as I train with Cytomax I only took water and carried my Cytomax with me.
The wed description "Las Vegas's flatest bike course" should come with a topo map for those of us unfamiliar with Lake Mead, the hills were a shocker (now I'm whining). I wish for the entry fees ($200.00 for the Half) we could have at least got a tech t or one with logo's on the back and front. Seemed like there wasn't much sponsorship, my only reference is the LV RnR Marathon and several other running events where sponsorship is huge.