Timberman - Half Iron - Triathlon1/2 Ironman

I have no idea why but I was a nervous wreck for this race. I've been racing competitively in one way or another since I was 9 yo. Why was this one different? About 10min before my start another woman from my wave took one look at me and just laughed. I asked if I looked that bad. She said I just had a look of "what the he!! did I get myself into?".

I had no idea where to place myself in the start so I took a little of a backseat expecting most others to be faster than I was. This was a mistake. The lack of sighting or poor sighting by others and the super slow pace made it almost impossible for me to go anywhere. I pretty much ended up breast stroking 3/4 of the way to the first turn bouey til I found an opening and started to crawl. I got into a grove very quickly and just kept it nice and easy. About 1/2 through that leg I pass a yellow cap. Then another. Then a blue cap. Passing each of these people gave me more confidence. Now I'm enjoying myself.

I hear the music, the cheers. Feeling good. I swim to about right above the knee level and start taking my suit off my arms in the water. I had no idea how fast or slow I was going to be in this leg so when I saw my time I was both happy and sad. Happy it was over with but sad bc I know I could have been so much faster if I had placed myself better.

Be more confident. I think if I had started on the outside, second back I could have cut off 5 min easily.

I felt good. Smiled for the camera. The strippers were very efficient and off to my bike. Suit down, sunglasses, race belt, and helmet on and I was off.

Nothing. I did good.

It took me a few minutes to get comfy and finally get my feet in my shoes. About 4 mi in I have a feeling that one of my wheels is rubbing agains the breaks. I always get this feeling. I stop. Check my wheels. Look fine. Reset just in case. Get back on. Go another 1/2 mi and get the feeling again. I stop a second time to reset again. Again they look fine. I'm probably just neurotic.

Shortly thereafter I see the Men's Pro leader go flying by. I was a bit disheartened when he's 5 mi from the finish and I'm just starting. But focusing on that wasn't going to get me back any faster so I just enjoyed the ride.

It was a pretty uneventful bike overall. I kept it nice and easy. The biggest thing I struggled with was the balance between "living off the course" and "my tried and true nutrition plan". I felt that I needed to grab something at every station so I didn't run out. This took too much time and energy. Additionally, bc of the heat and lack of shade on course I drank a lot trying to stay hydrated. I ended up consuming too many liquids. About 40 miles in I realized I was taking in too much and stopped except for a sip and spit of water when I experienced dry mouth. I was hoping the last hr or so would help ease things before the run.

About 10 mi from the end, my toes started cramping. I know I need new shoes, the ones I have are 20+ years old but I didnt' want to break in another thing.

First off, I need a new saddle. I had switched to a Terry a few weeks before and while it was better than the stock saddle it's not perfect for me.

Second, I need to set up my bike differently so I can carry all my nutrional needs with me. I had tried to live off the course and tried to train that way but I don't think that worked for me mentally race day. I got too caught up in making sure I got my needs at each aid station rather than focusing on me. I'll be taking them out of the equation a bit and rely on them for refilling my water and gatorade only.

Third, I needed to train more hills. All my long rides on flat Cape Cod were a big disservice.

Finally, get those new shoes.

Oh how excited I was pulling into the transition area. It felt great to get my feet out of the shoes and run in the grass. Bike racked, helmet off, shoes on. As I was putting on my shoes I remembered Kim's (kt65) tip. It took me a few seconds to relax myself but ahhhhh....much better. Cooled (washed?) myself off with my water bottle and I was off.

Nothing but maybe practice? ha!

I felt pretty good outside of that heavy tummy feeling from drinking too much on the bike. I was going at a glacial pace but consistent and stuck with my run/walk strategy I did in training. Saw my husband and kids just as I started my second lap. After some hugs I looked down at my watch and noticed it wasn't tracking any longer. I realized much later the memory was full. Ugh, I really need to be better about downloading and deleting my workouts.

About 1/2 thru my second lap a guy in a golf cart came up next to me and told me there was severe weather coming in quickly and he needed me to turn around. I did as he asked yet after a hundred yards or so I realized what that meant. I was so disappointed that I wasn't going to be able to complete the course. I stopped and thought about turning back around. The clouds were getting dark quickly though so I headed towards the finish.

Work on finding hydration balance and run more.

By the time I finished the clouds were getting really dark. I looked for some food but all that was left was some awful clam chowder and pasta salad. Many of the tents were already pulled down. I was pretty disappointed. I decided to pack up my stuff and find the hubs and kids.

They had gone back to Gunstock for rain coats and thought they had enough time to get back for my finish. Since I got turned around they didn't. Oh well. I told them to stay on the shuttle bus and get the car. By the time they made it back for me it was full on pouring rain and the park was empty. Nothing like being the last man standing...literally.


Amazing support, fabulous energy, great people. Disappointed I didn't get to complete the race but really looking forward to tackling another 70.3.