Iron Star Triathlon - Triathlon1/2 Ironman

I've never raced in a wetsuit, and I've heard they really help swim times, and I guess that's true, because I smoked my goal by almost 7 minutes. Water temp wasn't really an issue for me either, once I hit the water, it took about 10 seconds for my heart to begin beating again, and then I was OK. Having said that, navigation etc was really bad. After that right turn out into the lake, I was totally lost. I must of stopped and pulled up my goggles trying to find my way atleast 10 times. I tend to drift way left when I swim, so I spent a lot of time correcting back on course (thank goodness for the kayakers helping me out.) it was much better once we turned right again and were heading down the shoreline.
I missed the whole walking part, because, again I had drifted 100 yds further left out into the lake. Once, I looked up saw everyone walking, I tried to touch bottom, and couldn't, so I just kept swimming.
Wetsuit strippers were awesome.

Learn how to swim.

I spent most of the pre-race chatting with folks about the cold bike ride ahead. I spent too much time fretting about that, so I had a lot of extra clothes etc to sort through. I wound up with my trishorts (wet) and a long sleeve dry-fit shirt and running gloves. That turned out to be plenty, cause I was pretty comfortable the whole ride.
Took one bite of a PB sandwich...yuk, chunked on the ground and took off (big mistake).

Stick with my plan. I could've easily cut 2 minutes off here by doing so. And, take my PB sandwich with me, or tape it to my bike.

My longest ride prior to this race was 50 miles, and I knew that would be a problem. My plan was to go out at a comfortable pace and just not to burn my legs up. I felt kind of crampy the whole ride; calf cramp at mile 6 and a pretty good quad cramp at mile 30. I felt like a drank enough water/gatorade, in fact I had to stop around mile 25 to talk to a man about a horse, then I was on my way again. I should have brought more nutrition. 1 GU every 30-40 minutes didn't cut it. I should probably tape some pork chops or something to my bike frame next time, cause this proved to be my downfall for the day.

Get a better nutrition plan, train longer and incorporate some hill training.

My T2 time was blank, it looks like my run and t2 were combined somehow. So this is an estimate. Anyway, I bike with my running shoes on in stirrups, so this transition typically goes pretty fast. Dropped my bike and helmet, quick pit stop and on my way. I should have lost the long sleeve dry-fit for a tri-top but didn't.

Put on cooler shirt and eat something.

Running is my strong suit...but not on this day. Major disappointment. It typically takes me a good ways to lose my bike legs (2 miles). But, today, they never left. Lack of proper nutrition, crampy bike legs, and fatigue just zapped the will out of me. I managed to run (if you want to call it that ) the whole way, except for water stations. I just couldn't get my back, shoulders and legs to cooperate.
Also, the gravel and grassy slopes just added to it. I resolved pretty early on in the run that my goal was out of reach, and it became all about finishing. And, I finally did.

Not sure...pack a BARBQ luch to eat in T2.

Stumbled around in a stupor for about 10 minutes. Us slow folks missed out on most of the food (and the cool 1st-timer coffee mug).
Packed my gear and settled in for the 20+ minute walk to the car.
Stopped at 24 fitness on the way home and jacuzzi'd for 30 minutes.
3 beers, a whole pizza and off to bed.



Lack of training and proper nutrition.


I liked the race, well organized. I would prefer an out and back or single loop run course, but defintely no more grassy slopes or gravel.