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 Swim
Comments: This was the best swim I have ever done!!! I cannot tell you how awesome this was for me. I started out towards the back and outside of my age group wave. Knowing I was slow, I didn't want to get in anyone's way. The first 200 yards to the bouy was great. No panicking, no fighting with other swimmers, it was great. I rounded the bouy and headed for the long straight a way to the last bouy. I was calm the whole way. I ended up in a pack of swimmers about midway through the swim. Some were from the wave ahead of me, some were in the wave behind me, and of course some were in my wave. Despite the crowd, everyone did a great job of keeping to themselves. I might have been bumped a couple of times, but no big deal. The water was clear and there was little chop. As I rounded the last bouy to swim the last 200 yards to shore, I was ecstatic and smiling in the water!! I was going to finish this swim calm and controlled...loved it!! What would you do differently?: NOTHING!  Transition 1
Comments: After I got out of the water, I saw my sister cheering for me. I screamed at her, "I did it!! I swam 1.2 miles in open water!!" She said, "yes you did, now get that wetsuit off and get your butt to transition..." I utilized the wetsuit strippers, however it too two young girls to get my wetsuit off. I think I was dragged about 6 feet in the whole ordeal. I just laughed and said thanks girls. Got to transition and took my time in getting my bike gear on. Took some big sips of gatorade and off I went. What would you do differently?: I lost my nice goggles when I ran up the beach to transition. I tried the technique of tucking my goggles in the sleeve of my wetsuit when I was taking it off. I guess my goggles slipped out of the sleeve. Bummer. Next time just carry the goggles in my hand.  Bike
Comments: I had a great bike ride. I immediately took in a gel and water. The temps were going to get hotter and hotter as the day wore on, so I prepared myself to take in plenty of fluids and nutrition. Everything was executed perfectly. I took in fluids every 15 minutes. Took in nutrition every 20 minutes. I was going hard, but comfortably hard. Played cat and mouse with a few people the whole ride. That was fun. Everyone was good about not drafting and following the rules which made the ride that much more enjoyable. The only thing I didn't like were some of the roads were terrible!! There were stretches of road where your bike went, bump....bump.....bump....bump....bump....bump....bump.....bump. You get the idea. I ended up with a big bruise on my arm when I was in the aero position going over those bumps. Ouch. Was glad to get done and sooo amazed that I went under 3 hours. I was so exited about this. What would you do differently?: DON'T FORGET MY SUNGLASSES!!! I was at mile 15 when I realized I didn't have my sunglasses. I'm sure my bike photos will be so cute. Squinty eyes and grimaced face...classy. Could be good for the worst photo thread, LOL. Transition 2
Comments: Yes, this is slow. Took my time getting my run gear on, and the sunglasses! Went to the port a potty before I hit the run. Note to self, "lock port a potty door when you go to the bathroom." I forgot to lock the potty door and some guy opens the door while I'm peeing!!! I said, "Oh sorry!!!!" The guy quickly closed the door. Hope I didn't scar him too bad, LOL. I have to laugh at this because because I heard someone else say, "occupied" a few doors down. Apparently the mind is not thinking clearly after a hot 56 mile bike ride. What would you do differently?: There's always room for improvement.  Run
Comments: WOW!! In a word, "BRUTAL". Hot and humid was the order of the day, and it delivered in a bad way. My main goal for this was to stay cool and hydrated so I could finish this journey standing up. I went slow and paid attention to drinking gatorade, cola, and water, and gels. I walked the aid stations, and ran (shuffled) the rest. God bless the residents of Racine. They had their sprinklers and hoses on to cool us off, so nice. I tried to thank them every time I saw them. Seeing the finish was glorious. Once I heard the announcer's voice, I picked up the pace to finish strong. I high fived some people, and smiled to the finish!!!! What would you do differently?: NOTHING!! This was my first HIM and it was a wonderful experience. The weather was hot and humid, but I executed my race plan, and it went perfect. With the exception of the goggles, sunglasses, scarring a guys eyes, these were minor details that can be overlooked in the big picture. Post race
Warm down: Found some shade, waited for my brother in law who finished!! So proud of him! What limited your ability to perform faster: Lack of experience, heat.. Event comments: This was a great race!!! The event was organized. Plenty of aid stations and the residents and volunteers were outstanding!!! This has been a wonderful experience and I can't wait to do one again. Last updated: 2011-01-29 12:00 AM
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United States
HFP Racing
95F / 35C
Sunny
Overall Rank = 946/2150
Age Group = F40-44
Age Group Rank = 53/145
Drove up from Indianapolis on Friday with the family. Got to the hotel and met up with my sister and her husband. My brother in law was doing his first HIM too. We were both nervous and exited to be participating in such a big event. I've only done sprints, so for me to jump to HIM distance is exiting and a little intimidating. I've trained the best I could these past few months. But like most people, family, work , and life can make keeping up with a training plan challenging. My plan going into this HIM was to execute each discipline calm and controlled. I wasn't going for a certain time. My main goal was to stay hydrated, keep nutrition in check, relax, and enjoy the experience!
Got to the race sight at 5:10am. My brother-in-law and I went to our respective racks and set up our transition areas. I think I checked my area about a thousand times to make sure everything was in order. Got my wetsuit and walked a mile with my sister and BIL to the swim start. My sister was such a wonderful sherpa. The swim was going to be my challenge. My sister kept telling me you've got to think, "calm and controlled" while you're in the open water. So that was my mantra for this race...calm and controlled. :)