California Half Ironman - Triathlon1/2 Ironman

I performed fairly well for not ever swimming 1.2 miles before and being under prepared. At 2:16 pace, several waves swallowed me up. I swam my race and stayed away from the bouys so probably swam a good 200m more than everyone else.

My wave gun started before I even got to the line. I was about 10m away but I guess I was too slow.

About 100m to finish, my left hamstring cramped up. Not sure if it was because I was undertrained or too cold. I was very worried though, I couldn't kick and had a bad feeling since it happened so early in the race.

One of the volunteers had to help me out of the water since I couldn't stand.

Train harder and in the ocean more.

I was just glad to be out of the water. I had to use the bathroom and that was the first thing I did, before I even changed into the bike stuff. I pretty much took my time and just walked since my hamstring was having some discomfort.

Nothing.

In the first 10-20 miles, I was averaging close to 20mph. I was feeling great. After one big brutal hill at going only 3mph, my legs were shot and after that, I was only averaging about 10-15mph for the rest of the course. There was quite a few rolling hills and I was just not prepared. I had only rode one 56 miler before.

My left hamstring cramped up again and my right quad also.

I had to use the bathroom a total of 4 times.

Train more.

I was feeling ok after the ride. Actually I was surprised since I didn't really train for it. I took a gel and drank some gatorade. I did not change. Put on some sunblock since I knew I was in for a long run.

Nothing.

I had only averaged a 15m/mile at the previous OLY so I shooting for that at the 1/2. I surprised myself with my pace. I had never ran or trained more than 6 miles before (the only time I ran 6 miles was at the previous OLY), so I wasn't sure what to expect after mile 6.

I used the walk/run method and and every mile, I went to the bathroom, drank and ate. At around mile 8, my legs were shot. I walked the last 3 miles, from mile 10-13. My hamstring was killing me. I knew I had to walk when I was jogging and couldn't catch people that were walking.

Try to train.

Nothing. My legs were shot. My knees were sore and my hamstring was a little messed up. I even had problems riding the bike back to the car.


I didn't train that much. My training was about 3 miles a week run, 10 miles a week bike, and I only started swim training about 1 month before the tri. I did two OW swims to prepare.

With full time work and law school at night, I just didn't have the time.


I really had fun. It was my first 1/2 ironman. I went in with the goal just to finish and that's what I did. I raced it well, and not pushed it too hard. I knew I was undertrained and I had in my mind, if I was too much in pain or discomfort, I would DNF and would be fine with it.