California Half Ironman - Triathlon1/2 Ironman

Lined up right to avoid the melee. Promised myself I'd take the first half easy and pick it up if I felt good. And I did. Second half was much better. I felt great! Too bad I'm so slow. Oh well, I have 200lbs to push around.

Nothing. Swim went pretty much according to plan. Navigation was tougher than I expected. Current was moving us around pretty good in the middle part of swim near the open ocean.

Since it was pouring rain at the swim start, I left everything in my waterproof tri bag. Took awhile to get it all out and on. I certainly was not hurrying. At least it was all dry!

Try to move a bit faster. Can't complain much though, the rain slowed my progress down because I kept it all in the bag.

Spent 5 minutes or more fixing a flat! AAARRRGH. My bike said I averaged exactly 18mph while I was on it, so the difference was my flat tire. Live, race, and learn.

Brand new tires and tubes next time. I really don't think I could have gone any faster considering my first ever road bike ride was 5 months ago.

Again, everything was in the bag. No doubt added some time. But it was dry!

Nothing. Rode exactly as planned save the flat. Actually rather proud of myself considering how much harder this course was than anything I've ever seen.

Trouble! Both quads shut down in the first mile. Was seriously convinced I would DNF. Slowed down and started eating and drinking at every aid station. By mile 7 or so I had beat back the intense cramping and pain. I am amzed I never stopped except to walk thru the stations.

Simply need more training. I am very proud of my ability to work through the intense pain and cramping of the first 5 miles.

Pizza and soda in the food tent.


Only 6 months of traing. Flat didn't help either.


Awsome race. Extremely well done. Hundreds of Marines from nearby Camp Pendelton were everywhere helping out. Great medal and t-shirt too. Hard to believe there could be a better organized event than this.