California Half Ironman - Triathlon1/2 Ironman


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Oceanside, California
United States
Ironman North America
60F / 16C
Precipitation
Total Time = 5h 28m 13s
Overall Rank = 511/2033
Age Group = 30-34
Age Group Rank = 99/313
Pre-race routine:

Woke up after a terrible night's sleep. I couldn't get to bed because of pre-race jitters. Since this was my first 1/2 Ironman, I was really worried about everything. Once I got up, had a bowl of oatmeal and two bananas and lots of water. Felt really good beside the lack of sleep
Event warmup:

Rode my bike to the transition, and then did some running. Did a ltitle stretching as well for the swim. The weather was rainy and didn't lend itself to doing a whole lot.
Swim
  • 29m 1s
  • 1920 meters
  • 01m 31s / 100 meters
Comments:

Had a pretty good swim. Felt really relaxed as this is the best part of my race. My whole focus was to get through the swim in a nice easy pace and to be really fresh by the time I got on the bike. Almost missed the start as I had my goggles sitting on top of my head.
What would you do differently?:

Pay more attention to the start. Maybe work it a bit harder as I left the water feeling like I had just been in for a warmup swim.
Transition 1
  • 04m 37s
Comments:

Had a bit of a problem with my wetsuit, but besides that went pretty well
What would you do differently?:

Work more on wetsuit changes
Bike
  • 2h 52m 3s
  • 56 miles
  • 19.53 mile/hr
Comments:

Had a really good bike ride. I was shooting for 20MPH for the course and probably would have hit it without the wind and the massive hill in the middle that slowed me down to 6-7 MPH.
What would you do differently?:

I should have donw some more training for hills. I got passed by a bunch of peeople on the climbs that I was faster than the rest of the race. I felt like getting off and walking at least twice, not good.
Transition 2
  • 02m 52s
Comments:

I had lost my number during the bike (ripped off my race belt at some point. Since I had never done one of these, I wasn't sure how serious they took the whole number in front thing, so I searched through a bag for about 30 seconds to try to find my other number. Finally gave up and went. Sort of stupid in hindsight to look, but I'll mark it up to experience
What would you do differently?:

Not look for my number.
Run
  • 1h 59m 41s
  • 13.1 miles
  • 09m 08s  min/mile
Comments:

Obviously the run is my worst leg. I was trying to go under 9 minute miles and just missed it. I think I might have hade it if it wasn't for thte sand and a shoelace that couldn't seem to stay tied.
What would you do differently?:

Train a bit more. I also should have focused on longer strides. I was looking at pictures my wife took, and my form was terrible. Also I think I am going to invest in quick laces.
Post race
Warm down:

Walked around. Got a massage and ate a bunch. Felt pretty good the rest of the day, but pretty sore on Sunday.

What limited your ability to perform faster:

See Above

Event comments:

I had a great time for my first 1/2 IM. My goal time was to go under 5:30 and I just barely made it. I know I can go faster I just have to train a bit more. I do have to say that after one race I'm hooked




Last updated: 2006-03-21 12:00 AM
Swimming
00:29:01 | 1920 meters | 01m 31s / 100meters
Age Group: 28/313
Overall: 141/2033
Performance: Good
Suit: Ironman Wetsuit
Course: In Oceanside Harbor. Prett much and out and back, and farily well marked. I got of course a bit at one point, but not too bad
Start type: Deep Water Plus: Waves
Water temp: 55F / 13C Current: Low
200M Perf. Good Remainder: Good
Breathing: Average Drafting: Below average
Waves: Navigation: Average
Rounding:
T1
Time: 04:37
Performance: Average
Cap removal: Average Helmet on/
Suit off:
No
Wetsuit stuck? Yes Run with bike: Yes
Jump on bike: Yes
Getting up to speed: Average
Biking
02:52:03 | 56 miles | 19.53 mile/hr
Age Group: 104/313
Overall: 509/2033
Performance:
Wind: Some
Course: A big loop through Camp Pendleton. Pretty flat and fast except for some big hills in the middle that slow the pace down dramatically
Road: Smooth Wet Cadence: 82
Turns: Average Cornering:
Gear changes: Below average Hills: Below average
Race pace: Comfortable Drinks: Just right
T2
Time: 02:52
Overall: Below average
Riding w/ feet on shoes Bad
Jumping off bike Average
Running with bike Good
Racking bike Good
Shoe and helmet removal Good
Running
01:59:41 | 13.1 miles | 09m 08s  min/mile
Age Group: 157/313
Overall: 913/2033
Performance: Average
Course: Pretty flat and just along the beach in Oceanside. The only bad part was a sand portion we had to run in 4 times due to the loops. It was sort of demoralizing to run through it each time
Keeping cool Good Drinking Just right
Post race
Weight change: %
Overall: Good
Mental exertion [1-5] 4
Physical exertion [1-5] 4
Good race? Yes
Evaluation
Course challenge Just right
Organized? Yes
Events on-time? Yes
Lots of volunteers? Yes
Plenty of drinks? Yes
Post race activities:
Race evaluation [1-5] 4