Florida Half Ironman - Triathlon1/2 Ironman

The athletes congregated onto the artificial white sandy beach of Bay Lake. With all the muscly human flesh there, we were a ripe target for a swarm of pesky winged insects, that nitpicked at everyone. I was in the light-blue cap group - the waves were by age group, and I started one wave and 2 minutes after Denise. The water temp was very pleasant, and I immediately set into an easy swim pace. I was guessing I was about at Level 2 to 3.

Before rounding the first bouy, I was overcome and attacked by a wild herd of M30-34, catching me from the wave behind. I didn't let them ruin my mojo, but glided on. After that, there was a fairly regular stream of people passing me, until the last leg of the swim. It seemed this portion was jammed with at least 4 desperate age group waves, and I lost my stroke a few times, trying to protect myself from being beat up by these ravage swimmers.

In retrospect, I realize I could have swam a little faster. I thought I had a reasonable pace, but considering how I ranked, I think I could have gone a bit closer to race pace and not been too tired.

The swim to bike transition run was fortunately carpeted over, since this led over a wooden mulch path. I jogged up at a fair pace, prepared for the bike quickly enough, and ran my bike out.

I think I did ok here.

I enjoyed the bike. At the start I probably went out a bit too fast, and I had a hard time getting my heart rate down to the correct zone. I was out to pass people. Of course, since most of the men started in the waves behind me, I was passed by a bunch of space cadets with zip wheels, buzzing by me like a string of bees. I pay no attention to these guys, I can't even compete there yet.

The course was mainly single-lane tree-lined roads, that led out of Disney World into the country-side. Around mile 10 we passed through a cloud of fog - a seldom occurence in Phoenix! - that mugged up my sunglasses, but was fun nonetheless. Shortly after that, I stopped paying attention to the countryside, and focused only on keeping pace and staying fed. My nutrition consisted of Nature Valley granola bars, stacked vertically in my bento box, as well as Clif Shot jello globs (not the true name), I had picked up impulsively at Orange Cyclery. This worked out pretty well.

Around mile 20 we hit the few hills, and after that my back and crotch really wanted to quit the ride. So the rest of the bike I just focused on staying in aero as much as I could bear, and not letting my avg speed drop.

I need to practice riding in the large chain ring more - I stayed mostly in the middle one. Also, I need to practice staying in aero for longer. My back is quite sore from that still. I did however whip out a higher speed than I usually turn out on my average long ride, so I am pleased. (And I didn't feel too tired after.)

I took a quick porto-stop at a nearby john, and ran out of transition with my bike gloves still on.

Leave the gloves behind. I ended up tossing them in the trash.

This is where the race took a sour turn. I was on target to beat my SOMA time, and the first lap of the run went fine. But the jeep trail was unshaded, and I think the course took me a bit by surprise. It sort of depressed me really. I was maintaining < a 10 min/mi pace until mile 7, and then I tried to stay as close to that until mile 9, teh beginning of the 3rd loop. But at 10, it all feel apart, and I ended up walking all of mile 11 pretty much. After that I forced myself to shuffle it in.

1) Know thy course. I think a bit of mental preparation for that jeep trail would have helped. Don't need these unpleasant surprises.
2) I ate a gel at mile 4, but then just relied on gatorade. I think I should have had another gel at mile 8.
3) Should have took note of my overall time... I think I might have pushed a bit more if I would have stayed more in tune with the big picture.
4) There were aid stations every 1/2 mi, and then was too plentiful. If I would have had a plan before hand on which stations to visit, it might have hleped.
5) I think I should have done a few more long runs to prepare...

I was very disappointed by the time I crossed the finish line. My time was 4 minutes slower than SOMA, although my swim and bike splits had been faster. Usually the run is my strong event, but it was very hot out. But hey, I'm from Phx, I should have been able to hang! So after crossing the finish line, I went and sat under a tree and felt depressed. I thought, this is the last triathlon I'm doing! I'm going to write BT'ers and tell them it's over! No good! No fun!

Later I found out Denise had only finished her run in 2:20. She's normally faster than me, and I thought this was reasonably in the same range as my performance. This made me feel better. I also realized later how I had enjoyed the bike and run. I think it's nicer when you can make all the mistakes in teh beginning of the race, and emerge victorious in the end - a happy ending; rather than the way I did. But I still need to recognize the good beginning, even if it did have a crappy last 2 miles.


Not knowing the course. Not being mentally prepared for the heat.


Not the best race, but a good experience. I certainly learned from it. I didn't have the adrenaline rush going that I had when I did my first HIM, so this race relied a bit more on will-power/decision making. I did push hard enough to feel beat up by it, but I could have done some things better.