Deer Creek Fall Challenge - Half Ironman Triathlon - Triathlon1/2 Ironman

I was off course a little here and there but I think the random buoy placement was a little longer than in 2009 when I did this before. I had a wetsuit on this time and know my swim times are faster not slower with it on but my time here was slower. But I suppose it could have been the choppy waves and my mental focus contibuting as well but anyhoo I was 3 minutes slower.

Some glare resistant sun-goggles would help with sighting

Wow what a debacle. I had to sit to get my suit off. The guy next to me knocked my helmet and stuff down (crowded, not his fault). Fumble to get my stuff together. take my bike off from front rather than back. stuck behind a guy walking his bike SLOW. i ran around him and past teh mount line (two others getting on meters prior to mount line - why no penalties?) foot one on my shoe - push the band broke befre i had my other foot in place. shoe flpped i almost went down. fumble to get right. struggle to get up to speed.
my trans time is one of the 3 fastest on the day but i know it was still too slow and i lost time after teh timing mat that is really part of trans.

Move with a purpose rather than try to rush.

Faster on the bike inspite of the wind. I couldn't find one of my non vented shoe inserts and that foot remained frozen for nearly 40 miles After a slow start I rode with others when I could. I don't pace well on my own and to make it worse my computer wasn't working. I rode laps 2 and 3 with the women's leaders. I drank 24 oz home made nutrition drink on the first lap. took a 20 oz water bottle for the second. Rational Brue's race plan was to take a new bottle on the third but irrational Brue in the race said we didn't need a new bottle we have enough left. So I made a quick turn around and picked up a couple hundred yards. Toward teh end of the lap I remembered why we have a race plan.

Stick to the plan. AI should have worn socks since I couldn't find insert. Don't be so cheap and get a reliable computer.

Slow to get socks and shoes on. Not a real problem because I knew it was important to be comfortable. I took off my shirt as per race plan. I then remembered I was going to take a snickers out of the back pocket and fumble around for it, couldn't get it easily and I threw it down. I ends up I could have just left eh shirt on.

Move with a purpose don't rush.

WINDY. I did not approach the run competitively. I have been way down in training for over a year due to an injury that continue to plague me. I Chose to just go for a run. I was hoping for an 8:30 pace or so. By the half way point I was around and 8:15 pace but when I turned to face the wind I knew I was spent. I decided to just run. I got more and more tired and sore. I was really hungry. I decide to cheer for everyone going out while I was coming in to keep my mind occupied and my spirits up. I gave a strong (not sprint) finish. I headed straight for the food.

Bonus - there were super heroes at the turn around aid station.

Get healthy. I plan to do that this fall.

Sloppy Joes. (Is that a warm down?)


Low training volume. No rides above 40 miles for over a year. Half running distance. No 13+ runs since April.


The best thing about this race is cost. Most half Irons are 5 times as much money to do. There are not the bells and whistles of the branded races but I will take cost savings over frills. The sloppy joes at the end and the life lessons I learned were the highlights.
I wish HFP would do a better job with results