Washington Half - Triathlon1/2 Ironman

Toughest swim of my life. THe wind was 10-20 mph and made for lots of chop. Fog made sighting hard. We had one single wave for everyone. After 300 yards I was seriously wondering why I was doing this and contemplating DNF'ing. Did not learn until later that they were pulling people from the course.

After the first turn bouy we had to swim the longest length against the strong current. I found a sort-of-groove here. Swallowed more water than I can ever remember during a swim and coughed a great deal.

I figure I would get through it and kept going. Happy I toughed it out.

Pray for better weather!

Was pretty good at this considering I was taking off booties and wetsuit, putting on socks and arm warmers (THANK GOD for those!)

This started well. I ws passed i by 2 guys early and then no one else the rest of the way. After 10 miles I had a 20.2 mph average. After 20 I was up to 20.4, and 20.59 at 25 miles. However right about mile 28 turned into a headwind that would tear the nipples off a witch! Average speed dropped dramatically. Was doing 15-17 for quite a while. There were open fields all over and no shield from the wind. My back tighted up trying to maintain pace.

Beacause my hands were cold, at mile 49 I dropped a water bottle that held flat soda. I stopped a turned around for it as I really needed it.

I ate a gel every 40 minutes or so and drank water and soda regularly.

Despite my socks, my feet were freezing by the time I got to T2.

I have to admit that the wind tore in to me again for this last 28 miles that I thought about DNF'ing, but figure worse case I could walk 13.1 miles.

Since I had not sweated through my socks I did not change them. Kept the arm warmers on too. Grabbed some gels and my salt stick and was off.

The wind and my stiff back made this a run from hell. (At least one of the circles of Dante's Inferno). Saw a buddy Scottie at the aide station right outside T2. He asked How I was doing. I told him I was in a world of pain and could not feel my left foot. He told me lots of racers had the same lack of feeling in their feet.

I did a regular run/walk. It was better than Augusta! My back made the first lap hard. I had to walk and stretch it regularly.

The second lap my right calf knotted up with the effort to deal with my lower right back. I could run for 5 cones then walk one. Then 4/1, then 3/1. It was brutal. Knew I would finish, but kept thinking what would this be like on a day with no wind (like 2 days earlier).

On the bright side I had no achillies pain during the run and my left knee held up well.

This course was very open, went along the water and crossed a bridge 4 times. As a result there was very little protection from the never ending wind.

Drive!

Froze! Got a medal and packed up as I hobbled to my car. my teeth were chattering for the first 50 miles home despite having the heat on and the seat warmer on high.

I have the typical sore muscles, but added to that I have irritaitons to my under arms, neck upper quads and privates. The post-race shower at home hurt so bad I thought that if the GErmans or Japanese used this as torture during WWII I would tell them anything. I pray to feel better tomorrow.


Weather and my weight.


FS series knocked it out of the park. There were volunteers and police everywhere and the swag was top notch. I have never seen so many racers wearing the free clothing (Cool Hoodies).