Pumpkinman Half Iron Triathlon - Triathlon1/2 Ironman

Not thrilled with my swim. I think the course was a bit short in years past so I was expecting to be out of the water a bit faster. Unfortunately there weren't many strong swimmers in my wave so I didn't get the opportunity to draft at all. The only issue I had was coming around the first corner, there was a lot of confusion about where the next buoy was. A lot of people were going way right. I thought I knew the course, but when I saw everyone going off to the right, I got nervous that I was going to miss a buoy. As a result, I did go wider than I would have liked, but didn't go off course too much. I'm guessing it probably cost me about 30 seconds or so. Besides that, the swim was relatively uneventful and there was very minimal contact.

Be more confident that I knew the course. I didn't swim as much as I normally do since LP so I should have spent a little more time training.

Despite my time being the 3rd fastest overall, this is where I got the feeling today wasn't going to be a PR for me. As I started up the hill climb, my legs felt horrible! I can't remember the last time they felt so weak. Nonetheless, I pushed through it and did have a very smooth transition besides that.

Unfortunately my legs didn't feel any better once I got out on the bike. I was planning to average around 260 watts for the ride, but my legs just weren't having it. The course is quite flat, which was nice, but I was hoping/expecting to average around 22.5-23 mph. I constantly had to think about my pedal stroke and force myself to keep going. This was definitely a struggle the whole way. My heart rate stayed relatively low and was planning to have it be a little higher, but I just couldn't generate the power to get it any higher.

On a positive note, I am happy that I was able to battle through this. It took a lot of discipline to keep on pushing.

Have fresher legs...I did do a tough 10 mile run race the weekend before that was much hillier than advertised. My legs felt great during my ride on Thursday so I didn't think it would be an issue. However, that is the only thing I'm coming up with as being the reason for my lack of power in my legs.

Happy with my both of my transitions today. 3rd fastest overall T2 as well.

Nothing

Wasn't overly optimistic about how my run was going to go after my ride, but my number one goal was avoid a side stitch on my right ride, which has happened to me in my last few HIMs. As a result, I took it easy for the first 4 miles or so. I focused on my cadence and my legs didn't feel as bad as they did on the bike. However, as time went out my glutes and my bad hip to get really tired.

Unfortunately I just didn't have the motivation to really push myself much harder out there. I hate to admit that, but I think I could have pushed it a bit harder. Nonetheless, I was very happy to not get the side stitch and kept things relatively consistent.

Push harder

Kristen met me just outside the finishing chute and I just chatted with her and some of my friends that finished around me. Eventually I walked down to the water and took a quick dip to get the salt off me.


The 10 mile run race I did the weekend before and just not having my A game.


This was a great race and its very well organized. The post race Turkey dinner was fantastic. I hate to be so negative in my RR, but I just didn't have it today. Nonetheless, I'm happy to have taken 2nd in my AG and there were some positives to take away from the race. Hopefully I'll feel a heck of a lot better at the Beach to Battleship Full next month! :)