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 Swim
Comments: My wave entered the water while the pros were getting lined up. The water was calm. Temperature quite nice. I could touch the bottom with my big toes. At some point before the start, I just became very relaxed. All worries about the race went away. I would swim, bike, and run to my race plan. I felt very calm and happy. This swim went as usual. Good 200m and then drop to 20 strokes freestyle and 20 strokes breastroke. This seems to work for me. So I think that will be race strategy from now on. What would you do differently?: Not much. I cannot hold freestyle for an entire race. I seem to do ok regardless. I was 20th out of the water. My time investment for training will be better spent focusing on the bike.  Transition 1
Comments: Decent transition. Nothing special. Just made sure to keep heart rate down. Lots of dry grass in the socks and on the feet. What would you do differently?: Nothing.  Bike
Comments: My goal for this race was 18 mph. I almost hit this goal. I was passed by most of my age group. This was a bit disheartening as one after another passed me. The bike leg is my weakest. I was tempted to work harder but given that it was my first HIM and would be my longest bike ride EVER - I decided to stay with the plan. High cadence @ about 18 mph. This was a good move given the weather. My legs were a bit tight in the beginning but eventually I felt good. After about 25-30 miles I got really uncomfortable in the saddle and lower back seemed to be having issues. I am going to have to explore other saddles as the one I currently have didn't well for this long ride. My feet also started bothering me during the last 30 minutes. Heat wave kicked in about 1/2 way through. I could not wait to get off the bicycle. My feet and my groin area were so thankful when it was over. What would you do differently?: I've got to develop more leg strength on the bike. Not sure how to go about doing this since most of my biking is commuting. I don't want to make commuting a chore. Transition 2
Comments: No hurry here. Just wanted to be purposeful and get things switched out without forgetting anything. Had to put my bike in a bit differently than I'd planned. What would you do differently?: Given this race - a speedy transition was not part of my plan.  Run
Comments: So...this was a hot, hot, hot and humid, humid, humid run. 93F with 80% humidity. It took it's toll on me. The first two miles were fine. Well into mile 3 I realized that I needed to switch to heat management rather than run management if I wanted to stay out of the medical tent. So I switched to 8 minute run/2 minute walk. This worked well for the next 5 miles or so. So for a bit I was on pace to hit by 6:00:00 goal. (Early into the run!) Then I had to switch to 8 minute run/2 minute walk AND walk at the aid stations. I knew I would finish but it was now a question of when. Heat management included putting ice under cap, ice in bras, ice down back, ice under shorts, running under the hoses that community members were spraying, etc. It was a slow slog till the end. By the end my stomach was really full...looked like I had swallowed a small soccer ball. Need to work on race day nutrition and electrolytes. Cramped up a bit right at the end. What would you do differently?: Not much. Today was not a good run day for me. I couldn't get into the good rhythm that I am usually able to get going. Can I go faster? At this distance, after swimming and biking what I did? I think so but I won't know until another day. Post race
Warm down: Pretty much collapsed into a volunteer's arms. They were really terrific with ice cold towels, chairs, etc. Kudos to everyone who helped. Sat in a finish line chair for a bit. Then off to the porta-potties! What limited your ability to perform faster: Training, training, training. Heat, heat, heat --- but everyone was subjected to the same conditions so this really isn't a very good excuse. Training, training, training. Bike saddle. Ouch, ouch, ouch. Event comments: Thank goodness for all the volunteers and the aid stations at every mile on the run. Without them, I'd not have been able to finish. This is a really great race. Love the atmosphere. Love being surrounded by uber-fit people (even if they are uber-intimidating). Everyone was very friendly. Yesterday I told myself I would never do another HIM but as I write this --- who knows. I am very proud of myself for having signed up, trained for, started, and finished an HIM. I rewarded myself with a medium cherry-dip vanilla ice cream cone from Dairy Queen on the way home. Last updated: 2011-09-19 12:00 AM
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United States
Columbia Triathlon Association
93F / 34C
Sunny
Overall Rank = 306/533
Age Group = 50-54
Age Group Rank = 30/53
Arrived in Cambridge around 2:00pm to pick up race packet and rack the bike. Nice expo. Lots of people. I got there and the pro forum had just started. Got to see Craig Alexander and Mirinda Carfrae. Kind of neat. All participants looked extra, extra, supremely fit. Also very neat. While racking the bike realized that I forgot to pack my bento bag. So went back to expo. Picked up a bento bag, little headband, and 70.3 magnet. Then listened to pre-race course talk.
Off to hotel. Picked up some foods. My Days Inn had seen better days. Forgot to pack earplugs.
Didn't sleep well. Never sleep well before big events like this so that was no surprise.
Up really early to make sure I was able to park near transition. Lots of other people had same intent. But I ended up with a nice spot.
Got to transition to get things laid out. Forgot to put speed laces on new shoes. Race was wetsuit legal (amazingly). So much of morning spent trying to decided on whether to wear wetsuit or not. Stood right behind Craig Alexander in porta-potty line. (I would have thought they'd have their own - so this surprised me).
Laying out things was interesting. Since this was an Ironman brand event, there were people checking to make sure things were correct. The lady checking my row just didn't know the rules. She was instructing us to put our gear right underneath the crank area. There's just no way to do this! And be able to get your stuff. Finally some very seasoned athletes took over and instructed her on the proper transition setup!
Then just waited until start.
One thing...the level of athletes at this event was incredible. In my age group, I could just tell that many of the women were on a whole different athletic level than me. Just by the way they held themselves, their gear, their experienced way of getting ready. Intimidating but inspiring too.
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