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

It took me a little while to get used to swimming in the choppy water. Luckily I learned somewhat quickly and only had two mouthfuls of water. After the first 200m, I found a good rhythm and swam the rest at a comfortable pace. I didn't try to push it too hard. I found it hard to sight the bouys, it would have been easier if they had more than six.

The temperature was really not too bad, I didn't feel cold at all. I put some petroleum jelly on my nose and cheeks. This probably helped more during the bike and run by protecting it from the wind and my gloves.

I should have practiced open water swimming wearing my wetsuit. My shoulders tired pretty quickly.

I didn't really try to run very hard to T1. I took my time putting on all my biking gear. Sipped some coffee as well.

Tuck my timing chip under my wetsuit. It took way too long to get that foot out.

There was a touch of wind out on the bike course. The hills were rough, but towards the end of the loop so once I hit those I knew I was close to finishing. The course could have used a bit more gravel, one section was clearly not enough...

I noticed a freshly ran over squirrel in the bike lane during my third loop. My guess is that the little guy ventured too close to the action?

I consumed: 3 gels, 2 power bars, 1 pack of shot blocs, PBJ sandwich, and 2 bike bottles of gatorade.

I started out the ride by waiting to use the restroom so my actual time biked was a few minutes less than what is recorded above.

One bottle of gatorade, one bottle of water. Pack more shot blocs than gels.

I had noticed that my feet were cold during the ride. When I removed the bike shoes at T2, I realized that the first three toes on my left foot were completely numb. I sat there for a while rubbing my toes but nothing happened so I added another layer of sock to that foot (3 total) and laced up my running shoes. I forgot to put on a hat before I left.

Grab a hat or sweat band.

3 miles into the run I regained feeling in my toes, so that was good.

I had some side cramps late in the run but managed to run the last mile at an HR of 167ish.

I wore my running belt but never felt like eating anything, I had a few sips of gatorade between the aid stations. I drank water at every stop, just didn't feel like having anything sweet.

I started out the run by hitting up the restroom so my actual time ran was a few minutes less than what is recorded above.

Not much.

Sat down and drank some water. Passed on the sloppy joes and hit up Skyline on the ride home.


I didn't get much sleep the night before the race.


More swim bouys.