Redman Half Distance Triathlon - Triathlon1/2 Ironman

Gun went off and swimmers around me looked at each other, "was that the start?" Yep. Ran through the mud for 50' passing some who were swimming already. Started swimming towards an orange buoy. Oops, that isn't the course. Rest of first leg I angled back to the white turn buoy. On the plus side I had virtually no rough contact with any other swimmers.

Despite plans to the contrary I had to pee through the entire swim. Tried, but could not make myself do it.

Felt like I could have pushed harder on the first leg.

90 Calories

Prepare for sighting difficulty. Knowing that I am on course will let me focus on effort.

Took too much time here. Socks should go on after bike, not before. I planned this, but confusion hit. Decided after a few disasters in practicing a flying mount it wasn't worth the potential embarrassment/injury to save ten seconds.

T1 was otherwise set up as logically and fast as possible. Took a Hammer Gel and a sip of water.

90 Calories

Turn on bike computer, socks after bike segment.

Stayed aero for 95%. Never dropped into the small ring. Passed a few out of T1. Went too hard and didn't hydrate or take calories until the turn around. Thinking too much about when I should stop for restroom break. Shoulders were burning a little, but my quads were on fire. I knew it too, but it's hard to see a bike in front of you and not try and catch him. Finally took a few sips of Gatorade and a gel. Threw Gatorade out at an aid station. Drank maybe 10oz of water.

150 Calories

Calories, Electrolytes, Water. Don't know if it would have given me a better bike time, but it would have set me up better for the run.

I don't usually lose time in T2, so maybe I could take ten more seconds to consider hydration, restrooms, calories, etc.

I could have used the restroom here and still finished in top half of AG. I could have also removed the rock from my sock that tagged along on the bike and half the upcoming run.

10mm racing flats were a bad idea. Not enough electrolytes and calories was a bad idea. Running with a ready-to-burst bladder, and with a rock under my toes was... a bad idea.

I know I can run an open 13.1 in < 1.5 hours. No reason my second lap should have been a run 5 min/walk 2 min event. I will have to practice nutrition more if I do another race this distance again.

See above.

Legs seized up. Could not eat anything solid. G2 and coke with some broth. Post-race masseuse was great. I was recognized the next day as "ice bath boy." Great, I'm that guy now. Shuffled to bike, and suffered the 1.5 mile walk back to the car.


Nutrition mostly. That and I need to harden up.


After the race I said I'd never do another of this distance again. Two days later I am making plans to finish 20 minutes faster at the next one.