Timberman - Half Iron - Triathlon1/2 Ironman

Started in the middle and stayed pretty much MOP the whole time. I followed feet and didn't get hit. Breathing was futile on some strokes so I just repeated the attempt on the next stroke, and no problem. Overall I felt that this was my best racing swim performance ever. Seriously, given the conditions, I rocked.

Don't curse at the waves when you've been swamped.
Gargling through a mouthful of water to say "f*ck!" does nothing for the morale of your fellow swimmers (if they could hear me) nor does it give you back your missed breath. In fact, it only re-fills your mouth with water. Washing it out, sans soap, in essence. Don't do that next time, Sunny. You've learned your lesson.

I was slow and methodical about this one. Going out for such a long ride, I wanted to make sure I got everything I needed. And I did.

Try that rubberbanded shoes/pedals trick.

I moved up about 50 overall slots on the bike, which was faster than normal because I was riding a borrowed, lightweight TT/tri bike. It rocked to feel so fast, have aerobars, and no get dropped on every friggin hill!

Never follow other cyclists when you pretty much know that they're going off-coure! I wandered off into a wrong right turn at a 'red' light due to a mis-read cue from the officer to one of the guys ahead of me. I knew he was very likely not supposed to turn, but I made the turn anyway and then had to weave back between 3 cars after realizing the mistake and getting yelled at by the officer in the first 30 yards or so. Dumb mistake.

I changed water-logged socks, I misplaced my running hat (it fell in the trash bin next to my T area -- surprise!), and I just took way too freaking long here in T2. The run exit wasn't well marked, but I should've checked it in the race delay time. Silly mistakes add up to a lost 2mins.

Be more careful with equipment placement (don't trash it!) and check the entree/sortie info pre-race. Silly me. Time got me.

I moved up about 40 overall slots on the run by chasing Matthew, my rabbit/boyfriend/best friend, who was running his first half marathon as part of a relay for his aquabiking friend, Hal. It was both encouraging and frustrating to run with him, but in the end, I couldn't thank him enough for sticking by me. He jogged backward to kill time as I slogged up some of the hills; he stirred up the cheering crowds by playing air-guitar and being generally way-too-darn-happy while the rest of us suffered and slogged along. Sure, he motivated me more than he frustrated me, but at the time, it was tough to stay positive. I just really wanted to walk. Especially on the hills...obviously something I need to train more! That and foot speed/cadence. I want to get faster, dammit.

Run solo? Naah, not when M's in the same race and willing to keep my pace.

Train the run more for speed and hills; yes, for sure!

Sat down to have my chip removed from my ankle -- barely got up. Lurched over to the foot tent and then sat on steps to eat -- could barely get up again. Notice pattern? Repeat.

Then I drank my Endurox4 and everything was magically feeling good again.
(Um, I wish!!)


Not enough transition practice or run training. More time on the loaned TT/Tri bike would've helped, too, especially with some shifting issues I had. But otherwise, I was and always is all MENTAL. I could've pushed harder, I could've trusted my training more. I just didn't. Blame the rain, blame the first-timer conservativism (some would call cautious wisdom), but I know I could've dug deeper, especially on the run.


What a day, what a day. Would I do it again? Heck yes!