Patriot Half Triathlon - Triathlon1/2 Ironman

This swim was great for me. I felt awesome the whole time. Stroke was smooth, and despite the chop didn't have any breathing issues. Only negative was my navigation. GPS I aint! ;). A bit too much zig-zag. Seemed to always go left. Maybe a bit too much right arm? I'll ask my swim coach.

the leg back in seemed to go faster than out, and once I touched sand, I stood up, and headed up the beach to transition.

Work on navigation, but thats about it.

I stumbled with my socks. I had pre-rolled them, but discovered I'd done this inside out. D'oh!! Fixed that, then headed out. Seemed I was there longer than I should have been. The velcro on my left shoe was uncooperative and kept coming undone, but finally relented.

Not had my socks backwards.

Started off well and immediately had a GU and a drink to get started. Unfortunately, I dropped the bottle, and stopped to get it. My stop was an awkward half fall over/half unclipped thing which had a couple folks asking if I was OK. All was well, but just looked ridiculous. Not exactly what I was looking for 1 mile in.

I wanted to pace this well so I'd have some juice for the run. Keeping it to 18-20 mph average was what I was shooting for. First lap split clocked in at 1:30, and I was very happy with that. I was feeling GREAT at this point. Passed lots of folks along the way, and was passed a couple times. Energy and enthusiasm were high.

Started the second lap with all systems go. A few miles in there was a detrou around some construction, and had no issues with it the first time around. This time was different, however. the last turn is a sharp left, and as I went around, I must have gone a bit wide (it was a narrow turn, so going wide wasn't hard). I caught some sand on the side of the road, and next thing I know, I'm 5 feet off the road, laying in the dirt & leaves under a tree. Seemed I was OK, so I get up grab my bike to get going, and.....my bike has no front wheel. the wheel, fork, and brakes are all laying on the ground, still together. The steering tube snapped completely off at the top of the fork. Turns out I'd hit a large rock head on, and that was all she wrote. One almost new Cervelo P2, now headed for the garbage dump.

Two police officers were monitoring the intersection, and called for an EMT when they saw my left shin bleeding all over. He showed up and cleaned it up. Not a deep cut, but a few smaller ones in the same spot. Shin swelled up quite a bit, but it didn't hurt. Got a ride back to the race site, packed up transition, and went to watch some other BT'ers finish.

Not crash and destroy my bike, my race, and what was up until then a real kick butt day I had going?

Didn't quite make it this far

Didn't make it here, either. Did hang at the finish to cheer on some friends, and the finish is a great chute about 200 yards long. Lots of cheering as folks head it.

Would have been nice... :(

Drank a beer with Rudy after he finished, then headed home.


crashing.

Overall, I was VERY happy with the way things were progressing. Since this was my first HIM, I really had no idea what to expect, and my training, and race plan all seemed to be spot on.

I am incredibly PO'ed, aggrevated, and disappointed with the DNF. I wanted this race badly, and it didn't happen. I'm going to find another HIM to sign up for asap, and attack :).


Loved this race. Great location, TONS of volunteers, organized, fun, and enjoyable. I'll be back....and I'll finish next time!!