HITS Triathlon Series: Hunter Mountain - Half Iron Course - Triathlon1/2 Ironman

Easily my best swim ever. This time includes the run up the hill to transition, checking my watch coming out the water I got about 33:00 flat. I got into a good pace after the initial rush and was able to find some feet to draft on the long stretch after the first turn. With the shore so close most of the time navigation was pretty easy, as this was my straightest swim ever. After rounding the last bouy I kicked it in to the finish.

Nothing, great swim. This gives me tons of confidence for Lake Placid

Not my best transition ever because I decided to throw on a jersey so I could carry my gels. Gels were already in the jersey ahead of time but I'm not sure that actually helped anything.

Nothing new on race day! (throwing on a pre filled jersey)

Weird that cycling is now my slowest sport. To be fair I was practicing full IM pace so I was definitely holding back a tad. I went up a couple hills a bit harder than I should for a full, but for this race my pacing was fine.

Not much, treated it as a training ride so I can't complain about the time.

This is more like it for me. No wasted time. Skipped the socks which came back to get me with some blisters

Nothing

I started out a bit too fast but then settled down on the downhill after the park. After about 3 miles a guy tried to pass me and my plan of pacing as I would for a full went right out the window. We ran together for the next 9 miles at a pretty tough pace. He almost broke me on the long climb back into the park but I held on. I knew my only chance to break away would be on the last downhill with about a mile to go (I noticed him slow on a previous decline). Knowing I wouldn't beat him in a sprint at the uphill finish, I went for it when I could. I put enough space between us to be able to hold on for a 12 second win.

Totally trashed my legs for a couple days in the middle of build period for Lake Placid, but that was just so much fun I can't regret it.

Walked around, barely stretched, and went down to the lake to cool off.


Pacing the bike for 112 miles.


Fantastic race, HITS did a great job organizing this event. Volunteers were plentiful and helpful. Now that HITS Cooperstown has been moved to Hunter in September, I'll probably be back here soon.