Grand Rapids Triathlon - Half Iron Course - Triathlon1/2 Ironman

I have spent much more time in the pool this year and felt pretty strong on the swim... unfortunately I made at least one bad decision that lead to a few problems. Started to head to the start and thought last year my sighting was great and never had any issues so grabbed my clear goggles (think they are much more comfortable). As we make the turn, it's straight back into the sun and I could not see a thing! Just tried to follow anyone I saw but know my navigation was terrible. I really got into trouble about 200 yards from the finish. I somehow managed to end up too far left and was about 1/4 of the way into the oncoming sprint start. I am honestly thankful to be alive and if you did the sprint and are reading this, am sorry if I got in your way. After getting hit pretty good a few times, I just dived as deep as I could and went lateral. Came up and was almost clear thank goodness. With all that, my swim time was actually better than last year and I felt good the whole swim (although a bit freaked out). Note for next year... stay right!

Tinted goggles and stay right.

Cool, wetsuit strippers... never had done a race with those. LOVE IT! I actually thought I took my time. Put on socks and bike gloves and wanted to get my heart rate down. Not too bad time wise.

Nothing.

First race on my new bike... overall thought it went well. I was honestly hoping to be a bit faster but need to put in more time. I tried not to push too hard and thought I managed a relatively comfortable effort. I think my hourly splits were pretty close. I drank well but stomach didn't want anymore sugary gel or sport beans so might have been a little shy on the calory intake.

More training and bring a non-sweet calory alternative on the bike.

Pretty uneventful...

Nothing

Not sure how disappointed to be about this run. I should be around 2 hours so was about 1 minute per mile slower than normal and had to walk way more than usual. How much time was due to heat versus poor performance, who knows. I had a feeling right away that the run would be a struggle and just never got a good rythem. It was hot but I honestly never felt super hot, just never felt strong on this run. I usually pass a ton of people and don't get passed much so was a bit down on myself. Volunteers and aid stations were awesome... so many people helping and being positive.

Not sure if there was a difference I could have made or or if it was just slower due to the heat.

Sat down for a minute, then went and cooled down by going into the river. Grabbed a little food and made the now very long mile journey back home... as nice as it was biking down in the am, the bike/walk home kinda sucked.


I think the heat more than anything but need to train more and train in the heat much more.


I enjoy this race and can't thank all the people to volunteered enough.