Pigman Long Course Triathlon - Triathlon1/2 Ironman

Swim felt great. They did a time trial start with swimmers going into the water after crossing a timing mat, every 3 seconds. Went really fast and with that type of start, not too much bumping. I started sighting a boat, not realizing I was going slightly off course. Was only breathing to the right side and when I started bi-lateral breathing, I noticed the field was about 20 yards away from me. Swim felt great. Stroke Stroke Breath. Stroke Stroke Breath. I was in the zone. Smooth long strokes and flying by people. Passing teams, and some of the first (non-elite) swim caps. That felt good. Right out of water looked at my Garmin.... 32 minutes! PR for me on the swim. First time I did this in competition but I have done it numerous times in the pool.

Better sighting. Otherwise, good swim. Maybe wear darker goggles for swim when heading into the sunrise.

Pretty good transition. Heel got stuck on timing chip. That thing was huge! Overall, good. Long run up the hill from the water to my bike though. Pulled the goggles and swim cap off and left them in my sleeve as I pulled my arm out. That worked pretty good. At least my transition spot was close to bike out. Gonna be a long run from bike in though. Feet slipped into shoes nicely. rubber bands broke fine (good ol cheapies from Wal Mart) and started off on the bike nicely.

Practice removing suit a few more times before next triathlon.

Bike was fun. My goal was to keep an 18-19 mph average but I found that almost too slow. Good hills to roll down and I was doing my share of passing a ton of people. Not aggressive though. Tri bikes passing me. At least I can hear them coming with their roar. I gotta get me one of those. Love my steel framed roadie though. Gu pack every 10 miles. Had 60 oz of fluid on the bike to start. Tried the Heed. Didn't really like it. Stuck to water and my Elixer. Hills going out to the turnaround did not seem so bad going up. Fun coming down. Couple of times got close to drafting violations. due to improper passing by others and my inability to want to slow down once overtaken to give the 20 feet separation. Loved the bike. Felt really good till about 50 miles. Last 6 were tough climing back into the Palo park and then the tight corners in the park. Saw Stacey and the Boys and Englebrecht's at the end of my bike. That was awesome. Finished at 20.5 mph for an average. Not to bad for a road biker taking it easy if you ask me.

Bottle exchange was easy. 6 or so volunteers handing out water and Heed. they did a good job of handing the bottles off. Not too many dropped on the road.

I think consume more fluids.... See below for more details.
Also, not sure if I ate the right things. Cheddar crackers with PB on the bike is what I like to bring with me on long rides but in competition, it really made my mouth dry. I liked the additon of the Bento Box. Easy place to get at food and not a bad place to store garbage until the bottle exchange zone.

Smooth transition. I like to run with socks so that always takes me longer to get out of T2. Bike racked easily too. Changed my mind on the bike and decided not to bring my nutrition belt, with water bottles on it, out on the run. Instead, took the three Gu packs and put them in my shorts for the run.

Have a better plan about the nutrtition belt. Decide what I want to do before the race and stick to the plan.

The run was where my strong Swim - T1 - Bike - T2 decided to change. Right quad cramped up before mile #1. Left quad cramped before mile # 2. Oh shit, this is gonna be a long 13.1 miles. Everything felt good. HR was under control. Breathing was good. No foot or hip or calf pain. Why this cramping???? Cardio is strong. First mile was 7:30 (too fast) then the cramps. UHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!! Decided to take it easy and drink lots of fluids at each station. Two glasses of water would get me to each water station just fine. I asked a volunteer, where's the turnaround, "about a mile up that hill" no biggie. Woah, now my right hammy is cramping with my right and left quads. No way to stretch. Stopped running. Can't walk either. Hammy loosens up finally. Can walk / jog. Made it to the turn around. Whew. 1/2 way done. Down hill to next water station. Loaded up on water and bananas. HR and lungs feel good. quads not so much. The next 6 miles was a combination of walking and jogging, loading up on fluids and bananas at each station and more or less just relaxing with the goal of finishing as a top priority. Jogged up most of the big hill into the park. Originally planned on walking it but felt okay. Actually passed some people on the run. Of course they passed me before the finish. Cramps hit me pretty hard at the last water station. At least I could load up. Took my time for the last mile so that I could finish the run by running. Stacey and the cheering section were waiting. Crossed and felt great. Quads wanted to die. Loaded up on fluid and proceeded to have a good day.

I guess be better hydrated off the bike. Don't out perform my training level. Not sure how to moderate that but I guess go slower next time. I felt great coming off the bike so I'm not sure what the story was. Maybe bring my nutrition belt and make sure I have extra fluids with me even between water stations. I need help here!

Relaxed. Ate some of the bananas, water melon, garlic bread and drank tons of water. When I finally felt like sitting down, grabbed some pizza for me and the family and sat in the shade. Stood under the portable shower (great idea by the way) waited for awards then took off. Very happy.


Cramps on the run. Other than that, I was happy.


I will consider Pigman again. I really enjoyed the race. The venue was tricky for parking, especially with the family showing up later. Well organized and very well supported.

The weather couldn't have been better. Morning temps in the upper 50s, race temp in the 70s with some wind. The best weather that I could have asked for. If temps would have been in the upper 90s, could have been really bad.