Patriots Half - Triathlon1/2 Ironman

The swim was nice overall. It was my fastest non-wetsuit legal swim in an HIM, so not unhappy at all. I was only 5 minutes slower than by time back in May and I was wearing a wet suit for that one. I didn't think that the current played a roll much for me throughout the course, and I think my sighting was pretty good overall. The beginning was a little tough as I fought my way through a lot of bodies, but its to be expected. I also got a toe cramp about half way through which was really annoying as it wouldn't resolve on its own very easily. I even think I felt a little pannicky for a moment when I thought it wouldn't go away. I just started kicking like mad, and eventually it went away not to return. The trip back to the beach was a little tough as I thought I was taking the straightest line from the last turn around and kept my eye on the wiggly man, but it seemed everyone was swimming a straight line far to my right down stream and I felt a bit alone out there for a bit, but I think I was the one in the right here but who knows.

Train harder on the swim.

T2 felt slow as it took a minute to get into the compression socks I wanted to wear for this race, but didn't struggle with anything and didn't have anything cramping up on me, so I was able to take right off. I was moving quickly with the bike, but stuck behind someone moving really slowly and had to be content to walk behind her as there was not place to pass on the way to the mount line. Oh well, ultimately I got on and moving without any hiccups.

I think I could have been moving a bit faster in general, but am happy with it overall.

I really enjoyed the bike course in this race. It was shaded, not too flat, but not too hilly either. The roads were smooth for the most part and the scenery was pretty as well. I am really pleased with my bike effort. I often have trouble pulling a 20 mile ride at better than 20 mph, but maintained almost 21mph pace for the first 30 miles or so. It started to fall off in the second half, but slowly. I noticed at about mile 15 or so that my bike number was rubbing my leg a bit, but it was starting to hurt some. I actually was getting papercuts by the darn think for most of the race and have an messed up patch on my lower inner thigh.I stayed at a 20.10 or so average mph through mile 55. It was in the final mile that I dropped down to 20mph for an average. The last half mile was on a beat up access road to the park. I was pleased with the drinking and nutrition on this ride. I packed only one bottle holder and put ice water in it with a hammer electrolyte tab it it, and set up the front bottle with water and a calorie mix. I did well drinking from the front bottle, and refilling it as I went along from the frame bottle. I had a small bottle of 2 packs of sports beans in my shirt pocket, 2 stinger waffles, a shot blox, in the bento box. I ate a stinger waffle at mile 12, and another around mile 40. I ate the beans throughout just to keep entertained, and drank from the front bottle regularly. I picked up a bottle at the first aid station and thought I was getting water, but it was Heed. yuck, not fond of heed at all and was really looking forward to having a bottle of just plain cold water. Oh well I be more ready next time. I did pick up plain water at the second stop, and didn't need anything from the third stop. By the time I was getting off the bike, I didn't have to pee as in previous races. Overall, I was really happy with the bike ride and my hydration and nutrition strategy.

Nothing

Upon landing in T2 and just about to put on my shoes I realized that I had grabbed one old shoe for the right foot, and the new left shoe of the same style pair. This got me worrying a bit, but just dealt with it. Otherwise, i probably could have done t2 much faster.

Practice t2 a bit.

I was so hoping that this run would go faster. I was going great for the first loop and maintained a sub 10 min/per mile for the first 6 miles or so. I was walking the aid stations but committed to only walk at aid stations and was able to maintain that commitment throughout. I think I drank too much water along the way as my stomach started to get heavy. I resorted to chewing ice from my cup and carrying it for a good bit of the course. It did get pretty hot as 1pm neared. I knew I wouldn't make the 6 hour marker, so I focused on simply beating the times from the Spring race.

Train the bike harder.

Wife and kids were waiting for me at the finish line. Quickly laid down in the shade and just laid there for a bit. Wife brought some food over, and I enjoyed a couple of pieces of pizza, and then enjoyed a cuople of beers before heading off.


Loved the race, and turned in my fastest HIM to date.