White Lake Half - Triathlon1/2 Ironman

They gave us the option of a duathlon instead of SBR. Given that the water temp was 54.5F and wind of 10mph (White lake was white capping), I choose the DU option. We started at the finish line for a 2.5 mile run. Not a bad run considering I stopped at mile 1 porta potty.

I made the correct decision. This is my second race at White Lake. Both times the Lake has been white capping. She does not like me to go there.

Decent transition. Being in the lower 50's when I got on the bike, I had lots of clothing available to choose from. In the end, I only put on arm warmers and gloves.

The wind was out of the NE at 10mph. The first part of the ride along 701 was into the wind. I had a little cramping right above the knee, not sure what that was about, but it went away. The pig farms were making themselves known during this section and the first part of 210. Roads were smooth. The first part of 210 had crossing/headwind. During one section here, an 18 wheeler came around a curve and blasted me. I was blasted by debris from the truck. After it passed, I noticed (by smell) that it was a truck from a pig farm. Not sure what the debris was, but I hope it was rocks from the road and not stuff from the truck!

The tailwind on 210 was fun. Humming and talking to myself most of this part of the ride. The turn onto 53. Weird winds here. Not bad, just never knowing which way it was going to come from. It was nice to see the White Lake signs and begin the countdown. The road surface here was not so great. Constant ka-chunk. Finally wore me down for the last 5 miles. Enjoyed the ride until that point.

I made a few mistakes here. First was forgetting my Garmin. I rode naked. No heart rate, no speed, only by feel. I love riding my bike, so I tend to push a little harder that I should. Knew at the end of the ride that I went too fast. Should have averaged 17.5 instead of 18.

Second mistake: I chose to only take one water bottle filled with energy drink. I thought picking up a bottle at the first water stop would be enough. I needed water before then.

Took the extra time to spray sunscreen. Sun was beating down at this time.

Wow. Riding done. Now lets get this run done. I came out determined to run most of the course. I did. (for the first three miles). Really tried to keep everything even, run to the aid station. Walk, eat, drink, grab a cold towel. Aid stations were not long enough. Trash cans were too close to the station. Had to rush thru drinking and eating. Mile 5 is where the bike ride came to haunt me. I started with coke and pretzels at every aid station.

Once I hit the turn around at mile 7.4. I knew I would finish this. There were times that I would feel good. I could actually run between aid stations. Other times, it was a struggle to get to the next cone. My legs were cramping in all sorts of weird places. I would run until the twinges would almost overwhelm me, then walk until I could go again. The last mile I was able to pull out an 11 min mile. Legs were very unhappy with me for doing that to them. I was able to finish with a smile. Very happy to see my family and friends at the finish.

To all of you that have done White Lake in the past in May, well done. I couldn't imagine doing that run in 80 plus.

Ate pizza, had a shower, then went home. I had my daughter to drive me home. Her first time driving that far. She's only had her permit for a couple of months.


This was my first Half Iron distance. I learned tons. My recovery has been good to this point. Very little soreness. Took a walk with my wife around the farm for recovery yesterday.

Not sure what to call myself after this race. I'm not a HIM finisher, not 70.3. 71.6 duathlete?