Beach2Battleship Half Iron Distance Triathlon - Triathlon1/2 Ironman

Wetsuit zipper broke about 20m before swim began. I finally found someone who had tape (the announcer). He taped me up, a bit to tight, but it kept the rear closed. The swim went very well. I actually swam in about 42m because I asked one of the suit strippers the time as I stood on the deck at the finish line for nearly 15m getting the tape cut so I could get out of the suit. Ran to T1 without any incident.

Be very careful with the zipper on any wetsuit. Makes no sense to say bring an extra. My various techniques and vigor carried me through. I should probably swim more so that I could maintain a freestyle for longer periods of time. The shoulder didn't help, but overall, I think I did well. I had planned on a 45m 1.2mi swim and actually came in a little under that in reality. I'll push harder for swim training before the IM next year.

I was somewhat discouraged following the wetsuit saga. I was initially elated with my swim time, until it took so long to get the suit off. However, we can't worry about things we can't change. I decided to take my time in T1, dry my feet, put on socks, change my shirt, put on leg and arm warmers, my SF skull cap, and gloves. The water was warm, but I was prepared for the initial portion of the bike to be miserable, and it was. At least I had some dry clothes and my feet and hands were warm. I thought the time was much longer. Ranked 508.

Nothing I can actually think of. I'd practiced T1 at the house for about 2hrs and had everything down to less than a minute without socks. It was just to dog-gone cold to go sockless or gloveless and I wanted to have a dry shirt on. It would have been very nasty without the arm and leg warmers also!

The bike was good. I pushed a little too hard at times but nothing that ever left me winded. Near the end I was watching the Garmin trying to judge the remaining effort to expend. I couldn't use my cadence because there were so many nearby initially and it never reset during the leg. Did outstanding on grabbing water bottles on the move and filling up the Vision up front. I used one of my rear bottles near the end to fill half of the Vision. I also was trying to take Saltstick every 30m to compensate for the salt depletion which I could see on my shorts. Overall, I think I did extremely well on the bike. I moved to near mid pack (Ranked 322) and I set a new PR!

Drink more water and take in more salt.

Ranked 496. Volunteer took my bike and racked it. Had to run indoors to retrieve bag. Volunteers were helping. Then moved to a changing area where I took my time drying my feet, put on new socks, and my Tri 8 Noosas. I put my bike stuff into my T2 bag and tied it up, carried it to the exit and gave it to another volunteer and hit the road. I didn't rush.

Push a little harder to get the T2 complete. However, I was having a good time and talking to the other people in the area.

CRAMPS!! I walked quite a bit although it was a combination of walk/run. Apparently I ran much more than I thought based on my time! I tried to ensure that when I was running I did not take more than a 12m/mi. I had set my goal to complete the entire HIM by 1530, 7hrs, but that didn't happen. I realized I couldn't do that after the wetsuit issue earlier. I readjusted my goal to complete it in 7.5, which I did, and then some. The run was the worst cramping I've had. I took on salt tabs and ate several oranges at the first four or five aid stations. Drank coke at a few others for the sugar. I avoided the HED and Hammer gels. I could have walked the entire distance and made it under nine hrs without a problem... But, I don't' like to come in at the last minute, always early...

Run. Train more and not slack off the last 1.5-2 months of my training cycle. I was not really prepared for this run, yet I feel that my time was very presentable.

Walked around to stretch the legs and take in the sights and the realization that I'd just completed my first HIM in 7h19m8s!!! I was glad it was over, but also thought that I cannot wait until next year to complete the IM! Forced two pieces of pizza down, ate some apple slices, drank a water. I walked over to the massage tent they had and after waiting only ten minutes, I was on the table. Good stretching and massage. I think it definitely helped me out the next day! Great Volunteers!!!


Lack of training. Not time, just the effort.


This was the best organized event I've attended! Not enough can be said for the volunteers or event staff. Superb experience and looking forward to next year!!

Finisher Medal
2d Place Award (Para Triathlete)

I felt like garbage for two days afterward. Third day, head is a little light still, but I'm recovering quickly!!