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 Swim
Comments: I was very conservative on swim- especially to start. I wanted to have plenty of energy left to get back in obviously. I was very confident in my training and open water sessions prior to race and that paid off in the confidence/less anxiety department. Upon further review, I really could have gone out faster/harder and been ok. Bottom line is I knew I paced well because I had energy (usually don't) to strip off suit and "run" up beach vs. staggering up beach. OWS prior to race a must - as I'm always reminded, swimming in the ocean is different than pool. What would you do differently?: I would go out faster. I did draft well off other swimmers for first 500 yards and that was good. Water was clear and vis was good.  Transition 1
Comments: T1 starts way back at the gulf coming out of water. Have to fun up the beach, an into parking lot/transition area. I must have took my sweet time, because this is a terrible T1 time I know. Got out of suit, got bike stuff on. I did dry my face with towel and got bike shoes on and ran with them to mount bike. No flying mounts this day for me. What would you do differently?: Nothing really. I was/felt like I was pretty efficient, but could improve on that time.  Bike
Comments: I was very pleased for my ride in a race of this distance (my first HIM). My goal in my head was a sub 3 hour and did accomplish that. Again, I was conservative on the front end and could have probably rode a little harder during certain points, but I erred on the side of caution again to "save myself" for run to come. Went sockless with tri specific bike shoes and that was a good call again. During bike, the rain got my feet and shoes wet. In T2, I would put on dry shoes and dry socks- this was crucial to no blisters over the WET run. What would you do differently?: Ride harder. Very pleased with training. Was riding a new bike in first race (Felt B16 with upgraded racing tires), torpedo front hydration by Xlab, Rear saddle post Xlab Gorrilla cage and a Xlab razr aero bottle on frame with water. Transition 2
Comments: This transition went as expected. Only thing I was not planning on and I think this was due to the rain and distance, but I was getting a little "raw" in saddle area toward of ride despite being well lubed. So, in T2, added more lube to tri shorts really quick, threw on dry socks filled with baby powder and Body Glide liquid powder down in toes, speed lace on the Brooks Pure Flows, and threw on race bib/race belt and was gone. I went without sunglasses due to cloudy and rainy at that point. Took small hand towel to wipe rain out of eyes and that was good call. What would you do differently?: Was very conservative and slow in first 5K, seeing if "all systems" were a go. Developed a side stitch I believe from being in aero on bike and it took 3 miles to work through that. Plenty of aid stations on run, well stocked and organized. That helped. Picked up pace at half way point and felt better coming in.  Run
Comments: Again, although we did brick work in training, just can't replicate race day fatigue or pace off the bike. I know I could have done better on the run, but mentally I was "ahead" of where I thought I would be and allowed myself to walk/take it easy the last 3 miles, but I was pleased overall. What would you do differently?: Train to improve my run after bike more in training. Post race
Warm down: Water, wait around transition for some friends to finish and to meet with those that finished ahead of me. What limited your ability to perform faster: Myself- mentally. Should have not had any "expectations", because I was mentally "ahead" of expectations, I let myself off easy at end of run. No injuries, no mechanicals thank goodness. Pleased overall. Event comments: Again this race is on the IMFL course and many of same volunteers work both races. This race is one of the longest triathlons nationally. Very well organized, well run, plenty of safety people in water, and out on course, plenty of aid stations on bike and run- just overall a quality event and a great venue for a first HIM. Last updated: 2013-05-20 12:00 AM
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United States
Gulf Coast Triathlon
80F / 27C
Overcast
Overall Rank = 391/
Age Group = 35-39
Age Group Rank = 48/64
Stayed at beach, even though I'm local- good call. Easy access to race day parking at the super clubs only 1/4 mile from transition. Good breakfast of peanut butter on bagel and banana. Took in some hydration prior to race. My wave didn't start until 6:55, but transition closed at 6:00, so had to be there. Checking in bike day prior is actually convenient. Borrowed friend's pump, inflated to race PSI, set up transition and was ready with time to spare. Temps were warm/moderate, so not cold standing around waiting to start.
Got down to water to watch early groups go off. Wet suit on partly until 10-15 minutes prior to our wave starting. Used wetsuit lube and it worked well getting suit all the way on correctly. Got in water, let water in my suit, splashed around, did not really "swim" any warmup, but was in good spirits. Several friends that were all doing our first HIM were there. We prayed before hitting water and the race was on.