Cutting Edge Half Classic - Triathlon1/2 Ironman

There was a bed of seaweed that ran the length of the beach, so you got tied up in it a little at the start before swimming past it. However, rounding the last buoy towards the beach and then beginning the second lap, you spent a lot more time with the muck!

Need to site a little better and learn to draft. I started a little bit back in the pack (nervous becuase this was my first 70.3), and I would have been better served to be towards the front. I am a good swimmer and I spent too much time moving around slower people before finding a nice groove.

I purposefully took my time here to make sure I had everything I was going to need. I also wanted to grab a bite to eat to keep enough fuel in the tank. I am not a very good biker so I was nervous to head out for 56 miles. By the way, I had not gone that far in my training...

Great support out on the course with aid stations at each turn around point. Would have liked it if they offered some gels instead of just a banana. I am not talented enough to peel a banana and ride a bike at the same time. Lost one of the gels that I had stuck in a pocket, so I really could have used some additional food on the ride.
The bike is clearly my weakest leg and needs a lot more work...

Packed more food. Trained much more on the bike.

Needed to calm down and focus more here. Almost took off without grabbing some food and a drink. Thank goodness my wife was nearby yelling at me to relax and focus!!
I was clearly loopy after all that I had done so far...

Relax more in the transition. Take time to grab something to eat and make sure that I have everything I need for the run

Boy did I underestimate how I would feel at this point. I really wanted to run a 9:00 pace to bring it in at 2 hours. Given that my normal half marathon pace is ~7:50, I thought this would be easy. Unfortunately, I underestimated how tired I would be.
Right as I started the run, the sun decided to come out and turn up the heat and humidity on what had been a very nice, cool morning. When I took off out of T2, my legs felt great and I actually had to reign myself in on pace several times during the first 3 miles. Second three miles though started to slow down as the heat and activity of the day really started taking it's toll. When I got though the first loop, my pace was already down to 9:20 and I was really struggling with muscle fatigue and trying to avoid a full on bonk.
The second loop I had to walk through each water station to try and get some rest and to allow for refilling my bottles (thank you volunteers).

Probably could have done more brick training. I think I mostly didn't put enough food in during the pre-race and the bike portions to manage through the run. I could pretty clearly feel when I was moving on an empty tank.

I crossed the finish line!!!!

Honestly, I just walked around for a few minutes and then had to lay down in the grass. I was completely spent....
Once I could, I began to stretch out to try and avoid any tightness or cramping. Walked into the pavilion and grabbed a banana, water, yoohoo and a sandwich. Although I really had no appetite, I forced down the sandwich.


I think that I didn't have enough food duri ng the earlier portions of the race to fuel me through the run.
Also, this was my first 70.3, so I didn't exactly know what to expect.


The volunteers were simply amazing! Handing out bottles during the bike and then helping so much during the run.
For a first experience, this was a great race to run. It's a smaller venue, which I think makes it somewhat less intimidating, but was incredibly well organized and managed. I never felt like I was alone or abandoned while out on the course.