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 Swim
Comments: Started out in the front of my wave. Was keeping pace with the guy to my right for the first hundred yards or so. But it eventually became apparent that his mother was most likely a mermaid as he was setting quite a torrid pace that I had no business trying to maintain. But when I finally realized what I was doing it was too late as I had used up way too much energy and most all of my oxygen. I then went into a bit of a panic mode and had to fall back on the doggie paddle for a couple minutes while I regained my composure. Quite embarrassing really but my own fault. I had only swam in this wet suit a few times and always have a hard time breathing the first few minutes in the water. A warm up swim would have been a good idea. (This is where my wife cheerfully says "I told you so ") After this initial snafu I was able to get my breathing under control and my form (such as it is) back. My other major issue being my inability to swim a straight line. As it turns out if you look up and don't see any other swimmers its not because you are out distancing the pack, but most likely because you are eighty or a hundred yards off the course. What would you do differently?: Maintain my own pace and don't swim figure eights. They are quite taxing and take a heavy toll on your time...  Transition 1
Comments: Opted to not allow one of the well meaning volunteers strip my wet suit off. The ones I saw in progress looked like the Kama sutra meets WWF. Made it to my bike got out of my wet suit, put on my bike gear. Not in a big hurry really. What would you do differently?: Pretty content with t1.  Bike
Comments: As it turns out my training program left much to be desired. Up to this point my longest bike ride was about 50 miles. After about thirty miles I really didn't think there could be anybody left behind me to pass me but they just kept coming. Pace was quite lethargic but all I could muster. I would guess mine was the only bike that had bug splatters on the BACK!! Stomach cramps set in around mile thirty (and finally let up on the drive home). Legs back and neck were all more than ready to be done with the bike portion. What would you do differently?: Well I'm no expert but I would say a little more training would have come in handy. But hey, I still beat Patrick Evoe ; Ironman and Ironman 70.3 champion!! Transition 2
Comments: Not a bad transition for a first timer. Put on my running gear and was nearly out of transition when my lovely young wife innocently asked where my race number was. Had to run back to my bag and get my race belt. What would you do differently?: Not forget my number  Run
Comments: Started out slow until I got my legs back under me. Ran to every aid station then walked through them while I drank and dumped ice in my straw hat. Saw that my goal of six hours was a pipe dream so I settled into a comfortable pace (relatively speaking) and tried to enjoy my first HIM. Made some small talk with my fellow sufferers, fielded lots of comments on my hat and read the age markings of everyone who passed me. Finished fairly strong, wife said I looked fairly well compared to some of my fellow racers. I give all the credit to the hat!!!!! What would you do differently?: Longest run up to this point was eleven miles so I'm going to go out on a limb and say "more training " Post race
Warm down: Felt like two tom cats were fighting inside my large intestines so I just sat a while and watched the after race celebrations while my wife patiently waited for me to quit my dying. What limited your ability to perform faster: Lack of motivation to train. Lack of leg muscles. Lack of a new ten thousand dollar Trek triathlon bike (at least that's what I told my wife) Event comments: Impressed with the volunteers and the race in general. Got my first HIM in the books. Did I mention I beat Patrick Evoe? Last updated: 2013-06-29 12:00 AM
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United States
World Triathlon Corporation
Overall Rank = 1176/
Age Group = 38
Age Group Rank = 173/
Ok, first off I WAS the guy in the straw hat. (Some referred to it as a cowboy hat but seeing as how I am currently between cows we will refer to it as a straw hat that is similar to those worn by someone that makes their living in the bovine industry) And for all who made fun of it (including my wife) I have this to say. "Sure I may have looked like a goof ball but it kept the sun off me and made for an excellent place to store sponges and ice "
Now, back to the race. We drove up from Vallonia Indiana the day before, two and a half hours, and went to the convention center for all the hoopla. Then to PCR for bike check in and to scope out the course. After a fine meal at the Olive Garden we headed to the Budget Inn in Daleville. (I know what you are thinking because my wife was thinking the same thing when I told her of our lodging arraignments) The gentleman manning the front desk did inform me that the last tenant to our room had, in an apparent fit of rage, ripped the door off the bathroom and it had yet to be replaced. He assured me that other than that minor inconvenience the room was fine. (And, in his defense, if you don't count the mold in the bathtub the pungent odor of smoke and lack of pillows, he was exactly right.)
Got up at three thirty, had a peanut butter bagel and drove to PCR. Got my transition area set up and saw Patrick Evoe setting his up and stopped to chat a minute. Very nice young man. Later found out he didn't finish, not saying that after sizing up the competition (me) he lost all hope of winning and just quit, but it was a bit of a coincide wouldn't you say?
Put on my wet suit and stretched out a while. Ate a banana and drank some water and Gatorade. Opted not to do a warm up swim. Bad idea. Kissed the wife and joined my wave in line.