Beach2Battleship Half Iron Distance Triathlon - Triathlon

Really enjoyed this swim. The wind was blowing slightly against us, but the current was pushing you along so no complaints. This was the first race with my new googles so I was a little nervous, but they held up. I'd heard that the current is stronger the further out you go, and I was suprised that I was almost by myself out there until after the turn buoy. There was minimal contact, which was also quite suprising. I ran into a lot of slower people from waves that started 5-15 minutes before me. I don't consider myself a fast swimmer, but I'm not complaining!!! Just stayed nice and even on the swim and it worked out.

Pee in my wetsuit earlier before I started? ;) Nothing really, I was stoked about how I swam.

Climbed up the ladder at the end of the swim and yanked down top part of my wetsuit. Decided to try out the wetsuit strippers, and mine was fantastic. Ran into changing tent and changed into dry tri shorts and top and took off to the bike. I decided before the race if I didn't change out of my wet clothes I'd be miserable on the bike being as skinny as I am.

Nothing really.

The bike course is probably one of my favorites that I've raced so far. Racing on I-40 was way cool!! Tried to maintain a nice steady pace as best as I could and drink every 15-20ish minutes and eat every 20-25 minutes. Was passed initially by a few people, but passed a good deal of people as well.

Work more on the bike. This was a PR split for my bike portion of a 70.3, but I know I can do better. Seemed harder to get motivated to take the bike out for a couple of hours when I needed to be job seraching. Should've done more bricks too, but overall it is still progress.

At the dismount line they had a volunteer that literally stood there and would grab you if you didn't dismount there. My girlfriend said that he caused several people to wreck doing that. Yikes!! Dismounted and handed off my bike. Ran and grabbed my T2 bag and ran to changing areas. Took off my long sleeve shirt, put on my Brooks and race belt, and ran out handing my bag to volunteer.

Try and figure out how to pee on the bike where it doesn't get my socks wet ;) Or change sock. Also stretch my back during the ride so it doesn't get pissed at me running.

Started out feeling like a champ!! The first two miles there were a bunch of little kids behind the barriers trying to high five people as the ran by. Definately made me smile and high fived all of them running by. There was a slight hill afterwards, but no problems going up. After the first 5K my right foot was tingly and numb feeling, which I assumed was because I had put my timing chip on super tight. At mile five I decided at the halfway point I'd stop and loosen it because it was funny feeling. Got to mile six and bent over to loosen it. AGONY!!! My lower back was not happy. Immediately started freaking, but decided I'd run as best as I could. I got to the turn around point and started taking Coke every aid station and walking a little every mile because it hurt. I should have sucked it up, but easier said after the race than when you're running. Coming back I started choking up a little bit thinking about not being able to even run in March after surgery on my foot. Saw the finish line and made one final push passing an older guy at the end.

Not try and adjust my strap for my chip. Still PRed the run. Only two half marathons I've run have been during a 70.3 race. I guess 13.1 miles isn't hard enough unless I've covered 57.2 miles before ;)

Hobbled and got my finisher's goodies. Grabbed all my equipment, packed up, and drove to my grandparent's house. Wish I could've stayed and watched, but we only had the hotel for the night before.


Fatiguing and soreness, but then again you're not supposed to feel fresh when you finish.


The race was a lot of fun and I liked everything about it aside from feeling like a popsicle before the race. The course is overall a fairly flat course, but it is still a lot of fun with some beautiful views.