Bone Island Tri - Half Iron Course - Triathlon

Shame on my for not knowing the course. I THOUGHT I understood the directions of going under the pier, then up the steps. But I missed the part where we DOUBLED BACK UNDER the pier. I was still looking downshore for a pier to go under, when everyone else was now swimming up shore.. LOL.. Glad it is only January in a meaningless race (no money, no worlds, ext..)

The course was long to begin with. And with my screw ups, I was 9 minutes behind schedule already.

Know the course. Put on my goggles better.

This wasn't a flow through transition area. So the times in there are distorted. Oh well.

I was more deliberate than usual. I wanted to make sure I got both honey flasks, and my fix a flat properly stowed in my wet tri top. I also put on socks and shoes in T1.

I had planned to put my head down and show off my new found power on the bike during this race. But after driving in on Friday I realized it is not a bike course for superheros. It is a bike course for looking around, enjoying the scenary, and PAYING ATTENTION TO TRAFFIC.

I drank water every 10 minutes. And ate honey every 30. It worked perfectly, just like it does in my hard tempo sessions on the computrainer.

I cruised the bike in with the 6th fastest split. Overall, I was happy to put on my running shoes. We all knew the course after driving in on Friday. So the safety aspect isn't a surprise.

Nothing. I made a good decision to back off the bike.

Fastest split of the day.. But I already have my socks on. Most of the fast dudes put them on in T2.

I felt great after the run and was excited to get to run. Hell, I was excited not to be squished under a camper or delivery truck back on route 1!

The views were awesome. The course was flat. And the weather was great. There were ample aid stations which included BOTTLED water.

I was on PR pace through nine.. I THOUGHT I was running easy, but when I went to shift gears there wasn't another gear to be had.. In fact, I slowed down the last four.. Oh well, it was still a great run for me.

I was pleased with the day.

Drank some soda and ate some pizza.


My own stupidity in the swim.


I was excited about doing another Set-Up inc event. It has been a long time for me.

This race has some issues they have to work out.

#1. I don't trust the race or the director, over the last three months there have been TOO MANY changes in the course, the prize structure, the race form (no iron?!?), next years date, ext.

#2 - The race is not much of a value. I do many races every year. and $200 is a fair price for a HIM.. But, it is only fair if you are providing the same experience as the other races. What did the $200 get me? Limited post race food (pizza and soda), no pre race pasta dinner, very small awards, (we did not attend the celebration Sunday (if there was one), so I won't comment on that).

#3 - The finish line was very crowded and small. It did not set up well to hang out after the race. And where was the beer?!?!? ( I know it isn't allowed on the beach, so I can answer that question myself)

One thing that I really did like about the race is that they had a photog on site that posted all the pictures to google, free to download. That was a great touch.