Musselman Half-Iron Triathlon - Triathlon

I wasn't sure how I'd do so I stayed to the outside for the first ten minutes or so. I started feeling okay, so I swam back over and drafted off some people here and there. Wound up actually having a good swim. I think the course was short; I didn't feel like I was swimming that much faster than normal. But no complaints.

I wasn't too shitty coming out of the water so I pushed it a bit. I actually managed to change quickly and run out, then jump on the bike and go.

Best half-iron bike split I can recall. Started the ride trying to get HR below 140 and really had to focus on keeping myself in check. I got passed by a lot of people and every time had to keep saying NOT YET. Reached target HR after 15 min, then spent the first hour with HR soft ceiling at 140 and hard ceiling at 145. Again, got passed a lot, and finally settled on the mantra "BE NOT-DUMB". I figured since I couldn't push, I'd focus on good pedaling (pedal in circles, drop heels) and body position.

After the first hour, I raised my HR ceilings to 142 and 145, and was finally able to start passing people. At one of the bottle handoffs, I made a basket at speed with an empty bottle. #winning

For the last hour, I raised HR ceilings to 145 and 150. Felt pretty good, not all out, but definitely moving fast. Total time by zones: Z2 2:07, Z3 0:37, Z4 0:20, Z5 0:03.

Nutrition: gel at start of bike, then every 40 min. Drank about 48 oz gatorade and 24 oz water. SHUT UP, I know.

DRINK MORE

Took it a little easy through T2. Had to pee! Thought that meant I was hydrated. When all it meant was I didn't see the raven sitting there being a harbinger of my imminent collapse.

Tough run. There were some good little climbs, but nothing that should have been too taxing. Looking at HR data, I can see signs of dehydration right from the start likely around 11:00 and dropped to around 14:00). I drank as much as I could and carried ice, I took salt every 3 miles or so, gel every 2-3 miles, and just kept on going. I did bring my water belt, which was really nice to have. Beautiful course, actually pretty nice weather albeit a bit sunny, overall very pleasant day.

Drink a lot more on the bike.

Walk around a bit. Ice bath for about 15 minutes. Walk around a bit more.


Conditioning


Beautiful venue, excellent organization, excellent turnout, excellent courses. Added to repeat list.