Patriot Half Triathlon - Triathlon

I am not a strong swimmer. I'm working on it and am getting better, but I still need a lot of work here. This was an out and back swim course and I did just fine the first half. I felt good and sighted well. Once I made the turn back though, the sun was on my breathing side and I could not see where I was going. I cut a buoy at the turn (oops), veered off course a couple of times, and had to pull up a few times to reorient and get back on track. I couldn't get in a groove and just swim. I was also in the second wave, so I got swam over, kicked, and bumped by a lot of people passing me. Fortunately the contact doesn't really bother me, but it just reminds me of how slow I am. Physically I had no problem with this and I could have gone another mile just fine, but I also didn't give it a hard effort like I know I can. I'll get there. Despite the sighting issues, this was still a nice confidence boost with IMMT 9 weeks away.

Continue training, get more experience, work on bilateral breathing and sighting. Given where my swimming currently is though, I did ok.

T1 was uneventful, which is a good thing. Stripped out of the wetsuit and into the bike gear just fine. I took 10 seconds to spray on some sunblock. It was warm without a cloud in the sky.

Go faster.

This was the best bike ride I've ever had. This was two loops of a 28 mile course. I averaged 20.3 mph on the first loop, and 20.3 mph on the second loop. I kept the effort moderate the first loop and wanted to pick it up from there, but I started to fatigue about 30 miles in. The effort got hard, but I was able to maintain my speed. The 56 miles were real steady. All the bike training this year is really paying off. I took in most of my race nutrition during the first 50 miles of the bike (three water bottles and about 1000 liquid calories). I finished the bike with rightfully tired legs, but I felt ready to run. I think this bike effort made my race.

Nothing. I think I executed the ride perfectly, both with the effort and the nutrition.

The run from the dismount to the bike rack is a couple hundred yards. It felt like forever. I ride with MTB shoes though so I am able to handle that run just fine. After swapping gear and quick portapotty stop, I was on my way (until I am in OA or AG contention, I refuse to pee on my bike).

Go faster. Maybe practice transitions.

I am a runner, and this my favorite part of the race. I always say, "Just get me to the run." I focused on keeping the effort in check the first 5-6 miles. Being my first HIM, I didn't know what to expect in the late miles and didn't want to crash. I concentrated on just going from one water station to the next instead of thinking about 13.1 hot miles. I carried my handheld bottle with Infinit and took a squirt at each water station (about 50 calories per squirt), washed down with a cup of water. With temps getting into the 80's with no shade protection, I really started to suffer in the second half of the run and started dumping water on me. I was able to maintain my pace in the heat, and was passing a lot of people. The last four miles were a real mental battle, as I was hurting and just wanted to be done. I ran steady though and did not fade. As I crossed the finish line, I was more exhausted than excited. A volunteer handed me my metal and a cold towel. I draped the towel over my head and plopped down on a chair. DONE.

Nothing. I ran this about as well as I could have. With a 1:30 stand alone HM PR, I am satisfied with my run. I think all the bike training this year helped my run a LOT. Last year my legs felt dead going into the run. This race, my run legs felt good and ready to go. Just keep training.

I sat in a chair for about 10 minutes and drank a full water bottle. After chatting with some friends/teammates, I stood by the finish line waiting for DW to finish. When she finished, we loaded up the car, hit the food tent, then headed home for burritos and tacos.


The heat. Also, I just need to keep training. This is my second year of triathlons and I still have limited bike and swim training. I can't wait to see where I am in a couple of years. Overall though, for my first attempt at a 70.3, I really could not have executed a better race. I am thrilled to have finished in the top 20%, as I would have been happy with a top half finish. My debut could not have gone much better.


I loved this race. Very well organized, nice and fast course, and the time trail start was perfect for me. Good swag and excellent post-race chow. I would love to do this one again.