Spirit of Racine Half Ironman Triathlon - Triathlon1/2 Ironman

Lake M. was smooth as glass. Navigation was a breeze and I was dead on almost all of the time. I even tried to push myself...something I don't usually do on the swim. Easily my best swim ever and a PR for this course.

Nothing at all.

I had my shoes attached already and I ran in my socks. They don't allow flying starts at this race. MaggyRuth was volunteering at the mount line...and I was totally into my head and not paying attention...and I mounted probably 3 feet ahead of the line. OOPS! Maggy had to yell at me..."You know better!"...too funny :)

Nothing. AGain, a great transition for me.

I was just so pumped up from the great swim and transition that I really hammered for the first 15 miles or so. All I could think was that I was really having a great race. Around 15 miles I started reminding myself that my plan was to try to average around 18 mph to save for the run. I started trying to slow down but I kept catching myself passing large groups of people. Also early on the bike I took a huge swig of my Perp-we used the packets because our jug ran out. One packet was SUPPOSED to equal one scoop but I must use small scoops because that stuff was THICK and it made my stomach bubbly. I switched to small sips chased with water but my stomach remained upset and I didn't take in nearly what I needed to. At around mile 25 I really did slow down but it was too late - I'd really blown myself up. By mile 45 I was struggling and all the people I passed, passed me! Still a PR for the course though.

Slow DOWN! Not pass so many people - although in this race it's tough because the course is really crowded for the first 15 miles or so, it's hard to find a comfortable pace without sneaking up on large groups. Still, I played leapfrog way too much, and I let catching other people (especially this one woman in my age group on a QR bike!) be my priority instead of just riding my own race.

I am SOOO stupid! I actually forgot to unlace my shoes - DOH! Cost me at least 30 seconds, this whole transition was a minute slower than last year. I was tired, too.

HAH! Untie my damn shoes!

RIght away I felt pain on the inside of my left leg - I think I pulled something on the bike. It wasn't horrible but it made my run really awkward. But my stomach settled right down once I was upright, which was nice. I managed to run up the hills but then had to walk a little...where of course I saw Scmize and felt ASHAMED haha! Gave me the motivation to run again. Then just past the one mile mark I saw a guy from my tri club doubled over. I stayed with him until around mile 3 - lotta walking and a little running, until we just got medical to pick him up. Then I walked/ran the rest of the course. It was so much fun to see everyone! That's one thing I love about the double out and back - you see your friends over and over. It really helps the motivation. Toward the end of the run my leg really hurt and my back was starting to hurt too...slowed me down even more. I wasn't taking in any perp either, and I should have. My stomach was fine but I just couldn't gag the stuff down anymore. I did have gels, water, and a salt tab tho. NOT my best run, and a far cry from what I'd hoped for.

UM...not blow myself up on the bike maybe? SEriously. And more nutrition on the bike and on the run, I felt really energy depleted. That, more than anything, seems to affect my mental attitude. At the last turn around I knew that if I pushed hard I could have broken 6 hours at least, but mentally I didn't have any push left.

While in my daze I was trying to figure out how to get out of the chute I heard them call Laura (Whizzzz) so I didn't get to see her cross :( But I saw StartingtoTri cross, and MarkK, and I didn't actually see jschmitchicago but I was around for it at least. And some people from my tri club too. Then over to the med tent for an ice pack for my leg, and some fruit.


Lack of common sense on the bike. LEg and back on the run (tho not nearly as bad as prevous years :) Stopping with Robert, altho I did some math with turn around times from my watch - my pace sucked no matter what and that probably only cost me a few minutes in the big scheme of things. Nutrition - I am going to order some Infinit and see how that works. I've been using Perpetuem for a few seasons and it's time for a change.


Organizationally speaking this is still the best race ever. Lots of volunteers and police everywhere and friendly hose people on Main St. (the run). I wasn't planning to sign up for next year-I expect to have a lot of work commitments - but even on minimal training this year I had a blast, so I might have to rethink that decision :)