Pigman Triathlon - Long Course - Triathlon1/2 Ironman

Wow, lack of time in the pool really caught up to me the first 500 yards or so. I had my first anxiety attach since my first triathlon. Couldn't catch my breath, or put my head in the water. Did most of the first leg with a side stroke. There was a guy in my age group who breast stroked the entire race who I owe a huge thank you to for talking me though my tough time.
After I settled down the rest of the swim went well (for me). It was a wetsuit legal race, but I don't have one and didn't rent one for this race so I did without. Seemed like I swam forever, breathed mostly every other stroke, switching sides, and sighted fairly well until the end where I came into the finish from quite an angle.

More time swimming. Will probably hire a swim coach during the winter.

Long run to transition from the swim and then long run to my rack. Found everything pretty well and didn't have any hangups. I would bet at least a minute of this was spent running to and through transition.

Not too much, was not in a great hurry.

Relieved to get started on the bike. Started out well and rode what seemed easily at over 20mph. Took 3 water bottles with 3 scoops of Infinit in each. Finished the first in about 35 minutes. Drank some water and started on the Infinit again. Finished bottle 2 at a little over the 2 hour mark, and then drank maybe half of bottle 3. Drank 2 bottles of water. Roads were a little wet at the start as it had rained the night before and sprinkled during the swim. Coming back into the park I got caught behind a 2 slow moving vans. I could not pass them because of oncoming traffic and they were being held up by a slower rider. The van infront of me finally pulled over and let me by, but it took a police officer to tell the other to stop and let me by. Frustrating, but probably didn't cost me as much time as it seemed.

Upgrade equipment. Other than that, I'm pretty happy with my bike time.

Took the time to put some lubricant on my feet as they were wrinkled from the swim and never did dry out during the bike.

Nothing, no hurry

First 3 miles went well. First mile 8:30 (too fast). No wind or shade on the way out. After the turnaround we picked up a nice breeze. Had periods of feeling good and periods that I was afraid I was going to get passed by a walker. Drank Powerade and a little water at every aid station along with dumping water on my head and putting ice wherever I could. Only walked the aid stations and half way up the last hill. Found a guy to finish the last 2.5 miles with, this was huge and helped me greatly.

New running shoes, mine are way overdue. Training was good though and never felt like I wasn't going to finish. I've never been accused of being a runner before so just finishing is good with me.

Walked, drank, tried to stretch a little but cramped instead.


Experience (this was my first HIM), equipment, and swim training.


Good venue, well placed and stocked aid stations, great people, and all levels of triathletes.