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 Swim
Comments: I took this very easy, as I was concerned about breathing during the swim. It took me the first 750 meters to get into any kind of rhythm. My navigation was reasonably, except for one point which, for no reason, I decided to swim 100 yards off-course at a 20 degree angle to the swim line. I have no clue why all of the sudden I veered sharp right, but I did. So that added a bit of time overall. But I settled in and swim pretty well from the last turn into shore. Once I got out of the water, I had tons of "stuff" that had been in my lungs just oozing from my mouth/nose. What would you do differently?: 1) Not get sick before the race. 2) Sigth/navigate better. 3) Swim faster.  Transition 1
Comments: I have no clue how long I took in transition. In the process of ripping off my wetsuit, I pulled off my timing chip. I felt like I was moving at a reasonable pace, but who knows? What would you do differently?: Make sure timing strap stays on leg after removing wetsuit.  Bike
Comments: Well, I'm in take it easy mode, so I didn't hammer the bike. It took about 40 minutes or so before I got my HR down in low Z2. However, I was just plain weak during the whole ride - I couldn't push a gear for anything! I guess the month o' illness and no training just sapped all the strength/power/energy from my legs. It was pretty embarassing being passed by everyone, but I didn't want to cook myself for the run. Again, my HR was where I wanted it to be, but I just couldn't get to going. Add in the stiff headwind towards the end of the bike, and I was ready for it to be over. What would you do differently?: 1) Not get sick before the race. 2) Ride faster. Transition 2
Comments: Again, no time for T2. I found my timing chip still in the leg of my wetsuit, and put it on for the run. I was pretty slow during this transition, as by now I realized I was in for a long day. What would you do differently?: Well, in my slow haste to get on the run, I forgot to put on my race number. I realized this after I had run about .2 of a mile up the road. So I had to turn around, run back, put on my number, then start the run again. So I ended up doing a 13.5 mile run. So, in the future, I need to make sure I put my number on!!  Run
Comments: Well, I finally take off on the "run" and I get about a mile down the road when the cramps start. I mean, locked up, come to a dead stop cramps in my calves. I always have this problem, regardless the amount of Endurolytes I take. I've GOT to figure out how to stop this from happening! During the "run," whenever I could run, my HR stayed about where I wanted it to, so it's not like I cooked myself by going too fast. I was just weak from the illness and never could get going. So I ended up with the dreaded walk/run/walk shuffle. Not a pretty sight. But, I was having fun, so my time will have to improve another day. What would you do differently?: 1) Not get sick before the race. 2) Figure out how not to cramp. 3) Actually run more. 4) Run faster! Post race
Warm down: Crossed the finish line, got my medal, grabbed some food, and hung out with family and friends. What limited your ability to perform faster: I think I've mentioned one reason a time or two already. I think my illness, as well as, in general, not training enough. The two combined to create a perfect storm of slowness. Event comments: Well, despite the trying day, I had a blast. I'd like to think of more than just race day, but the journey leading up to the race, when saying that while disappointed with my overall time, I still enjoyed the whole process. I began the year not knowing how to swim, and having done only one triathlon (a super sprint where I swam breaststroke). Now, at the end of the season, I've done four races, gotten in much better shape, made all sorts of new friends, found new ways to spend my limited budget, and finished a half ironman. So I'm not going to complain about my race time - you take what the conditions are, how life goes, and what the course gives you. I did the best I could with what I have when asked to perform, so for that, I'm pretty satisfied. Last updated: 2007-05-30 12:00 AM
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set-up.inc
80F / 27C
Sunny
Overall Rank = /
Age Group = 30-34
Age Group Rank = 41/42
I little background is in order before we get too far into the story. Right before Labor Day, out on a 50 miler, I started feeling pretty bad. I came down with some bug/cold and missed out all of Labor Day weekend. I started feeling a little better and got back into training. This lasted about a week before I came down with something else. 3-4 more days off. A few days of training before I stated feeling lousy again. I finally decided to visit the doctor 10 days before the race - she told me I had pneumonia. She said my lungs sounded "horrible, awful," and I should've come in sooner. She said I could try and do the race, but give up on any time goals - just strive to finish. So that's what I did. Now, on to the story ...
My wife and I, as well as my parents, took their camper trailer up to Lake Greenwood State Park, the race site. Got up there Saturday afternoon, and while they set up camp, my buddy Nick (shiloh1206) and I went to packet pick-up. Got back, ate up some spaghetti, set up my race numbers, finally tinkering on bike, and chilled out.
Race day I got up at 4:30, had a PBJ and coffee. Took a bottle of Heed with me to transition. Had my father drive me up to transition area, so I only had to carry my stuff about 250 yards or so - very nice.
Set up my stuff, talked to friends, and that's about it.