Black Bear Triathlon - Triathlon1/2 Ironman

Swim was great- wave start with about 100/wave. I was able to catch a draft pretty early and follow it most of the way around the course. I may have been working a little harder than I should have but came out feeling OK.

Nothing.

Pretty long uphill run to the transition area. The transition went pretty orderly and smoothly.. no particular problems. Just slow.

Should have had a bottle of water to wash my feet and take a big drink.

I may be training too much in the flats, but this course seemed pretty extraordinarily hilly to me. There were some screaming downhills, which were fun, but also a number of out-of-the-seat climbs. The first 7-8 miles and an out-and-back to a turnaround point were particularly difficult.

Course was on 2-lane roads open to traffic, but the volunteers did a terrific job with traffic control..

I got a late start on nutrition, but it seemed to work out OK. A few Clif Blocks to start out, and then I moved to the Powergels every 30 min. I experimented with the Endurolytes but had a little trouble getting them out of the container. I ended up taking 3-4 during the bike (and a couple during the run) with no GI issues.

I took a stupid tumble at about mile 18 after the bottle hand-off, turning on gravel while trying to work with the bottle. I ended up being off the bike for about 10-15 min while the medics came over to clean my road rash and the bike mechanics came to check the bike. A couple of abrasions to my elbow and knee, but fortunately I was able to continue and finish. Obviously impacted my overall time, though.

I also had some funky issue with my right aerobar- didn't happen until about mile 49, but it kept sagging.

I really need to do some more hill training before IMLP.. this was not a confidence builder. Though I did catch an LP veteran on the run who made me feel better by saying this course is tougher than LP.

Without the fall, pace was almost right on 16 mph. Slow.

Get on the nutrition plan right away.. hydrate more, as well.

Another decent transition. I could probably move a bit faster, but it went just fine. Stopped in the port-a-john on the way out.

This was a reasonably tough run, especially after the tough bike. The main features were a long downhill (and then uphill) out-and-back next to the Beltzville Dam, and then an out-and-back over the dam itself.

The course was dirt and grass paths and gravel, with some larger rocks in places. It wasn't the smoothest course, but it was visually interesting.

I ended up walking the aid stations and drinking a lot to make up for some hydration issues during the bike. I didn't have my easiest, most comfortable run ever, but felt good that I was doing a lot more passing than getting passed (caught some of those folks whizzing by me on the bike).

The finish was right after running through a covered bridge- pretty neat.

I went out a little too fast..

Stopped by the med tent to get the road rash cleaned and bandaged.. wasn't really hungry so I hopped in the car and drove home. Missed my recovery drink window but eventually found a Dunkin Donuts so it was all good.


Hill traning on the bike, mainly.. maybe some nutrition/hydration, as well.


Overall the race was very well run, especially considering this is the first year for it.. great volunteers, convenient parking, good aid stations, and- most importantly- plenty of bathrooms! Nice people and a quality event.

I feel reasonably happy with the effort on this B-race, but again, not a huge confidence-builder for IMLP.