Timberman - Half Iron - Triathlon1/2 Ironman

I started out towards the back of my wave because I was not sure about the pace, so I had to swim around/over a few folks in the first 200y. After that I had plenty of room to myself until the wave behind me (the young and lovely women under 35 wave) caught up to me about half way through. After the last turn the water turned really choppy, so I had to struggle through it and my pace slowed a bit.

Start closer to the front of the wave, and do some more practice in choppy water.

I had planned on a longer T1 than usual because of the overall length of the race, but it actually turned out to be pretty short. Ran along the edge of the park into transition, flopped down on the mat so the wetsuit strippers could take off my suit, then headed over the my bike. The only problem I had was that I ran down the wrong aisle, so I had to turn around and go back and then down the next row. Put on my glasses, race belt and helmet, then ran to the exit. Hopped on the bike easily, got rolling and got my feet in my shoes before the first hill.

Simulate the run from the beach to my bike so I don't go down the wrong aisle.

I felt great as soon as I hopped on the bike, and was able to hammer up the first hill. On the way down my Garmin beeped for the first mile, which was surprisingly under 3 minutes. Most of the way out I felt great, but I went a bit faster than I should have. I knew that the way back would be slower because of the hills, so I went a bit faster on the way out, but in the end it turned out that I went too fast. I suffered a bit on the way back, especially with the last few hills. Near the end there were a few steep downhills, and I chickened out and rode them on the bullhorns instead of the aero bars. I don't feel as bad though, because even on the bullhorns I was doing 50 miles an hour!

Pace myself a little more evenly.

T2 was pretty uneventful. Racked my bike, put my socks and shoes on, then headed out for the run.

The run was basically a suffer-fest from start to end. Going to fast on the bike caught up to me, and I ended up walking most of the way. The only positive notes were that my shins and my stress fracture (prior problems) did not bother me at all. I just had no gas left in the tank.

More run training.

Walked around after the finish, drench myself in cold water, drank a bunch of water and Gatorade and had some food.


Since this was my first HIM I was pretty pleased with my pace, and I came in within 8 minutes of my goal pace (7:05). I was also pleased that the problems I had were expected and explainable, there were no surprises. By far, it was the hardest thing I have ever done in my life!