Timberman - Half Iron - Triathlon1/2 Ironman

Overall it was a very good swim for me. Sure I would have liked a better time, but I felt my breathing was good, and aside from poor sighting, I was in a pretty good rhythm.

Wear tinted goggles. I grabbed my clear goggles before heading off for the start - big mistake. I thought I would be OK. But as the time passed, the sun got very bright. By the time I started the swim, the sun was shining brightly, and after I turned the 1st buoy, it was impossible to see the next marker. I was in a pack that contained equally blind swimmers - we were all starting to go off course.

I did much better this time. Having the wetsuit strippers was a definite plus! I had Mary's camp stool set up and it was very convenient. I quickly rubbed on some sun screen and got changed pretty quickly for me. I "inhaled" 2 endurolytes and 4 more gas-ex.... I could already tell that my stomach was acting up and I was hoping that the gas ex would calm things down....

I would not take the endurolytes and gas-ex in one great big gulp. In hindsight, I should have taken these spaced out a bit, even taking them during the first miles of the bike.

My stomach did me in! The first half of the ride was painful. I couldn't eat, drink, pass wind, burp - nothing. My goal, just like last year was to drink 1 bottle every 10 miles (1/2 gatorade endurance + 1/2 water), eat a clif bar (or 3 shot blocks) w/in 1st 15 minutes, and then gels at the Rt 106 intersection, at the turnaround, and then by the firehouse coming back from the hills (approx every 45 minutes). At that point I would also take a few endurolytes/gas-ex if needed. What really happened is I barely had 3 shot blocks and 1 bottle by the turnaround point. I was also a lot slower, reaching the turnaround in 1:40 (which was about 12 minutes slower than last year). I did go the bathroom at the turnaround (instead of my usual 10 mile rest stop), so I knew my hydration plan was off. It was difficult for me to get into the aero position because my stomach was so fouled up. However, on the 2nd half of the bike, I took the 2 gas-ex's, and my stomach started to feel better. I was able to pick up the pace and started passing people :) I felt way better on the 2nd half of the ride, but still not 100%. I managed 2.5 bottles and 1 gel during the return.

I have really got to get this stomach thing figured out. The gas-ex thing was working for me in training, so I can only guess that taking them all at once in T1 didn't go over so well. I knew I was going to be in trouble during the run due to lack of fluids... Despite my relatively low cycling miles this summer, I did feel pretty good with my pace on the 2nd half.

I felt really good in the T2. I didn't try to jump off the bike, but I did run right away as soon as I got off the bike. I got my shoes off quickly and into my running shoes. I took the time to put on some sunscreen and away I went.

I want to practice the bike dismount more so that it becomes 2nd nature. I am not there yet, so I didn't want to make a fool of myself coming into T2 in front of all those people!

First lap: GREAT. 57 minutes, better than last year. BUT, I got a hint of what was to come. At mile 2 I got a cramp in my right hamstring, something I NEVER get.... I knew it was due to the poor hydration/nutrition while on the bike. After mile 9, I was on a 9min/mile pace, and then the real serious cramps kicked in. My lower thighs turned into big knots - I have never experienced that before. It forced me to walk a significant portion of the remaining 4 miles. I wore the fuel belt with my normal 3 bottle water/1 bottle gatorade - I drank well on the run. I also had 1 gel and 3 shotblocks. The "plain energy" gels are very easy of the stomach for me. I also ha a few orange slices near the turnaround point on the 2nd loop.

Of all the events, I consider my running was my strongest. In the rankings, it still showed this, and I am 100% confident that I would have had a sub-2hr run if my stomach didn't shut down and I had been able to maintain proper nutrition.

I immediately went over to the massage tent to sign up - turned out to be a smart move, even if the wait was 1hr, 45 minutes. I took in some liquids, got on some warm clothes (the wind off the lake made it pretty cool) and packed up around the transition area. I then had 2 slices of pizza, a pepsi, some ice cream and snap peas. Compared to last year, I was more spent, but not as bad as 2005. I laid down on the grass while I waited for my massage. It was amazing how effective the massage was!


Nutrition, nutrition, nutrition. Stomach, stomach, stomach. I am convinced that had my stomach been OK, I would have had a sub 6 hour race, which is a goal of mine.


This is a top notch event. Combined with the sprint and kids race on Saturday, this is really a family event. It is now an annual tradition in our house.