South Carolina Half - Triathlon1/2 Ironman

I have a problem with my right shoulder so I knew that I needed to take it easy so I wouldn't set it off. Unfortunately I got excited and started out going hard. My shoulder went off at about the fifth stroke. I spent the rest of the time trying to keep it under control. Right before the start I realized that my goggles were really scratched up and I found that I could hardly see out of them. I kept getting off course and ended up sighting every 8 strokes. When I got out I was actually surprised that my time was less than an hour.

Follow my game plan. Make sure that my equipment was in good shape BEFORE the race.

I really need to work on my transitions. I think I also need to get used to riding without socks. I always have a hard time getting my socks onto my wet feet. Wearing a tri-top instead of putting a shirt on a wet body would help too. I walked my bike to the mount line.

Buy a tri-top that fits. The club tri-top looks cool but is too short to contain my jelly roll. Go sockless on the bike.

Going into the race I figured that the bike would be my best event. I had been doing 50 mile rides in the mountains and figured that this would be substantially easier. I was wrong. I felt slow right from the beginning and got increasingly frustrated as the ride went on. I could have done without the headwind that started at about mile 40. After the race I realized that my front brake was rubbing a bit. I don't know how much of effect it had but it couldn't have been good.

I also didn't hydrate well and didn't take in enough calories. This is becoming a tradition for me. I really need to work on the mental aspect of races.

Check my bike out before the race. On my last ride before the race I noticed the the brake was rubbing. I was planning to get together with Curtis and get fitted for aerobars and have him do a quick tune-up. Work got so nuts that I wasn't able to see him and obviously forgot about the brake.

Not a very good transition but not terrible.

Practice transitions more.

I was wiped when I got off of the bike. I was concerned about my knee (IT band) and my heel because I had substantial issues with each leading up to the race. My heel behaved itself but my knee really bothered me on the second lap. My lack of nutrition really hurt me here. My muscles did not feel all that bad and my heart rate was pretty low, but I just had no energy. At about mile 4 I ate a piece of banana and got a noticeable surge of energy. I started eating a little something at every stop and that really helped. I think I actually ran more on the second lap than on the first. I probably should have eaten even more but I was worried about having stomach problems. Next time I won't be as conservative (and WILL do better eating on the bike).

Even though I was feeling bad the run was my favorite part of the race. It was a two-lap out and back so I passed my club members a number of times. Every time I saw someone it really gave me a boost. Coming into the turnaround it was great to have Elena, Ken, and Mila screaming my name. They yelled even louder as I was headed back out and gave me more cowbell! The best part of the race was when I went by the club tent at mile 12. The whole gang was there screaming for me. They were so loud that about 20 yards down the course I heard someone say "Who is that buy? Is he famous?". I felt like a rock star. I had to work real hard not to get all emotional.

I ran/walked with Milena from the Tri Peachtree City club for the last two miles. It was nice to have someone there to share the pain.

Eat more on the bike and on the run. Cheer for everyone.

Walked over to the club tent and tried not to fall down.


Lack of training. Lack of good planning. Lack of sticking to the plan I had. Lack of discipline. Failure to check my equipment. And a bunch of other things. But you know what? It doesn't matter because

I FINISHED A HALF-IRONMAN!


I had some personal difficulties and this is first HIM I have done but I thought the race was great.

I just feel very lucky that I got hooked up with the North Atlanta Multi Sport Club. Their support has been crucial in turning a 300 pound tub of goo into a Half-Ironman.