Bassman Fall Half Iron Distance - Triathlon1/2 Ironman

Good swim. Took it real easy going out as it was going to be a long day and wanted to enjoy the swim. Water was clear so it helped with steering. Came out 5th in my wave and 14 overall. Could have pushed harder, but I really relaxed and took it easy. 2-3 minutes faster here was not going to make a big difference later in the day and I would rather start the bike fresh and relaxed than huffing and puffing, esp knowing the temps were going to climb all day. Didn't draft so much as I did follow the wake of several people to help stay straight on the final leg of each loop. This leg was into the sun so it caught your eye everytime you looked up to sight. Overall, the swim was very nice and enjoyable.

Not much.

I am a slow T1 person in general. Since this race was so long, again I was ok with this. Rather spend an extra 30 secs making sure everything is right when you are about to leave for almost 3 hours. Have targeted transitions as an offseason issue to work on. Overall was a calm T1.

Nothing.

Decent bike performance. Was kind of bored sometimes as it was not a crowded course. 150 people strung out over a 28 mile loop. Pushed a little, but kept some back for the run which was looming ahead in the heat that was building. Course was flat and fairly smooth. Some rough patches, but overall a good course.

Decent T2. Relaxed and readied for the long hot run ahead.

Nothing.

The run plain old sucked the life out of me. Funny how I started swimming 10 months ago and biking 7 months ago but have been running my whole adult life and now this is my weakest part of the race! The bad part of this race is that I don't have good feedback. In other words, not sure how much my poor perf. was due to training/pacing and how much was due to melting in the heat. I am not a good hot runner. I am a just under 70min. 10 mile guy so I was targeting 1:45 here. Was not even close. Oh well, somedays the bear gets you.

Need to significantly increase run training for IMLP next summer.

Stretched out my screaming achilles tendonitis. Shower and change of clothes was a nice course amenity. Ended up getting a 3rd place AG because 1st place in our AG was 3rd overall winner. A trophy and a bottle of wine to end the first season. That will keep me coming back!..well that and the $500 I spent on IMLP registration.


Got to get better in the heat.


Run by a small organization (mom & pop). Course was very nice. Volunteers were helpful and are always appreciated. Run course was a little confusing but was fairly well marked. It was a huge step up from the last race I did with this organization.