Mooseman Triathlon Festival - Half Iron Distance - Triathlon1/2 Ironman

I've only had 3 races using a wetsuit and had major trouble with my swim in each of them. In my last race (an OLY) I almost quit do to a near anxiety attack. My asthma along with the tightness of the suit and open water all contributed. SO I was more than a little worried that there would be a repeat.


Did a practice swim on Sat. that went well.

For the start of the race I stayed near the back of my wave and didn’t try to “race” at all. I think previously that was the problem. I would get caught up in the adrenaline and people around me and would kill myself in the first 500m and lose my breath. I focused on breathing and keeping a nice and consistent stroke. It worked wonderfully. I had a fantastic swim. within the first 500m I knew I was going to be o.k. I had a great rhythm to my stroke, my breathing was nice and consistent and I was actually passing people.

It was probably the best swim I've had in a race. Yea I know I didn't set any speed records but I feel it was a big accomplishment for me.



Not one thing. Hopefully this will be the breakthrough swim that will give me the confidence to improve for IMKY

Wetsuit strippers rock!!
the transition area was grass and dirt so I had to be careful to clean my feet off and apply Glid. Running with my bike was tricky as well as it was slippery and tree roots were around

great transition

Being my first HIM I didn't want to hammer the bike. The course was beautiful and there was plenty to keep my attention during the ride. Between the rough road surface, the hills (I used all of my gears) and the country side I had plenty to focus on . Devil's Hill is definitely steep and I had to get out of my saddle to get up it (which I rarely do) but it was short. There was a lady dressed up as the devil a the start of the hill with a pitchfork and everything. The long slow climb near the end of the loop sucked on the second go round but I managed it fine. The course had us going as slow as 5 mph to as fast as 39 mph so there was a little of everything.

This was my first race using my AquaCell and it was great. Never had to fiddle with water bottles and I was able to grab water and gatorade bottles on the fly and refill it quickly. I highly recommend it.

The distance felt great and I would have said I should have pushed more if not for how I felt on the run

Great

Well. were to start. I was hoping to average 10min/ml and was almost 2 min more on average. Really thought that I managed my bike well and that I would be fresh for the run but it sure didn't feel that way once I started running. yes it was hot, especially for N.H. but I'm from Texas. Heat is my life. I ended up run/walking most of the course, especially on the second loop. Being my first HIM, I didn't give enough respect for how much harder the run will be

It wasn't that my HR dictated that I should slow down, I was always between 130 and 155 bpm. It was more of a battle between my mind and my legs. My mind said run but my legs said walk and my legs ended up having the stronger argument alot of the time. I think this was a lession for me to work on getting more comfortable with discomfort. I didn't do it this day.

The volunteers and aid stations were great. I probably consumed more new things during this race than in all my other races combined. Orange slices, pretzels, potato chips, cola, endurolite pills, gatorade endurance. You name it and I was shoving it into my mouth at the aid stations. I was eating and drinking everything!!!! Thankfully, my body liked it and it helped.

Used sponges for the first time to fight the heat and there were people soaking us as we ran by. It really helped keep cool, although my shoes and socks were soaked and squishy.

Need to improve my mental toughness. I truly feel that my body could have handled running 10min/mls. Mentally I just couldn't win the argument today.

This was a great training lession for IMKY. I MUST EMBRACE PAIN!!!! :)

Best thing I did was to sit in the lake for 20-30 min. The cold temp. felt great.


This being my first HIM and how my body would deal with each leg of the race. My mental toughness (or lack there of)


This was my first HIM and I wanted to make sure I made it something great. EndorFun puts on a great race and I highly recommend anything they are associated with. N.H. and the course were beautiful and provided a great setting.

Although traveling to N.H. was expensive (bike shipping etc.) The weekend fulfilled my expectations for my first HIM experience. It was AWESOME. When I crossed the finish line I felt fantastic (endorphin high?) Really I was so happy I almost bought every item that they sold that said Mooseman. After the finish, I was much more proud of myself then I expected. I am a Half Ironman!!!!!

IMKY here I come