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 Swim
Comments: I seeded myself on the outside and in the back. I never swam this distance conitinuously, in a race, with others, in open water. I just wanted to keep it smooth and not have any major mistakes. Going to the firts bout was great. I stayed nice and straight, good breathing and sighting, I flet nice and calm. I turned the bouy fine then I tried to sight and that sucked. We were looking directly into the sun. I couldn't see a thing. I don't think I was the only only, because it seed to be more hectic then the start. I sighted much less and when I did I actually had to stop, and look around. I turned the second bouy and still felt off course a little. The waves were picking up and I seemed to have lost my rhythm. I hung in there and just got back to show without killing myself. What would you do differently?: I just need to become stronger in the water. Other then that, I think I did the best I could and was happy with it.  Transition 1
Comments: I didn't rush it. I wanted to make no more mistakes. It was a big area to navigate through. I probably could have gone fatser, but I didn't want to be 10 miles out and realize I forgot something (like my timing chip before the swim). What would you do differently?: now that I have this under my belt, I would go a little faster.  Bike
Comments: Like my swim, I just need to become a stronger biker. I was amazed at how some people could just fly by and just never slow down. I now know I prefer scenic, changing courses. I am not a fan of long, flat, courses. What would you do differently?: just work on strength. Transition 2
Comments: Again, I just took my time. I couldn't believe I was about to run a half marathon. I debated a lot about taking my belt with gatorade on board and I decide to do it just in case. I double check everythin and I stopped at the porta potty on the way out. What would you do differently?: A little more speed and probably not use the belt.  Run
Comments: The first 1/4 was tought. I just zoned and focused. I tried not to think about it too much. The second 1/4 was tough too. When I hit the turn around, I thought that it would be hell. I just maintained my pace and it was all that bad. I made a mental note of when I was going to try and kick it in on the way back if I felt good. On the last 1/4 I made sure I stayed cool, drank and at the point I marked, I turned it on (at least I felt that way) I just kept building speed more and more as I felt the end nearing. I heard the crowd and I came running full speed down the last shoot which was about 150yards. It felt great. Then I saw some people laying on the sides and I thought-yikes! Then as I was a bout to cross the finish line, about 3 people crossed in front of me and medics were on there way out with a stretcher. So much for finishing pictures. What would you do differently?: Now that I have seen my split times, they weren't as great as I felt, but all and all not too bad. Like everything else, just work on my strength. Post race
Warm down: I was given a nice cold , wet towel and I went in a cool tent which had misty water spraying. Walked around a little. What limited your ability to perform faster: overall strength. Event comments: For my first experience, it was great. Very orgazined, lots of fun activities before and nice perks like hats, t-shirt, finishers medal, etc....I loved the run course most with so much support, it got me through the toughest time and made it fun. I was impressed with how well every thing was marked and organized. It is not the most condusive space to hold such a large evet, yet it was pulled off so well. I have one criticism, but it is minor. There was a lot of food for the athletes after the race, but unfortunately, there was one line and a 30 minute wait. That line was that long for a few hours. I was tired, hot, hungry, but the last thing I wanted to do was stand for 30 minutes for free food. Minor personal issue there. I did get to see team hoyt, andy potts and I met chrissy wellington and had here sign my bib. She is so very nice. It was a great experience and I am glad that race was my first HIM. Last updated: 2007-12-08 12:00 AM
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United States
EndorFun
80'sF / 0C
Sunny
Overall Rank = 926/1452
Age Group = 35-39
Age Group Rank = 199/259
Stayed at a friends house that was an hour and a half away so I was up at 3:30 am and on the road by 4. I at my wheaties, bagel, Oj, and a little coffee on the way. Got to he site and already had my bike in the transition area from the drop off the prvious night. It was a tight squeeze on the racks but lucky for me the two people next to me didn't show up, so I had lots of room. I borrowed a pump to top off my tires and when I went to top off the front one, BLAM! it blew. I could tell that the stem jammed into the tube and just split it. I tried to stay cool and the guy who let me borrow his pump offered me an extra tube. I had a spare, but only one spare. He was so cool about it. I offered to pay him, but he said now way, it was better carma just to give it to me. I was so thankful. I am also glad I practiced changing my tires. I was done in about 2 minutes and I kept setting up. Our swim start was down the beach a bit and we were to be out of the transition area at 6:30. I had a half hour to spare so I thouth I would hit the porta potty, come back and get my wet suit on and head to the start. I go to the lines of doom and wondered if a half hour would be enough time. I got out of the porta potty with 5 minutes to spare. Got my wet suit on and headed down the beach to the start. They had a bag piper playing, sky divers land on the beach and the pros in the water. I heard the annoucer say to cross the start line in a single file so our timing chips would....Shit! my timing chip! I looked down and it was not there. I took it off to get the suit on and forgot to put it back on. I was a bit flipped to say the least. My wave was the 3rd to go and the were calling the first right now. I ran back to the transition area (about 20 yards away) shuffled through my stuff and found it under my towel and I ran back. My heart racing, I still had a good 5 minutes before I got in the water and five before the horn went off. Wow!
No time to warm up. I did get in the water a little and splashed around a little.