Timberman - Half Iron - Triathlon1/2 Ironman

Really just a great swim for me. I always have trouble sighting and navigating, but today I decided to take a tip from Jeepfleeb that I read on a thread here, and I tried to stay as close to other people as possible and just follow the pack. Worked great. Thanks Jeepfleeb! I was within 5 yards of the buoys nearly the whole way. The only time I got a little off course was heading back to shore when my mind wandered and I started thinking about the bike. Reminded myself that it's a long day and to "stay in the moment" and I got back on track.

Another advantage of being 50 was that 50 and over men was the second wave, so no waiting around.

Other than train more, nothing! A great swim for me. I think doing Alcatraz boosted my confidence.

Uneventful. Very nice being right near the bike out. I don't do the shoes on the bike thing, so the shorter the run with the bike, the better.

Good through the first hills and on the out section of route 106. Made the turnaround in about 1:36, so 17.4 average for the first half. Felt my lack of bike fitness when we started climbing a little towards the end of the return on 106, so I took it easy climbing the big hills in the last 10 or 12 miles, and I also rested coming back down the hills. My neck and shoulders were getting pretty sore because I haven't ridden my new bike in aero enough, plus I think the fit needs to be tweaked.

My biggest concern on the bike was getting my nutrition and hydration right and I nailed it. Felt really good on the bike and later on the run.

Train more!! (a recurring theme)

Again, a pleasure being racked near the bike in since I don't take my feet out of the shoes, so less running in bike shoes. Way too slow because a bike on the opposite side of the rack had fallen and was in the way of my wheel when I tried to rack, so I wasted a lot of time fixing his bike, especially since I was hesitant touching someone else's bike. Dumb, dumb, dumb!

Just move the other guy's bike already you big dummy!!.

I was concerned about the run because I kinda fell apart on the run here last year, because that's when I really started having "digestive issues". Took a little inventory in the first mile. Legs felt good, breathing and HR were good, and most importantly, my belly felt great! I could tell I would be running even slower than I do normally (which is already pretty slow), and that I'd have to take some walk breaks, but I felt great starting the run. At each aid station I took a cup of water, sipped some, and poured the rest over my head. Also took a sponge and wiped my face, squeezed it over my head, and stuck it in the back of my shirt. It wasn't that hot out, but all that water felt wonderful since I don't like the heat very much. Walked most of the aid stations, and took a few other walk breaks along the way.

This is a really fun run because there is so much going on. Lots of well stocked rest stops, and loads of spectators cheering you on.

Another advantage to being in one of the first waves was that there were more runners on the course, and still lots of energy from the spectators even on my second loop. Ran pretty hard the last few hundred yards and was helped along by the great energy from the crowds to a nice finish. Was very happy to hear the announcer call out my name correctly, since last year he missed me somehow, and just called me "Phillip LeBlanc".

Train more!! Push myself more in the middle.

Wrapped the wet towel around my neck: niiiiiiice! Poored most of the bottle of water they gave me over my head: also niiiiice! My family didn't come to the finish this year so I went back to my rack to call them and saw 1 missed call on my cell phone. It turns out my wife had called to check on me like 1 minute before I called her. Freaky! Big lines at the food tent, so I didn't bother because I wasn't hungry anyway.

Packed up and went back to the hotel. Swam in the lake with my youngest son, and the cool water felt nice on my legs. Then we went in the Jacuzzi which also felt pretty good.


Well, let's see; ummmmmmmm, I didn't train enough? Also, I am blessed with a natural ability to swim bike and run very slowly.


I was slow, BOBOP, didn't meet my goal, and didn't break 7 hours, but I did finish with a smile on my face, and I had a LOT of fun, so this was a VERY successful race for me.

Endorfun puts on a great event, so if you ever have a chance to do one of their races, do it!