Cutting Edge Half Classic - Triathlon1/2 Ironman

Starting out in the competitive was was probably silly, but it was a good mental hurdle to overcome. Most everybody just got out in front of me quickly and never looked back. I only passed a couple of swimmers who went out too hard. On the other hand, I was taking it pretty easy, not wanting to have my HR sky-high in T1, so I think I got what I deserved. In my plan, I had budgeted about 35min for the swim, and I was right on that.
I intended to draft more, but I didn't have much success with that. Feet would just pass me by. I feel like I did this swim solo.

Focus even more on settling in behind some feet.

11th OA here. Easy jog up to my bike. Got everything ready quickly and only had to run a few steps with my bike before the mount/dismount line.

I could have gone faster. I let my HR settle a bit, though, and played this pretty conservatively.

The goal going in was to drink lots and go fast. I did okay on those goals.
Started off relatively easy with the words of my coach echoing in my ear, "First 20 minutes conservative. The race is not won or lost in the first 20 minutes." I had to let some much stronger cyclist pass me without so much as a fight. And I even let some weaker cyclists pass me, too, knowing that I'd get my shot at them later on. So I followed the rules and followed my fuel plan. I just took what my heart rate would give me, because that's all I can do.
I hit a low spot about 2hrs in. My quads were starting to get a little achy, and were talking to me. I relaxed a bit, took in Thermolytes, a couple extra swigs of gatorate, and started to feel better. Towards the last 10 miles, I really started feeling good and probably peaked for the whole race at about the 2:30 mark. I felt great and reeled in several cyclist who had passed me early on. I was getting excited to run!

*Challenging cross-winds for the vast majority of the ride really caused all riders to engage core muscles more, and that takes a toll over the course of 56 miles. * just a side-note about the event.

I would drink more. I never had to pee, which is fine with me, but I think I could have safely absorbed more liquid calories. I don't get the feeling that I underfueled because I don't think my performance suffered, but if it had been hotter, or if I were riding 112 instead of 56, it would have become a factor. I'll work on that.

10th OA. 3rd in AG.
Quickly executed.

Not make a wrong move toward the wrong exit.

After 3 miles in high z2, I stopped running conservatively, and finally had the go-ahead to move up to high z3. I held that effort for the next 7 miles. About the half-way point, I developed a blister on the bottom of my left foot. It stung badly, so I contorted my foot to stop the pain, but it was no use. I found it more comfortable to run on a left slant, so I spent a good deal of time running on basically the wrong side of the road. Oh well. I filled my water flask at each aid station, and took my pills and gels at the right times. I never had a side-stitch or a cramp at all. I would have liked more cold sponges out there, but it was nice to even get them twice.
I had a great run and caught up with a lot of people who went too hard on the bike, especially a couple of guys in my AG. I made up a ton of time on the run, and the way I executed the bike ride, really gets a lot of the credit.

More water.

Just walked around and hung out with the BT peeps, CKinsey, Umbach, and NewburghBrett. All great guys with wonderful families. It was a pleasure to get to race with them and hang out with them.


Lack of a strong tail-wind?


This race gets good reviews from me because of the atmosphere. There are lots of supportive, positive people out there. The competitors were generally very nice. The Cutting Edge folks really made a great effort to take care of everybody at the finish line. Good stuff.