5430 Long Course Triathlon - Triathlon1/2 Ironman

I did a lot more breast stroke than I would have preferred. I'm still working on doing freestyle for longer distances.

In breast stroke karma, I was the recipient of a huge kick (i.e. entire foot plant with full force) on my thigh in the first few hundred meters. I guess it was my turn, since I've been one of those dangerous kickers myself.

I beat my goal of 50 minutes, though. Woohoo! I keep hearing that the swim course felt long, so if it was, even better...

Settle in to a long distance groove better instead of continually popping up, stopping, and switching strokes.

I actually ran from the beach to T1, so I have only myself to blame for the lollygagging in transition.

Practice more - have a specified place and order for getting things on and off of me.

Wow - this may not look like much to other folks, but to a back-of-the-packer like me who is a notoriously bad cyclist, this was GREAT! I had negative splits because I attacked the second loop after I had a feel for where the hills were. I think I've only had one 50 mile ride ever where I averaged over 15 miles per hour. My goal was 3:30, so I was thrilled with this time!

Somewhere past mile 20 of my first loop, I swear I was passed by a freakin' peloton of guys. There's definitely an inherent friction between the need to be able to ride as fast as you can while not breaking the no-drafting rules in crowded situations. But riding three abreast (not including the people they are passing) and right on top of one another? That just doesn't seem fair.

During the last few miles of the bike course, I had the epiphany that I was not going to get a medal if I did not do the run course. It's funny what ultimately motivates you... So even though I did not feel prepared, my pace thus far, the good weather (not too hot) and the fact that I was in an earlier wave gave me confidence that I would not be the last lone sole being escorted in from the course in darkness and shame...so I decided I would finish this race even if I had to walk it.

Ride the course ahead of time - driving it and studying my garmin readout weren't enough to get a good feel for it.

Lollygagging again - I was probably still mulling whether to do the run, even though I knew I had decided to at least walk it.

Practice, practice, practice

I did a run/walk combo the whole race. At the beginning, I was doing 12 minute miles with as many 1 minute run segments as felt comfortable. This turned into a lot more walking as the course progressed.

I felt pretty sick to my stomach a lot of the time (too much Gu?). This has happened before, so maybe I need to revisit my nutrition strategy.

After a while I realized I could finish at around 7 hours if I kept this pace going, so that motivated me quite a bit. I just couldn't quite close the deal at the end and was off by about a minute, but I'm still thrilled that my time didn't start with an 8!

Keep doing bricks and training in heat. I know it wasn't that hot, but my run in nearly every summer race is the same - lots of walking.

I staggered through finishing chute, trying not to puke or pass out or cry from relief at finishing my first half ironman. Then I sat on the grass eating watermelon and rubbing down my calf, which started spasming at the end of the run when I decided to sprint.


Training, general preparedness for this distance


5430 puts on a great race. Their volunteer groups were amazing - dressed up in costumes, being super loud and friendly and encouraging. The water at the aid stations was nice and cold this time (after being hot and gross at the Boulder Peak tri).

I loved the bike course because it was fast and interesting (except for the annoying little out-and-back added to make the course exactly 56 miles). I also appreciated that 5430 makes an effort to switch up their wave orders throughout the 5430 series. F30-34 always seems to be the next-to-last wave in nearly every triathlon I do, and it was nice to be third for once!