NEW JERSEY DEVILMANTM HALF & SPRINT TRIATHLON - Triathlon1/2 Ironman

I was in the last wave and we started way behind everyone else. They added a little platform for people to enter the water. This was a good idea.....if they had 2 of them. Since sprint folks were coming out before we started it slowed our entry down alot. I did the race 2 year ago and the water was not black as in 2006.

When we finall got going, it took me a half a lap to get my breathing down. Once I did I was good to go. Took my time and sighted well. Got hit a few time but that was to be expected. I was very happy with my time. Speed workouts helped!!!

Nothing

Long run from the lake to T1. Took my time but hurry up kind of deal. Did a GU and loaded up 4 more in my pocket. Drank some Gatorade and off I went.

Start taking my wetsuit off during the run to T1.

I drove half the course the day before plus I kind of remember the terrain from 2006 so I had idea what to expect. I got into a comfortable cadance and took it from there. I could not get a feel for the wind until the last leg of the 1st loop when it was right in your face. 1st lap in 92 minutes which made happy. I hoped I could keep that pace as my training for this was only 1 50 mile ride. (And that was a tour.) Lap 2 was better since I could tell where the wind was. I started wearing down the last 2 miles but I was happy with my time. I GUed after the 1st hour then every 30-40 minutes after that. Fluids were good. Stayed in aero 90% of the time.

Get some loger rides in.

I felt great coming off the bike. No problem with shoe change. GU and water and I'm off. Standing still I realized how warm it got.

Nothing

The run is my strong part so I hoped to run about 45-60 seconds per mile slower than my PR pace which was the week before. Hit the porta-can on the way out and off I went. Started off very well but calves became an issue. At around 3.5 I walked for about 30 seconds and that did the trick. I also realized that it was getting warm and I needed to walk through wach water stop. I knew that was going to slow me down but it would be for the best. So I did that for the rest of the race with little issue. By mile 11 I was spent. I kept pluggin along and finshed a little slower than I expected (1:45-1:50) but was very pleased with my overall time.

Go out a little slower.

Ate snacks, drank water and sunburn my shoulders. Huge dinner in Atlantic City that night.


When I did this race in 2006 there was over 350 in the HIM alone. I think there was 360 combined for both races. I saw there was a huge drop off last year and a slight one for this year. I know the lake was an issue but it was not as bad as 06. I was also disappointed with finisher's dogtag. 2006- Big medal.

This was my 2nd HIM and I was very happy with my time. I thought the bike was going to be an issue but it went a lot better than expected. I feel confident that after a summer full of training, I can complete IM Louisville.