Soma Half Iron Triathlon - Triathlon1/2 Ironman

This was probably the calmest and strongest I've same all season. The problem was, I had no idea where I was going. I started on the far right and by the time I got to the turn around I was way left. I think my whole wave was off track, the only problem was they went right and I went left. Either way, it was a pretty poor swim.

Try to catch a draft, stick to some feet, and for god's sake, go straight.

T1 went pretty smoothly. I didn't know until I excited that they had wet suit strippers, and I was so excited. It was like a big race. So, I found some free volunteers, and they riped my wet suit off me (they had some problems with my ankles too, it isn't just me!) and I was off. I found my bike easily, put on my helmet, sunglasses, shoes, sprayed on some sunscreen since I knew it would be sunny, and I was off. I was very happy!

One day, I learn how to jump on the bike and have my shoes on the bike. That day was not today.

Man, I loved the bike. After my disaster a couple weeks ago where I went 56 miles for the first time, and dies (there was 2000 ft of climbing and LOTS of wind) I was really happy that I stayed comfortable and relaxed this time. My loops were pretty consistent around 50 min per, so I didn't vary in pace much, but they did get progressively slower (by 1 or 2 mins) as adrenaline wore off. I tried to stay seated for the few rollers we had (which was good, since I often passed people who stood on them), I passed several people on each turn or U-Turn, and I nailed my nutrition plan. All in all, I am thrilled with this leg -- 30 mins faster than I thought it would be.

Not much, now I just have to train to go faster

Fairly quick again. I rode right to the line, and I mean I was off my bike as my front tire hit the line, and then I was off running. Quick transition, with extra time coming from applying another coat of sunscreen. The sun was starting to beat.

Not much, I guess more experience will yield faster T2 times.

The run was pretty good but hard. I started off with my legs feeling like I just rode 56 miles, but I kept a good pace. Marky V paced me -- obviously on his second loop -- so I tried to take his example and run smoothly. First mile 7:10, 2nd 7:30. Things were starting to get hot and I was still bloated from all the cal on the bike, so the next 4 miles were painful and all 8:00+ I started the 2nd loop, happy to be within an hour of finishing. Now I was consistenly pouring a cup of water on my head, and I would feel great for 2 mins, than get hot again, and curse the fact that there wasn't another aid station nearby. I might have passed one or 2 people in my age group, but the during the last mile, I was passed a guy in my AG, and I was so paranoid that he would pass me again that I probably ran a sub 7 min mile 13. That helped me negative split the run. Always a good thing. Passed the finish line, tired and sore, but thrilled that I had beaten my 5:30 prediction.

Throughout the race, I ran as fast as my body said I could. I negative split the run, and I was thrilled about that. Not much I could or would do differently.

Walked around hazily, peed (for the first time since pre-swim), found the SO and sat down. After drinking for about an hour I got a massage, which felt amazing and made me feel human again. Walked back to the hotel, cleaned up and drank a beer. All in a day's work!


I started this season (in Jan) wanting to run a 1/2 mary. Then I wanted to do a mary, then a sprint, than an Oly, and in May I decided I wantet to do an HIM. From July on, it was my A race, and I don't think I would have done better overall. I'm pissed that I messed around so long in the water -- I've put a lot of cork into swimming, and I don't think it accurately portrays my ability -- but I was very happy with how this race went, happy I finished, and happy with my season.


This is a very well organized race, that provides a big race feel, while offering lots of attention to everybody. Be sure you know what you're getting into (i.e. weather, course, etc) but they deliver on everything they promise, and I would easily do this again. Perfect way to end your season in you're on the west coast.