5430 Long Course Triathlon - Triathlon1/2 Ironman

OA rank is less pros (19) and relays (1) that beat me. Started in the 9th (last) wave which meant lots of trafic to pass. Swam at a comfortable pace. Line was good. Only drafted for about 200 yards. Just couldn't find the right feet. Googles had some water in them which was fine. I could swim that route w/o goggles easily. Love wearing just my wetsuit bottoms as I get the floatation but my arms are free. Time above is start to beach which is slow for me so I think the course was long.

Nothing.

T1 was good considering I was very, very dizzy (first time I thought I may not finish) and had to take a knee and slow way down to keep from falling down. I also put on a bike jersey to carry my tubular tire so I could be sure to finish in case of flat tire. Even though I was racked about 50 yards from the exit, I ran in my bike shoes since during practice on Friday I learned this was much faster for me than trying to get into my shoes pre-attached to my pedals. I put on really loose cotton socks which was good. Only took a couple seconds.

Attach my tire to my bike and not carry food in my jersey, thus not needing a jersey so I could wear something tighter. I didn't end up eating my jersey food much and snacked on the Margarita Cliff bloks in my bento bag mostly.

OA rank is less pros (20) and relays (5) that beat me. Since my main goal was to finish my first HIM, I didn't push the bike hard. I let guys pass me and didn't race. Did some legal drafting 3 bike lengths behind them. Every chatted w/some riders here and there. Loved pushing the 11 tooth cog on the long downhills where I was still pedaling at 40+ mph. The u-turn on a tiny country road was annoying. We lost all our speed and there was lots of slow traffic. Almost had to unclip both times. Then had to climb a hill to get back up to speed. On the second lap my bar tape unraveled on the right drop so I was like a nine-year old girl with pink streamers. Also, almost ran into some farm equipment coming at me that was taking up about half our lane while I was passing.

Lots. I was so afraid of dehyradation I drank five bottles of water which I think was a huge mistake. I'm used to drinking only water on my rides because I don't sweat up here and don't want gatorade sloshing on me from my aerobottle. I need to drink carbo/electrolyte drinks on the bike in warm weather (see below). The water from my aerobottle also sloshed into my bento box making my clif bloks slimmy and nasty. Need the aerobottle w/the cap.

Did the flying dismount thing very well except that one of my shoes fell off. So I had to run back about ten yards and pick it up. This time was added to my bike split since I hadn't crossed the mat.

Be a little slower on the dismount so my bike shoe would stay on.

Here's where the wheels fell off. My goal was 2:00 which would have put me under 5:00. The first mile was good and I thought I'd go under 2:00 easily. Then at about 1.5m, my left hamstring started cramping so bad I thought I was done. I had to walk, stop and stretch, walk, stretch, repeat, into the first aid station. The other racers were so supportive which really helped me. I really thought there was no way I'd finish. I pounded a bunch of gatorade endurance and was able to run again really slowly. It felt like it was going to seize up again at any moment but just never did. When Dime passed me at about the 3 mile point, I knew I was moving at glacier pace. We started together and I'd hoped to hold that crazy fast runner off for 6 miles or so. At every aid station I took two waters in the face and drank two glasses of gatorade endurance. I dealt with little cramps in both hams and calves but nothing severe again. The sun came out and it got warm (~85F) but I actually felt better and better (although not faster) as the miles ticked away. Living at altitude I have strong lungs and was never remotely out of breath on the run but my legs ached badly, felt on the verge of cramping, and just wouldn't move any faster.

I think I drank so much water on the bike that dehydration wasn't an issue but I think I flushed all the electrolytes from my system. I thought the heavy salt margarita cliff bloks I was eating on the bike would suffice but I was wrong. I peed six times on the run which ain't right. I need to drink carbos/electrolyte drinks on the bike. I need to not suck at running.

Walked into the lake immediately then layed on a blanket. Once I recovered some, went to the beer tent to see my blazing fast BT friends.


Bad bike nutrition. Run more and faster.


Awesome event!

I'm happy with my results. First HIM for me and I've gone from being able to walk 10 feet after my spinal fusion 1.75 years ago to completing a half marathon (after the swim/bike). My run leg was terrible but that will change soon.