Cutting Edge Half Classic - Triathlon1/2 Ironman

Swim went really good for me despite the waves picking up a little on the 2nd lap. My brother said my laps were within 10 seconds of each other so that was nice. Sighting wasn't great as i would veer 30 or 40yrds to far left on the far side of the course of both laps(right arm dominate I spose?) Sun was blinding coming into the beach on both laps as well, but didn't hamper me too much. Overall the swim was faster than I anticipated.

I'm pleased with this swim, just need to keep practicing as i've only learned to swim 3 months ago.

Didn't rush here. Suit off, dried off a little, nibbled half a powerbar, bike stuff on and gone.

Nada atm.

Hit the 20 mile turnaround at exactly 1hr flat and then it was on and off battle with the wind it seemed. The last 6 miles of my ride it started to rain at a pretty good clip and that didnt help with the 20 mph headwind either. During that last 6 mile stretch I looked at my computer registering 14-15 mph lol, uggghhh. As a whole I made sure I kept my HR in check and paced myself never really getting breathless the whole time. The problem with this is I forget I need to keep up with fueling and hydrating when it feels easyish. I took in 1.5 bottles of water, 1.25 bottles of perpeteum/water, 1 gel, and half of a banana and that was it. Probably needed to finish off the bottles of water and perp and possibly another banana and gel. All in all it was a good learning experience for a race of this distance, though I can't help but be a little disappointed.

Perhaps I should have pushed a little harder and upped my fuel intake and still finished with a better run split beind it. Something to try for my next HIM I spose.

Felt really good coming in off the bike, took it nice and easy. Ate a little more of my soggy powerbar, put on shoes,hat,race belt and Garmin and I was off.

Nadda atm.

As soon as i left T2 I swung by the restroom, had to go badly. Lost nearly 2 mins, but ya gotta go ya know. Was clipping along averaging slightly over 8 min miles after the first 3 miles but at mile 4, KAPOW, first sign of left quad starting to cramp. Within 1 minute the right quad got it too. UH-OH. Quickly downed a gel and drank some gatorade at the aide station. Cramp subsided for a mile or 2 then came back and I fought it the whole rest of the way. The second lap was difficult not only for the cramps but it really dumped rain for about 4 miles straight. The blessing is I never worried about overheating :) Despite the cramps I was never forced to walk at all, but it certainly killed my pace a lot. My HR was in check the whole time but my legs were cramped up lead stumps. Disappointed in this performance as well. The highlight of the run though was when my 2 little girls ran down the chute with me through the finish line. That scene has probably been played to death at every HIM and IM event but I still enjoyed it :)

Need fuel and hydrate more on the bike to help this out and in general train more at these longer distances.

Hung out with a group of friends and family that came to watch me and another friend that did the race as well(grats Tommy for 1st place in clyds with a 5:26:43!).


My nutrition and hydration or lack thereof. I knew it was a big deal and still didn't stay on top of it. Not smart. Headwind certainly didn't halp, but weather happens so it don't count, right :)


This was a perfect race for my first HIM event, small, well organized, not that overwhelming racy feel. I never got nervous even as the swim was starting. This surprised me the most of all this weekend. I finished my first HIM and therefore I'm happy! Even got a nifty finishers medal. Now time to get better. I was able to meet a couple BTers (Brett and John U.) in trans area prior to race and got a "hey BT" on the race course a few times too, so that was cool. Big thanks to all the volunteers and to my friends and family that waited around for 6 hrs , while I punished myself: )