South Carolina Half - Triathlon1/2 Ironman

Swim went by fast. I swam faster per 100 than I did in my Oly a few weeks ago. Pretty comfortable swim with no major incedents. Got pretty crowded near the swim finish.

Long term goal: Catch the trail end of the wave ahead of me before the front end of the wave behind catches me.

This was my first HIM, so I went at a comfortable pace, I think that was best. Still happy with the time.

So, nothing.

Laughed at the people stuck in their wetsuits. Had the 16th fastest T1 of the day!

Nothing.

Bike course was perfect! Averaged about 20mph, couldn't believe it! They had water stops at mile 15,30, and 45. I wasn't very thirsty so at mile 15 I refilled my aero drink, then ditched the water bottle. This prooved to a mistake later on...

I had some pretzels and m&m's in my bento box and tried to eat around mile 25. Somehow my gel flask had opened and leaked into my bento box! So, everything was sticky and the pretzels were mush. I tried to eat, but it was making my hands (and in turn my aerobars) really sticky. So, I reached into the bento box one more time and grabbed a huge handful on mush and m&ms, shoved it in my mouth and didn't eat from it again. My fingers on my right hand were stuck together for the next 10 miles...

At mile 30, I wanted another water bottle but I missed the handoff and was left low on liquids until I got to mile 45. I ended up drink most of my HEED/Perp mixture and nearly finished my aero bottle water by the time I got to mile 45. I could feel my body getting slightly fatigued around mile 40, but knew I was goign to finsh the bike leg nicely. A successful handoff at mile 45! I refilled my aero bottle and again discarded the extra water bottle.

At mile 54, there was a detour sign pointing right, so that cars wouldn't interfere with runners/bikers near the event site. I failed to see the "detour" letters, and turned right! The policeman let me know (in nicer words) that I was an idiot. Stop, turn around, back on the right path. I was pissed, but it probably only cost me 20 seconds.

Back to transition, saw Kelly and my dad.

Aside from stay on the course, nothing.

Not a bad T2. Decided to go with socks, even though these Zoot shoes claim to be sockless.

Maybe go without socks? Its hard to know what would've happened.

Felt slow but felt good at the beginning. My legs got used to the run relatively fast. I really slowed down during the last 4 miles, so I assume my first 6 miles were around 8 minute pace. LOTS of aid stations, and I think my hydration was perfect on the run, but I didn't drink enough on the bike. My last 5 miles I started drniking coke and water since my stomach wasn't feeling the greatest.

At mile 9, my pace really slowed. The middle portion of the out and back was full sun and quite hot. Took some extra enduralytes too. I was passing people for most of the run, but a few passed me back in the final 30 minutes.

With half a mile left, I saw Kelly again and the second I looked at her, my right calf went hard as a rock. I started limping in disbelief. I said out loud, "Really? With half a mile left?" The finish was mean, a steep hill into the finish shoot.

I was expecting to go somewhere aroudn 6 hours. Couldn't believe my time!

Probably could have used a few more 90 minute + runs.

Got weighed and found that I had lost 8 pounds. So obviously need to hydrate. Drank 4 cokes, 2 waters, and 2 gatorades. Ate a burger eventually too. Also got a massage that was amazing. Oddly enough, my shoulders were the most sore part of my body.


A great race. Will probably be back.