South Carolina Half - Triathlon1/2 Ironman

My orders on the swim were to stay at Ironman pace. I felt comfortable throughout the swim and at the end I felt like I could have swam back to the start without difficulty. Sighting was pretty good but I wasn't very good at drafting. I received my wetsuit in time for the race but I didn't have a chance to try it out so I went without. My right goggle leaked for most of the race. Last year's time was 51:12

Try to make sure that my googles don't leak.

I felt like I took a very long time in transition, especially considering that I didn't have a wetsuit to take off. I always find it hard to put on a shirt and socks when I am wet but I don't have a tri top that fits. I also spent some time trying to find the gel that I was planning to take before I got on the bike.

Not much. My transitions are slow but I expect them to be pretty slow in FL too.

I started off in a little trouble because I had only one water bottle filled at the start. The water in the hotel was nasty and I was sure that I could find water when I got to transition so I didn't stop on the way to pick some up. There was no water to be had anywhere near transition so I was looking at going without for the first 15 miles on the bike. Fortunately Amy had extra water and gave me a bottle.

I was supposed to try to keep my HR in check and to ride at IM pace. I went out too fast for the first 10 miles or so, got control of myself for the next 40 miles, and kind of hammered the last 6 miles in. My nutrition was alright though I missed one gel shot at the 2 hour mark. Hydration was off the whole ride.

I found myself getting pretty annoyed at the groups that were clearly drafting. One group would pass me with less than a foot between their bikes. Then, when the marshalls would come by, they would break up and I would pass them back. Then they would do their thing again. When results were posted it made me happy to see that at least 3 of them got drafting penalties. Last year's time was 3:33:47.

Have three bottles prepared. Hydrate. Ignore all other riders.

Had a long run/hobble in bike shoes. I got a little flustered with Courtney standing there with a camera.

Nothing. I'm fine with this time in a Half.

Last year I was beat before I even started the run and dreaded having to go out there. This year I was in much better shape. I thought that I might be able to run the whole way and maybe even hold off Nora of the Go Go Girls. I was able to do neither but I did set a half marathon PR. It was nice to see the club members on the run. The club tent was rocking as always and some comedians in the club even made up a poster saying that I was fast. Like last year, when I came in for the finish the folks in the club went nuts. About 50 feet past the tent a woman said "You certainly have a lot of friends". Yep.

During the whole run I really concentrated on my form and on hydrating. I knew I was behind getting off the bike so I took water and gatorade at every stop. Last year's time was 2:51:30.

Eat a little more. Try not to go out too fast (first mile was 9:27)

Walked over to the club tent. Tried to subtly hint that I would be happy if someone would get me some food. I was too subtle. Got some food myself and then cheered for the rest of the club and the get-fit folks.


Not much. I could have hydrated better on the bike and eaten more on the run but I cut 1:32 off my time from last year and that 'aint bad.


I really like this race. The course is nice and there are a ton of volunteers. I especially like the fact that there are a ton of water stops on the run course. For a guy who is perpetually under-hydrated that's a good thing.

The NAMC crew was great as usual!