Square Lake Triathlon - Half Iron Distance - Triathlon1/2 Ironman

I am a weak swimmer. I waded into the water and tried to fall in behind the majority of my wave. When I started I was kicked in the face twice. That was a bit distracting. I slowed my pace to allow for some separation in my wave. The swim didn't feel particularly good but I have never swam that distance before. I spent most of the swim thinking about the bike and run events to come.

I would train more. I was only able to swim one time since the St. Paul Triathlon Olympic distance. My schedule wouldn't allow it.

I need to get back to training with my swim coach. I really need to improve swimming for next year.

I had intended to take my time in transition. I needed to eat something and to mentally prepare for the long ride. My goal wasn't to win it was to finish.

I ate a banana and a cliff bar.

It was cold and I decided to put on a long sleeve jersey. I decided not to put on a rain/wind coat over it. (this would come back to haunt me for 28 miles)

Nothing

I wasn't able to train for the bike like I should of. My bike was broke down for a few days and at the shop. I haven't riden since my last tri a couple weeks ago.

My goal was to put on a very easy pace and just treat it like a long training ride. I was very concerned about the run and I didn't want to burn out on the bike. The course is very hilly and at 230 lbs I am not a good hill climber.

I started out on the bike course and realized that it is ridiculously cold. I was freezing. My feet, hands and legs were numb quickly. I wished that I took my coat and full fingered gloves with me for the ride. Oh well at least it wasn't raining. I made it to about a mile short of the first lap when it started raining. At the half way point I pulled into transition and grabbed my coat and hit the port-a-potty. I wasn't feeling bad at all.

I finished in transition and set out to finish my second lap. It started to rain moderately hard. My bike temp said 52 degrees.

I had been trying to eat something ever half an hour. My head said eat but my stomach said no. Just the thought of eating made my stomach turn. My calorie consumption gradually fell off some. Boy was I glad I ate in transition earlier.

On lap 2 I was really starting to slow down. The hills were kicking my but. I road with a gal for a bit and that helped alot. I was able to get my mind off of the race for a bit. (Thanks)

During the second lap I noticed my legs starting to cramp some. My quads especially. I "never" get quad cramps. If I get leg cramps I get them in my hamstrings or calves. I don't think this is a good sign but I will get off the bike soon and then I will be using the muscles a bit differently.

I pulled into transition begging to get off the bike.

I didn't train much for this. I needed to ride for more distance and put in a lot more hill work. This was the longest ride of the year for me.

I needed to eat more during the ride.

All in all, I just road to conserve energy. I got off the bike and didn't feel terrible.

I took my time in transition again. I had some food (banana and gatorade). While I was in transition the sun came out. I decided to just wear tri shorts and tri top for the run.

I tried to strech my quads and my hamstrings cramped. I took that as a bad sign. Oh well, I just need to finish.

Nothing

I walked out of transition. I just wanted to get my legs under me a bit. I was nervous. I have never ran this distance before.

I exited the park and started the big hills. I shifted into my overdrive slow jog pace (10 min miles) and started off. I hit the hill and stalled. I had to walk a bit then returned to jogging. I noticed my quads started to cramp much harder now. I blocked it out of my mind and pictured finishing my first half iron.

I hit mile 3 and noticed I had to use the bathroom really, really bad. I remembered Randy Fulton saying that there were bathrooms on the course but I didn't remember where. I asked the volunteers at the mile 3 station and a girl didn't know and invited me to use the meadow. I didn't have much of a choice. I walked a little bit and found a private bush. Going number 2 in the woods was not in the plan but I adapted and moved on.

Now relieved I was able to run again. I was encouraged by the people passing my on their way back. I hit the turn-a-round and started back. I was having a lot of leg cramping. I decided I would walk at every water station only long enough to drink the water and then I would run again.

I hit mile 10 and the wheels came off. My legs cramped bad enough that it was very painful to run. I had to walk for about a 1/2 mile. I could see a person ahead of me that was really struggling too. I just kept thinking that I was so close to finishing and that I couldn't stop. I struggled back into a very slow run. I was relieved that I made it to mile 11. Mile 11 was a mix of jog and run. My quads cramped around my knees. The cramps were constant and wouldn't go away.

As I approached mile 12 I passed the gal in front of me. She appeared to be in a lot of pain. Her left calf looked like it cramped and she didn't look like she could put her heel down. I thanked God for my quad cramps. It would be even more miserable for calf cramps.

Just after I hit mile marker 12 I saw my wife driving on the road to go look for me. She pulled along side of me. I told her I only have one more mile to go. She cheered me on and then went to the finish line. That helped a lot. I mustered the energy to run again.

The last mile had the big hills. I climbed them wincing with every step. As I approached the home stretch I got a boost from my wife and in-laws cheering for me. I jogged to the finish line in pain. I high fived a guy I had spoke with on the bike and then finished. I finished!

I would devote the appropriate amount of time for training. Eat/drink more.

I walked over and kissed my wife and son. They took my picture. (it didn't turn out to well, I had a painful expression on my face) I walked to my car. I cheered for the gal behind me with the calf cramp as she finished.


Lack of sleep, training, eating and drinking.




I am very happy to have finished my first Half Ironman. I didn't quit in spite of adversity and I finished.

I didn't care about time at any point in the race. This race was about me overcoming and finishing. I wanted to prove all the nay sayers wrong. And most of all I wanted to prove to myself that I wasn't a quitter.

I FINISHED!