Mooseman Triathlon Festival - Half Iron Distance - Triathlon1/2 Ironman


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Bristol, New Hampshire
United States
Endorfun Sports
60F / 16C
Sunny
Total Time = 7h 01m 40s
Overall Rank = 616/668
Age Group = F35-39
Age Group Rank = 34/42
Pre-race routine:

The family drove up to NH on Weds. to have plenty of time to check out the course and get in some practice. Tony was doing the international and I was doing my first HIM. I really seem to know how to pick them - Baltimore as my first marathon and this as my first HIM. I rally don't like hills that much.

Thurs. we got in the lake and swam a bit plus drove the bike course. I felt pretty good. Friday we rode the first part of the bike and did a short run. Devil's hill sucked but it was no worse than what I had done in training around Arlington and Deep Creek.

I spent Saturday watching, herding, chasing and managing the kids (Drew 5 yrs. and Gagriella almost 3 yrs) while Tony and my best friend, Karla did the international race. We Made signs and cheered for them when we could but eventually hung out at the finish to wait for them. They both had really good races so we hung out at the beach waiting for my son's 1K race.

We got some gross carryout for dinner and in bed by 9pm.

Up around 4:30am to get ready - all I ate was pb on a bagel and little vitamin water. Drove up to the race, parked and walked to transition.
Swim
  • 48m 48s
  • 2000 meters
  • 02m 26s / 100 meters
Comments:

This was my best swim to date. I know some people would be horrified at the time but I was thrilled to be under 50 min. I hung in w/ people for 2/3 of the race before I faded. I stayed on course, turned tight around the buoys and swam strong to the finish. I dealt w/ the chop, getting bumped and swallowing a big gulp of water from a wave. And it seemed to go by pretty quick. And I LOVE my sleeveless wetsuit. Those other people shivering in fullsuits, gloves, footies, etc... are wimps. LOL
What would you do differently?:

Keep swimming. I feel like I have finally figured a good stroke for me. Now I just need to put the laps in the pool to get stronger and faster. Also more OWS to get better at sighting and swimming straight.
Transition 1
  • 04m 15s
Comments:

Wetsuit strippers are great. They got the suit off in no time. I was surprised that I was not a little dizzy or wobbly coming out of the water. I have serious motion sickenss issues and the water was a little choppy. The ear plugs seem to really help.

I got my shoes and helmet on. My feet weren't too sandy but they were frozen. I didn't feel them again until the run. UGH! Drank 1/2 bottle of Accelerade and grabbed a handful of sports beans.
What would you do differently?:

Not much - I wasn't looking to set any speed records here. I was more concerned about getting myself together and ready for a good bike.
Bike
  • 3h 41m 38s
  • 56 miles
  • 15.16 mile/hr
Comments:

This was a challenging bike course and I'm very glad that I had a ride around Deep Creek, MD (Savageman territory) before coming here. I really wanted to keep a 16mph pace up but ended up w/ just over 15mph. Devil's Hill is a b*tch but it is only a small part of the course. The back side is actually tougher in the sense of long, slow climbs for several miles.

My first lap felt pretty good and my split said 15.9 mph but once I hit 30miles it started to become work. Still I talked myself through it and kept chugging away. Just like the swim I hung w/ most people for 2/3 of the ride then fell back a little.

Funny side note: This other woman and I were riding close enough to pass each other at times. When we passed the 50 mile mark, the first elite male riders starting passing us but only 4 from 50 mile mark to the entrance of the park. No big deal - I kind of figured it would happen since I started 15 min. later, swam 25 min. slower and was going about 7-8 mph slower on the bike.

So we pass the leader about 2 miles past the park entrance as he had started his run. The funny thing is we get to the first climb on the course (2nd lap) before Devil's Hill and we are chugging along. Next thing we know, he comes running past. I was like damn - how fast is this guy running up the hill (about 6.5 mph - I looked at my bike computer). She rides by me saying "that adds insult to injury. First he passes us on the bike then on the run." We just laughed and passed him on the downhill. Ha! And I'm glad to say I did nto see him again on course.
What would you do differently?:

More riding outside before the race and more hills. The trainer is not substitute for the road no matter how hard you ride. Big drop from lap1 to lap 2 - I'm sure more time riding will solve that problem. Also learn to drink on the bike from something other than my aero bottle. I stopped and got off my bike early on lap 2 to drink 1/2 bottle of gatorade. I figured I needed some more calories other than the goldfish in my bento box.
Transition 2
  • 03m 8s
Comments:

I was happy to get off the bike and start to feel my feet again. Got my bike racked and running stuff on. I also grabbed the Bonk Bar out of my bag and walked towards the exit while eating it.
What would you do differently?:

Again I was not trying to be fast but smart. I knew it was going to be a long day and rushing through transition was not in my best interest.
Run
  • 2h 23m 54s
  • 13.1 miles
  • 10m 59s  min/mile
Comments:

This run course was a beast too but I train on hills and have done several very hilly half marathons and marathon. I knew that I didn't have the gas left in the tank for my usual run and I was also having some intestinal issues from the gatorade. I was already relived that I would complete my goal of finishing so the pressure was off. My mental fortitude was not strong enough to push me to hurt on the run so I just decided to get through it on good shape.

I walked when I needed, took plenty of fluids and ate as my guts would allow me. I had a early pee break and chatted with volunteers and competitors as I went by. It was tough and a long day but I was so happy to see the finish chut. I almost shed a tear or two at finishing but kept it together. My kids came running in to see me and asked if they could go get ice cream. Daddy had been holding that over their heads all day so I was a welcome sight. LOL I had really wanted to keep it under 7 hrs. but who cares - I DID IT!!!!!!!!!!!
What would you do differently?:

Nothing - coming off the bike in better condition and avoiding things that upset my insides will give me the run I am capable of.
Post race
Warm down:

I ate a little and got in the food line. I really wanted to stand in the lake for an ice type bath and get a maasge. But alas I was back in the real world. The kids were tired and the hubby wornout - none of which I blame anyone. It was a long day plus it was starting to sprinkle.

So we gobbled down some food, ice cream and gathered the stuff. Tony rode my bike back to the truck then picked us up at the park. Bless him - I love my bike but I didn't want to get back on!

We went back to the ho-in-tel as my 2 yr. called it, ate pizza and drank a cold beer. That beer tasted so good. :-)

What limited your ability to perform faster:

Several weeks ago, I read this article written by some DC area running coach about suggesting time limits on marathons and HIMs and making me feel ashamed of a 7 hr. HIM. His reasoning was if it took you that long you would be suffering and not want to do it again. I was shooting for 6hr30m but my ultimate goal was to finish. I think he can stick it in his ear. NOw I'm looking forward to PR my next HIM.

The time limitis were giving me some serious doubts that I could do the race. So I was getting down on myself before the race even started. But once race morning was there, I was all business and ready to give it my best.

Lots of things limited ability to perform faster but I learned a lot and look forward to applying my new found knowledge to my next training plan.

Event comments:

Keith puts on an awesome race. My family and I had a great time. The kids loved the kids zone, the Moose and the beach. Great food for everyone and lots of great swag. We are all looking forward to going to more of his races in the future.




Last updated: 2008-12-16 12:00 AM
Swimming
00:48:48 | 2000 meters | 02m 26s / 100meters
Age Group: 0/42
Overall: 636/668
Performance: Good
NA
Suit: Nineteen Riptide Sleeveless
Course: Rectangle shape, counter clockwise around a lake.
Start type: Wade Plus: Waves
Water temp: 60F / 16C Current: Medium
200M Perf. Good Remainder: Good
Breathing: Good Drafting:
Waves: Navigation: Good
Rounding: Good
T1
Time: 04:15
Performance: Average
Cap removal: Good Helmet on/
Suit off:
No
Wetsuit stuck? No Run with bike: No
Jump on bike: No
Getting up to speed: Good
Biking
03:41:38 | 56 miles | 15.16 mile/hr
Age Group: 0/42
Overall: 625/668
Performance: Below average
Lap 1 - 1:45:35 15.9 mph Lap 2 - 1:56:03 14.5 mph
Wind: Some
Course: Hilly and a few steep inclines
Road: Rough Dry Cadence:
Turns: Average Cornering: Average
Gear changes: Average Hills: Below average
Race pace: Hard Drinks: Not enough
T2
Time: 03:08
Overall: Average
Riding w/ feet on shoes
Jumping off bike
Running with bike
Racking bike
Shoe and helmet removal
Running
02:23:54 | 13.1 miles | 10m 59s  min/mile
Age Group: 0/42
Overall: 0/668
Performance: Below average
Split 1 - 35:24 Split 2 - 35:29 Split 3 - 36:32 Split 4 - 36:29
Course: Hilly 2 loop out and back
Keeping cool Good Drinking Just right
Post race
Weight change: %
Overall: Good
Mental exertion [1-5] 4
Physical exertion [1-5] 4
Good race? Yes
Evaluation
Course challenge Just right
Organized? Yes
Events on-time? Yes
Lots of volunteers? Yes
Plenty of drinks? Yes
Post race activities: Good
Race evaluation [1-5] 5