Gulf Coast Triathlon - Triathlon1/2 Ironman

I started out first row. Sprinted when the gun went off, found a pair of feet right off the bat. Stayed with this guy till after the last sand bar, then bam I got kicked in the head. Goggles come off, so I roll over and get them adjusted and back to swimming. By this time I feel like a cork in the water and my sighting/breathing is off. It takes me probably two bouys to get into a rhythm with the swells.

Then I come up on the over portion of the the course and it seems to just fly by. I think it went by quickly because I was constantly looking for some feet to follow.

Then the turn around. First event happens after I rounded the bouy... smack I hit someone right in the butt/crack. So I popped up to see who and thank god it was a woman. So I said, "Hi I'm Mark". Then back swimming. Swimming is much easier heading back to shore, but my stomach is starting to feel bad. Probably a minute later as I crest a swell to sight... there goes breakfast. The rest of the swim is quick and smooth.

Not get my goggles knocked off and stay with the lead swimmwer.

Long Transition, but I made sure to get a good coat of sunscreen on.

Notta

First out and back I tried to take it easy and let the HR settle down. Seemed like it took forever for it to drop to the bottom of TP. I was getting passed by everyone and their mother at this point. Finally it hit 145 and I got passed by a guy in my AG. So I had my mark and I started to pick it up.

Followed this guy out to 79 and by now we had the tail wind. My mark started to slow off a bit and my HR was low so I looked back and no one in sight so I just went on my own and road this stretch at 22-28 mph. Next was the only hill on the course, which is a bridge. It felt nice to stand and climb and stretch out the legs.

Next was the out and back on 388 and this is when the stronger cyclist in the later waves started passing me. I finally found another pacer and followed him to the turn around. After the turn around my pacer got a flat. The roads were really rough during this patch and it was into a headwind. So I was on my own again, so I just tucked in and rode.

At about the mile 35 point I could feel a cramp coming on in my left adductor. So I would stand and ride every few minutes to stretch out. Mile 40ish was the bridge again. Then once over the bridge it was back into town and still into a head wind.

Got back into town and turned onto the road that runs along the beach. I was happy to see this turn because it meant tailwind. Road past our condo saw my wife and oldest son, which was a good pick me up. The rest was just hammering into T2.

Maybe push little harder. The bike course had a lot of Draft Marshalls which was nice to see.

Ran with the bike and got it racked. Helmet off, Sunglasses off, Socks on, Shoes on, Change HR straps, Garmin on, Sunscreen on, Hat on, Sunglasses back on and RUN.

Spray the backs of my arms with more sunscreen.

Before mile 1, I thought what the hell am I doing?? By mile 2 my HR rate was 165 and holding so I thought that's what I'll go with. Roll up on mile 3 and I finally found a good mark, he was running 8:00 to 8:30/mile. I would stay with this guy until the aid stations, then I would loose him. I walked every aid station to buy whatever they were selling. Then I'd catch back up with him.

Got to the St. Andrews park and the half way point and realized that my AAA goal was very much in reach. Leaving the park I then realized I was in at leat the top 10 percent of the field, because there were alot of people heading the other way and my pace was quicker than theirs.

Between mile 8 and 9 a truck cut in front of me, which caused me to do a lateral hop and that caused my left hamstrings to almost cramp up. I fought with this cramp until mile 10. At this point I could see my AAA goal of 5:30 was a lock so I slowed the pace to around 9:00 to 10:00/mile. I hated letting my mark/pacer go... more on that later.

So I kept a 9:00 to 10:00/mile pace until the finish. I was a little disapointed with a 1:58 run, but I didn't expect 87 degree weather either.

Notta. I felt like I had gas in the tank, but hydration wise I was running on fumes.

Walked and found some shade. Sat down and tried not to pass out. After 10 minutes I got up and went for food. Looked at the results and the guy I let go at mile 10 of the run had a drafting penalty so I beat him anyways. Waited around with my wife and son until transition opened up.


Tha HEAT.


Very well run race. Volunteers were great. Draft Marshalls on the bike course were nice to see. I'll be back next year.