Patriot Half Iron - Triathlon1/2 Ironman

I started this swim in the front on the right side. My plan was to go easy and not to push to hard as I had a long 69 miles to follow! The course was short. I started easy breathing every 4th stroke. I felt great during the entire swim. There was very little contact, and I couldnt find any feet to draft off of. I did catch the wave ahead of me at the half way point. It always makes me push a little when I pass a wave. Before I knew it I was out of the water. I saw my husband as I entered transition( he volunteered) and he told me I had a great swim. I looked at my watch and it said 28 mins. I thought HOLY Shet that was fast!!!!! I felt good and strong and had no self doubt.

Absolutely nothing!!!!!

I had to put on a bike jersey as this is where I was keeping my nutrition. I wore my tri shorts and a sports bra for the swim so I could just throw on the jersey. It worked well but took some time. Put my socks and bike shoes on but my left sock was all bunched up. I know I am not going to qualify for Kona so I take off the shoe and sock and re apply. I know know I will be comfortable for the next 58 miles!!!!! I ran to the bike mount line and off I went!!!!

Nothing!

Several days prior to the race my family bought me Zipp wheels for my birthday. What a difference! I felt pretty good going out on the bike. During the first loop I was passed by alot of the super fast people...I just reminded myself to race my own race. After 25 minutes I started to eat. Had my first uncrustable(ummmm) and followed it with a bit of Apple Cinnamon hammer gel. I drank 1/3 strength gatorade throughout the ride. I finished the first loop and I realized I was going faster than I ever trained and knew I had to slow down a bit. I convinced myself it was the wheels and I was fine. Saw KOM running and gave her a shout out. I saw my husband and Kevin near the camp. Its encouraging to see family and freinds. About 20 minutes into the second loop I began to feel a little fatigue. I started singing and humming "Oh Lord Wont Ya buy Me A Mercedes Benz" by Janis Joplin. I figured this would keep me from getting my heart rate too high ( cant be too bad if your singing). Then the sun started to come out. All I could think was the run will be tough if it gets sunny. Time for a new tune..."Here Comes The Sun"...its all right!!!!!! I played cat and mouse with a few people. Came to the transition area and I will say, I was VERY glad to be done with the bike!!!!!

Not to go so hard...I paid dearly for it on the run!

Quickly threw off shirt and shoes and changed. I reminded myself "NO tea parties in transition" I was out pretty quickly for me!

Nothing

Let me first say...I am not a very good runner!!Leaving the transition area I could feel the soreness in my quads. I ran for about a 1/2 mile and stopped and walked because they just hurt!At this point I decided that I would walk up every hill and try to run the remainder of the time.This seemed like a pretty good plan. As I was running a guy passed me and said" dont worry the limo is right around the corner". I could only be so lucky. I was pretty happy to reach the first aid station. I decided I would treat each aid station as a "picnic" and stop and drink and have a little bite to eat. The volunteers were great and had a lot of encouraging words as I thanked them for my picnic. It got pretty lonely out on the course and by mile 7 I think I had been passed by most people in my AG ( I hadnt seen any of them up until the run). I was a little discouraged.I got bit by misquitos I was so slow!!! I had to keep telling myself I was strong and could finish. I started thinking of all the strong people in my life. I used the alphabet to match the names with the people.You all know who you are...a HUGE THANK YOU to you all!!!! This kept my mind occupied and positive. By mile 10 I kept sayng ...only 5 K...anyone can do 5 K. Then comes the hill before the camp...UGGHH...only one more hill. By the time I got to the top I looked at my watch and realized that I was at 6:27. My ultimate goal was to finish in 6:30. I knew if I gave it my all I could make 6:30. Time to HTFU!!!! I ran the best I could. I could hear my family and the BTers cheering ( Thank you all!!!!) and that carried me through to the finish. KOM was there to get a big sweaty hug!!!!I cant describe the feeling of finishing...just awesome!

Run more in training, not hammer the bike so much.

Walked around with my family and friends. Sue, Josh and I went for a swim. The water was GREAT and felt wonderful.


I gave it my all...nothing could have made me do any better! I was very happy with my race.


I will say that I was pretty disappointed with the end of this race. Had it not been for my friends and family there would have been no cheering. They didnt even announce your name as you cross the finish.( they do this in most sprint races)No music...no nothing:(

I trained very hard for this race, and although I am not terribly speedy I want fanfare when I cross the line. If I do another half ( which I will) I will pick one that acknowledges my accomplishment as I cross the line. They were actually taking down banners shortly after I finished and there were others on the course. I thought this was just rude.

There were no port-o-pots out on the course at all. Although I have learned to pee on the bike and run...I really needed one on the run. It just plain sucked!

They advertised that they would have endurolytes on the run. They had them at mile 1 and 2 but none after that.

I love this course. Its beautiful, the roads are nice, the water is awesome.That said, I would trade that, for a celebration of the accomplishment of finishing a HIM.