Musselman Half-Iron Triathlon - Triathlon1/2 Ironman

Great swim for me. HIM PR by 5 minites. A little bit choppy in the lake, but smooth once we got into the canal. Before the start, kenj had mentioned that he didn't like Lake Seneca that much because it wasn't as clean and clear as Canandaigua, and I really understood what he meant when we got into the canal. Not awful, but not real pleasant either.

I haven't swum nearly enough this year, so I took it pretty easy, but for the last couple of hundred yards I was feeling good, so I picked up the pace a little. Felt great getting out of the water.

Maybe push a little harder at the beginning.

Had trouble getting the wetsuit off my ankles.

About 3 miles in I'm feeling good, passing people because I'm a slow swimmer plus I was in the last wave, and all of a sudden: bump, bump, bump, my back tire goes flat. No problem, I'm prepared. As I am leaning my bike up against a sign post, I slipped off the edge of the shoulder into the grass. There was a pretty big drop off, and I twisted my left ankle a little. Get back on the bike, and my ankle is a little painful, but not too bad.

So, for the rest of the ride I tried to remind myself to not try to make up the lost time because I need to save it for the run. Maybe I overdid that, because my time should have been better than it was.

Towards the end of the ride, my neck and shoulders were getting pretty sore. That was weird because I haven't had that since my first or second long ride of the season. Maybe I was a little tense on the bike?

Not have a flat. Maybe not worry so much, and push a little harder.

Got off the bike, and my ankle was pretty sore and my toes on that foot were a little numb?!?! Maybe from a little change in my pedaling stroke? OK, let's take it easy, walk slowly, and maybe I can walk off the discomfort in my ankle a little. Walked towards the run out and the volunteer told me I had no race number.Went back to get my number, walked back to run out and found out the volunteer was Bob Stocks, so I thanked him for hooking me up with a room. He seemed perplexed by my rather leisurely stroll through transition;)

Not forget my race belt. My wife tells me I need some gingko biloba, but I never remember to get it when I'm at the health food store.

The big goal I had for this race was 2:10 on the run which would have been pretty tough for me to hit under normal conditions, so the prospects weren't looking real good. First flat couple of miles weren't bad. My ankle didn't feel good, but I wasn't limping too badly. When we got to the hillier sections it got worse, and I wasn't really able to push off, especially uphill. Walked way too much up the hills, but I needed to rest it a little. Towards the end all the muscles in both legs were kinda sore, probably from my altered gait.

Finished the run at 2:32:23, so waaaaaay short of my goal, but I finished with a smile. This is actually an HIM PR for me, so I think I did pretty darned well for having a flat and getting a little dinged up.

Drink more. Suck it up, buttercup.

Stuck my foot in the kiddie pool ice bath, although there wasn't much ice left. It was still pretty cold so it felt good. While I was standing there I hear someone call, "Dr. Schroder!!!!". It was my patient, Kaitlyn S. I have been her dentist since she was 3, and now she's a 22 year old college student. She was there to see some of her friends. She's also a very good runner, mostly 5K's.

Kelly saw me and I tried to explain why I took so long, but I was probably a little incoherent. She had a GREAT first HIM, coming in around 6:07, so that was terrific news to hear.

Saw dexter, marma, and kenj, so chatted a little. Also got to meet Ken's lovely bride.


I'm slow, and I don't train enough. Could use a little mental toughening up. Couple of little mishaps.


This is an excellent race. Very well run, nice course, and plenty of volunteers.

Although my race didn't go quite as well as planned, I still had a wonderful time. Seeing some of the Finger Lakes area BTer's is always good, and meeting Kelly and Paula from our mentor group really made the weekend special.