Busselton 1/2 Ironman - Team Event - Triathlon1/2 Ironman

My most comfortable swim in the wetsuit - I made sure I pulled it so far up and into my arms as there was no way I wanted to feel it pulling on my shoulders half way into it.
The mass start was chaos - got swamped big time and had to stop swimming to find some space. Good job I am comfortable in a close swimming crowd (water polo background helped here I'm sure), then got a nice kick in the face.
For once, I managed to find feet to draft off, for the first 500m anyway, then ended up on the inside track as planned but all on my own. Got to half way and felt good so started to push on the way back when I felt a sting on my arm and then felt something land on my ankle. Luckily it must have brushed me so no damage. Next problem was I kept cramping whenever I sighted then bang, my left calf locked up. 100m later swimming with one leg got it moving again but I did hardly any sighting for the last 300m or so - good job I stayed in a straight line!
Then, it happened, damn stinger landed on my neck and it seemed, wouldn't let go. I felt it immediately but had to just forget about it and battle it out. Last 100m hurt but got out and struggled to run to the handover with both legs threatening to cramp again.
Was glad to handover the band and go find the medical tent, but nobody at all had any vinegar. Slopped some sunscreen on then a mate went to the local store and bought me a bottle of vinegar for my neck which helped numb the pain. No idea how those who got stingers like mine carried on for the rest, but I know I'll be keeping the bottle of vinegar in transition at my future tris!
Was well chuffed to get 35:04. Had a goal of going under 35 and would have accepted 38 so to get the time I did meant I was doing my normal 1k pace in a pool for the whole 1.9k. And to say I only started swimming again, after 20 years out, in February. Didn't know I was doing this HIM until mid-March so that was the first time I did any serious training.
I'm happy

Take vinegar with me

Fairly slow as legs were cramping but got the band over to Mark for the bike leg

Mark rode an unbelievable leg.

Mark handed timing chip and race belt onto Ash for the run

Was starting to get warm for the runners. Ash wanted to go under 1:40:00 but think the weather stopped him, as he got a bit dehydrated. Still, way quicker than anything I'd do.....

Watching everybody else


Lack of training


Awesome event, first HIM I've been to and won't be the last.
I'm so inspired and determined to do it next year. After 1 mini-sprint, 1 sprint and 1 swim leg of a HIM, I'm hooked. Will be getting some winter training done now to get in some sort of shape for next season.