Rockman Half Ironman Triathlon - Triathlon1/2 Ironman

Did not feel good from the start. Started in the back on the inside line. I felt tight in the chest right away. For starting in the back I swam into a lot of people. I think that was all my fault, because I was zig zagging all over. I normally don't have any problems with bi-latteral breathing, but today I did. So after rounding the first bouy I would breath to my right side for awhile then my left. Other then me not getting into any rythem the swim was pretty much normal. I do need a new wetsuit. I think having the tightness in the chest is due to the suit being to tight on me.

Not much. Just a bad day on the swim. Get a new wetsuit. I know I can swim fairly well. I proved that at IMOO last year.

could not get my gels into my pockets on my jersey.

not much. Fairly smooth

Left T1 on got on the streets. After rounding first turn I had to stop and re-adjust my gells in my pockets as they were falling out. Then noticed I lost all my salt and anti-fatigue pills. Steve1128 and my brother passed my and asked if I was ok. Thank you. So started again and seemed to be going slower then I should have been in the gears I was using. I caught up with Steve and he asked how I felt and told him that I seem to be working harder in gears that should be easy. I passed Steve up some and about a mile later he yelled up to me to ditch the rain coat as it was acting like a parachute. So I stopped and threw it on the side of the road. Once again had to start up again. Road with Steve for awhile and then went ahead again. Taking the coat off seem to help, but it still did not feel right. I looked to see if the breaks were rubbing, but they were ok too. I thought for a moment I had a flat, but thought to myself. No way. I would not be going anywhere if I did and that I would notice that. I saw my brother Mike about a mile from the turn-around. He seem to be having a good ride. But I figured I would catch him. The rain did stop when I reached the halfway point. The way back was pretty uneventful. With only having one rider passing me. I felt I had a pretty good ride, but still could not figure why I was pushing harder in lower gears. I hit the hills and did well with them. I arrived at t-2 fairly happy with the ride.

Stop and check my tires when something does not feel right.

Nothing

Started out slow. I did not know how my quads would hold up with the hills on this course. I have never done a race yet were my quads did not cramp up coming from bike to run. So the first mile I ran I had the general heavy legs, but yet no cramping in the quads. I felt great for the run at mile 2 (which was the only mile marker out on the course) This is the best I have ever felt for a run after a bike. So even though I felt good I was tenative to push the pace. I thought If I did I would start to cramp up. At the first aid station I asked and took in 5 salt tablets. Since I lost mine from the beginning of the bike. I was worried lack of salt would do me in a few miles. I did walk for about 20 yards while I did this, but had no problem starting back up. I felt good. At mile 3 I saw my brother who was struggling with stomach issues. Gave him some encouragement and was on my way. Mile 4 I stopped to use the bathroom. Which was a good sign that I was hydrated. Started the run again and still felt good. At mile 8 (I think) I told myself that I feel good so go ahead and push yourself some. So I did. I attacked the hills hard and did not pussy foot up them. I passed a ton of folks who all were great. Saying stay with it you are looking strong. I saw Steve a couple times on the course and he too was looking great. The encouragement on the run course from the athletes was great today. So at what I thought was mile 11 I ran with another guy who said he needed me to push him to the finish. We both took turns picking up the pace and when one of us fell off the pace we would look back and give some good encouragement. It work perfect. We both finished strong. I was extremly happy that I was able to run the entire 13.1 mile course with out having to stop for being tired or cramping. I could have gone more as I felt good. Maybe a little to good.

Push the pace harder from the beginning.

A flat tire. As I went to pick up my bike from transition I noticed my front tire was extremly low. I had about 40psi in the tire. I don't know when this accured, but I think I rode the race with a very low front tire. I assume this is why the bike seemed hard then it should have been. Guess I will never know, but my gut says it is. I normally would not be happy with the run time. I now I can run fairly fast when its just a running race. But the fact that I did not have to stop or cramp up was the victory for me. Now next race we will really push the limits.


No mile markers anywhere on the bike or run course. No medal at the end. They already took the finishers chute down and their was still a runner on he course. Parking was a half-mile away. Chris McDonald did race which was cool. They have to make some big changes if I to come back again. I had a free entry to this race so I did not mind that much, but others I heard were not happy.