Coming into the race I have swam a total of 5 times in the last 2 months. That being said I swam to my swim fitness.

Actually train would be a great idea. This is where I could have made up that 1:30 to get me under 6 hrs.

Annnnnd maybe another minute here as well. Transition was SUPER LONG and you had to run from one end all the way around to the other end.

Just go quicker.

I got out onto the bike and felt great. I knew my swim was slow but I didn't care because I felt great. The bike takes you onto Camp Pendleton and I've ridden this part a few times so I knew what to expect. Some quick hills and spots you can really get your speed up. As we left the base and headed through the San Ononfre Campground I was feeling pretty good. We cruised past SONGS and headed up Christianitos towards the base again. I was still feeling pretty good when we hit the first aid station...then came the first indicator of how the rest of my day was going to be: the little punchy climb at mile 30. Surprisingly I spun up it pretty quick and easy and I knew right then I was going to do ok. There was a fast down hill and then another little climb and I kept passing people on the ups. I worked my way towards the airfield and when I made the turn to head down the canyon and off the base towards transition is when I felt the headwind. I got aero and tried to keep my HR in check but it would keep creeping into the 150's. Just as I'm about to exit the base I was passed by a group of 10-15 guys all drafting off each other that passed me all fresh and smiling. That kinda pissed me off...and I can't tell if I was mad they were drafting or mad because I didn't have someone to draft off of. Either way I know I raced properly as we headed into transition and onto the run.

A little more training would have been great but what else is new?

I'm not sure what happened here but theres another 2 minutes I could have saved.

Maybe some practice would help..

Got my visor on, glasses and stopped at the Sunscreen station before heading out on the run. I told myself right off the rip to "Get me to the turn around" and you can have a breather. Problem with that plan was I was feeling GREAT! I had to keep myself from running too fast. HR was under control and I felt strong (for a change). I skipped the first aid station and got into a good rhythm heading towards the pier. I hit the ramp up and the 2nd ramp up and cruised right on through them. At each aid station from that point I would "power walk" and grab a quick swig of Gatorade and water. As I got closer to the turn around I thought, "Crap man...lets keep going! Get me to mile 6 and you can have a break!". I was still feeling good and I knew in the back of my mind that when it started to hurt I would have to really start to focus. And I was going to keep that hurt hidden until I couldn't anymore and then deal with it. I headed up the strand past the finish chute and got excited to see the crowd and how much energy they had and that fired me up. I looked at my watch and saw my pace was around 9:05 min/mile and my hr was right around 145-150 and said to myself, "Screw mile 6..lets get to the turn around at Transition!". I honestly was waiting for the wheels to fall off and it wasn't happening. So I kept up the gatorade and water at the aid stations making sure not to drink very much. 1/4 to 1/2 cup of gatorade, a quick sip of water and the rest over my head. I got back to transition and made the turn around and at this point the 1 mile deals went away. "You're at 7.25 miles, you feel good, pace is good...lets make it to the turn around!" and off I went. Over the inlet, down the Strand to the Pier, up the Pier, down the street to mile 10...and that was the first sign of trouble. I had to pee something fierce so I ran over to the port o john and went. I should never have stopped. It took everything I had to get running again and now my groove was shot but I was determined not to let this break my race. I struggled between a shuffle and a run for the next 1.5 miles until I got to the next aid station and the minute I heard "Coke" I knew that was my golden ticket. I grabbed a cup of Coke and a cup of water and immediately felt enough come back to finish up strong. I was right back to where I was and came down the strand into the Finish area. My quads and calfs were pulling at me about to cramp but it was too late! I crossed the line running exactly the run I NEEDED to run for me on a mental/emotional level. I know it's not fast but it is the best my body could do for that day and I am really proud of myself for not letting me beat me.

Not a damn thing.

Grabbed my medal, hat and 2 cold waters. I wanted to sit down and relax for a minute to collect my thoughts.


I'm not worried about this question. And Honestly I need to take a break from this type of thinking. I performed to my fitness levels and I took what my mind would give me. I just finished this 70.2 with a 22 minute PR and the 2nd fastest "Officially Timed" half marathon I've done. I needed this to remind me that this is why I do this. It's not to keep up with that guy, or have a nicer bike, or these running shoes, or have this ridiculous tattoo...its about being out there and being willing to make deals with myself and to suffer and find a way to work through the suffering and to learn what I can do. I needed this race with this effort both mentally and physically to keep that want. The desire for fitness and the idea that all of our bodies can do incredible things..


Great Race Venue and as always the volunteers were incredible.