Started out shorter breath and shorter stroke, after fist 500 or so really relaxed & stretched out, then just cruised. Other then avoiding other people it was smooth & strong.

Not much this was a strong start for me.

just wasn't as smooth as it could've been.

practice more, move faster.

There something amiss with my bike fitness. Those missed workouts early in training plan probably have something to do with it.
Ate 2 of my bars, several blox & 2 salty blox, picked up a full water bottle at every aid station.
Had to stop 2 times, once to pick up a bottle, once to pee & stretched some, then once when I hesitated at an aid station when asked "water or g'ade?" kid didn't have any water in the other hand.

Be aero? eat more? hammer harder? go faster? who knows. This was even slower than my avg spd for training rides.
I mark it average though 'cause the one ride I did that I got in 56.25 miles was almost exactly that same time.

Almost got both feet on top of shoes before dismount line, but failed. After loosing other foot walked to rack, feeling somewhat whoozy. Got harried trying to do too many things at once. Was slow anyway with change of shirts.

practice transition more.

Wore my floppy hat & long sleeve tech shirt. Doused at every aid station, sponges on my head & ears. 2 gels, e-blox every 20 minutes or so, foundling bottle for sipping between stations.
First loop was slower than second, spent getting comfortable & getting hydration & gels. Second loop hotter, felt strong...slow but strong.
Some decent short hills, 3-4%, walked a couple but mostly running between stations. Way slower pace than anything I've done lately with training.

I guess I could not stop as long at the aid stations, but deemed it necessary for keeping cool.

Sat in shade. Then moved to med tent, doc examined me some for my difficulty breathing...she thinks it's really exercise induced asthma, than an inhaler could most likely help. Had a couple puffs on inhaler & coughing dissipated within the hour for the most part.
Walked around a bit, had oranges, chatted with my friend who came to see me finish & others.


I would say training, but then I'm happy with meeting my goal of a sub 8 hour HIM. I did just what I came to do & I'm pleased with my accomplishment.


No idea what post-race activities there were 'cause I was one of the last finishers. BIG THANK YOUS to those few people & volunteers that were still there when I finished, it was really nice to have some real cheering when I crossed!