So you did a HIM and it hurt!  Yeah, it's supposed to be like that, because it's a race!!  From my end of things it looks FABULOUS!!  Start with the swim... I can't believe you got that pace and you were doing half breaststroke!  Unbelievable... makes you wonder what you COULD do if you got your freestyle endurance down... but swim speed takes a ton of time in the water for just a small return, most people opt to work on the bike or run.  The bike:  I can't believe you were passed up non-stop by your AG and you averaged almost 18 mph!  I'd love to have that pace for that distance... and with saddle issues and feet issues to bbot!  Get thee a good saddle and it will make a world of difference.  The run:  O.M.G. how can anyone run in 93 degrees and 80% humidity, that is like a living HELL!  I would have been doing the death shuffle by that time.   Even if you run in that type of weather often, I don't think you truly acclimate to it, it just sucks.  Thankfully you didn't collapse on the course and thank god for ice!!  I think you did an unbelievable job in 6 hours and 17 minutes!!  That is AWESOME... just imagine doing one where your girlie parts aren't screaming at you and the run temps are not like Hades, I have no doubt you'd be hitting 6 hours or less.  Yeah, you're just gonna have to do another to find out!  I think the big name races like this one really draw out the uber athletes... you don't get the overweight beach cruiser mamas at HIM's like you do at local sprints, so the level of athleticism is clearly up there, but don't sell yourself short, you are right up there too!  Might have to tweak the training a bit, but I have no doubt that you are in that league.... 

I gotta say, I just love reading the HIM and IM race reports from the comfort of my computer chair, I am living vicariously through all you crazies! 

AWESOME job, Melanie, you should be VERY proud fof your accompishment... how many 50-54 year old women are feebly sitting on the couch, with a sack of McNuggets while you are out there being AWESOME?!!!

Congrats on making it through your first HIM on a hot, hot day! The pros have it easier, as they spend so much less of their race in the heat of the day.

And that's neat about bumping into Craig Alexander in the potty line -- what a democratic sport we have. 

Great race Melanie, you did so very well. Your swim time was great. Your bike was very solid. You might look for a new saddle to make it easier on yourself. It does make the longer rides more tolerable. With the heat & humid conditions for the run, well it just plan 'o survival time. You can't control that, it's just how you respond to the conditions making adjustments along the way. And you adjusted very well to those tough conditions. A 1//2 is a very tough event, especially when you've never finished one. Your mind is everywhere, hard to grasp what is really needed to get it done. You training was solid! You SHOULD be proud of yourself. Now as you mentioned in your report, what's next....that's always the toughest question to answer. Your always saying to yourself what else can "I" do????? I will leave that for you to ponder. Again congrats!!

I am also impressed by your freestyle/breaststroke pace!  Awesome!  I swim at a similar pace, but all freestyle.  Those passing on the bike were probably weaker in the swim.  I think your bike speed was wonderful for your first at that distance.  Running in the heat is always difficult.  I think your approach with the 8/2s was just right.

Congrats on a well run race, Melanie!