I was displeased by my average HR. I would have expected it to be quite a bit lower for the overall pace and given the amount of run training (read greater fitness) I have put in since my prior 1/2 Mary last Fall and my recent training runs. By memory, I think my average HR was about the same last Fall.

I suspect the sloppy conditions, race environment, and BRUTAL wind (did I mention that the wind was brutal???) contributed to the greater physical effort. I did manage to shave about 6 minutes off the 1/2 time of last Fall. Given that I turned at the half-way point at 55:15, and the sense that the wind on the way back would be tough, I suspected that either I'd have to explode my heart within my chest to run the same pace or I was going to come in a bit slower than I thought I could. Pleased overall with result at this point in the year and given the conditions, however.

Nutrition/Hydration. Carried only gels, no liquids. Water at mile three, gel at mile 5, Gatorade between 6.55 and 7 miles. Given the HR, I did not think I could have choked down another gel after the gatorade at roughly mile seven.

Nothing, really. Just slugged it out.

Given the weather conditions, cooling down (temp-wise) was just a matter of walking around a bit while cheering other Donks. Abnormal for me, my calves and butt were very tight. I suspect the abnormal stride of traversing the ankle-deep water in the various puddles and the mud bogs adjacent to them put some different muscles into play.


If I haven't mentioned it before, I thought the wind played a "small" role in the event and certainly my performance.


This is a low-key affair. I was impressed with the size of the field and more so in the number of "day-of" registrations. The 'day-of' folks saw the weather outside their windows this morning and STILL chose to come down and race this bad-boy.

The same-day registration was a modest $10, so to expect much in the way of post-race goodies would have been unrealistic. Beer, pretzels, soda, water and a warm place to hang were plenty enough, IMO.

I'll run this event again.

A special shout-out to the volunteers and spectators (who I think were more mentally unstable than the athletes for braving the conditions to WATCH a bunch of mentally unstable people).

And finally, a big EEEEEAWWWW to the other BT'ers/Donkies with whom I shared the experience and who came out to support the others: DJDavey, Sgoehner, Firstnet911, Amyjotris, PJGrande, Tri-N-Spin, TriDDS, Travisvb24, Sandivb76. Look forward to seeing most of you TOMORROW as we bless the burro and kick off a safe outdoor tri season. Whew, and amen.