Aside from being cold starting out, the swim was a dream. Wetsuit, Salt Water and Current. It was incredibly fast.
I started out and almost immediately took in a mouth of salt water, which made me want to hurl. I hung in there and tried to stretch out the swim without wearing myself out too much.
Sighting was a little tricky, as you were always moving forward and there was a wide berth in which to swim. I think I got in a group that didn't take the easiest path to the finish.
I got elbowed in the mouth about two thirds of the way through when a guy cut in front of me. I wanted to punch him back, but I didn't because I am a good sport.

My pre-race goal was to swim in under 30 minutes, so you could say I made my swim goal since my swimming time was 28:56, even though the official time was 31:00. No complaints here.

I think if I trained more for swimming, this would have been faster. I haven't swam much this year (35,000 yards) so I am greatly pleased with the results.

73/255 Overall, 11/47 Age Group
There was maybe 300 yards from the swim finish to the transition area. It was so cold on my feet, they were getting numb. I think for that reason, I actually ran instead of walked.
It was great coming out of the resort complex where there were no spectators allowed onto the main road that was lined with people, all cheering.
I ran to my bike, at a banana to get the salt water taste out of my mouth and got my stuff together for the bike. I didn't think I was fast at all, but I placed pretty well in the T1 category.
It was funny, but as I was putting on my shoes, Spot ran by me and said hello. I have been joking that I didn't think he really existed, but he does, and I felt better for it. It was also nice that I was ahead of him for now. I knew I would be seeing him again before the race ended.

I could have saved 30 seconds to 1 minute if I pushed it, but I liked the time to collect myself for what was to come.

I took off on the bike and got quickly into the Aero position. I found the right gear that I stayed in for the majority of the ride and I followed Keyone's tip of telling myself over and over to drive my knees to the top bar. That kept me focused on my goal and maximized my power without overworking my legs.
It was nice to be toward the front of tha pack, since they started the old men in the first wave. I was passed by a bunch of people, but I expected to be passed by more. For the first time, I actually felt like I was competing in the race instead of just participating.
There were a few shaky areas on the bike course. There were two bridges that have like 3" diamond grating on them. Setup Events put down carpeting to help out, but it was still scary, because going down on the bridge would mean many stitches and would end the race. Also there were two RR track crossings that you went across twice. One had huge gaps that made me fear that I would blow out a tire, but I didn't.
My goal was 3:00 for the bike, and I beat that split soundly, so It was a great bike ride.
I was appalled byt the number of packs that went by like they were on a roady group ride. I actuall told one guy as he passed that he shouldn't leave that whole 12" between him and the guy in front of him if he wants maximum drafting effect, only an inch or two. He gave me a dirty look and flew past me. I did the right thing and backed out of the draft zone so I could take the high road and feel like I earned my entire time.

I would have to say that I did everything I wanted to on the bike. I started out fast, with no warmup period. I climbed the bridges well. I rode in Aero position at least 90% of the time and my average cadence was 91. I wish there was a "GREAT" selection from the drop down menu.

100/255 Overall, 21/47 Age Group
Rode into T2 and dismounted. The volunteers took my bike and helmet, so I just had to run to my T2 location and change my stuff. It was nice to have the bike taken, but it didn't really save much since the half athletes still had to go to their racks to get their shoes and such.

Once again, I didn't push the transition and collected myself and psyched myself up for the run. My upper hammies and lower glutes were really sore at the end of the bike. I was worried how my legs would react to running, but they had no problems.

The run went as I wished it would. I made my goal within 9 seconds. There were two bridges in the first two miles of the course and another in the last mile. Those were my fastest splits of the entire run.
Spot finally caught me at about mile 3 of the run, just as I was taking my first walk break outside of the aid stations. It felt great to see him and he looked strong. I was impressed with myself that it took him the entire bike and 3 miles of the run to catch back up to me.
The run course took us down the east side of the river, through historical Wilmington. It was pretty and a nice run. they ran us right by a big Coast Guard Ship and the guards in the guardhouse were clapping and cheering for us. I told them we should be clapping for them because it was due to the Coast Guard and Military that allows us to do things like triathlons.
After running through the city, the course went around Greenfield lake, which was very nice and shaded. I was passed by a bunch of people, including the leaders of the full distance race out on their first lap of the course. I ran with some very cool people and chatted a bit. And I talked to all the volunteers at the aid stations and along the course. It was a very social run for me. I guess I knew I was having a good race and I was going to enjoy the day to the fullest.
I probably walked a minute or so of each mile.
Finally we came upon the last bridge and I decided I would try to keep running until the finish. I made it over the bridge and started picking up the pace. Near the entrance to the Battleship I was passed by Love2tri, although I didn't know it was her at the time.
Finally, we were running down the driveway to the finish and I was a step behind two guys who were running together. Someone from the crowd asked which of us would break to the finish, so I took off and sprinted the lastquarter mile or so. I saw the clock as I was approaching the finish and just pumped my fists into the air as I crossed the finish line.
Finally, I ran a race that I though was what I have been training for and beating my goal by 11:55.

I wish I could have run the whole half marathon, except the aid stations. My body was just tired, and I knew I gave myself a buffer after the bike to be a little slower on the run and still make my goal. However, I made my 2:15 goal even with the walking, so all is good.
I also wish I had put on sunscreen, as the sun made me a bit burned. Not bad, but enough to make me red.

After I finished the race, I walked about 25 feet and ran into Spot, who I had seen twice previously during the race. I talked to him a bit and then he introduced me to Alice (Love2tri) and we talked a bit. Alice had passed me inside the last mile of the run and finished first overall Master's Female.


I think I finally raced a race that was at the peak of my current abilities. there are things I could have done and maybe been a total of 5 minutes faster, but I am totally pleased with all aspects of my race.
I beat my only other completed HIM (Duke 07) by 1:08:17. I think that half of that time is the difference in difficulties between the two courses, but the other half is improvements that I have made in my general fitness and training.
About a perfect day.


This race was run in a totally awesome and professional manner. Kudos to Set-Up Events. There was a little logistical problem getting across the river with two water taxis and long lines. this really stood out to me because, being at the race alone, I had to go through these lines 3 times.