Started out great. Apparently too great. Don't know what happened but about 4-5 minutes in, total freaked out. Must have started too fast and lost my breath or something. Did the breast stroke for about 100 yards to try and get my head on straight. Lost so much time/distance during that time :-( Finally got my shit together and found my rythem. Felt good after that and had no problems. Got a severe cramp in my calf climbing up the ladder.

Tell my brain to HTFU.

No real problems here. Suit was stuck a little bit.

We started off with the wind at our backs so the first hour was really quick. Avg was 21+ for the first 20 miles. We slowly turned into the wind and felt like we were going uphill for a while. Pace slowed considerably into the wind and pace dropped to right at 20mph. The last 20 miles or so was into more of a crosswind so it wasn't as bad as the previous 20. Was too late to pick up any steam but was able to hold my avg pace at just over 20mph. Felt pretty good except for my ass was sore. Drank 3 peputium bottles and a couples Gu's and some Combo's. Took 2 Electolyte tabs every 30 minutes in hopes of keeping the calf cramp at bay.

Train more. I was 100% happy with my bike segment. I don't think I could have raced this part any better on my current fitness.

Rode in on top of pedals but kicked off a shoe from the pedal on dismount and had to go back and get it. Other than that, everything went ok.

Started out great. Was averaging 7:31/m for the first 4 miles. Then the heat began to take its toll. Really really REALLY started to get hot. Pace started slowing after mile 4. Started getting the iced towels every mile and kept them on my head to try and stay cool. The amount of people walking was crazy. Around mile 8 I decieded I needed to start walking the water stations every mile and make sure I was getting enough to drink. Would walk about 50 yards past the water station and then run/shuffle to the next station and repeat. Around mile 10 I got a little "runners high" and mentally felt great for the remainder of the run. Even picked up the pace a little bit. Coming down the home stretch, I rode my runners high and passed quite a few people. Turned the corner to see the finish line and really began to smile. Saw wife and daughter about 100ft before the finish line so I am sure I had a smile on my face for the finish line photo.


Train in the Sahara? Kinda hard to get used to that kind of heat this early in the year (would have been a little diffent if this was September). Should have used the iced towels from the start. One issue with the iced towels though was between the water and the sweat, my shoes and socks got soaked and I have about 4 blisters between my toes.

Hung out with the family for a bit while sucking down some more water. Grabbed a hotdog and junk food and sat on the wall on the lake. Sat in the lake to cool down while my daughter splashed around. After the race I biked back to the hotel and we went down to the beach and popped a bottle of bubbly before we hit the road back home.


Overall a great first HIM experience. The lake is one of the nicest I have ever seen in NC. Since this was my first 70.3, I don't have a lot to compare it to, but I thought everything went off without a hitch. Although not a "great" race for me, I am totally happy with my overall performance. Finished in the top 30% of my AG which qualified me for the Halfmax Championship which I unfortunately can't do because it is the week before the Chicago Marathon. My first thought after finishing was there would be no 140.6 plans for 2011. Maybe 2012 though ;-) Also go to meet a few other BT members before and after the race!