This is my first Half IM distance race so it is the first time I was going to see what it is like to swim this far.
The lake was warm and the buoys seemed far away. The start went off and away we went. I started in the back because I knew I was not the best swimmer. I went about quarter of the way to the sprint distance buoy and realized I could not breathe all that well. Yes the strep throat that has haunted me for a bit was still causing problems. I went on but needed to roll over and test our my water snow angel swim technique and then just went to back stroke and got through the swim. I was not the last out of the water but I was darn close and I hope the two behind me were ok and made it through the swim. They seemed to have a tough time. I was finishing and they were at the half way point.

Note about the swim. It is a floating start. The half IM distance does not seem to get to many people (about 40 this year) and the ones who do race are quick but for slower folks like me there is not a time limit and there are boats out there if you need a rest. The water is warm, or it was this year, also a little green, but still ok. It is also a well marked swim.


swim better, breathe better.

I knew I was far behind at this point and by far behind I mean behind the time I wanted. I took an extra min to say hit to my wife and son who were there cheering for me and also to get me new compression socks on. Then grabbed my bike and off I went. Total time was about 4 min but I was happy just to be done with the swim.

just move faster.

I was determined on the bike to get going and try and move out of last place. I have ridden this far before but never in a race so I wanted to see what all I could do. I dug in and went as hard as I could. Then the wind hit. It was like a wall at times and I felt as if I was not moving. I had to shift to easier gears to keep going with my turnover but still rode hard for my ability. I was directed the wrong way a couple times but caught it at the last second so no real damage done. Found a couple things I should work on while riding but over all a nice ride. I did catch up and pass a couple people and that made me feel good that I was at least doing ok on the bike.

Note to folks who would like to do this race.
The bike route is nice and flat, a bit windy but you never know when that will hit. The turn arounds are marked well enough for each distance. The hardest turn was the one at the starting area when you had to go back out to do the second loop. There are runners coming in on the same road as the bikes and the turn is on a narrow 2 lane road, just a little sharp of a turn around but very doable.


just ride more to get better. I think I slowed down here and there for no reason other than me spaceing out then had to pick up the pace again.

This transition pissed me off. I was now tired and needed to get off my bike and people were standing in the dismount area. They were runners who were done and just milling around right on the blue mats. I said excuse me bike coming in and they just stood there eating and joking I tried not to be too rude and get around them and they then noticed I was trying to transition and ran out of the way. I racked my bike and said hit to my wife and son then went to go run. At this time the race folks were in the middle of doing awards for the runs. They did the awards in the transition area. I had to battle through a sea of people to get out on my run. I was angry for 1 second and then happy because I got a lot of high fives as I headed out.

My run sucked. I was excited to get out on the run. My legs felt great and my body was doing good. I made a fast stop at an aid station to use the restroom and off I went. I was mostly alone so that I did not like because I could not push myself to much, but I was happy to be on the run. I ran out hit the turn to go to the beach and ran in the sand. The fog was in and I could not see down the beach. The cones on the beach ended and so did feet prints. I stopped for a sec and looked around, it was just me on the beach and I was not sure what was going on. I turned back thinking this was an out and back part of the run. I got to the road and was told to run heading back. I told the guy my problem and he seemed angry and said all runners go this way. I ran back and was now thinking that I had not done the whole run. I got back to the finish line took a look at my watch and knew I was way short for the run. I then turned and went back out. I dug deep in my memory and figured I just did not run far enough on the beach. I ran back out and found the 10k turn around and then headed back. I was unsure how far I went the first go round and was going to finish the 10k for sure. I finished and asked them to DQ me because I ran the wrong way and was assured it would be fixed. I was real bummed out because it was my first half IM distance race and I did not do the whole thing, but it is better to be honest about things. However then I noticed the results online and my run time was still way off, not sure why or what happened and why I was not DQ’ed. I did email them and ask my time be changed so others can get the right time. I drove what I ran with my wife and I was just over 13 miles.

Note to other racers who are going to race this race.
It is a good run with parts on the beach. Just drive it all before hand and you will be ok. I was tired and messed up. The wind, fog and being tired took its toll and I forgot the run route. If I would have driven it and seen it I would have been ok. Well stoked with drinks and lots of helpers. They serve a drink I don’t like I think it is HEED or something like that. Just an FYI incase you want to bring your own drink.


my own fault for not knowing the run course.

The cool down was a walk around and see what all there was to nab up. Shirt pick up was after the race so I went over to get mine and they were all out of shirts. Sucks to sign up for your first half IM race months ago and they are out of shirts, there are no medals and the food is gone. Again they were not ready for the amount of people who showed up. I packed up my stuff chatted with some folks and then got in the car. That is when I heard over the speakers that any half IM distance people still around could get their medal. I walked over and got my medal.
Then walked over and gave it to my son who is 6 and ran the 5k in 32 min. He deserved a medal more than me. He took 2nd in his age group and was sad that in this race only 1st place got awards. Well his age group even know being 6 was still the 14 to 19. He was happy to get a cool medal.