Lined up middle to the rear of wave start. Waist deep water at starting buoys. The first 200-300 yards was a little tough swam over a few people and got swam over too:) once it thinned out a bit got into a good cadence. I sighted well to the first corner then the waves seemed to pick up they were probably about 1-2 foot but made sighting a little bit more difficult. Rounded the second bouy and I thinkthe course turned more than 90 degrees to the right because when I sighted after the corner I was way off to the left. I could sight the "white arch" at the swim finish so I sighted for that and thought my time was going to be way off. Hit the beach and took wetsuit down to waist. Time ended up being right on the money for what I had estimated. I used the wetsuit strippers and the bottoms came off fast.

Sight several times after each corner to make sure on the right course.

Ran into T1 with wetsuit in hand as the strippers did there job great. Dumped wetsuit on bike rack. Put on jersy, helmut, socks/shoes, sunglasses and off we go. Ran to mounting line and had no isues getting on bike and clipped in first try:)

Not much. Maybe get tri top and race belt to avoid a little time for clothing change.

I didn't ride the course but the 1st timers seminar the day before had prepped me a little. The marsh hill everyone was talking about at mile 10ish was pretty tough. I got real motivated watching Andy Potts heading back at his mile 43ish at what must have been 60 mph downhill. WOW, very impressive. Down tot he flatter section of the course and I just zoned out trying to maintain cadence around 85-90 the whole way. Rained a little about mile 15-20 and then again around mile 30-35. Feet got soak and gave thoughts about blisters for the run. Oh well just have to make do. I ate a gel as soon as I started the bike and then every 1/2 hr with cytomax mix every 15 min. Never got tired and felt strong at the mile 43ish hill. I was feeling real strong on the hill and was passing people but keeped telling myself take it easy, run coming up next. On the way down the hill I saw Potts on I hit 40 mph, which by the way is the fastest I have been on my bike. That was fun:) Just glad I didn't whipe out. Little slower on the way back but felt good going into T2. Dismount weny fine and ran to T2 with no issues.

Ride the course prior to race day. Bike jersy to wear under wetsuit

Found spot no problem. I had staged socks in my shoe with my running shirt on top. That was a stroke of god luck as teh rian had hit transition while out on the bike and shirt was wet but I had nice dry socks and shoes to put on for the run. Took a couple extra seconds to dry feet best I could. Took gatorade bottle I aquired from the last Bike aid station for the run.

Tri top would save a little time changing clothes. Make sure if weather might be bad to cover shoes and socks. That was the best thing coming back to some dry socks for the run after getting soaked on the bike. Motivation lifter.

Felt good getting to the run feeling strong. I was still a little worried about my IT band acting up so I wore my IT band strap. I was running pretty hard out of T2 with all the excitement. I could hear teh anoucener state Miss Wellington was finishing her race as I was heading out so that was cool. First lap HR was real strong and by the tie I hit the turn around it was down to a good HR for my planned 10mm. Secod split was OK but a small hill was pretty steep and HR started maxing out a little. Back in control and good pace at the second loop start. 3rd split knee started to bother me a little and hip flexors on fire. I told myself just don't stop and walk. If you stop it will swell up and make it harder. So my head song became "don't stop, keep moving, forward". Took sips on gatorade when I wanted them. At the aid stations I took only water two sips and the rest off my head/back. The start of 4 split I was feeling good and going into home stretch. That short steep hill came back and I felt a little dizzy as HR maxing out again. Gave thoughts to should have drank more water only the run or ate a gel or 2, oh well suck it up and finish. When I hit mile 11 I was at 5:42 for time. I thought could I run two 9 mm and finish sub 6hrs?? Going for it. Opened it up and hit the finish line at 5:59:48.

Drink more fluid and try to maintain the gels ever 30-45 min. Work more on my IT band issues to make them go away, ie. get stronger and more flexable hips.

None, ate like a madman left on a deserted island. Walked around a little and took half a pizza from the volunteer tent on the way back to transition. I honestly thought it was there for the taking they had about 200 pizzas and everybody else was taking them:) Cleaned up and headed over tothe food tent where you are supposed to get food. Ate like a horse while in line. Did I say I ate a lot after?:)


Could overall work on my swim form to get faster. Work on getting stronger on the bike to push bigger gear. Got to keep legs flexible to overcome IT band issues.


Overall I was very happy. My first 1/2 Ironman, Finished. I had planned on finishing in 6:15 -6:30 hrs. Came in much better than planned. I was really excited about that. The race was very well organized I recommend the first timers seminar as the biggest thing I did and will do in the future reguardless of the race or first timer status. It provided a lot of insight into the course by the presenter (sorry I don't remember your name) but he was very knowlegable in Triathlon and this course specifically.