This was a mass start but it seemed much calmer and more open than any swim start I have taken part in. I put my self in a group of swimmers who claimed to be able to swim the course in 30-32 minutes. I got out to the first bouy and was feeling great. Completely in rythym and breathing with no problems. After checking my watch, I realized why I was feeling so good; I was swimming too slow!!! I picked up the pace on the last part of the course but still ended-up swimming 4 minutes slower than ususal. I would have been in the top 20 OVERALL if I had swam my pace and not got caught drafting on a slower group. My fault, I zoned out and just hung on for too long as my mind drifted to the bike and run to come...

Don't go out so conservatively.

I had the "Strippers" pull off my wetsuit as I sat down. This helps alot on my T1, however, I spent too much time trying to get my suit and towel into the Swim to Bike bag for transport to the finish. Also, my bike jersey (pre-load with GU) was too hard to put on a wet body. I need a better tri suit and a fast way to load the fuel.

Nothing extra in transition. Faster getting wetsuit into bag. Need a tri suit with back pockets.

I felt great the first 20 miles, even with a minor bike wreck as we exited the causeway. I took the corner too fast and lost my back wheel going around the corner. Luckily, my cat-like reflexes took over and I was able to absorb the majority of the fall on my leg and not an elbow or knee. I had a little cut on my arm (right where it rests in the aerobar) but the adrenaline made me forget about it after a few miles. The only down part of the ride was around mile 35-40. It looked downhill but the road was rough and I was having a hard time and felt stiff in my back and neck. I started feeling awesome after passing the 45 mile mark and cruised to T2 ahead of my schedule and feeling GREAT! I could have pushed alittle harder on the bike but I had no idea how I would feel going into the run. It was a great learning experience and I now know to go harder and it won't impact my run too much.

I am looking into why I was bloated and had stomach cramps. I added the calories and carbs and was exactly on schedule for my body weight. Maybe it's the brand of calories and/or carbs but I raced with what I train with and have never had an issue. Get a GU dispenser instead of openning each packet individually. I ran off the road while opening a gu, dropping the gu, a water bottle and almost going down hard. I don't know how I was able to recover and get back on the road. It was kinda like that Lance Armstrong ride through the field in the Tour several years ago. It just sorta happened.

The time was good but I could have changed faster. I spent a few seconds popping a few eduralytes and suffering through another GU.

Hold off on the salt and GU until the first aid station.

I guess riding the Cervelo P3 tri geometry made a huge difference to my legs because I felt incredile coming off the bike and had no problems with my quads AT ALL. My run was still slow compared to the average and only slightly slower for me than usual. I can typically run a half marathon in 2:15 so I was 15 minutes slower after riding and swimming. I can still improve in the run and will be spending the entire off-season working on my run and core conditioning. My plan was to run to each aid station and then walk through the station. I followed the plan pretty closely until about mile 8, then found it hard to run the entire mile to each aid station. I also flip-flopped with a few other racers and ended up talking too much towards the end.

Stick to plan and don't stop to talk to others who are walking. I could have pushed the run harder and cut 3-4 minutes of my "run" time.

Walking around for 30 minutes then slow stretching and hydration.


Too conservative a race plan.


My first Half Ironman distance race! I felt alot better than I thought I would. I was definately easier than the Marathon, and I even felt this distance is easier than the Sprints and Olympics. I guess it's the fact that you are giving an effort at an easier heart rate.
I was very pleased with my effort and performance for my first HIM. My goal was to train for and do a Half this year in under 6 hours. My "A" race is in 5 weeks and I have already put in an effort at 6:11. Should not be a problem to cut 11 minutes off after this race.

Back to the race: This is a well run race, even though it has moved locations and changed course route several times. I like the final course and the way it all ran. They had some hiccups along the way but the management nucleus is their to develop into a premier race in the future. The swim was fine, the bike was beautiful and the run was the best course I have ever been on (training or racing).