Holy crap but this was fun! My first wetsuit race, my first big wave start.
It sure seemed like there was lots of contact but I dont really have a frame of refrence.
About 6 weeks ago I did myfirst oly and swam 37 min. It was miserable. Since then my swim has improved a good bit. I learned how to sight and not to pull with a straight arm. MAkes it sooo much easier.
From training I knew that the first few 100M were the toughest, then about the time I start to get worried the pain subsides. That was just how it went. The bouys were on our left. I seemed to want to pull to the right so I had to corse correct a lot and come back in. I'm also a bit less afraid of contact and dont feel like I need to get way out of the way.
I found a couple of sets of feet to draft on. Figured that I might as well try it. It sure makes a difference. Once I got in position, I couldnt regulate my speed so I would end up grabbing ankles, getting frustrated and changing my line. Conversly, when I felt people on my feet I got anxious and felt the need to speed up.
I had planned to push the last 200M but I was really boxed in and decided not to spend the energy to get around folks. And I dont have the nerve to go over them.
I was 167 of 280 in AG out of the water.

I could have gone harder. Next time I will put more effort into the swim. Got out of the water feeling like I had another 1.2mi swim in me. 41:38 isnt fast for others but for me this was a very large improvement.
I made a deal withmyself the night before the race. I really didnt know what my swim time would be but I figured if I was under 40 min that I would race hard and try to break 6 hrs. If I was 45 min I would just cruise and enjoy the sights. When I was 41.38 I figured I would go for 3:10 on the bike and 2:00 on the run and see if I couldnt clip 6 hrs.

Wetsuit strippers are cool. T1 went fine. Stopped for sunscreen. really glad I did.

nothing. It was fine. I expected 4 min and that was pretty much what it was.
Except perhaps a bike computer. I use my garmin 405 with a bike mount. It is good for gathering data for future analysis but the screen isnt very user friendly while riding. And it meant I have 2 watches to fiddle with.

I figured I would shoot for 3:10. That was about as fast as I had gone in training. I figured the fact that I was usially tired going into rides in training would counter balance the need to run 13.1 off of the bike. Seemed like as good a guide as any and given that this was my first try that is what I went with. What amazes me is how close to that target time I actualy came. I know that I was hydrated because not only did I pee in the lake but I peed on the bike at about mi 50. At that point I was in postion to hit 6 hrs and I wasnt going to stop if I could help it. MAde sure there wasnt anyone behind me of course...
I was 170 out of 280 in AG off of the bike.

I need to train bike more. I spent almost as mich time this summer in the pool as I did on the bike. Now that I am competent to swim I will spend more time riding.
Nutrition was 1000 cal infinite.

honestly, I am a little foggy on what happend here. I sort of remember it but it is soft. All I had to do was rack, put my helmet in my bike bag, put on my shoes and get my hat and go.

I expected the first few mi to really feel muddy. But they didnt. I felt ok off of the bike and my first few mi were in the 8's as a natural pace. I decided to walk the aid stations to try and reduce my speed. Still, I was 2 min ahead of my run pace after the first lap. Hit the porto potty because I had to pee yet again and given that the first lap was quick I figured the stop would lower my heart rate a bit.
Ice down the tri shorts was a great idea. thx bt!
I told myself that lap 2 would likely be the low point from a morale standpoint. It was hot and hilly. I was hurting and would still have another lap to go. So I convinced myself to walk the aid stations AND the mile markers. Lap 2 was 2 min over goal so I was right on target. but I was slowing down.
As I ended lap 2 I already knew that 6 hrs was not going to happen. There just wasnt any push left in my legs. I was starting to cramp and just couldnt will myself to care if I was under 6 or a little over. Had that thing happen where all of a sudden you realize that you are walking and you dont remember stopping. The last lap was a grind. My goal moved from 6 to 6:05 to 6:10.
Then with about 800M to go, I see my wife along the rail. What was she doing here? Turns out that she got a sitter for the kids and drove the 100mi to the race to see me finish. Got a little weepy when I saw her.
The finish was in an indoor arena. It was really cool to hear my name over the loudspeaker.

train bike more. The run felt slow compared to my other runs but it was my strongest leg compared to my AG.
nutrition was a hammer gel then gatoraide on the course.

As soon as I crossed the line my hams locked up. I must have freaked the handler out. He was talking to me like I was from another planet.
Got my hat and shirt. Then ice cream and starburst. Had to sit for a while and regroup.
This was so different than any other race that I have ever done. I was never out of breath that I can remember. It was so different to be so worn out without ever "going hard".
I HAVE to do a full ironman now. I dont think that it will be next year. But it is going to happen.


Bike training.


The pre race check in seemed a bit of a mess. Lots of standing in line. But race day was smooth.