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California Half Ironman - Triathlon1/2 Ironman


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Oceanside, California
United States
Ironman North America
Total Time = 00m
Overall Rank = /
Age Group =
Age Group Rank = 0/
Swim
  • 00m
  • 1056 meters
  • / 100 meters
Transition 1
  • 00m
Bike
  • 00m
  • 56 miles
  • 0.00 mile/hr
Transition 2
  • 00m
Run
  • 00m
  • 13.1 miles
  •  min/mile
Post race
Event comments:

03/18/2006 California Half Ironman Race Report

For those that live under a rock, this past weekend was the annual California Half Ironman. Leading up to the event, the biggest thing on most folk’s minds was the weather. We had rain all week with moments of sunshine and there was a huge storm the night before just to remind us that we were in for some fun.

:: 2005 Results ::
Swim: 32:09
Swim Pace: 1:37/100
Bike: 3:09:53
Bike Pace: 17.7/mile
Run: 2:25:36
Run Pace: 11:07/mile
Overall: 6:17:50

:: 2006 Results ::
Swim: 42:00
Swim Pace: 2:12/100
Bike: 3:16:54
Bike Pace: 17.06/mile
Run: 2:26:16
Run Pace: 11:09/mile
Overall: 6:35:17

:: The Good ::
I found a great taco joint in Oceanside called “Diego’s”, so if you ever get a chance to eat there, they don’t skimp on the portions. They could use some salsa making lessons, but otherwise a good taco joint.

There is a cool store out in Carlsbad called AquaSphere. The chick there told me I should really think about getting a swimming hood for the race. She said they were flying off the shelves. Hmmm, $12, fine. Cool store, has everything you need (except for flanged ear plugs because Speedo discontinued them). In the end, that hood was awesome and she was awesome for suggesting it. Putting my face in the water took a bit of getting used to, it was quite cold.

Gas lamp district in San Diego, more yummy food (saved this meal for after the race). Quality time with wifey. Nice bottle of an Aussie Shiraz. Made the race pains go away real quick (of course, so did wifey)!

I got a great night’s sleep before the race. This is unusual for me as I normally can’t sleep in anticipation of the race. Yay!

:: The Bad ::
Ladies, I love you. You look great in spandex. But is it necessary to wear pink? I don’t mind you blowing by me. I don’t mind you blowing by me and having a “53” on your calf, but pink? Why not just rub salt in the wound?

Senior citizens, yes I respect you. You’re out there doing what most guys your age can’t. The fact is, you’re out there doing what guys (take me for instance) with a “33” on their calves can’t do. I don’t mind you blowing by me with a “68” on your calf, but do you have to make it look so damn easy?

:: The Ugly ::
Alright, I know I’m a pretty slow dude. I have aspirations of greatness and I’m pretty vocal about it when I’m not riding. But when I’m riding I’m really a quiet guy. In fact, I’m usually in my own world. It gives me pause to consider things like that whole 2-3 bike length gap rule between riders. And now after this race, I have a completely different perspective on that rule. I’m now of the opinion that the 2-3 should be changed to 4-6.

In front of me was this hot chick.
In back of me, nobody.
In front of her, nobody.
She looks to the left.
I look to the left.
She looks to the right.
I look to the right.
She stands up.
I scratch my head.
She empties bladder.
I shriek in terror.

2-3 bike lengths my ass…

:: The Race ::
My swim was horrible. I hadn’t been in the pool for over a month. Going from 1:37 to 2:12 made me want to cry. I’m a very good swimmer, in fact that’s my strongest discipline. I’m not surprised by the results, just sad.

My ride was pretty good, except for the part I described above. I ate and drank much better this year. I hadn’t completed a long ride in about a month, so I can’t be all that disappointed with the results. I came off the bike feeling great. The year before I think I had blown my legs out, so this felt much better.

My run was probably the most surprising. I don’t know how to explain it. I ran the entire way, but my time indicates that I shuffled… Last year I ran walked because of a plantar fascia tear, but this year I had no reason to walk and walked only on a couple of the aid stations. So imagine my surprise when I found out I actually ran slower. They did change the run course to have a 300 yard beach run (x4), but I ran all of that as well.

I ended the race in much different fashion than last year. Last year I was spent – completely. It was my first half and I was reaching when I did that race. This year I was ready to finish a marathon, so I’m a bit disappointed that I didn’t push it as hard as I probably could have.

I have to say that I didn’t respect the race as I should have. The month leading up to the race I skipped more workouts than I completed and in the last few months I didn’t really taken care of my diet. I expected the great improvement that I got from the Los Angeles triathlon to carryover to this distance, but I didn’t put in the work to make it happen. I certainly didn’t realize my potential and for that I am sad. This race was a wake-up call to get my ass in gear or I’ll end up DNF at Ironman CDA this summer.

I had fun. I feel great. I got to see Michellie Jones finishing her race (I was just starting my run when she was coming in). That was pretty cool. I learned some valuable lessons. Next year will be my redemption. In fact CDA will be my redemption if it’s not too late.

Thank you to the Volunteers. Thank you to the USMC ?- I love these guys. Thank you to the spectators. Thank you to the chick that pee’d on me (no, not really). This is still the best race venue that I’ve participated in. Thank you Ironman.






Last updated: 2006-03-21 12:00 AM
Swimming
00:00:00 | 1056 meters | / 100meters
Age Group: 0/
Overall: 0/
Performance:
Suit:
Course:
Start type: Plus:
Water temp: 0F / 0C Current:
200M Perf. Remainder:
Breathing: Drafting:
Waves: Navigation:
Rounding:
T1
Time: 00:00
Performance:
Cap removal: Helmet on/
Suit off:
Wetsuit stuck? Run with bike:
Jump on bike:
Getting up to speed:
Biking
00:00:00 | 56 miles | 0.00 mile/hr
Age Group: 0/
Overall: 0/
Performance:
Wind:
Course:
Road:   Cadence:
Turns: Cornering:
Gear changes: Hills:
Race pace: Drinks:
T2
Time: 00:00
Overall:
Riding w/ feet on shoes
Jumping off bike
Running with bike
Racking bike
Shoe and helmet removal
Running
00:00:00 | 13.1 miles |  min/mile
Age Group: 0/
Overall: 0/
Performance:
Course:
Keeping cool Drinking
Post race
Weight change: %
Overall:
Mental exertion [1-5]
Physical exertion [1-5]
Good race?
Evaluation
Course challenge
Organized?
Events on-time?
Lots of volunteers?
Plenty of drinks?
Post race activities:
Race evaluation [1-5]

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2006-03-21 2:29 PM

Elite
2458
20001001001001002525
Livingston, MT
Subject: California Half Ironman


2006-03-21 4:07 PM
in reply to: #375689

User image

Subject: RE: California Half Ironman

Congrats, and thanks for the honest report.  Not many races make you take stock like that, eh?  I don't have the guts yet to consider an iron distance.

hey, at least she was hot :^

2006-03-21 6:18 PM
in reply to: #375689

User image

Master
1661
10005001002525
Newbury Park, CA
Subject: RE: California Half Ironman

You know some people pay good money for what she did to you.

Nice meeting you and lets get cracking for CDA!

2006-03-22 11:54 AM
in reply to: #375689

Subject: ...
This user's post has been ignored.
2006-03-22 12:52 PM
in reply to: #375689

Pro
3705
20001000500100100
Vestavia Hills
Subject: RE: California Half Ironman

Sheesh, this confirms what I have always thought: girls can pee anywhere, anytime. (Given the 55 degree water temps, not sure what was worse - being peed on or having the swim 1.2 miles in bone freezing water.)

Nevermind the time, you finished with the bonus of having a lesson learned - by not training as much as you have liked, your disappointment over these race splits will be the motivation to get out of bed at o'dark:30 to swim/run/bike.

2006-03-22 1:53 PM
in reply to: #375689

Crystal Lake, IL
Subject: RE: California Half Ironman

I'm  trying to find a RR from a girl in this race who said she had some stalker guy drafting her and couldn't shake him or find a race official so finally she just peed on him.

 I'll keep looking.

Nice race, by the way.  You still did something amazing and good luck with IMCDA!

 



2006-03-23 11:42 AM
in reply to: #375689

Pro
4206
20002000100100
Los Angeles, CA
Subject: RE: California Half Ironman
Great race and funny report!
2006-03-23 3:04 PM
in reply to: #375689

Champion
5495
5000100100100100252525
Whizzzzzlandia
Silver member
Subject: RE: California Half Ironman

Chucky! Where the He77 have you been lately!?

You did great. I'm happy to read your report and glad you're still out there... I go to your workout logs and they are blank... (!!!) Figured you're either doing stealth under-cover training, or you've taken up Couch potatoe-ing. Am glad it's the former, not the latter... or the latter, not the former... whichever... you know, I never quite got that phrase down.

 

Anyway, Congratulations.  Nice work. You are going to ROCK IMCDA. Can't wait to see how you do.

 

Smile!
Whizzzzzzzzz

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