Was a very slow swim. From the beginning, i was never comfortable. Based on my lack of time in the pool the last few months, not surprising. But I started out towards the back of my wave, passed some people, got passed a bit, and just tried to settle in. I had to breast stroke a few times to catch my breath, but just kept moving. The bouys seemed really far away every time i sighted, and i just figured i was moving very, very slow. As i approached the swim exit, i was happy to be done.

actually train for the swim!!!

my first half ironman, and it was HOT! I took my time getting on my sleeves, calf compression, etc....ran in my shoes through the huge transition area. Just kind of moved slow i guess

not sure

way more hills than i thought, and the lack of heat back in Arkansas this spring really made it hard on me. The first 40 or so miles were pretty good....then i blew a tire. My sister in law got me a fancy CO2 pump with a trigger for Christmas, so i was going to get to try it out. I practiced with it several times at home, and had no problems. Of course, now, i go to load my first CO2, and hissssssssss....all of it leaks out. Down to one CO2 cartridge left. Go to put that one in...hisssssssss....same thing. Now i have no way to fill my tire. So i had to wait for the aid van to come along. It was around 20 min before they got to me. By that time, my hips locked up despite my attempts to keep them loose. They got my tube pumped up for me and i was on my way. Lost about 25 min alone on that flat. The last 15 miles were a grind in the heat and my hips were cramping like a beast! I struggled through and somehow made it back to transistion.

not waste 20-25 min cramping up with a flat tire.

slow....my hips were killing me and tried streching and had to use the porta potty. SLOW

go faster!

HOT.....HOT.........did i mention it was hot? With my legs locked up, and the fact that i was overheating, running this bad boy was not much of an option. It was a combined walk/jog effort. I just cambered through the 3 loop course, jogging when i could, walking when i had to. I dumped about 400 gallons of ice and ice water on myself at each aid station. I loved the support by the locals, out with hoses keeping the runners happy with a nice hose down every so often. By my third loop i was just counting down the miles and ready to be done, but happy to be finishing my first 70.3!!!!! I could have quit many times on the day, but there was no way after training and traveling that far that i was just going to quit on myself. So i pushed though. WHen i hit the final chute, i had to hold back some tears and push to the finish line! Crossed, and all the heat and pain went away!

what could i have done? It was a cold winter/spring here and i had no chance to train in the heat.

drank a bunch of water, grabbed a bit of food, talked with some nice people in the tent, and called my wife. Drove back to the hotel, changed, got some dinner, and went to sleep at 8 and woke up 11 1/2 hours later!!


heat! and the flat tire. I'm going to try the Redman 1/2 in september with more swim work and summer heat training. Bring that time way down!