Being this is only my 2nd triathlon I did OK with the swimming, especially since my previous long distance swim had only been .75 miles. I did run into a few people and hit a few with my feet. I feel I did more zig zagging than going straight, so that needs to improve. I did try to sight more often(about every 5th to 8th stroke), but still would find myself going to the left more. I usually swim around a 1:45/100 yard rate, so I know I added extra distance with my zig zagging.

Find out what's wrong with my stroke that causes me to not go straight in open water.

With the transition area swampy I had a little problem getting my wetsuit off. My wetsuit did get caught on my heels so that took longer than usual to get off. Getting socks on and putting on bike shoes was more difficult because of soggy transition. Helmet and sunglasses went on quickly. Grabbed bike and tried to find the least muddy area to run through out of transition. Had to dodge someone that fell getting onto their bike right outside of T1. Did a sloppy flying mount, but was just trying to stay away from others. Took a little longer to clip in because of mud on bottom of cleats.

I would have liked to have gotten my wetsuit off quicker, but the condition of the transition area made it more difficult.

1st 30 miles I averaged 22.87 mph. last 26 miles I averaged 21.16 mph.
I felt good for the first 40 miles, but could feel I was getting slower during last 16 miles. I was hoping I could keep a 22 mph average, so I was happy that I accomplished that. You think a flat course will be easier, but you never get a chance to rest during this course. It's constant pedaling the whole time. With that being the case, I probably went too hard for my bike fitness and cooked my legs. Since I just started riding again only 5 months ago(from 30 years off), I'm really happy with that time and speed.

Get better bike conditioning. Go at an easier pace so as not to cook my legs for the run.

The area coming in to T2 was a quagmire. I picked up my bike and carried it through the mud and passed several people doing this. I got my bike shoes and helmet off quickly and decided to put on new socks because of slogging through the mud coming in. Grabbed race belt and visor and out of T2.

I didn't put in a silicone spacer between my toes that I normally run with for longer runs. That was a mistake. Also I think I got my right sock wet before putting on that shoe.

This is the worst I've ever felt during a run. I just didn't have any legs to go at the pace I was hoping for. I usually run an open half marathon around a 7:00 to 7:15 pace, so I was hoping I could run this half at near an 8:00 pace. It just wasn't gonna happen as it took nearly 3 miles before my legs felt somewhat responsive. I wanted to walk in the worst way, but kept shuffling along between water tents. I did walk through the water areas and took in plenty of fluids(probably too much initially). I felt better after mile 7 when I was just getting ice and chewing on that between water stops. My HR got down to where I wanted it around this time(about 152). I did stop at a porta potty about half way through for about a 1 minute break.

Sip on drinks instead of gulp them down. Not cook my legs on the bike portion.

Crossed the finish line and sat in a chair for over 5 minutes. Took in water and then walked around some until I went over to food tent to get some grub.


Going too hard on the bike.


I'm really happy to have completed my first Half Ironman triathlon. Doing this on essentially 5 months of training makes it even more satisfying. I should have trained harder for this(especially biking), but these are the lessons you learn doing it the first time.