Start went fine and actually managed to find on pair of feet to draft off on the front straight. This was the first time I've drafted so it was kind of hit or miss but went well until I realized we were WAY to the outside. Left him and went straight (at this point diagonally) to the 1st turn. Rest of the swim was pretty uneventful except for a girl who actually swam right over me. Just kept a steady, though not hard pace and eventually I was at the finish. Slowed down and peed right before I exited the water. I got a little discouraged at the end when I looked around and only saw one other yellow cap but didn't dwell on it too much.

Better sighting. I mostly just followed the feet and they led me way outside on the front, then sighted 3-4 buoys ahead on the back straight and ended up way outside again.

Didnt really rush this but it went fine.

Nothing.

Went out slow to get Hr down to Z2 which I did by Rt. 36. Plan was to keep HR down in z2 for 1st 20 miles, upper z2 for middle 20 miles and then low z3 to the end and except for some of the hills I did exactly that. Took in either shot bloks, gel or accelrade every 20 minutes. 1st lap felt really easy although my back started geting sore about 10 minutes in. Many, many people passed me the 1st 1/2 of Rt. 36 but I just stuck to my pace. Stopped to pee about 1/4 of the way into the 2nd lap and then for the lasp 1/2 of the 2nd lap I passed a bunch of people (though most of them had more gray hair than me). Traded back & forth with a guy but he was the only one who passed me. By the end my back & feet were really sore and I just could not wait to get off my bike.

I probably was more conservative than I could have been. My bike leg was by far the worst of the three disciplines compared to the rest of the field. Even though this was an especially strong field I think it means I should've gone harder.

Nothing special here, just took it kind of leisurely. Ran a few steps then remembered my gels so I went back for them but didn't lose too much time.

Just remember my gels. And reapply sunscreen. My shoulders got fried.

Left t2 and thought to myself "oh god, how am I going to run 13 miles". Got my hr under control in upper z2 & hit the first mile feeling slow but at 9:30 which I was happy with. I felt comfortable so I decided to try and hold that pace & not pay attention to hr. Almost as soon as I thought that I got a sharp pain/cramp below my left ribcage. I walked a few steps nearing the 1st aid station but pride made me to run into it. Left there at a crawl, but eventually it went away and I even felt pretty strong for a few miles & got into a rhythym of gatorade & water (drink a sip & the rest over my head) at each station. My legs started feeling really fatigued around mile 6 and at that point I decided to not worry about my pace and just not walk any part of the rest (except for the aid stations - walked thru all of them). The 2nd hill on the 2nd lap nearly killed me, but once I made it up I knew the worst was behind. Found a girl who had a nice, quick cadence so I matched her for a while until about mile 10.5. I looked at my watch which said 5:43 and I thought "if you can just do 10/mile for the rest you can get in under 6 hours", so I left her behind. Should have counted on my fingers because about 1/2 mile later I realized I had 2 miles to go not one so I eased off my pace and just kept it steady to the end. It was a weird feeling the last 3-4 miles because it was just willpower to keep my legs moving even though it didn't feel like the next step would be the last like in the Oly.

Run more. Longest run in training was only about 12 miles. Should've had another gell or two. I only had 1 at about mile 6 and I felt its boost about a mile later. But other than the weird cramp and a little sidestitch I had no cramping or stomach issues at all.

Walked briefly & sat down with the BT group who were well into their post-race. Sat in the shade & chatted with a couple I didn't know then went home & slept. Felt like throwing up anytime I stood or moved so I missed out on the food & beer.


I probably don't have much more than the minimum base required for doing this distance.


Did a little faster than what I thought although I was hoping to go under 6 hours. Overall I was surprised with how much of the race I felt good for. It was only the last 3/4 of the bike & run that felt really hard. Considering this time last year my longest run:~3 miles, bike: ~30 miles, swim ~1300m. It's hard not to compare myself to other people I know who are much faster but overall I ran the race I wanted and I'm happy to have a respectable time for my 1st HIM and feel good doing it.