I experienced a panic attack at the beginning of my Timberman HIM swim just 6 weeks ago. It appears that this race director was unable to gain lifeguard support as the course was changed to run along the shoreline. We were directed to stay to the right of the buoys which would put us along the shoreline. I started out closer to the buoys while the "fast" swimmers seemed to stay closer to shore as it might have been a bit shorter. There was very little traffic out by the buoys and I had the best swim yet of my 5 triathlons.

I slacked off on my swim training after the HIM as I knew that this would be a wetsuit legal swim and I could "get by". You will note that I finished 1 spot off of the podium - I paid the price for being lazy!

There was a run up a pretty steep hill after getting out of the water. Most everyone was walking and I tried to keep a steady run cadence up the hill. When I got to transition I took off my wetsuit and lost time there. I have yet to master the art of getting the darn thing off.

Practice getting out of the wetsuit.

My plan was to go out hard on the bike and try and survive on the run. I rode the bike course the day before and knew that it was relatively flat and not too technical. I passed many people in the wave in front of me and I was only passed by a couple of people (one was in the wave behind me). The race advertises the bike as being 13 miles but my bike computer had it at 13.5. Also, there was a 13 mile marker - pretty funny to see that on a 13 mile course. I attempted to average 20 MPH so my pace above factors in a little longer course. I never saw anyone in my age group so I started to think that I might be doing OK. Because I was not passing anyone in my age group I kinda settled in. I wish now that I had pushed myself a little harder.

Push a little harder - especially after learning that I missed the podium by 24 seconds.

This was my first transition where I truly felt that I could not have gone any faster. I did not hesitate at all and was out on the run in no time at all.

I may have gained a few seconds if my lace locks were a little looser. It took a few extra seconds to get my running shoes on.

A strong run. Running is my background so I was pretty pleased with this time. I am probably capable of running a quicker 5K but after pushing it on the bike I am pretty happy. I passed many people and no one passed me.

Met up with the family and watched some folks finish. We watched a 10 year old boy come in and it was motivational to my 6 year old son. Turns out that this kid finished 4th in the Under 19 age group. Pretty unfair that a 10 year old has to compete against college kids - geesh. Had some of the grub and headed home. I knew that I had a good race but never believed that I would finish in the top 10 in my AG, never mind 4th.


I would say that this was pretty organized for an inaugural race. The swim should have life guard support and I had to go to the timing company website to get the results this morning. The bike course was more than 13 miles and the run course was advertised as "very fast out and back flat terrain ..." but the truth is that it was rolling hills. Other than that it was well organized.