The swim was fairly calm (wave-wise) for the first 300 yards, then we got into open water and I started getting pummelled by wave after wave. I thought there mus be a big ass boat out there going back and forthe making waves.
I did my best to replicate the long stroke that I had during my final swim on Saturday, but I couldn't do it. I lose alot of speed when my stroke shortens up. There was this one guy, who seemed to be in frnt of me no matter how I corrected. However, I couldn't draft off of him because he kept stopping every 50 yards and started doing breaststroke. That was irritating. I also hate when people touch my feet. I don't care if they draft, but keep their darn hands off of my toes.
After we got to the bouy, I got some open water, and my pace picked up. However the timing of the waves kept trying to roll me over or just hold my left arm back.
I didn't get the least bit tired on the swim, and could have gone another lap. that was sort of the goal, since I knew of the daunting task ahead of me when I got out of the water

I think at my next half, I will push the swim a little harder. I think that I can go 8 -12 minutes faster for that distance. Next time, the whole half IM won't be so scary to me. I know that pushing harder on the swim won't affect my bike and run.

I took my time in T1, in order to make sure I had everything. I put on a sleeveless bike jersey on over my trisuit so I could house a couple of bananas and take on an extra water bottle if needed. I also ate half of a banana in T1. Kind of trotted into and out of T1. Pretty Casual.
Even though I took my time, I still forgot to grab my gloves. It is a good thing the temperatures were down and my hands didn't sweat too much.

Next year I will work on Transitions. As far as T1 and T2 time in proportion to my total time, It was pretty minor.

I had nothing in my quads to start the leg. the first 12-14 miles were a struggle. But I hung with it, got my speed where the course was willing to give it without the wind taking it back and waited for my legs to come out of their funk. The start was like Azelea all over again, except not as slow.
After mile 14, I started feeling better, but my quads never lost the tired feeling. I passed my buddy and his neighbor who came out to cheer me on at the Shearon Harris Spur, which helped motivate me.
The second third of the course is where most of the major climbs take place. I felt pretty good through this section. I was passing people, getting passed and was kind of in a good groove. The only negative of this leg is I started getting a pain in the back of my knee. Not enough to affect my ride, but irritating just the same.
The last third of the ride is uneventful, but sneaky long and had an uphill tone to it. It took alot of mental energy to stay with it for the last 15 miles.
Needless to say, I was looking forward to getting off the bike. If I only knew.....

I rode the bike course at almost the same speed that I rode it in training. I think if my legs weren't out of it for the first 14 miles, I could have gone 5 minutes faster.

I again took my time, making sure I did everything. As I was finishing the bike leg, the second individual finisher was going down the finisher's chute. I figured that winning the race was now out of the question, why push it.

See above.

I somehow thought that the excitement and motivation of the race would give me enough gumption to run up those hills. Folks, let me tell you that all of that excitement was gone before I hit the first big hill.
This run was one of the hardest things I have ever had to accomplish in my life. My legs were tired at the start of the run, the hills were daunting and I couldn't make my legs move fast enough to get my heart rate up.
All I want to say is thank you for all of the inspiration given by Homewiz, Nuthouse and Spot as we crossed paths. My next door neighbor and his sister were also great motivation to get me to the finish line.
I walked most of the uphills and trodded on the flats and downhills. I walked or stopped at the aid stations and thanked every volunteer I saw as well as cheered on every other runner I cam into contact with on the second lap. It didn't matter if they were ahead of me or behind me. I felt like we were a part of the same community. We were the slower participants who were at the edge of their sanity all just wanting to get to the finish.
I crossed the finish line like a champion and emotionless me almost shed a tear over my accomplishment.

Train more on hills. Do more bricks on hills. Not suck at running so much. Pick a number from 1-10.

I walked around as much as I could. Had two bottles of water, 3 Soft Drinks and a Hot Dog. Went home so my wife could take off my shoes, because I certainly couldn't bend over to do it myself.

I also had the chance to meet SportySpice after the race. She did great, and was probably crossing the finish about the same time as NutHouse.


I think the two major factors that affected my performance were the difficulty of the course and my fear of the race leading up to it.


There were 175 volunteers for 500 participants, or approximately .35 volunteers each. I hate to tell you, but I think I used other peoples volunteers to serve my drinks on the run course.