Very kind words from you and Henk. Thanks. I can't believe you did both races!
Yep, I finished and learned several things: I was too low on my handlebars and too far forward at 77 degrees. (Yes, Ves, you told me to stay back at 76 for this distance, you were right, again!) I found myself uncomfortable after about half of the distance, unfortunately, the inevitable sit-uprights came just as the wind was from in front. I averaged almost 23 mph for the first half and slowed to average just over 20 for the entire race. I found I can ride this distance at a HR of 145-150 and not blow up (I'm 45), and can run at 155-160 and not blow up. I also probably went too easy on the swim. When they give you a half full water bottle, TWICE, and you run out of fluid the last 10 miles on the bike, don't panic, it might not be the end of the day after all. Rubber hose tasting water is better than no water, but, I might try taking more with me next time...that's my only complaint about the race...the water situation on the bike course. I can actually beat people that normally should have beat me by 45 minutes (based on our olympic and sprint distance histories, and their 1/2 IM histories). When conditions are really bad, just continually moving forward results in a good finishing order, because apparently many of racers try and race their goal times instead of the racing the conditions of the day. Seeing friends in trouble is heartbreaking. Seeing friends do well is great fun....the longer the race the more these two are true.
A 1/2 IM is an incredible accomplishment, and I now know I can do the whole thing some day. I might even be able to qualify for Kona in my AG!
Quid quid latine dictum sit altum videtur
(That which is said in Latin sounds profound)
Yep, I finished and learned several things: I was too low on my handlebars and too far forward at 77 degrees. (Yes, Ves, you told me to stay back at 76 for this distance, you were right, again!) I found myself uncomfortable after about half of the distance, unfortunately, the inevitable sit-uprights came just as the wind was from in front. I averaged almost 23 mph for the first half and slowed to average just over 20 for the entire race. I found I can ride this distance at a HR of 145-150 and not blow up (I'm 45), and can run at 155-160 and not blow up. I also probably went too easy on the swim. When they give you a half full water bottle, TWICE, and you run out of fluid the last 10 miles on the bike, don't panic, it might not be the end of the day after all. Rubber hose tasting water is better than no water, but, I might try taking more with me next time...that's my only complaint about the race...the water situation on the bike course. I can actually beat people that normally should have beat me by 45 minutes (based on our olympic and sprint distance histories, and their 1/2 IM histories). When conditions are really bad, just continually moving forward results in a good finishing order, because apparently many of racers try and race their goal times instead of the racing the conditions of the day. Seeing friends in trouble is heartbreaking. Seeing friends do well is great fun....the longer the race the more these two are true.
A 1/2 IM is an incredible accomplishment, and I now know I can do the whole thing some day. I might even be able to qualify for Kona in my AG!
Quid quid latine dictum sit altum videtur
(That which is said in Latin sounds profound)
Last edited by:
yaquicarbo: May 12, 03 15:59