5430 Half Ironman
Let me start by saying that this last week was one of the most stressful weeks I have ever had. I was very nervous if I was up to the swim. As many of you know, I am not a strong swimmer, and have only been swimming a very short time. My longest open water swim to date: 750M in my Sprint this past June.
Wake up 4am.
Believe it or not I got plenty of sleep. There was piece of mind knowing, one way or the other “I Swim tomorrow”!
Eat two strawberry pop tarts, one cereal bar, half banana. Got to transition area got my gear down.
Went down to the beach and saw what 1.2 miles looks like marked off on the water, I actually laughed out loud (Causing much amusement to the Boulder Tri crowd)!
6:45am- The guns goes off!
SWIM
I did a little breast stroke to start, and then switched to free, I got about 200M in or so, and had a full, complete raging PANIC ATTACK. I stopped tried to catch my breath, and couldn’t get it together. I decided that I needed more training in the swim- HIM next year. So, I started to turn around and go back to the shore.
It occurred to me that despite how afraid I was, swimming back to the shore and going home seemed worse. I stopped again in the water.
I floated watching the swimmers from the next wave come at me, and I said F%$k it. I turned around and started swimming toward the first Buoy. I got out a distance and saw a kayak and thought about a rest, but I figured this was it, “if I stop I am done”. So I just kept swimming. I finally found a grove, and kept going……
When I made the first turn I started getting more confident. I was shouting motivational words to myself under water one word on each stroke (corny, huh)? I also found that I was most comfortable swimming free! When I stopped to breaststroke or look around, that was harder on me.
I actually ended up ENJOYING the swim! And I swam the last part HARD! I got out of the water at 44:44 minutes. (I wonder how far I really swam)
Finishing this was the most rewarding thing I think I have ever done.
T1 6:21.
BIKE
I got on the bike and away I went. Did I mention that my left calve was cramping in the water? Yeah.
So…I spent the first 40 Miles with a Charlie horse that was incredibly painful, and would not go away! I got off the bike several times to stretch- no help. I was super hydrated from the last couple of days, so I don’t know the issue.
On the bike I managed 3 GU packs and 5 bottles of Gatorade Endurance (Gatorade, I know, it was on the course-so easy) I felt great (other then the pain in my left calve) great energy so far. I held back knowing it would be close to 100 degrees on the run.
BTW- I peed 3 times on the bike! (I stopped, not actually ON the bike)
Two loops- off the bike felling great-3:19/ 16.8mph (not bad with all the stops)
T2 3:52-had to go back for my bib number. But other than that pretty smooth.
RUN
2 Loop run-No shade… at all.
I actually felt great for the first loop. I held back a lot, figured if I had it on the second loop, I would go.
My first goal REALLY was just to finish, but my secret goal was under 7 hours, and maybe 6.5 if I had a great day.
For the first loop I was holding way back to 9:30 miles and walking the aid stations to pour water on me and such. REALLY HOT! This seemed very easy.
I really wish I had trained more in the heat. The second loop was tough. I couldn’t stomach the Gels I had planned on taking, so I went back to the Gatorade. I felt a little light headed at times but I felt OK. I just couldn’t get going fast, my heart rate was down, my legs were OK, I just couldn’t get it going in the heat, it was kinda weird.
I finished the run in a disappointing 2:36. I had enough to run the last mile fairly fast and finish with a smile.
6:51-
I heard there were almost 60 DNF! I finished WAY at the bottom of the pack, almost dead last. But that’s Boulder, I guess.
I was feeling OK with my time until I saw that I finished 749/884 finishers. 
I celebrated two years of sobriety on the 5th, and I was all “teary eyed” when I crossed the line. (So much for the tough guy image) My family was all there. (I’ll save that exchange for me)
So… I am OK with the race time. I wish I could have finished the run stronger, but it was only my second Tri ever.
And when I should have been doing my longest BRICK workouts, I was off the bike completely with a bad knee for a month.
(My next HIM will certainly be at sea level and not so hot)!
Quit making excuse Irish! –OK, I am done.