The Timberman was my first half-ironman this past weekend.
It was the best organized race I have been to yet, on so many levels.
If nothing else the number of porta-pottys was enough to keep the line
moving at a good pace. Which is a nice change. I can't say enough good
things about how well executed it was.
If you did the Timberman this past weekend, you can thank/blame me for
the sun coming out... I forgot my sunglasses and hat, and now have a
fantastic sunburn to show for it.
I made my goal of less than 6.5 hours, barely.
THE SWIM
As I watched everone in their wetsuits, milling about before the swim,
I had to laugh a little thinking of "The Life Aquatic with Steve
Zissou"...
"leaches... check for leaches... what... I'm the only one that got hit..."
The swim went well (for me). This was my first time swimming with
wetsuit for any prolonged time and it worked.
I had to stop and look where I was going every 10 strokes or so and I
only had to get shepherded by a kayak once. Between not having my
glasses and my goggles fogging up it would take me a little while to
find the bouy. The strobe lights on the police boats where a huge
help. I figured frequent navigational checks would be better than
swimming all over the lake. Given all that, I was happy with my 45 min
time for a swimming moron like me.
T1
This one was way slow (to the point of embarrassment)... lets count the
reasons.
1) Wrestle my way out of the wet suit.
2) I'm still using my mountain biking shoes... Mid season I could only
find carbon fiber trishoes, not their plastic little brothers.
3) and the real kicker... as I was leaving the transition area I forgot
my Camelbak and had to double back and get it. Doh!!!
THE BIKE
I really enjoyed the bike ride. I saw a lot of people getting flats,
which I thought was odd because the course was swept really well.
Running their tires under/over inflated maybe?
Biking though the New Hamshire countryside is always nice. The police
in the half dozen townships that the race when through did a great job
keeping the traffic and bikes separated.
I set a new max speed record on my bike down a wicked long hill, 42
mph!!!! That was fun.
At one point I got an "on your left" and I looked over. Passing me were
5 riders in a tight formation and I thought "good thing we are not
drafting". I chuckled two seconds later when I saw the official ride by
right behind them scribbling in his notebook. Busted.
I was happy to see that I brought the right amount of fluids, I
finished my camelbak (water/poweraid mix) and 3/4 of my water bottle
(water only).
T2
This transition was much better. A number belt would have made it go
faster. The sun at this point was brightly shining so I lost a little
time digging though my bag for my hat... Did I mention that I forgot my
hat and sun glasses. Based on sunburn I now have, the sun block I
applied before the swim had worn/washed off during the first four
hours... shocking...
THE RUN
I like running, I enjoy marathons. It has been a very long time since a
run has kicked my ass like that. WOW. Well it is good to get humbled
occationally.
I recognized early on that I was more tired than I thought would be. So
I went with the plan of walking a little at each mile marker and water
stop to try to hold off the fatigue. It had also gotten pretty bright
and sunny. I was able to keep pretty cool by dumping water/sponges over
me at every opportunity, so I never felt bothered by the heat. The
glare and bright sun shine I could have done without. If only they made
something I could put on my head to block the sun... a sunblocker... or
glasses that were not completely clear... Those would be a help.
I was able to run it in and, dispite coming close, I didn't vomit at
the end. Which either means I was playing it smart, or I could have
gone a little faster.
On the whole an awesome event, definately a good experiance for the
ironman plan.
roger
--
To email me, remove the greeting from my email address.
(for athletes) The Digital Athletic Log http://rogercortesi.com/athleticlog/
(for nerds) The Online Equation Editor http://rogercortesi.com/eqn/