I did it!
I completed my first half Ironman. A 1.2 mile swim, 56 mile bike ride and a 13.1 mile run.
It was a blast.
We woke up at 5am to a cold misty dark morning and made our way to the Russian River in Sonoma. My group did not go off till 7:42 so once I set up my bike we got to watch a couple of the other groups start. At about 7:30 we made our way into the water. I was one of two guys in the 29 and under group not wearing a wetsuit but with water temps at about 72 degrees, it felt fine. The start of the swim was a cluster fuck, bumping and swimming over top of people but after about 10 min it spread out. At the half way point of the run the water got so shallow you had to stand to make the turn. Very strange. I got hit in the head a couple of time on the way in but finish a respectable 38 min. 25th of 35 in my age group.
After getting on the bike, I cruised through the first 10 miles just letting the cold get out of my legs and trying to pace myself focusing on keeping my average mph above 17. Around mile 24 I was passed by a friend and that helped me to pick up the pace. I road well (for me at least) till about mile 40 then the cramps started to creep in. I got to the hill at mile 46, it’s only about 403 feet tall but its steep, and after several hours on the bike it felt like an eternity. My legs were shot and they were cramping. I tried to stand up and pedal which cost me some time; My legs never really recovered from that.
The course was "very challenging" says Triathlon Magazine and I agree. I finished the bike in 3:24, not sure what the place in the age group was, but I am sure it was damn near the back.
The run course started flat, thank God, but my legs were still screaming and I was forced to walk a little to let some of the lactic acid in my legs break up. By mile 2 I was up and running at a 10 minute mile pace but I was able to run a bit faster through the middle. The course was tough with some solid climbs that hurt but I was pretty happy with my legs, considering how bad I was hurting coming of "Hate Machine" (my new official name for my bike). For the last 5 miles the cramping was starting to come back. I would run about half a mile then walk for about 25 yards then run again. I did that for the most part till the last mile. As we came in for the finish I just tried to ignore the pain and pushed through. I could hardly drag my legs across the finish but I finished. My half marathon was 2:08 about 9.8 min mile pace. Not too bad all things being considered. I was 29th in my age group.
After 6 hours and 15 minutes I was done. It was the first time I had ever ridden my bike over 48 miles or had run more then 11 and I have never done any workout that lasted more than 3 hours but I did it.
People told me that once I finished the 1/2 Ironman I would want to do a full. And I can say whole heartedly that those people are wrong. Don't get me wrong it was a great experience but I don't need to kill myself for 12+ hours. Maybe one day but not any time soon.
I do want to thank everyone for the support and well wishes.
6:15
