Troika - My First Half Ironman

Yesterday I competed in a TROIKA, a half Ironman (1.2 mile swim, 56 mile bike, 13.1 mile run).  My goal was to finish and finish I did.  Wahoooo!!!!

I caught a bus from downtown Spokane to the start of the race at medical lake.  It was cramped to say the least because it was a regular school bus into which not only each competitor but entered, but their bikes as well.  Bikes were on top of the seats, between the seats, every which way.

We arrived at the race at 6 AM and proceeded to get ready.  This involved having your number written on your body, pulling on wet suits, laying out the biking gear for the transition from swimming, and putting running gear into a bag so that the race volunteers could hand it too you once the biking portion was completed.  For the most part I had ample time until ten minutes before the race when I realized that my wet suit was on backward (the zip goes in the back silly) and so I quickly had to change it round.  (Yes, aside from trying it on, this was my first time ever in a wet suit.)  It is not advisable to be trying gear for the first time on the day of the race but I did that in several areas anyway.  Furthermore, while standing at the starting line I noticed that the seal around my swim goggles had fallen off (only my second time wearing them) so I hurriedly when about attaching it before the buzzer. 

In preparation for the race I had trained for swimming a total of four times, twice in a lake and twice in a pool.  On top of that, I am a really bad swimmer.  The biggest obstacle of the entire race for me, therefore, was to finish the swim and I was quite skeptical that I would be able to.  If my nervousness about swimming wasn't bad enough, I learned during the pre-race meeting that last year a competitor drowned, which didn't help my confidence much.

The race start wasn't as bad as I was prepared for.  Sure, it was crowded and swimmers were running into each other but for the most part I felt that everyone tried not to kick each other and the splashing and swallowing of water was minimal for me.  Congestion was reduced because the men started five minutes before the women and relay teams. 

Given that this was my first time swimming with a wet suit I was pleasantly surprised by how much flotation it provided.  This made swimming so much easier and as I rounded the 2nd of eight buoys I had little doubt I would be able to finish.  I emerged from the water after about 48 minutes, which is slow but not last.

Biking was going well until about mile eight (maps available here).  While making a sharp turn I got a flat.  Stupidly I hoped that just pumping it up would suffice but two miles later it was flat again and I had to stop and replace the tube.  By this time my CO2 cartridge (another first for me) was empty and I had to resort to manual pumping.  At this point I must have been pretty close to last.  The remainder of the bike was pretty much uneventful.  There was not much altitude change from the start to the finish but I was surprised and the amount of of hills.  My total time at the completion of the bike and transition to running was 4.5 hours.

The run was hot to say the least.  Water stations were dispersed about every two miles and at each one I drank two cups of Gatorade.  By the time I started the run, I was confident that I could finish in the allotted time and as a result I walked a significant part.

I finished the entire race in 7.5 hours.  Certainly far from the head of the pack but 30 min before the cutoff. 

Summary:

• Swimming is tons easier with a wet suit.
• Flat tires don't magically fix themselves when you pump them up.  You must fix the flat or change the tire.  Duh!
• Energy bars are too chewy to eat while biking.  I imagine that energy goo would be a lot better.
• The race is significantly harder without any support from folks you know, cheering you on, collecting your gear, providing encouragement, pushing you not to take it easy, etc.  Along the way were chalk writings on the pavement along with spectators spurring contestants on and I am sure having someone you know cheering for you makes a huge difference.
• My goal was to finish and at the end of the bike section I was confident I could do this.  As a result, I felt fine about walking a significant part of the run.  Next time (if there is such a thing) I need a goal that will motivate me to try harder.