Door County Triathlon Half Ironman - Triathlon1/2 Ironman

Good swim, right where I was shooting for. I think the small current on the long back stretch slowed me up a little. Easy to navigate with those giant yellow buoys every 75yds or so.

Stay wider at the buoys, lots of contact with waves ahead of me at the turns.

Good ride, started feeling the heat at about 40mi. I wanted to pace myself easy since this was my first half. I couldn't hold it as easy as I planned, but felt very good mid way and just road the speed that was comfortable. Pushed the last 10 mi pretty good.

Probably go a little harder since I now realize the run is a sufferfest anyway, so just make sure you don't completely cook your legs.

Could not find my spot, not sure why. I was in the right row, but could not find my area. Turns out the guys wetsuit next to me was covering up my number adding a little confusion. Oh well.

Count racks to know where I should be on the bike in.

Rough. I knew it would be, but not as bad as it actually was. Felt strong off the bike and good through 2 mi, then got the heartbeat in the head signal that I was running way too high on my heart rate. Slowed the pace, cooled myself as much as possible at aid stations. It was just plain hot and misserable. Finally after about 4-5mi I got my heart rate to a good level that I was comfortable to run with. Ran strong-ish all the way to the big hill at mile 9. Walked up it with everyone else, I moved faster walking up it than running. Hit the top of the hill, dunked my head, grabbed a towel, good to go and really ready to close out these last 3.5 miles. A half mile after that aid station my calf just started getting that twinge. So I walked it and tried to shake off the cramp. Started running again and instantly seized my left calf. Did the walk/attempted run for another mile before realizing I was stuck to walking if I wanted to finish. I could speed walk but as soon as I began a trot or anything, instant seizing cramp. Took all the gatoraide I could to try and shake them, but nothing. Was able to run down the last hill since I wasn't using my calfs much, but as soon as I hit the last flat (only 200yds from finish) my right calf locked completely and I peg legged ran through the finish.

Try something to prevent those cramps before my next race. I've never had any cramp that bad. I'm sure over 100 heat index had a lot to do with it since I drank as much gatoraide that I could on course. I was dehydrated post race as I'm sure 99% of the people who raced were too. Trying out infinit in the coming weeks to test it out in the heat.

Stretched out my locked calf by the med team. Painful but necessary as it was completely seized.


Heat, dehydration, not enough training in heat.


Overall, good learning experience for my first half iron. As I'm not super happy about my time, looking at the overall and age group position, I did well and right where I realistically wanted to be. Looking back at past results, the time differences were drastically different from last year to this years due to the conditions.