Rock 'N RollMan Half Iron Triathlon - Triathlon1/2 Ironman

Swimming is definitely my weak spot and I do not ever "find" enough time to practice. It would probably do me good to take some swim lessons. I made the mistake of buying some new prescription goggles at the expo and using them without trying them out in the water. They felt good and appeared to have good suction to my face, but the right eye leaked like a sieve during the swim. Even though the race was wetsuit legal I found that the full suit was too hot during the swim.

Wear my normal swim goggles.

I have always taken my wetsuit completely off before getting out of the water. Had a little trouble getting it off of my feet this time.

Apply body glide to my ankles. Try and get more swim training.

Felt pretty good on the bike. Passed quite a few people and was passed by a few. Wondered if I was going too hard. Tried to drink both water and Gatorade Endurance on a regular basis. Ended up taking 5 gels and popping quite a few Endurolytes.

Work on my nutrition plan.

I prefer to just run in my bike shoes during T2.

Not much.

Running has always been my strongest part of the race. Started out feeling pretty good, but got severe leg cramps in both my lower quads after less than 1/4 mile. I didn't think I'd be able to finish the run and could hardly even walk. I managed to stretch them a little and just started shuffling along with baby steps and was able to loosen them up a bit. Made it to the first aide station, downed a gel, some water and flat coke, wrapped a cold rag around my neck and just kept going. Walked through every aide station and got either gels, Endurolytes, Heed and/or water or a combination of all of them. Got a fresh ice cold rag to place around my neck every chance I got. Was actually able to sprint the last 1/4 to 1/2 mile, but did not feel comfortable picking up the pace any earlier with fears of returning leg cramps in the back of my mind.

Work on race nutrition. Hated that both my legs cramped up. Realized that my Zoot tri shorts had rubbed me raw in a certain area during the run. Wore the shorts for all my long training rides with no problems, but they don't do well during bricks.

Rinsed off under the shower tent. Took a short swim in the lake. Could hardly walk due to extremely sore quads.


Leg cramps. Even with the cramps I managed to better my time from last year by over 15 minutes. Had improved times in every discipline.


This was the second year doing this race and only my second HIM. I think Setup Events puts on a good race and do not have any complaints.