Vineman - TriathlonFull Ironman

Knowing that I could stand up and rest if I have to (parts of the swim are 4 feet deep), really increased my confidence. I could have pushed the swim more. I still got those calf cramps I always get around 2500 meters. I really want to learn what to do about those. Overall though, this was an outstanding time for me - 20 minutes less than IMAZ

Push it a bit more. I trained to swim faster. I just didn't quite trust that I could without tiring out. More swim races will help with that.

There is a short steep hill immediately after transition. After having fallen off the bike on my last training ride, I decided not to risk it and just ran up the hill with the bike. I think this might have been faster. Transition is a little slower than usual because you have to pack up your swim bag so they can transport it to the finish.

There were not enough aid stations. Aid stations did not have gels (I thought they said they would have Clif Shot). They did not have enough food at the stations either. I ran out of water several times. I really did great on Chalk Hill the first time, but I was very slow the second round.

Really stock my bike with more liquids, more gels, and not rely on aid stations. Stop at the aid station and get some of everything they have rather than just grabbing one thing on the go.

Forgot to take off my gloves. Had to make a port-a-john stop. Forgot where the exit was to head off onto the run course.

I really fell apart. I let myself think too many defeatest thoughts. I was dehydrated and underfed from the ride, and I felt dizzy and just overall exhaustion. Tripped and fell down. Spent time sitting at an aid station. I did much better on the last lap (there are 3). Met up with a guy who was doing about the same pace, we ran the whole last lap pretty much (except the tops of the steep hills), and talked. My spirits rose.

Eat and drink more on the bike. If I feel that bad, stop at an aid station and recuperate early on rather than walking and being miserable. Bring salt tabs - I had some at an aid station and I think they really helped. Find someone to talk to and run with earlier - it really does help.

Walked around. Ate some food, grabbed my stuff to get back to my car.


My psyche. The heat and sun. Lack of liquids and food on the ride.


I don't like the logistics. I had to wait around after the end for about 30 minutes to take a bus back to the start to collect my car. I was cold - there were no space blankets. In the morning, they had us park in a dirt lot - pay $5 and said there would be security and the bus would drop us off there in the evening. When I returned, there was no security, the lot was pitch black, and the bus dropped us off 1/4 mile away from teh lot. Also, as mentioned earlier - no gels, little food at the bike aid stations. And not enough bike aid stations. And there was a somewhat hairy intersection on the bike course where there is a highway interchange, and there was no cop on site.