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Timberman - Half Iron - Triathlon1/2 Ironman


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Gilford, New Hampshire
United States
EndorFun
75F / 24C
Overcast
Total Time = 4h 54m 34s
Overall Rank = 240/2140
Age Group = 35-39
Age Group Rank = 49/360
Pre-race routine:

I woke up several times during the night and eventually I shut off the alarm set for 4:45 a.m. I ate a light breakfast and helped get the family into our van...though Maggie did 99% of this task the night before and in the morning, which allowed us to get out of our hotel and headed for Gunstock Resort on time. Gunstock is where we shuttled from to Ellacoya State Park, which is the actual race venue. We made it in good time and without any issues.
Event warmup:

This was mostly standing in porta-john lines, setting up my transition. Walking the transition in both directions, walking along the beach and doing some arm rotations to loosen up my arms. I also submerged myself completely into the water before the horn sounded to get used to the water before the start.
Swim
  • 33m 17s
  • 2112 yards
  • 01m 35s / 100 yards
Comments:

The most amazing thing about this swim was how clear the water was. I could see all of the competitors around me which allowed me to really understand how much space I actually had. It also allowed me to move from one person to another to draft from when I could. The water was a little choppy at times, but I noticed it being choppiest on return trip. This was a solid swim for me and one I can be happy about. I felt strong and confident the whole time. I started out steady and maintained throughout.
What would you do differently?:

Nothing. I'm very happy with how the swim went today.
Transition 1
  • 02m 8s
Comments:

I bypassed the wetsuit strippers (sounds exhotic, but it's volunteers taking your wetsuit off for you...). I was in and out of transition in pretty short order. I expected about a two minute T1 and there it was.
What would you do differently?:

I forgot to put my number belt on which was required during the bike AND run leg. Normally it is only required during the run leg, so I allowed it to slip my mind. I'm disappointed that I made this error, but it was a very minor issue in the end.
Bike
  • 2h 34m 39s
  • 56 miles
  • 21.73 mile/hr
Comments:

It is a well designed and deceivingly fast course for how many hills there are. I think I could have gone faster (maybe averaged more in the 22.3-22.4 range) but it's hard to say.
What would you do differently?:

Although I think I MIGHT have been able to go faster on the ride, I don't think I would change anything. It was a well executed ride.
Transition 2
  • 01m 56s
Comments:

I'm pleased with my T2 performance and I am SO glad that I covered my running shoes with a plastic bag during T1. It started raining toward the end of the ride and it was nice to start the run with dry shoes.
What would you do differently?:

Nothing. It was well done.
Run
  • 1h 42m 34s
  • 13.1 miles
  • 07m 50s  min/mile
Comments:

While cycling I believed I was going to have a good run. Of course this can mean a couple of things. It can mean I'm not riding hard enough on the bike or that it's simply going to be my day.
As it turned out, I wasn't riding quite as fast as I could have been but then again...maybe I did.
When I got off the bike I felt better in T2 than any 1/2 Ironman I had ever done. I took off steady, but controlled and my legs felt springy and light. This was new for me for this event, but I went with it.
Around mile one I connected with a guy named Keith from New Jersey who was clipping along at a similar pace and we were keeping each other motivated and moving. I felt great while running with Keith, but I had to let him go while I made a brief stop at the porta-john. I continued on and the first half of the run still felt wonderful. I looked at my watch with PR's dancing in my head.
  • ..then 7.5 miles came. I started to feel the fatigue really racking up. My hips started to get tight, and my spirits were starting to dwindle.
  • I walked briefly at aid stations, which I hadn't done all race. I knew if I didn't feel any worse, I would do pretty well.
    My hips just kept getting tighter, but I did what I could and continued to walk during aid stations, and once in a while between.
    With only a little over a mile to go I felt a pain on the top of my right foot that reminded me very much of when I "earned" the stress fracture in my left foot. Things were looking a bit grim, but that particular pain continued to come and go.
    I managed a wobble of sorts, but kept on going and I was still on target of meeting my goal of finishing under 5-hours.
    Finally I turned the corner to the long, grassy, straight-away to the finish line. I put one foot in front of the other in my tight-hipped running form, but cruised toward the finish line. I saw my family as I got closer, so I veered over and gave Payton a high five before finally making across the finish line...relieved.
    Chrissie Wellington, the reigning, 3x Ironman World Champion congratulated me on a fine finish and handed me my medal. I half expected her to know who I was since I felt like I knew her from following her career. Of course that was illogical, but I still patted her on the back and told her congratulations as well (she had won the race about an hour earlier).
    What would you do differently?:

    Maybe take the run out a little slower, but I'm not sure. I had committed to myself to try to take the run out a little harder and I didn't feel like I was running too fast early in the race. I felt quite comfortable in my pace.
    I hadn't had the kind of hip pain I experienced during this run in previous runs this year, so I didn't do anything ahead of time to prevent it. I'm wondering if it was manifested from the hilly ride.
    I don't think I would have done anything differently. I gave it what I had under the circumstances.
    Post race
    Warm down:

    I hobbled around...got my food...sat down and ate a bit because I was rather hungry, then I got up again and walked to where my family was. Not long after that, I grabbed my gear and we walked out to the shuttles to take us back to Gunstock.


    What limited your ability to perform faster:

    My hip issue during the run didn't help my situation, and my lack of knowledge of the bike course may have hindered me a little. However, I will not use either of these as excuses because I believe I did the best I could do on the day.

    Event comments:

    The Timberman 1/2 Ironman has been on my radar for a long time. After seeing the photos in Triathlete Magazine and on-line, this was an event I really wanted to do. After having done it, I can honestly say that it was everything I expected. It is a great event and I am glad I took the leap to head east and have the fantastic experience that I did.
    Part of the enjoyment of the Timberman journey is certainly attributed to my fellow BT'ers who I've interacted with along the way. Thanks for sharing this with me!





    Last updated: 2009-10-16 12:00 AM
    Swimming
    00:33:17 | 2112 yards | 01m 35s / 100yards
    Age Group: 60/360
    Overall: 322/2140
    Performance: Good
    Suit: Tri shorts and tri top under long-john QR Wetsuit
    Course: Rectangular course running in a clockwise direction.
    Start type: Wade Plus: Waves
    Water temp: 71F / 22C Current: Medium
    200M Perf. Good Remainder: Good
    Breathing: Good Drafting: Average
    Waves: Navigation: Good
    Rounding: Good
    T1
    Time: 02:08
    Performance: Good
    Cap removal: Good Helmet on/
    Suit off:
    Yes
    Wetsuit stuck? No Run with bike: Yes
    Jump on bike:
    Getting up to speed: Average
    Biking
    02:34:39 | 56 miles | 21.73 mile/hr
    Age Group: 43/360
    Overall: 204/2140
    Performance: Good
    Wind: Some
    Course: This was an interesting course. The elevation charts and driving it make is seem more intimidating than necessary, but that does not mean it wasn't a challenging course. The only thing I wish I would have investigated was the longer flat portions. I think I could have pushed harder in this area if I wasn't anticipating a hill at any moment. The ascents were challenging, but I passed a lot of people during this moments. The descents were often fast and whit-knuckeled. I think I could have gone faster down them if there weren't so many people on the course and if the roads were dry (toward the end when it rained a bit).
    Road: Smooth Dry Cadence:
    Turns: Good Cornering: Good
    Gear changes: Good Hills: Good
    Race pace: Hard Drinks: Just right
    T2
    Time: 01:56
    Overall: Good
    Riding w/ feet on shoes
    Jumping off bike
    Running with bike Good
    Racking bike Good
    Shoe and helmet removal Good
    Running
    01:42:34 | 13.1 miles | 07m 50s  min/mile
    Age Group: 49/360
    Overall: 240/2140
    Performance: Good
    Course: Mostly flat, double out-and-back, yet containing a couple light rolling hills that were more challenging simply because it was being done after swimming 1.2 mi and cycling 56 mi.
    Keeping cool Good Drinking Just right
    Post race
    Weight change: %
    Overall: Good
    Mental exertion [1-5] 4
    Physical exertion [1-5] 5
    Good race? Yes
    Evaluation
    Course challenge Just right
    Organized? Yes
    Events on-time? Yes
    Lots of volunteers? Yes
    Plenty of drinks? Yes
    Post race activities:
    Race evaluation [1-5] 4

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    2010-08-25 7:10 AM

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    Expert
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    Subject: Timberman - Half Iron


    2010-08-25 9:10 AM
    in reply to: #3062539

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    Extreme Veteran
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    Watertown, MA
    Subject: RE: Timberman - Half Iron
    Sam, great race report and great race!  Way to battle out the pain on the run, hope it doesn't wind up being anything serious with the hip/foot.  I think the road being slightly tilted for a good portion of the run plus the legs already being fatigued may have aided in the pain, but it sounds like you battled through it and came in with a hell of a time!

    2010-08-25 10:29 AM
    in reply to: #3062539

    Member
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    Arlington, MA
    Subject: RE: Timberman - Half Iron
    Awesome report and great race
    2010-08-25 11:06 AM
    in reply to: #3062539

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    Master
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    Subject: RE: Timberman - Half Iron
    Very nice race Sam!!! I could have used your tip about covering up the running shoes.
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