The first 3-4 minutes of the swim was one of the most painful! I felt this searing pain on my face and between my eyes from the cold water. I finally got adjusted to the water and settled into a good pace. As I was walking out of the water after the first loop, my watch read a little over 13 minutes. SWEET! I was a little dizzy/light headed after the first loop and decided I didn't need to run on the beach for the second loop. I felt good on the second loop and my body was used to the water temperature. My navigation and rounding the bouys was spot on. I was able to "dolphin" into the water on the second loop which was fun.

Nothing. Maybe some sub-artcic swims to get used to the cold water. Or rent a dry suit instead of just a full. :)

Run to the transition area was up a slight hill on the sidewalk with some gravel and then eventually onto the grass. Once in the transition area, I ran into some problems getting my wetsuit off. It was stuck on my calves/heels and since my hands and feet were numb, I couldn't get it off easy. After what seemed like forever of wrestling with it, I finally got it off. I dried my arms and put on my arm warmers and a l/s jersey. I then sat down and dried off my feet to put on my socks and shoes (a step I would usually skip, but since the water was so cold, I wanted dry feet). I applied more chamios butter, grabbed my bike and was on my way. There was a short, steep run up a dirt hill to the mount line.

Not sure....my sub-par performance in T1 was mostly due to not being able to feel my hands and feet.

Started out breathing pretty heavy and after a mile or two, I settled in. The first half of each loop was net downhill and obviously easier. The second half was net uphill and had more headwinds. I ate a GU every :30 and had plently of water and GU2O that I carried. The first loop seemed to take forever! I finally approached the entrance to Lake Anna and was now on the second loop. I slowly started feeling more fatigued and had a headache approaching. I continued to take a GU every :30. At about the 35 mile mark, I was searching for a port-o-potty and continued looking for the next 10 miles or so. I had to pee so badly and was looking for anywhere to go now...it hurt to be in aero. I finally came upon a water stop where there was a minivan and asked if I could pee behind it. The volunteers thought I was crazy, laughed and said I could. Much better! Back on the bike I continuously felt thirsty, regardless of how much I drank. Earlier, I took off my arm warmers and at my pee stop, I took off my l/s jersey and tied it around my waste. The sun was out and it was warm. I think I overestimated how warm it was and didn't drink enough earlier on the bike. My headache was slowly getting worse and I didn't remember to carry tylenol with me or have it in transition area. I made the right turn into the park and was now in the last few miles of the bike. I rode past the runners to the dismount line.

Drink more and drink earlier and carry tylenol.

There was a short, steep, dirt downhill into the transition area. I had no issues finding my rack or racking my bike. I sprayed myself with sunscreen before heading out on the run.

Nothing...maybe just hustle more. I feel like I took my time

This was one of the most awful, painful runs ever. I came off the bike dehydrated and with a headache. I tried to run the few flats and dowhills and then walk the uphills and it progressed to me walking almost all of the 13.1 miles. I saw Brad on my first lap, his second. We walked together for a little before he started running again. I then saw Laura on her second lap, looking strong as ever! I didn't see Tim at all, and saw Ron once or twice.
I tried to take a GU every :30 and it was more and more difficult to do this. My headache was getting worse and I started feeling nauseous with my stomach feeling sloshy (eventually progressing into a full fledged migrane). I stopped taking the GU (not sure if that helped or hurt) and continued with water and then oranges at the aid stations. The sun was blaring and there wasn't much shade. I carried by water bottle with me and was squirting my head with water to keep cool. At the turn around, my head was screaming, but I knew I was on the last lap. The second run lap was very lonely, hot and painful. I kept switching sides of the road to find the most shade. I made it to the turn around at the end and knew I had less than 5K to go. I tried to walk at a steady pace, but couldn't ever feel painfree. I tried taking off my visor and sunglasses to easy my headache, but the sun was strong and in my eyes. At around the 11 mile mark, I felt dizzy and like I may throw up. I didn't want to stop and sit because I was afraid I wouldn't get up. After a slow mile, I made it to the 12 mile marker and knew I had only a short bit left. I really wanted to break 7 hours, but knew after starting the second loop it would be a stretch because of how I felt. I started running again once I was on a downhill and the lake/finish line was in sight. I saw Brad on my way to the finish and both were such an awesome sight. I crossed the line running, which caught me by surprise.

Hydrate more on the bike and carry tylenol. Looking back, I probably should have continued eating GU. I just wasn't sure if it would have stayed down.

I couldn't even hug Brad, I felt so awful. I found some shade to sit and take off my shoes before crying because of how much pain I was in. I waded in the cold lake water up to my knees with Brad, Tim and Laura before packing up my transition bag.
For hours after the race, I still had a ripping headache and felt nauseous.
Finally, about 4 hours after the race ended, I felt almost human again.


Uber headache probably caused by not drinking enough and not having tylenol with me.


The race was one of the most painful. I am glad I did it, but it hurt. I don't think I would do another April HIM again. The course was pretty good...I liked the swim and bike courses, but the run course was pretty boring. There weren't enough aid stations on the bike and there was a serious shortage of port-o-potties in tbe bike course. It may not be fair though...my only other HIM comparison is Eagleman. Overall, it was a well run race with a good swag.