Chisago Lakes Half Iron Triathlon

I have to say I wasn't in the mindset of having to race a half iron until I actually got on site yesterday morning. Could have had to do with getting up at 3am I suppose :)

Oddly enough I got the same bib number that I did last year - 69! I find it amusing and think I'll have to request it again next year if I compete :)

I got everything setup in plenty of time and jumped in line to hit the bathroom before the start of the race. Unfortunately the lines were moving very slowly and I got out just in time to jump into my wetsuit, run to the beach and 30 seconds later, my wave was starting the swim. I was in Wave 2 of 10 half iron waves.

The swim actually went pretty well. I can get into a rhythm much quicker now than I could in the past. But unfortunately I still have the knack for finding the guy with the sharpest elbows. Just after the half way turn around, I think it was the fast swimmers from Wave 4 were coming up past me and WHAM! Elbow to the face, big swallow of water and goggles off my eyes. I had to stop and very carefully get myself breathing again without panicking. I managed to get back going but shortly after that I was brushed in the face again. Not nearly as traumatic as the first punch but just enough to make me paranoid of anyone around me for the rest of the swim. I think that was the first time in a long time I was severely relieved for the swim to be over!

The bike started out great. I took the time to put my socks on in transition. (Normally anything shorter than a half I don't wear socks on the bike or run). As usual I had people flying by me on the bike the entire course but I felt like I was going much faster than normal. It was a new course this year and over 75% of the roads were newly paved and super smooth. Only one real hill to climb (and for me to say that, you know that means it was a flat course). Just as I was coming into T2, Mark caught up to me. I was relieved to know I'd have him to run with me for the next 13.1!

Luckily we got a bit of cloud cover for the run so it wasn't nearly as hot as last year but the rolling hills were still as 'un fun' as they were last year. Mark had some bothersome knee issues that caused him to have to do a run/walk combo but I stayed with him since it's a millions times better to stay together than to run alone :) I'll go on record for him saying this. It was worth sacrificing my sub 6hr half ironman to cross the finish line together. Congrats to Mark for now officially being a 70.3 triathlete!

Quite a few other TNT-ers were racing and we all met up for a picnic together afterwards. Jen K was nice enough to grill up dogs and brats for us and we wall pitched in snacks. And after seeing Sean with a bottle of Mt. Dew I decided I needed (yes NEEDED) one. That along with a DQ treat later were my celebratory indulgences :)

Body is feeling ok today. It's an off-day when it comes to training. Tonight I have to go get my bridesmaid dress alterations done for Becky and Dave's wedding. I'll have to start putting some effort into cleaning up the tan lines on my back too since the dress is an open back. Tough to do for a triathlete :-P

So if you are interested in my race stats, here they are.