Sunday June 7, 2009 was the day I set out to complete a "Whole-Half". The Half Ironman Triathlon, called "Rockman". The Setting was the Rockcut State Park in Rockford, IL. The Half Ironman Distance is 1.2 mile Swim, 56 mile bike and 13.2 mile run. This was my first entrance in the Half Iron distance. The day started at 4:30am with a bagle at the hotel, followed by a short drive to the course. The weather was overcast at 56 degrees, with rain and thunderstorms likely. 
Transition opened at 5:00 with the race beginning at 7:00am. My Tri Team, Multisport Madness had about 30 participants in this race. After setting up transisition, I suited up in the wet suit for a swim warm up. The race began promptly at 7:00 with a mass start (another first). My swim time was 40 mins, I was satisfied with this pace. Out of the water and into T1 at about 7:45, I noticed most of my MSM friends are already out of T1 and I look forward to seeing them on the bike. During the swim, the rain started. The bike course was Hilly for the first 12 miles the flat to the turn around, which meant the last 12 mile were back over the same hills. The hills combined with the rain, made for a challenging ride. During the Ride, I got to see all of the other MSM folks that were ahead of me. They made the turn around point before me, and I got to see them as they were heading back to T2. Adam, Danny, Deb, Dave, and all of the others looked to be in good shape on the bike. I made it back to T2 just before 11:00am. 
Everything was wet from the rain, so I put on my wet running shoes and headed off for the 13.2. mile run. I figured that I could run the course in 2 hours without any problem and finish my first Half at 6:00 hours, however there were problems and it took 2:42 to finish the run. At First the run course seemed pretty tame, then at about mile 7, things changed for the worse. There were about two miles of wicked hills! What twisted mind decided to route the run through these hills, I do not know, but I would have liked to see him craw up some of those hills. The rain had dampened the course and the path was scattered with dead leaves and debris, which made your footing a little slippery at times. I ended up walking up some of the hills but still felt pretty good until mile 9. My left calf started to cramp and I had to stop and walk. I would walk for a bit then run for a bit and walk for a bit...you get the picture. I pretty much did this for 2.5 miles. At the last aid station, I took two E-tabs and eventually the cramps eased. I was able to start running again at 11.5 and ran all the way to the finish. My First Half Ironman Trithlon 6:42. I know I can do better. Pam was able to attend the race with me, and I found this to be a great source of encouragement. Thanks to my MSM friends and their "Go Madness" support. Thanks to Carla her coaching, we will get the cramp issue figured out. Next event on the schedule, Racine Half.
Transition opened at 5:00 with the race beginning at 7:00am. My Tri Team, Multisport Madness had about 30 participants in this race. After setting up transisition, I suited up in the wet suit for a swim warm up. The race began promptly at 7:00 with a mass start (another first). My swim time was 40 mins, I was satisfied with this pace. Out of the water and into T1 at about 7:45, I noticed most of my MSM friends are already out of T1 and I look forward to seeing them on the bike. During the swim, the rain started. The bike course was Hilly for the first 12 miles the flat to the turn around, which meant the last 12 mile were back over the same hills. The hills combined with the rain, made for a challenging ride. During the Ride, I got to see all of the other MSM folks that were ahead of me. They made the turn around point before me, and I got to see them as they were heading back to T2. Adam, Danny, Deb, Dave, and all of the others looked to be in good shape on the bike. I made it back to T2 just before 11:00am. 
Everything was wet from the rain, so I put on my wet running shoes and headed off for the 13.2. mile run. I figured that I could run the course in 2 hours without any problem and finish my first Half at 6:00 hours, however there were problems and it took 2:42 to finish the run. At First the run course seemed pretty tame, then at about mile 7, things changed for the worse. There were about two miles of wicked hills! What twisted mind decided to route the run through these hills, I do not know, but I would have liked to see him craw up some of those hills. The rain had dampened the course and the path was scattered with dead leaves and debris, which made your footing a little slippery at times. I ended up walking up some of the hills but still felt pretty good until mile 9. My left calf started to cramp and I had to stop and walk. I would walk for a bit then run for a bit and walk for a bit...you get the picture. I pretty much did this for 2.5 miles. At the last aid station, I took two E-tabs and eventually the cramps eased. I was able to start running again at 11.5 and ran all the way to the finish. My First Half Ironman Trithlon 6:42. I know I can do better. Pam was able to attend the race with me, and I found this to be a great source of encouragement. Thanks to my MSM friends and their "Go Madness" support. Thanks to Carla her coaching, we will get the cramp issue figured out. Next event on the schedule, Racine Half.
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