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Originally posted by Did you just call me Coltrane?
Not...great, but at least I didn't get a flat tire or have my goggles knocked off. I have to give Penske credit - a full Ironman must be unbelievably difficult. I finished almost a 1/2 hour slower than I expected, and didn't fly through the run like I thought I would.
The swim was going...swimmingly, until, with about 300 yards to go, my right calf cramped/seized up. It was literally stuck in extension (toes pointed down). I couldn't unflex it (even when I tried to force it with my hands). It felt like someone stabbed me with a knife. It took me about 2 minutes to manipulate the muscle to the point where I could handle the pain, and then I swam in w/out kicking. I probably lost 3 minutes b/c of it (and likely would have finished in the top 100 swimmers had I continued at my pace prior to the cramp).
At mile 18 on the bike, my back started killing me. I usually don't get any back soreness until approx. 45-50 miles, so I don't know what caused it. I could only stay aero for about 60% of the ride, and I frequently had to get out of the saddle to stretch. I had trained at this distance (56 miles) numerous times and usually stayed aero 90% of those times. I don't know why my back acted up.
By the time I got to the run (13.1 miles), I just wanted to get it over with, so I took it easy.
I finished near the top quarter of all racers, but was expecting much better results.
I learned my lesson. I should have attempted a shorter distance tri before going for the half Iron. 4 months of biking wasn't nearly enough to get me in shape for the bike leg, which was by far my worst leg. I was passed often on the bike, and I noticed that most of the people passing me had those huge, diamond-shaped calves, which I definitely don't have. I need work on the bike.
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I'm sorry it didn't turn out as well as you'd hoped. I hate those calf cramps while swimming. One got me a week or so ago, and it was all I could do to pull back to the side of the pool and try to work it out.
My bike was also my worst of the three, though I was surprised at how much my run suffered for having finished two other sports ahead of time.
Still, nearly the top quarter on your first half-iron triathlon is pretty unbelievable sounding to someone who finished in the second half (though not the last quarter) of her first sprint distance tri.
Are you planning on doing any others?
