This race was my end-of-season "stretch goal" - complete a HIM in my first season. I was ready, relaxed, and pumped, but it was not meant to be...

Backstory: I started training in April 09 with a goal to complete the NJ state tri sprint in July. After 8 weeks of solid workouts I decided to do a local sprint May 31st, and loved it. When July rolled around, I was able to swim a mile continuously, and had long runs of 10-11 miles, and so I set my HIM stretch goal; thanks to all on the forum who gave advice on this crazy notion. (I had a great experience in NJ State tri - 23/91 AG, missed top 20 by 2 mins or so.)

Race Day:
The race was in Round Valley Recreation State Park in Lebanon, NJ. I awoke to a pouring rain, temps barely in the 60's. Brr. Car was loaded so I had breakfast, double checked my nutrition supplies, and headed out in the dark @ 5am. Thirty minutes later, I pulled into a line of cars waiting to get into the park - the park rangers were "late" and the gates still locked.

The was still a lot of "setup" to be done by RD, and I got into line for packet pickup, didnt get my packet till after 7am due to long lines and confusion, and heard rumors the race was to be delayed, but no official start time was announced or posted. There were two transition areas to be setup, first time for me with this scenario. T1 and T2 were about 3/4 of a mile apart, and I ended up going back and forth several times in flipflops (not ideal) in the rain. Not the way to start the day! Realized I left my swim cap in car @ T2, so one last jog back and forth, and I walk back into T1 & Wave 1 is being called into the water.

Scramble to get wetsuit on, and made it to water's edge on time for Wave 2. The lake swim was a triangle, but due to rain and fog, the bouys disappeared into the mist and the gray skies.

The water was warm - warmer then the air temperature, and clear! There were only about 50 people in my wave, so it was not a frenzied start. The clear blue water revealed the rocky bottom as I cruised away from shore. Small fish, plants - very cool. I settled into a good pace, and realized this was the first swim with good enough visibiilty to find a pair of feet and try to draft. A first! Follow the bubbles!!

There was a pretty good wind pushing sideways, I swam zigzagging, but just kept going. I felt good, and halfway thru I felt confident I would do OK in my first 1.2 swim. I was slow on the first half, but picked up the pace the last 700-1000 yards or so, and soon enough saw the crowds on the shore and the exit point, and the bottom coming into view again. It still took me 45 mins but I didnt care. I did it - ran out of the water to T1.

T1 - wetsuit off, bike shorts on, HRM/strap on, etc. 5 mins. Rain still pouring, and off I went.

The bike course has some challenging hills, and the roadways were very potholed at times. My plan was to stay under 19 mph on the flats the first half of the course, and try for a negative split. A couple of major downhills, hitting almost 40 mph was scary but exciting on the rain soaked roads. I had my nutrition plan worked out and was executing fine. Didnt see the bottle exchange at mile 20 - but I brought enough with me for the 56.

Mile 19-30 are along the PA/NJ border - a relatively flat fast stretch that I understand are used for time trials. My HR was nice and low, 130 - 140, while maintaining 18+ mph. At mile 30, after a steep downhill, I notice my back tire feels "funny". Oh crap. Flat tire. Wheel off, old tube off, new tube on - I was prepared for this.

Either the tube was bad, or I nicked it trying to change it ... but it wouldnt hold air. Used up both my CO2 cartridges, and got one from another racer, but I was sunk. (However, it was great that everyone going by asked if I was OK, or if I needed help.) Hoped a support van would show up, but I didnt see anything so I started walking. And walking. Here I am 30 miles from my car, no cell phone, no money, no support van, and no more bikers...cars whizzing by at 60 mph (so I put my helmet back on just to be safe.)

After about a half hour, a kind soul in his SUV stopped and asked it I was OK. He offered to drive me back to my car, and I accepted. Thirty minutes later, he dropped me off. I was pretty bummed to say the least, made it to my car and called home to tell them not to bother coming out to watch the run and finish. I think they were more disappointed (for me) then I was - I was still in disbelief. All the training, all the sacrificed family time, well you all know...

By the time I collected all my stuff the first finishers were coming in. I didnt feel like sticking around for food, so I left.

Although I didnt finish the race - I did swim the distance for the first time - and I felt relaxed while doing so. I had made a plan for the bike, and executed pacing and nutrition. I can be proud of that - so yea, I did wear the race shirt once or twice. Maybe that's a faux pas, maybe not :)

My son was waiting outside when I got home with a big hug for me and a "I'm sorry, dad." I told him it's ok - there will be more races, and that's just life.

Well, that's my (half) HIM race report. Some time you eat the bear, sometimes it eats you.

It was still a great first season for me, and I cant wait till spring. I encouraged 5 or 6 friends to try a tri this summer w me, and several are also now hooked.

I debated posting this - but was compelled to do so given the energy and support you all provided.

Hope to see a bunch of you @ Timberman 70.3!