Waterman's Half 70.3

Waterman's Half 70.3 in Rock Hall, MD

1.2 mi (1920m) Swim

56 mi (90km) Bike

13.1 mi (21.1km) Run

70.3..................................

So I was pretty nervous but ready for my first long distance triathlon.

We got to Rock Hall pretty early around 07:15 for a 8:45 line-up and a 9:04 start (I was in the second swim wave). We set up and headed for the swim start.

The swim was a rectangular course in the protected harbor of Rock Hall. It had rained pretty hard the night before and in fact was still raining when I jumped into the water. There was lots of debris and the wind had started to pick up to cause a current and a some chop. 

Just as I jumped in the PA system was pumping out "Let's go crazy." I danced off some nervous energy in the water and was ready to go.

I'm not a fast swimmer but I had but a lot of time in the pool this year so I was feeling pretty confident that I wouldn't drown.

I swam the 1.2 miles or 1920 meters in just less than 50 minutes...crawling out of the water and headed down the pier to the bike transition.

The bike was a 56 mile ride on the Tolchester Peninsula. The wind really picked up and I found out later that we had sustained winds from the NW of 12-14 mph and gust of up to 24 mph. I seemed to have either a headwind or crosswind for most of the course and the only two times I had a tail wind for a short 2 1/2 mile stretch of road.

I had plenty of fluids on the ride and our homemade nutrient bars were prefect. 

But I did get a awesome treat heading to the run transition. I had these 4 lovely ladies the "Spect-athletes" cheering me on.

I finished the bike in 3:29:02 a very slow 16 mph. The Eastern shore wind really beat me down. Next time I will need to get a lot more time on the bike in tougher conditions.

Next up 13.1 miles (1/2 Marathon). A two loop 6.5 mile course thru town of Rock Hall. The first 3 miles were on pace and I felt pretty good but then I started to shutdown. First my back, then my legs. I ran between most water stops and jogged a lot. I just didn't have much get up and go.

The Spect-athletes cheered me on at first loop at 6.5 miles. This really help get me started on the second loop. I ate another bar and sucked down the last of my fluids.

The picture on the left Bobbi took at the spot with just 2.5 miles left. My back was really hurting? Not sure why? Bobbi really helped get me motivated again and I ran the rest of the way in.

My run time was 2:20:47. A pretty slow 1/2 marathon. I had all my half's this year under 1:50 and I was really shooting for sub 2 hour run.


The Spect-athletes were super loud as I came into view of the finish. So I sucked it up and ran it in finishing with a overall time of 6:47:56.

I finished 22 of 25 in my age group M 45-59 and 177th of 231 Overall.

My real goal was to not drown and finish strong in my first 70.3. I am thrilled and looking to more tri's next year not sure if that will include a 70.3.

Great swag with this race including a another pair of socks since I did 3 Maryland Tri Series events. I ended up 52th of 449 in the MTS for 2014.