QFive

Pre Race: New Gatorade Tri Suit

Coming across the finish line at the 2012 NYC tri. Fun day.

I finished my first (and likely only full ironman today). The swim turned out to be uniquely punishing with most of the pros 15 min slower than avg. I was stun by 12 jellyfish at minimum, I couldn't feel my tounge for the first 30 files after that. 80 miles into the bike, I went for it and laid down a crushing half marathon, on pace to break 3:40. I fell apart at mile 16 but gave it everything I had. Couldn't be prouder or feel more like I deserved the ironman name. 13:09 - an a crazy course, that will go down in history as the highest "did not finish" % of any ironman ever ran. (swim current + crosswinds on 30 of the biking miles were brutal)

What's everyone take with them on their 100+ mile rides? I refill liquids along the way as required, but I don't like wasting extra time "shopping" or expecting to be able to pop into any ole gas station. For a 100 mile-ish ride I do the following: 700 calories - 2 bottles gatorade + 2 scoops (100 cals each) of carb-pro 400 calories - 2 packages of cliff shot blocks 300 calories - 3 cliff shots 200 calories - cliff protein bar 1500 calories taped to the bike or in my pocket I will usually pick up along the way: 600 calories - 4 bottles of gatorade 400 calories - Turkey sandwhich on something grainy (whole wheat or rye) 200 calories - 1 bottle Muscle milk 1200 calories along the way = 2800 calorie total net output in calories (from HR monitor) approx 3700 for a 113 miler for me, so that's right about perfect to keep me from bonking :). Nutrition, definitely one of the tough parts.

Later today I will be joined by 3x Olympic Triathlete Tim Don during my workout at Carmel Country Road in San Diego. Tim is heading out to Hawaii soon to compete in the Xterra World Triathlon Championships and is looking for a good running workout for the day. He came to the right place! Coach Cruz has us rocking 2k, 1 Mile, 1200, 800 on rolling hills today. Tim is a tough tough athlete and it will be a pleasure working out with him today.

Pretty cool -- I ended up 5th at the Westchester Tri this weekend including a wreck and a 6-8 minute tire change due to a flat during that wreck. Pretty hilly course as well. Looking at the splits, I am finally starting to get a bit competitive.... time for me to learn how to swim!! Here's to breaking 2:30 next time.

Dan Hedgecock is your new Hy-Vee 5150 U.S. Triathlon Champion (national championship for elite amateurs)! My former teammate is taking home a Mini Cooper and $6,000 in prizes after he beat the defending champion this weekend. He covered the 1.5-kilometer swim, 40k bike and 10k run in 1 hour, 52 minutes, 31 seconds.

My Bike.....my one true love.

Close up of all the stuff on the bike

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