To declare the field competitive would be a massive understatement in yesterday’s Half Ironman in Oceanside.  It seemed that 80% of the world’s top full ironman athletes raced yesterday.

Andy Potts and Mirinda Carfrae grabbed the victories at 3:55 and 4:26 respectively, but I was particularly delighted to see Ronnie Schildknecht and Jordan Rapp in the top 5.  I had the honor of meeting Schildknecht when he won Ironman Switzerland in 2008.  And Rapp is my new hero following his mind-boggling recovery from a nasty bike accident (hit by a reckless driver) in early 2010.

This must be the most difficult half-ironman in the world.  What an impressive group !