Ironman 70.3 California - Triathlon1/2 Ironman

This was lackluster for me. I really enjoyed the ocean swim (my first time). Some big swells (no whitecaps) as we got out of the harbor. this was a fun swim, but I did feel like I was out there too long. Time on the clock when I exited the water confirmed it. I was sub 40, but looking to be 38 or better.
sidenote - Chad's Garmin has this swim as long (around 1.4mi). Makes me feel a little better, but not much. Official time is official time.

not much here. I was navigating pretty well, but did go off-course a little twice.
I wold probably practice T1 as I had trouble getting out of my suit (see below). My swimming fitness was there and I was okay with the cold water and the salt water.

Long run around T1 and then back in. Grabbed by gear and was peeling my wetsuit off. Had some trouble and struggled a little, but then got the other leg right off.
Dumped out my bag and tried to pull on my compression sleeves and arm warmers -- not easy on wet skin. I should've brought a towel. Got my shoes on and then saw my socks. Dammit. took shoes off and put socks on. Did not put my chamois butter on (I would regret later), but got ready to ride. Threw 2 bananas up on my handlebars and headed out. This would soon bounce off and be gone forever. Dammit

Practice getting out of my suit.

I had worked on my bike more than I previously had, but still not where I want to be. I took the first 25 miles easy (as recommended) and was well over 18 mph. I had no trouble with the actual steep climbs. I passed quite a few people (surprisingly), but it was the long, gradual inclines that seemed to drain me and people zipping by me.
I did stop once to use the bathroom and shortly thereafter dropped my chain once. While I didn't publicly declare goals for this race, I knew that 3:20 would be about the worst I would do and was hoping to be 3:10 or better. Unfortuantely, I hit the 3:20.
A constant drizzle and being cold didn't help me here. I'm used to warming up on the bike. My tri-shorts never dried off and, to be frank, I was never comfortable in the saddle with my stuff.

Practice more hills! More miles on the bike!
All that standing on the bike apparently rocked my ankles and I felt it a lot on the run that followed.

Much faster transition, but could've been faster. Another long way to run (plus the cruelty of that final hill when you think you're already done with the course). Saw my wife just before I entered T2 and that gave me a lift.

not much here. ride faster?

Again, I did not publicly state goals, but all I really wanted was to be sub 2 hours on the run, but hoping to rock it. I looked at the elevation grid and thought it was possible, Once I walked and rode the course beforehand, I knew it would be difficult, but I was still confident.
There are some short, very steep climbs on this run course and 2 or 3 decent long climbs. I ran most of the course, buthad to walk up to the pier and walk up the climb on Wisconsin. Ankles were killing me from the bike, but I wanted to keep running.
I knew my 6 hour goal was long gone and I thought my run was a lot slower that it turns out it was. Missed the sub 2, but still a PR on the run for me.

not much - maybe run more hills. I did not expect the rolling hills and climbing that this course threw at me.

Saw my wife at the finish, then ran into Patrick and Chad. Got some food (chocolate milk=instant revival) and then headed over to the IM tent to get a finisher's T. Grabbed my gear, a 6-pack of Stone Levitation, and headed for home.
My place was right on the run course, so I stood in my doorway, drinking a beer, and cheering on those still out on the course.


Fatigue from the bike. This was a very challenging course - - but I loved it and would do it again. The swim was a great challenge and very fun. The bike was beautiful and yet difficult, and the run was very spectator friendly and still tough.
Great race


Very challenging, yet totally fun race. If you're going to register, hit the hills early and often on both the bike and run.