Beach2Battleship Iron Distance Triathlon - TriathlonFull Ironman

Beautiful Wrightsville Beach channel side. Great atmosphere by Set-Up. After Nat Anthem the RD prayed for us.Very cool and sincere prayer. Much appreciated. The water was deep and clean for ocean water. I didn't feel the current but knew it was there. Not a whole lot of banging on this one but there was contact every so often...its OW...

nothing

Changing tent crowded. Spent to long looking for spot. SInce I wasn't changing out of bibs should of skipped tent and saved 1:30

skip tent

I kept it high Z2 low z3 the whole ride. Never going over 134 and mostly below 130. I was following pacing strategy advice from Scott, Friels book and others on BT and ST. This was my first 140 and didn't want to walk the run. My achillies and foot were noticeable and that helped me reign in the desire to crush the bike. Looking back I'm glad I didn't go harder...this time...I lost ~10 minutes to a tire change. The front blew out about a 1/2 mile after crossing the RR tracks. There was broken/sharp pavement next to the rails and I nailed it. I thought I ripped the tire but after inspection saw little tire damage. Maria passed me during the tire change...took me 80 miles to catch her...Roo was on the go!
At mile 30 I saw one then two 1/2 distance riders go by. They missed their turn even though it was well marked. They were hammering and didn't hear me. I saw one of them at special needs turning around...that stinks...

Slow down for the RR tracks and pick a better line

Volunteers took bike, long run through convention center floor. Ripped bib number hole second race in a row..borrowed key from janitor to punch new hole..thanks dude!

move faster through transition. I'm using minutes with no return....

I worried about the run for 3 weeks since re-injuring the achillies.Went to chiro twice in last week. Taped achillies, added super feet inserts, prophylacticly treated with Alieve doubling the dose and frequency from 36 hours out and through the race. The achillies and foot always reminding me not to go to hard and to protect every step. Maybe this was a help. I never felt I didn't have the breath or strength to finish.Although at about mile 20 I fatigue did consume me and I walked the aid station and an additional 200 yards. I won't kid you, this ultra distance stuff is hard! If I would have gone out faster with a healthy foot I'm pretty sure I would have burned up to quick and been reduced to a slower time. But,it always hurt enough to cause doubt if I would make it due to worsening injury.Some miles were tougher than others. I was surprised at the number of very fit looking athletes male and female that would walk. Some because they hit the wall and others either as strategy or maybe because it was more about the experience. I walked the aid stations enough to drink.
Kevin, in the 30 something age group had a run walk strategy. He'd pass me on his run, I'd pass him on his walk.It worked for him as he announced no more walking at mile 24. At mile 25 I got my first hamstring cramp. It took a few minutes to work it out, stopping, then peg legging it for awhile. With 3/4 of a mile to go my pace quickened and the peg leg became a jog, the jog a run with high fives to the inebriated crowd at the corner bar to a fast approach to the chute. Stopped to kiss the iron wife and shout out the kids before going through finish.
If I go 140 again I'll consider run/walk vs run but I feel I need to run all or as much of it as physically able.

In training I fretted not having any long runs 18 miles or over. 2 days after the Sept 29th half IM I ran 18. Felt relived to log it. Then 4 days later ran a fast 6 miler and knew I pulled the tendon. Next time I err on recovery.

During the run I spent too much time with the very kind volunteer helping me go through my special needs bag. I probably looked like toast. I should have taken the bag and dumped it to change out Infinit bottles on the run belt...volunteers were super

I wore a fuel belt on the run. I used it in training. But running in bibs with a 6 hour ride and 1 hour swim behind me the belt was loose. Next time I should tighten it up before packing it...now I need a "Back to the Future" reminder to read this the day before the next Tri....

smelled pizza at the food tent...big mistake. Had me doubled over 20 minutes later ready to hurl. My digestive system wasn't ready for action yet..

Gathered bags and bike from convention center. Soaked in tub at rental house. Went to bed around 11P


strained achilles
first 140-used a finish strategy



Set-Up nailed this event. I highly recommend B2B. It's a great value to boot.