Ford Ironman 70.3 California - Triathlon1/2 Ironman


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Oceanside, California
United States
Ironman North America
65F / 18C
Sunny
Total Time = 7h 27m 33s
Overall Rank = 1809/1950
Age Group = M 35-39
Age Group Rank = 0/
Pre-race routine:

Got up 15 minutes before the alarm. Had some wheat bread and peanut butter and biked over to the start. Set up in the transition area and everyone in my stall looked like pros. I am always comparing myself. Need to get over it.
Event warmup:

Not much. Went to the porta potties and headed over to my wave start.
Swim
  • 44m 16s
  • 2112 yards
  • 02m 06s / 100 yards
Comments:

Water wasn't too cold but I had trouble bi-lateral breathing. Could only do two strokes and would need a breath.

My sighting was poor. There was the sun and my goggles were fogged up. I would have to take them off just to see where I was going. Lifeguard came over once and said I was too far over to one side. I was actually laughing inside that I was doing a half-ironman. I usually play golf on Saturday, not trek around for 70.3 miles.

Wave starts were only 3 minutes apart, so every 3 minutes the fast swimmers behind me would just bowl right over me. Didn't bother me too much. Wasn't too violent of a swim.
What would you do differently?:

Know the course. No idea where I was headed the entire time. Would just follow some people. Had to take off my goggles to see where I was.
Transition 1
  • 07m 34s
Comments:

Over 7 minutes? Did I take a nap in transition?! Well, I wanted to prep for the bike. Had some food and drank. I was also at the far end of the transition area. Put on arm warmers and mentally prepared for a long bike ride.
What would you do differently?:

Not be as deliberate.
Bike
  • 3h 51m 25s
  • 56 miles
  • 14.52 mile/hr
Comments:

Ah, the end of my world as I know it. I was doing great for the first 28 miles. Was on a 3:20 pace or so. I was smiling and laughing. I was even wondering why everyone was in such a damn hurry. I wanted to enjoy the day. It isn't very often that you get to bike along the ocean on a perfect morning with the streets closed.

Then there was 'the hill'. I could see it as I was approaching. Do we really have to go up that thing? Isn't there another way around it?!

Struggled big time on that first hill. Had to walk for a couple of minutes which didn't seem to hurt me too badly since the speeds were so slow. But I was spent after that.

I got passed by EVERYBODY on the bike leg. The entire field it seemed. I just stayed in the right lane and went at my own pace.
What would you do differently?:

My bike skills are pathetic. I should have done many more long rides. I have never even gone 56 miles before the race. Sad. It not only killed me on the bike portion but it would hurt me on the run since I was so spent. And I started wondering why I subjected myself to this. My coach told me I would go through this state. I didn't believe him, but sure enough, the thought was there.
Transition 2
  • 05m 46s
Comments:

I was dejected. I came into the transition area and it was filled to the brim with bikes. Plus, I was beat up physically and I still had a half-marathon to get through.
What would you do differently?:

Not be concerned with how other people are doing in the race.
Run
  • 2h 38m 32s
  • 13.1 miles
  • 12m 06s  min/mile
Comments:

I was physically and emotionally beat up. The 2nd half of the bike leg depressed me. I didn't put the time in on the bike and it affected everything. And the worst part is I forgot to bring the gels I love out on the run. I spent an eternity in the transition. Totally forgot and it was too late once I realized it.

The first loop I finished in just over an hour. But then I did something I have never done before in a race.

I walked.

I don't know why I started walking. I saw a lot of people walking and I took the easy way out. I definitely could have jogged but I didn't. I was kind of detached from this mental battle going on in my head. One part wanted to run and the other part wanted to walk. I guess the sides negotiated half-way because I would mix up the run and walk. I finished nearly 48 minutes behind my stand-alone half marathon.


What would you do differently?:

Bring my gels! More bricks.
Post race
Warm down:

Happy to be done! Got some food in the tent.

What limited your ability to perform faster:

Only three things. The bike, the bike, and the bike.

Event comments:

Well, literally 9 months ago I had no idea what triathAlons were (that is how I thought it was spelled.) A half-ironman seemed out of this world.

In some ways, I feel like I was at the top of the world and rock bottom. I have thought about this race for literally 6 months. Every single workout was focused on Oceanside. I was almost thinking of not writing a race report because I didn't want to share my results, or lack thereof. More mental gymnastics that I love to play.

There will never be another first half-ironman and what an incredible experience. I feel privileged to have been able to part of such an outstanding event. The glory, the pain, the agony, and the joy all wrapped up into one little ball.

Love it!








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Last updated: 2006-11-14 12:00 AM
Swimming
00:44:16 | 2112 yards | 02m 06s / 100yards
Age Group: 0/
Overall: 0/1950
Performance: Average
Suit: Wetsuit
Course: Loop in the harbor.
Start type: Wade Plus:
Water temp: 60F / 16C Current: Low
200M Perf. Average Remainder: Average
Breathing: Average Drafting: Below average
Waves: Navigation: Below average
Rounding: Good
T1
Time: 07:34
Performance: Average
Cap removal: Below average Helmet on/
Suit off:
No
Wetsuit stuck? Yes Run with bike: Yes
Jump on bike: No
Getting up to speed: Below average
Biking
03:51:25 | 56 miles | 14.52 mile/hr
Age Group: 0/
Overall: 0/1950
Performance: Bad
Wind: Some
Course: Everywhere it seemed.
Road: Smooth Dry Cadence:
Turns: Average Cornering: Average
Gear changes: Average Hills: Below average
Race pace: Comfortable Drinks:
T2
Time: 05:46
Overall: Below average
Riding w/ feet on shoes Below average
Jumping off bike Below average
Running with bike Below average
Racking bike Below average
Shoe and helmet removal Below average
Running
02:38:32 | 13.1 miles | 12m 06s  min/mile
Age Group: 0/
Overall: 0/1950
Performance: Below average
Course: Two loops on the pavement.
Keeping cool Average Drinking Just right
Post race
Weight change: %
Overall:
Mental exertion [1-5]
Physical exertion [1-5]
Good race?
Evaluation
Course challenge Just right
Organized? Yes
Events on-time? Yes
Lots of volunteers? Yes
Plenty of drinks? Yes
Post race activities: Good
Race evaluation [1-5] 5