Ford Ironman 70.3 California - Triathlon1/2 Ironman

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.

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.

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.

Not be as deliberate.

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.

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.

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.

Not be concerned with how other people are doing in the race.

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.



Bring my gels! More bricks.

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


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


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!