Ironman 70.3 Augusta - Triathlon1/2 Ironman

This was only my second Open Water Swim, my first with a wetsuit. Forgot to let in a little water around the neck and the first 200 yds. so my breathing was constricted. Finally remembered to let in a little water and then my breathnig was fine.

I also have a problem with any type of goggles I use leaking water, and it happened again. Had to stop and roll over and drain the water and re-seal, but then got bumped or kicked and they came loose and leaked again. Rolled over a second time but didn't get a good seal, and finally after stopping and rolling over for a third time was able to drain the water out and get a good seal.

By then I was upset and my breathing was out of control, starting to panic a little, then realized I couldn't breathe well. It was then I remembered to let in a little water around my neck.

Once I got all those issues taken care of I fell into my rhythm and the swim became quite easy for me, was at the end much sooner than I expected and feeling much fresher than I expected.

Had a couple of sighting problems, swung way left almost out of bounds once and a saftey boat had to point me in the right direction, then started to veer too far left again later on but caught it and corrected it in time.

Came up the boat ramp and unzipped the wetsuit, cap off, goggles off - no problem. Stopped for a few seconds to grab sunglasses from my daughter (lost mine that morning in Transition somewhere) and also to put on my flip-flops. I have very sensitive feet and there was about a 100 yd. run down a rough road to get into Transition, so put on flip-flops.

Crossed timing mat and there were wetsuit strippers there, laid down and they quickly removed my wetsuit, up and headed to bike rack.

Not forget to let in some water into my wetsuit before I start. Would also like to figure out how to get a good water-tight seal on my goggles the first time trying.

Spent too much time in T1, but since this was going to be 4 times as long a bike ride in an event as I've ever done before, wanted to make sure I had everything and that I had plenty of fluids and fuel with me.

The Race Results doesn't display my Age Group rank per each event and them overall, so these rankings I posted are my Ranking within my Division, so for the Swim I was 55 out of 70 Over-40 Clydesdales.

Not stress too much about the upcoming bike ride and get through T1 a lot faster.

Need to lose weight, increase my pace, drink more fluids and earlier on during the course, and also found out I need to supplement with salt tablets.

The Race Results doesn't display my Age Group rank per each event and them overall, so these rankings I posted are my Ranking within my Division, so for the Bike I was 68 out of 70 Over-40 Clydesdales.

Drink more, take in salt, have the bike serviced so that the brakes won't rub and to make sure my chain is good and tight. Also pump the tires one last time before leaving for the Swim start.

Really took my time, not able to move fast at all as I was cramping up. Had to sit down to put on my running shoes. Plus took a couple of minutes to drink some fluids, eat a few bites of banana and PB&J sandwich, and use the porta-potty.

Of course be faster, have drank enough fluids and fueled properly on the Bike so that I wouldn't have to waste time doing it in T2, maybe avoid the porta-potty and learn how to piss my bike.

Didn't take in enough fluids and especially not enough salt/sodium early on during the Bike course. I sweat so much and lost so much salt that my legs were cramping badly.

I knew from my training that I sweated a lot and lost a lot of water, that is what limited my long training runs to 8-10 miles, just couldn't carry enough water with me. I figured taking gels and using Heed electrolyte mixture would replenish my sodium and potassium well enough, but apparently not.

Had to walk the first 5-6 miles and eventually someone gave me some packets of table salt. I started taking a packet every 10-15 minutes with some Gatorade. Tried running after each dose but would still cramp but able to go a little further each time.

Finally after the 3rd or 4th dose of salt I was able to run and not cramp, so was able to run most of the last 7 miles. Took 1 short walk break of about 1/4 a mile and then a couple hundred yards break with about 1/2 mile to go (I wanted to make sure I had energy to run it in and not cramp at the finish line - hey, gotta look good for the Finish Line Photo!)

Anyhow, really upset and frustrated with myself for not hydrating correctly and not getting enough sodium back in me, I really expected to do much better on the run.

Take in more fluids earlier during the event, and start taking salt tablets as well.

Just walked a couple of minutes and did a lot of dancing around and goofing off. Ate 3 slices of pizza and a bottle of water.


Cramps - got too dehydrated and lost way too much salt.


Overall a very good event - loved the community and the support of the local citizens and volunteers. Plenty of water stations on the run, sufficient on the bike as well.

Wish there had been more for post-race activities and food and beverage. Only cheese pizza was left when I came in and nothing but water left to drink.