EagleMan Ironman 70.3 Triathlon - Triathlon1/2 Ironman

I must have swam in a circle. My theory is the buoys were spot on for the first wave of pros, but then slowly drifted off course. So the later you went in the day, the longer the course got. Can't say it was the same for every body, but it sucks that the RD didn't recognize this is start extending the cutoff.

Faster stroke rate, head down more, higher feet, better navigation.

Horrible. I haven't practiced flying mounts at all since I got my speed plays, the ~30 seconds they could save me aren't a concern right now. Maybe I should take a couple days and work on starting with the shoes on the bike because trying to get that first shoe clipped in is taking way too long. Forgot my number belt as well, still think that's a stupid rule, WTC.

remember number belt, shoes on bike. Could have saved ~1 minute here.

I don't ride flat roads a lot, so doing the long sustained efforts that are required for a race like Eagleman is different for me. I knew my pace would be somewhere around 20, thought it would be above rather than below, but I'll take it.

I think the bike course was mercifully cool and moderately windy. It wasn't ideal, but it could have been a lot worse. There were some good stretches of cloud cover while I was out there, and the winds were only right in my face for 5-10 miles.

Stray Observations: Bike aid stations are scary when there are people around that are simply not comfortable riding their bike.

Almost got into an argument with another rider, which is really sad, but here's the story. He was riding on the yellow line, and I was watching from a ways back, hoping he would move over. As soon as I figured he could here me, I shouted on your left and got on the horns to be prepared for whatever he might do. He looked back at me and didn't move. So I started to brake and said on your left again, he looked back again. By this time I had matched his speed and was well into his draft zone. There was plenty of room to his right, and no body in front of him, so I could have passed on the right. Instead, I told him, loudly so he could hear, ride to the right. He started to move to the right finally, but looked over at me as I passed and shouted "You !@##$ing ride to the right, why are you going to yell at me for riding in the right lane?" I just accelerated and left him to his ignorance.

Ride more flat with more speed intervals. More Heat acclimation

Don't know how this was longer than T1, something went wrong, don't remember exactly what. I started to run back towards the bike exit, but a helpful volunteer corrected that quickly, so that wasn't it.

Remember the layout of transition, socks and shoes on faster.

Started off good, got a couple encouraging shouts in the first couple of miles, you know "good pace, 2162" "Looking relaxed, 2162." Kept me going. Then you turn onto the street that goes to the neighborhood that was never built, and you loose all of that support. For me, this led to some serious negative thoughts. "Why am I doing this." "What do you have to lose by walking." "You've got plenty of time to make it to the finish." "Just 2 miles to go (at mile 3)."

Eventually I conceded to the negative thoughts, and decided to run between aid stations and take my time getting replenished at the aid stations. But after the turn onto Horns Point, even that became difficult, as I started to feel an odd chest pain after running for 3-4 minutes. I would keep getting worse until I decided to walk, and it would go away within 10-20 seconds. My watch had died by this point, so no idea on what my HR was.

From that point the run became: run until my chest hurts, then walk until it doesn't, then run until the aid station, get ice, water, gatorade. Gu every 3 miles, chips and cookies when I felt like it. Eventually I made it back.

Train in the heat.

Water bottle shower on my arms and neck, it felt so good. and then fire hose shower for my legs. Went back to the finish line and started watching for other folks to finish. Saw Christy come in just as I was getting there. Sat in the shade for awhile. Eventually got my appetite back and hate some pasta salad and corn.

Had to chase down the RD to get my bike back because I was late getting back to transition... long story.

Sonic with the crew on the ride back, highlight of the trip.


On this one, my tendency to train in the late evening or early morning, was probably number 1.

Number 2, and a close one, was my in ability to overcome negative thoughts. And this is a new one for me, I am usually the king of positive, or at least neutral thinking. Not here, not against truely trying conditions. It's good though, I'll be better prepared next time they come around.


Start was delayed 15 minutes.

A little sketchiness on the wetsuit, I didn't feel the water was that hot, and actually felt cold for most of the last leg. Although it the temperature was extremely variant.

Swim was long.

Also noticed that they announced the end of events while there was still people finishing, possibly after the cutoff. (Didn't notice a celebration or recognition of the final official finisher, either).