Ford Ironman 70.3 California - Triathlon1/2 Ironman

Swam out to the start with my friend Maureen, we noticed that no one was far right at the front away from the bouy so we started there. Best decision I made all day. No contact during this race. Horn whent off and we took off, and once the pack thinned out I headed left toward the bouy. Nailed every bouy perfectly and avoided running into people. At the turn around the sun was in our eyes and I was so glad to be wearing mirrored goggles.

Hit the exit ramp and volunteer pulled me up, spun me around and unzipped me, I had no say in the matter. Off to T1

Nothing ... I'm so pleased with this swim, it went very well. I stayed calm and my HR stayed low enough that I didn't have issues with coughing or wheezing.

T1 went really well, I was in and out in a reasonable amount of time.

Move a little faster

Tried my best to settle into an easy pace for the first 35 miles. Got passed by a lot of people but was trying to keep HR down so coughing wasn't a problem. Hit the first hill and just tried to keep moving, it was steep and there were people walking, my HR shot up and by the time I reached the top I was having trouble breathing. I used the first big downhill to get HR in control and hydrate. Got coughing and breathing under control, HR and body temp down and kept going. The wind was blowing hard on the back side and I was getting tossed around but I managed to hold on and finish the bike feeling strong. PR'd the bike course.

Fully recover from bronchitis before racing.

Great transition ... in and out.

Nothing

Headed out on the run and my HR shot way up. The first 4 miles sucked big time. Wheezing and coughing started and I had to stop 4 times to get my HR down. I picked up sponges at one of the aid stations and shoved them down my jersey, this along with slowing my pace helped my core temp come down and HR normalize. I wasn't thrilled with the run and was frustrated that I couldn't get my pace up but just kept moving.

Fully recover from bronchitis before racing.

Walked around for 20 min, at a little pizza then had one of the massage therapists help stretch me out.


3 rounds of bronchitis since January. My training was not where it needed to be for this race having been sick all winter. My longest ride was 45 miles, longest run 7 miles. I needed more volume and my health did not allow for that. I'm pleased with a more than 10 minute PR but I'm not sure if I earned it. I think I had enough of a base left from IM where I was able to power through. If this was my first HIM distance race I would have pulled out.


This is a great race, well run and supported. I like that it's close to home and would do it again. The bike course makes the race for me, beautiful route and enough of a challenge to keep things interesting.