Ironman 70.3 Augusta - Triathlon1/2 Ironman

I had my anxiety attack early in the swim, first I had to swim through some weeds that were floating in my path, I should have missed them but I lined up as if I intended to swim right through them. I struggled through it a bit and got my heart rate through the roof as I went through them, only to get kicked on the other side, I swallowed water and stopped for a second to recover from my first 100 yards, I did have a small anxiety attack until I reminded myself that I had trained and that I needed to put my head down and swim, which I did and the rest of my swim was somewhat uneventful, except for the current pushing me towards shore. I knew what was happening but it took me a few minutes to get the right amount of correction to navigate in a straight line, I wasted a a bunch of time here.

My biggest mistakes were done before I got to Augusta. I had not been in open water and had never worn my wet suit. I left the wet suit to the last week and that was the week we had flooding in Atlanta, so lesson learned, do not leave anything for last minute.

I did not put body glide on my neck, still paying for it but it is slowly healing.

I had no previous experience here as this was my first triathlon. I did watch many videos on youtube about setting up my area as well as the transitions. It went smooth, a little of a hick up on my heels as I was taking off the wet suit.

I struggled with my shoes.

I did not use rubber bands on my shoes, so I cycled about a mile before I managed to get my feet in my shoes. I would probably put my shoes on before I get on the bike, I saw many people do that.

I would jump on the bike next time.

I went out a little fast but I felt good. I was aiming to avg. 20 mph and instead I spent quite a bit of time at 24 mph, it later came back to get me as my legs departed me around mile 35.

The course had rolling hills, which increased between mile 25-45.

My shifting was sloppy and my climbs were weak, I need to work harder on my strength.

Strength training! My heart and lungs felt great but my legs went away and it made the end of the bike and my run hurt more than they should have, at the speed I was traveling.

My bike set up was too shallow, I have to work on my bike and aero position. I was very uncomfortable the last 15 miles and my saddle did not help.

I have to work on my shifting, I found myself in the wrong gear during several climbs and my momentum was just killed.

I left my shoes on as I transitioned off the bike because the line came up on me and after the bad experience trying to put my feet in my shoes, I just left my shoes on. Not very fast but heck, another rookie mistake.

take my feet out of my shoes before the line and work on getting off the bike.

I had to stop to stretch my quads before mile marker 1, I gave myself 30 seconds and it helped. I worked on not stopping and concentrated in running 10 minute miles so I could make it to the end without stopping. I did stop at the water stations but maybe 10 seconds as I hydrated, this was from mile 4-5 on to the end.

Train harder, My legs were done on the bike and I paid for it in my run. I have to get my legs stronger. My shoes were a bit tight, I made the decision to go with socks on race day and I never loosen my yanks to accommodate my socks. My quads hurt so bad that my feet were secondary but as I get in better shape, I will need to pay more attention.

I walked back to transition to get my bike and rode about a .5 mile easy, I tried to stretch but I was extremely tight.


I trained aerobic and the training paid off in my lungs and heart but I was weak. I did get sick three weeks before the race and had to bring my training to a hold to recover but regardless, I needed more speed workouts and more strength workouts, such as weights.

My bike set-up was not good, I need to work on my bike and I need to work on my shifting.


I had a blast and after completing my first triathlon, I am hooked and have plans to compete at the Orlando HIM in May 2010.