Ironman Racine 70.3 - Triathlon1/2 Ironman

I started at the back of my wave and had no physical altercations for the entirety of my swim. I held on to a couple of people trying to pace with them because I knew I would be too cautious and go slower than I could have. I only did this twice anyway and had my own swim and finished just fine. Of course I went too conservatively in hind-sight.

After compling the swim and then finding how much energy I had for the remainder of the day/race, I know that once I get into the groove of the swim I can start putting in more of an effort and finish a lot stronger on the swim and still have energy left.

...Next time

Long T1 time was due to the long run up the beach and into the Transition area. I felt pretty good going through the motions of getting into my bike gear and I was mentally sharp on through the hill out of Transition.

I knew I had to deal with my stuff and the possibility of rain while out on the bike (more on that factor during T2) so I had a plastic bag over my transition back and running shoes. Without having to deal with that I may have been another 10 seconds faster.

I took advantage of the water given at the aid stations and made sure to bathe in almost a whole water bottle for the next few miles after each one. The sun was out at that point and I wanted to make sure to keep my body temp down as long as I could.
I only ended up drinking 1 of my 2 water bottles that had fuel in them. I started drinking the second near the end of my bike but only a little bit.

Overall: This was a great bike. My first time biking over 45 miles and I held almost 20mph pace. I very happy with that.

Possibly fuel better to try and stave off the tightness and cramping that I had on the run. I think it would be do-able to try for a 20+mhp average with enough brick training.

This is when the downpour happened! As soon as I got off my bike at the dismount line, the sky just opened up and it was a flood of water in Transition.

When I removed my back from on top of my shoes to put my socks on and the shoes on I had to fight to get everything on since it was all getting dretched. Not the best time in T2 but I was a memorable one.

Bring Moses or Jesus with me to part the skies and avoid the deluge of rain.

Two very steep hills to make it over right out of transition (which you had to do again as you left for your second loop), that was really hard on the quads which were already screaming from the bike. I tried to be just a bit conservative to start the run in case I was going to develop any cramping issued (which I did on the 2nd loop).

I unfortunately had a very bad 2nd loop. According to my HR monitor, I pulled over a total of 11 times to stretch my hamstrings/butt during that last loop. My body just siezed up near the end and it seemed like I only got about a minute of running in before I had to pull over to stretch. I kept yoyo-ing the same people over and over again catching up to them only to have them pass me while I stretched. This proved to be disheartening but I just chalked it up to a long day and realized that I'd still be pretty happy with a sub-6 hour day for my 1st Half Ironman!!!

Not cramp

Not too much, just a bit more stretching. I hydrated like crazy during the run as well as the bike so I wasn't hungry or thirsty. Pretty neat after being out there for so long.

I felt pretty good (except for the backs of my legs) and I was mentally with it afterwards. Joked and had fun the rest of the day and the drive home.


I didn't train nearly as much as I wanted or needed to. Once or twice a week won't cut it for what I deem to be a 'good day'. That said, I'm pretty psyched about my finish time and experience in the race. I can't wait to try it again soon with the possibility of really following my training plan. I wonder what I could do with more dedicatoin. That's a great feeling to have looking forward.

Looking back I have to say thanks to the Ironman race director, staff and local support. My girlfriend/sherpa, and the great people I met this year and on race weekend. You all have my utmost gratitude and deepest thanks.


As for the race evaluation, I wish I would have at least spectated the previous years before WTC came in and took over. For my first Half Ironman, this was a great experience and would recommend the course and the event to anyone.
Come prepared and expect to have even more fun.