Ironman Arizona - TriathlonFull Ironman

I am such a slow slow swimmer in open water. Not great in the pool, but a good deal better (100 pace more like 1:47 in the pool). I get nervous, and it was pretty choppy and crowded out there. Plus I get these calf cramps that really trip me up. I try to remember to relax and breath slowly and I have done this many times before, but I still have so much trouble. Plus, I hate getting out of the water at Tempe Town Lake because my legs really cramp bad getting up those steps.

Not get so dang scared. And work on swimming in choppy water, with lots of other people. I do a number of races, but I still never get used to this.

Major bathroom issue really slowed me down. I always get the runs (sorry for the yucky personal info). Usually before the swim, but this time, apparently, I held it until after the swim. Gross. Plus, the transition tent was super crowded with no real assistance from volunteers (unlike IMWI). Cold cold hands. Changed shorts, which I usually don't do, but obviously, had to this time. Made this a really slow transition.

Stop getting the runs.

Great bike! I have a new bike (Cervelo P2C) and I love it. It fits so perfectly, and shifts like butter, and I am so much more comfortable. A little slow starting out - let the wind coming from the East get to me and lower my spirits. Plus I was pretty cold. But then I really got into it. Only one bathroom stop. Really pushed the pace, which made me worry a bit about the run, but I was feeling awesome. On yer left, baby!

Mind over matter on the first part of the first loop.

That's more like it. Moved quickly through transition this time.

I was thrilled to see how early it was when I started my run, and I knew I could get in under 12 easy. Which wasn't a good motivator - I could have and should have pushed the pace more. I did 4:03 in IMWI 10 weeks earlier. Still, felt I did pretty well, esp. after the speedy bike.

Push the pace more. I did 19.1 mph on the bike because my coach told me I could do 19 and I had trouble believing him, but when I was out there, I found I could. I wish I had set a similar pace goal for the run. I started out at 9:20, but then let it kept going up.

Eat. Massage. Walk around. Hug husband and friends.


Having already done two half-IMs and a full IM in the previous three months. I need to really really work on my swim, and nerves - that is where I can drop the most time. I also need to work on my run to get it under 4. The bike - I am pretty happy with.


Ironman always puts on a well organized event. As usual, felt very well supported. It is a fast course, but also boring. Three loops is pretty dull. And parts of the run course smell like sewage (a common Phoenix- area problem). IMWI was a better event - prettier course, more fans, better transition assistance - but a slower course.