Ironman 70.3 Boise - Triathlon1/2 Ironman

As you can see from my rank in both AG and overall, the swim is not my strongest event! The best thing about the swim was it was sunny, there was minimal waves (although they picked up a bit about halfway thru due to the wind picking up), and I swam 20 minutes faster than last year!!! Always a great releif to get out of the water. Legs felt pretty good.
2009 AG Rank-30/30 (I wasn't last this year!) 2009 Overall Rank-1191/1246

I still have a goal of becoming a better swimmer. Will take more lessons this fall.

My time was obviously terrible. The strippers had a little bit of trouble getting my suit off. The rocks in the parking lot they used for T1 were terrible. At the bike I couldn't get my socks on then couldn't get my shoes on! I did practice quite a bit in the back yard doing it standing up(on the grass). I would have forgot to put my race belt on if it hadn't fell out of the bag I was putting my wet suit in. It was great to have my wife and 2 kids their at the fence just 50ft away cheering me on. I could actually talk to them while I was getting set to ride.

Eventually I sat down to put my socks and shoes on. Next time I will just sit down when I get there. Time was 1.5 minutes slower than last year! It's wierd how I always feel a bit "goofy" for several minutes after getting out of the water. At least it was warm and sunny.

As I mentioned above, the wind was brutal. By the time I got back down to Hwy 21 off the bridge and turned back into the wind on Warm Springs, the wind was starting to really aggravate me! On top of that they routed us off the road and onto the green belt down a short but steep winding path and then back up again after crossing under the bridge, and onto Warm Springs again. This was so bikers coming down from the swim did not cross paths with those on their way back over that same bridge heading to Bown Crossing...I think it was also so they did not have to close Warm Springs in both directions. Anyway, it was a dangerous detour and it really slowed us down. A friend of mine fell their going down that windy path. The second danger zone was Bown Crossing intersection onto Boise Ave. Drivers were not paying attention to the police officer and he was having a real hard time keeping everyone safe. Once again my wife and kids were their to cheer me on and taking videos! Bergeson Ave goes right thru my neighborhood so it was good to see some friends I didn't expect. Federal Way was the home stretch but once again the head wind was brutal.
2009 AG Rank-21/30 2010 AG Rank-19/45 (I like that!)

Nothing different as far as my riding. I would have mixed my Perpetuem paste a bit thinner. I even knew better from a previous experience. I also would have put 1-1.5 scoops of HEED in each bottle instead of 2 scoops. I would also not carry that 3rd bottle unless it was quite a bit warmer than it was. The best thing about the ride was actually doing it 3 minutes faster than last year, when it was miserably wet and very cold. I assumed I really blew it on the ride, because of the wind, until I saw my stats the next day.

This was a great transition, for me. I was 3 minutes faster than last year. This "may" have something to do with it being nice and warm and my hands not freezing so that I couldn't even tie my shoes! This year I had my shoes already tied! One of the best things about T2 was my other daughter Melissa, who couldn't make it to T1 or the bike route, was standing right at my spot right next to the fence cheering me on. I didn't expect to see her so it was a nice surprise!

Ask the guy walking in front of me to move over sooner than I did.

As I mentioned, the wind beat me up pretty bad. I was pretty spent by the time I started running. I kept the best pace I could. I walked the water stations and drank at each one. I took a shot of Hammer gel from my flask (diluted with water) every other station, so about every 2 miles. We were always running by runners on the other half of the path so I passed Paul, Tim, Joe, and Amber. When Amber passed me it was just after the turnaround so, of course, she passed me from behind and gave me a pat on the back and told me I was looking good. It was a real morale boost to see my family again at the turnaround cheering me on and taking videos. I played cat and mouse with a guy for the entire run. We ran together for a while and chatted. I passed him for the last time about 2 miles from the finish. I told him he could do it and he responded with "I feel like I'm going to pass out". I'm sure he didn't but I couldn't turn back now to check! The end was in sight. I couldn't wait to be done. There was my family right against the fence as I came down the shoot. I was alone so there was no mistake who I was when the announcer said "And from Boise now crossing the finish line is Tom Wenzel". I gave my biking buddy Gregg a hug as he handed me a water bottle...thanks for volunteering Gregg, especially after riding that Bob Lebow Century today!
2009 AG Rank-21/30 2010 AG Rank-23/45

Try harder?? Don't know that I could have. Walk less during water stations? Maybe.

Space blanket over shoulders..walk around while talking to family and drinking 2 bottles of water and 2 scoops Hammer Recoverite in 20oz water.


Fighting so hard against the wind on the bike. Would I go easier on the bike to save some strength for the run? Probably not..I'm strongest on the bike and I just don't think I would have gained appreciable time on the run by riding easier.


I'll never say a race like this was easy, nor would I say it was fun. It was very hard and painful but I am very proud of my accomplishment. Will I do it next year? If you asked me last Saturday...no. Now?...likely.