Ochsner Ironman 70.3 New Orleans - Triathlon1/2 Ironman

For looking smooth from the beach it sure felt "swelly" but it was fine, I didn't sight that well which is weird because i attempted to sight more than usual which definitely screwed up my rhythm, but i'm not that fast to begin with so I only ended up being about 3 minutes slower than I predicted.

I would not start at the rear and outside....I don't mind getting beat up a little I'm a Clyde, I could have kept a better line and drafted more if i would have stayed with the pack.

Felt great the whole time (except for having to pee at a portable restroom a little over halfway, wish I could go on the bike like some of you, but just can't)....The wind was not bad at all and was in our favor most of the ride. I'm not fast at any of this but the bike portion was a personal best for me.

I probably should not have made the rookie mistake of personal besting the bike because as you will here....I blew up on the run.

I was jacked coming out of T2 knowing that I was definitely gonna finish in under 7 hours (great for me). I felt great for the first 5 miles alternating between a 4/1 run-walk and a 2.5/1 run-walk. Not sure what happened next other than lower back cramps/spasms that turned into trapazoid cramps/spasms then calves then quads. I was niether winded nor light headed and my attitude and mood was fine. I just couldn't loosen my body up, run without being hunched over.

I'm not going to make any excuses because I was never gonna be faster than 12min/mile here anyways,I coulda went about a half mile/hr slower on the bike, i coulda went back to the doctor a few days before the race for a couple more shots to ward of this crud in my lungs, allthough well hydrated and fueled calorie wise I coulda taken in more sodium....SHOULDA WOULDA COULDA CRAP.....my first HIM to start my second year in the sport, I'm proud of myself, I'll chalk it up to a learning experience, I'll be back and better.



One thing is I will listen to my body more in training, I caught 3 separate colds (or cold type things) in the last 12 weeks leading up and never went to the doctor. I know now that it I was overtraining for my fitness level and trying to fight through it "sticking to the plan". I guess I was only paying attention to half of the "arrive to the start line injury free and well" credo. Anyway this absolutely killed my running base. Anyway "live and learn"

Finish line was great, got my medal and hung with family


Awesome-must do race! The people of New Orleans were incredible on the run course, extremely hospitable and encouraging (ie water hoses, sprinklers, music, signs, cheering, water ballons, cow bell...we need more cowbell). Race volunteers were numerous, competent, helpful, willing and eager. Thanks to Jan, John Thomas, Samuel, Annulyn and Ram for all of your patience and support, thanks to Brad, Josette, Monte and Scott for waiting and WAITING for me at the finish line AND a huge shout out to Travis for turning me on to TI, going slow with me on the long bike rides as well as the good conversation!