Ironman 70.3 Florida - Triathlon1/2 Ironman

Not really sure what happened. This race is the season opener for me. I have been running ultras this spring and I have not touched the water since IMFL 09 last November. I thought I would be able to fake my way through the swim and I was wrong! I usually swim 1.2 in 40 minutes so this was a rough way to kick off the race. Found out that my brother had added 11 minutes to his already 24 minute head start.

Actual swim training. Again this is a kick off event so it was good for me to see where I am at and what I need to work on for IMWI 2010.

Transition went well. Other then being located at the very back of the transition area and having to run what seemed like a 1/4 mile in bike shoes I wouldn't change a thing.

Being in the last waves we definitely got hit with some pretty good wind out on the course. I am not sure if everyone else got those strong winds but it slowed me down a little. In total, I am very happy with my bike time. I pushed as hard as I could and left it all out on the course. I have only ridden my bike 4 or 5 times since last November so I essentially did this cold (on a new bike). To improve I will just need to ramp my cycling training back up and build those muscles. Found out as I got off the bike that my brother had added an extra 8 minutes to his lead.

Very happy, legs felt a little rough coming off the bike but I was very happy with the transition.

I was extremely pleased with my run. My sole focus since January is working on my run fitness. I came into this race expecting a 2:30 or greater considering all that I had been told about the conditions. Well everything they said was right and I still had a great run. I started steady and pushed up the pace each lap finishing 12 minutes under my best possible time estimate. When I started the run I was 40+ minutes behind my brother and by the finish line I had caught him!! I ended up beating his overall time by 24 minutes! We came within seconds of crossing the line together. After the race I felt so good I probably could have pushed harder but I am still very satisfied. Now it is on to the IMWI prep.

Take care of my brother because he was in rough shape. Otherwise hang with the family, enjoyed good food, and an early bed-time.


Although I have done Full Distance Ironman races this was my first 70.3. I am not sure how this compares to others but I thought the activities post/pre race were not all that impressive. I was surprised they don't do finisher shirts, instead everyone gets a race shirt before they even run it which is fine, just different then I am used to. The volunteers were AWESOME!!! If any of them are reading this THANK YOU SO MUCH, I could not have done it without your amazing support.