Revolution3 Half Ironman - Triathlon1/2 Ironman

I knew going into this race it was going to be a challenging Bike and Run with lots and lots of hills. I scheduled this race specifically for that reason. Today was more preparation for Ironman Lake Placid - a day to Ride and Run hills. Today was about racing smart, staying within myself, dialing in my nutrition, and learning to pace myself. Because this was a training day for LP, I didn't taper and I wasn't sure how my body was going to respond (I'd done six HIM's and tapered for each one) so I started very conservative on the swim. I drafted, focused on good form, and steadily increased my pace according to how I felt.

I raced without a watch today. No electronics of any kind. Today was about tuning in to my body's natural Power Meter. I came out of the water and asked the guy next to me in my AG the time and he said 35:30. I was thrilled! Took another minute to cross the mat I guess.

Nothing. I had a great swim. Little bit of body contact a few times, but I'm sure there will be plenty more of that at Placid.

Great transition. I was lucky enough to have an end spot so my wife and kids were right there!! My wife was so cute, she kept saying frantically, "Do your thing! Make believe we're not here!" So I did my thing and then gave all three a kiss and was on my way.

Note: Rev3 gave us each our own box (no rack poles) with your own spot, and your name and number were printed ion bold blue print on a black card stapled to the box. Classy stuff!!

This Bike course is a Beast. It's a clinic in gear changing. I am very glad I had a 12-27 cassette!! It starts out with a few nice descents, a minor climb, some more descents and a few false flats and then quickly it turns into a Roller Coaster -- you are either going UP or your going DOWN; you're either searching for another granny gear OR you're on a screaming descent. This goes on till around mile 20 and it finally flattens out for just a wee bit and then you hit a LONG, MASSIVE climb and basically you climb up the side of a mountain for seven straight miles. It's a grind, for sure. I knew this climb was coming so I stayed very conservative and let lots of people pass me.

After the long climb ends around mile 32, there are a few smaller climbs and flats, but the views from up top are breathtaking and spectacular. The winds definitely picked up at the higher elevation. I tried to stay aero but my sciatica was really acting up. Finally I hit some really nice descents. One is screaming S-shaped descent. The roads were still wet from a prior thunderstorm and I wisely stayed up on the horns and took it easy, and sure enough at the bottom was a cyclicst who crashed. A police officer was attending to him. He was the only rider that I saw who'd crashed, but there were about ten riders I passed with flats. I had my gatorskin on my back tire cause I knew this may be an issue. And it paid off, cause even though the gatorskin is a slower tire, this is not a Speed Course!

About five or six miles before the end a half dozen riders who passed me on the huge climb came back to me. I'd paced well.



Nothing. I have limited fitness for this type of climbing. I paced well and rode within my fitness level for this type of terrain.

Unlike the Harryman HIM two weeks ago, I did well with nutrition. I knew ahead of time there were only three aid stations and so I planned my nutrition and fluid ahead of time. I took in about 350 calories an hour, a far cry from the 175 I took at Harryman, which ultimately led to a BONK. I also want to mention, the sport drink used on the course is Cerasport. My guess is: this is a probably going to be a love it or hate it product for most. It is an electrolyte replacement sports drink that is the color of apple cider, and has a very strong, distinct taste. I took one sip and immediately was worried whether my body would agree with it or not. Thankfully it worked great for me!! It actually worked very well for me on the Bike and Run. However, I heard a few people mention that they had lots of trouble with it. Again, there is nothing mild about this drink and if you plan on doing a Rev3 race, I suggest buying some ahead of time and finding out if it will work for you as it is the only sports drink offered on the Bike and Run.

Came into transition, waved to the wife and kids, got my socks and shoes on and got running.

I started running and immediately I knew it was going to be a decent run as I felt really good. Unfortunately I took in a little too much fluid on the Bike and had to make a pit stop in the woods. A pit stop that lasted over two minutes! Felt much better after that though. It was pretty hot and muggy and although I lost a few minutes peeing; I'd be much worse off and lost a lot more time had I been dehydrated.

The first two miles of the run are down and flat. Then mile 3 was a gradual climb. Then you hit a dirt road and you CLIMB. You CLIMB for a mile straight. My right foot fell asleep and was filled with wicked pins & needle. This never happens in training; only in races. I don't know why. A few of the climbs were of a severe grade and my heartbeat throbbed in my ears forcing me to walk. After the 1 mile climb is another series of mean, steep hills that keep coming at you for about another 8k. On the few flats I managed to keep a decent pace, my foot finally woke up, I was timing my caffeine gels perfectly, dumping ice cold water on my head at each aid station, and taking a gulp of Cerasport at every other station.

Coming back up to the park you make a left for one final out & back of 4 miles. This was the best part of my day. They changed the course from last year, and the final four miles are pretty flat!! I'd paced well all day, done great with my nutrition, and now I was enjoying a fast pace for the final miles of a 70.3 -- it was like a Dream Come True for Me!! What was normall a Death March by this point, was a Fun Celebration!! After the turn-around with 2-miles to go I was encouraging the other athletes still making there way to the turn-around. I high-fived my friend Matt, Dan & Aaron. I was having a ricking good time at mile 69, Go Figure ;) But then I saw the final hill. A mean little SOB that wound up and under a bridge, and I was forced to walk. A third of a mile from the finish line and I was grimacing and power-walking. But I made it up, turned the corner, saw the final turn, and began sprinting toward the finish line.

Nothing really. This is as good a run I had in me today. I was only passed by four or five runners at the very beginning, and I passed a half dozen or more in the final five miles.

I watched Heather Gollnick hand out the awards to the Pro's on the main stage.


No Taper. Lack of hill training.


Revolution 3 for me and my family was more than a race, it was an experience. The amusement park, meeting all the Pro's, and a dozen other tangibles made this event exceed my expectations. The course was exceptionally well-marked, the volunteers were superb, I got two awesome shirts, a nice visor, the pre and post activities again with the Pro's and Amusement park just put this event head and shoulders above any other triathlon I've done. I mean, how can you top meeting Craig Alexander, having him sign three visors for you and your two kids!! What a Gentleman!!

As far as the course, this is a tough, challenging course. Pro Michael Lovato said it's the toughest HIM course he'd ever done - and many of the Pro's agreed. I treated this course with a lot of respect early on, and in the end it made for a fantastic day. I will definitely be doing more Rev 3 events in the future.