EagleMan Ironman 70.3 Triathlon - Triathlon1/2 Ironman

Swim was BRUTAL! The first portion was good...I was able to draft and my navigation was on. After that, it went downhill. I knew the swim back would be bad when I could feel the waves coming from behind me. Before the swim start, we were told that there were four round, orange buoys and then at the last yellow triangular one, you turn. WRONG! There were three round orange buoys and two yellow triangular ones. So when I got to the yellow buoy, I started to turn. I was then directed by a volunteer and saw there was one more buoy (UGH)! As with last year, the buoys were small and far apart. Once I made the turn, I prepared myself for the rough swim back with the chop. My sighting was off because the return buoys were yellow and so were the volunteer shirts. Several times when I would breath, I would get mouthfuls of water and gag from the nasty taste. I then made it a focus to come higher out of the water to breathe. On the way back into shore, I was stung by jellyfish (once on the arm and once on the face). Talk about freaky! When I saw the finish was in sight, I put my head down and just swam. Saw Sissy as I was getting out of the water...so awesome she came!

I am usually totally comfortable in the water, but with this race, I was SO ready to get on that bike! My swim goal was shot out the window, but still managed to beat last year's swim by 1:46.
I think more OWS in those conditions would have me better prepared.
Luckily the next race is in a lake. =)

I am never great at transitions.
I had no issues with the wetsuit and managed to pee after it was off while putting on my helmet and sunglasses. Wearing my shirt under my wetsuit worked well. I applied sunscreen on my arms and shoulders and some then some butt butter before grabbing my bike and heading out.
My T1 time was slower this year, but last year I forgot the suncreen and butt butter.

Hustle more. I had a slight issue clipping in with the way the pedals were, but then after I was in, no problems.

Despite my shi**y time and pace, I felt good on the bike. Saw the pros coming in as I was a few miles into the bike. Not able to make out any of the men, but saw Natascha. She is amazing!
Mentally, I broke it up into quarters and it made the time pass. I also didn't leave my bike computer screen on my average. I set my timer for every 30 minutes and took in a GU. (also ate a luna bar). Chased GU with water from aerobottle. Finished 1 1/2 bottles of GU20 (not enough) along with lots of water. I passed the first aid station, but then hit every port-o-pottie out there. Headwinds were brutal as they were last year, but this year, I knew how they were and I think I was more ready mentally. I would have liked to have a solid last 10 miles, but that headwind wouldn't stop and ended up cruising back into town not as fresh as I would have liked. The last few miles were great! The tailwind and watching the runners helped.

I was able to stay aero for the first 20 miles or so, but after that, it got uncomfortable. Bike shorts would have been great, but I wasn't pulling a Nate and changing in T1.
My time was 2 minutes slower than last year which is very disappointing, but then again, I stopped 4 times to pee. I guess that will do it.

Racked my bike, stopped to pee (yet again), grabbed my hat and race belt along with a bottle of water, gave a quick spray of sunscreen on my shoulders and arms and I was out.

I probably could have waited to pee, but then again, I didn't want to have to go so badly on the run.
T2 was 3 seconds slower tha last year (Damn it)!!

The run is never my strong suit. I started this run with my legs feeling good off of the bike. I heard Tim's name get announced as I was running out of T2. I then saw Brad and Sissy as I started the run and heard Amy and Laura.
Even tough my legs felt ok, my stomach was not doing so hot. My watched beeped at about mile 1 which meant it was time to eat. I forced down a GU and sipped some water, but still felt awful. I did a walk/run combo (mostly walking) until about mile 3. I know it wasn't smart, but I threw my nutrition plan out the window. I started grabbing full cups of ice at every aid station that I would eat while I ran. I saw Heidi and then Craig and they looked great. I then saw Nate doing calestenics (sp) at my mile 4 and his mile 9. By this point, I started running. He encouraged me by saying, "Nine easy miles!" and I was off. I grabbed a banana at mile 4 and ate that. I kept giving myself short term goals (first to run to the bend in the course, then to run to the 1/2 way point, etc). I drank some water/gatorade mix at around mile 5 and then had a banana and a cookie at the turn around. I kept leapfrogging a guy with a smiley face markered on his calf...it kept it interesting and we had someone to talk to. Mentally and physically I felt great during the run (especially since last year I walked so much of it). I continued the ice and water/gatorade for the remainder of the run. At mile 9, (even though I wasn't running 10 min/mile pace), I told myself, "4 miles left...you can do anything for 40 minutes". I continued that at mile 3 as well. With 2 left, I told myself that I was not going to walk with 2 miles remaining. As I was running, I starting singing Sure Shot as Heidi did on her LP run over Memorial weekend and it was great! Kept me moving!
I felt strong finishing and as I turned the final corner, I heard our group screaming for me which was a great sound! Down the finishing chute I ran...

Although I would have liked to have a faster run time, I ran from around mile 3.5 until the end. I felt strong mentally and physically. Sometimes, I think I start running and just settle into a pace. I think that's what happened here. Overall, I was pleased with running the last 10 miles and how I felt at the finish line.
Beat last year's time by 14 minues.

Grabbed some Gatorade and ice and found Brad and Sissy and stretched.


The conditions on the swim were rough (especially to start out the race like that). I should have pushed it harder on the run as well.
I, like Brad, have mixed emotions about this race. I had an overall time goal I wanted to hit and that didn't happen which was disappointing. I thought I would have a stronger bike too. On the positive side, I ran 10+ miles of the run after my stomach issues went away and finished the race feeling really strong with a smile on my face. I felt prepared mentally for the day and the distance.


This is a great race! It is amazing to see the pros and even better than that, to have 6 of us together racing.