EagleMan Ironman 70.3 Triathlon - Triathlon1/2 Ironman

This was a large age group start. We had over 250 in my age group. I had to sit in corral before start for about 15 minutes. We finally got in water and thank god, I needed to relieve myself. The course was an out and back around a sailboat and back into a boat ramp. I started very well, lots of bodies around me but I held my ground. No sever kicks to the head or anything. I did managed around the first third to of the swim to get my goggles kicked. The right side came off and I was able to fix it rather quickly and kept going. The course was rather easy and sighting was not hard going our as the water was calm and in an area blocked by a jetty. I got to what I thought was the turn around. (as sailboat, we were told specifically to go around the sailboat but they failed to tell us to go around a bouy out to the right of the sailboat. I would say 90% of the swimmers did the same thing) Well after the officials got us back on course I made the turn around to the way back. That was when the swim got fun. The wind was blowing up waves and it was very choppy. I was not worried as my two ows the week previous were in very similar conditions. I kept going and passed several swimmers in the second half. When I got to about the three quarter mark I did a quick glance behind me, to my surprise there was a lot of swimmers in my group behind me, I thought wow I am doing great. I got back to swimming and started rehearsing my transition in my head. I got to about the 150 yard mark and did a final sighting. When I did this I changed to a diferent stroke, I kicked funny with my right leg and had a cramp in my calf. It was terrible. I thought oh my god, this is the end, and I won't be able to walk. The rest of the way in I stretched my right leg straight out and kept it still. I kicked with my left and continued my strokes with my arms. when I got the the ramp I saw so many people and got so excited I forgot about my calf muscle. Good thing right!


Keep with the freestyle the entire swim. Don't look behind.

What a blur. I went in and out. got some water. LoL like I said it was a blur. Although my wetsuit came off rather easily I think.

Well the first 37 miles reminded me of my riding by my house. I was cruisin nicely. Passing quite a few riders.(I was passed by a few as well) I even passed a father and son that was really cool, on matching bikes. The son was 12 years old!!!!!! Pretty awesome stuff. Once I got to Mile 37 I hit a head wind. I just was not ready for it. The miles from 37 to 50 were pretty hard. I thought I was bonking. So I drank and ate and did what I could to get through it. My ass hurt real bad..I think i should have ridden a lot more in my tri shorts. I was not used to the less padding. When Mile 50 came I finally started to feel good again. The wind behind me helped a lot as well, but I was average 22 the last 5 miles and felt great.

ride more in tri shorts to get used to them.

I did alright. got bike set up real quick and got a quick drink. My shoe did not go on right needed an extra adjustment.

Not sure. I sat a second to get my bearings, maybe I should bypass that?

I started running as I passed the finish line to exit transition, I watched Natasha Badman do her victory dance to the ribbon. I was right next to her to see her win. Pretty awesome. That gave me such an awesome lift. I was running at a very slow pace as it was but seeing her cross the finish gave me a little boost. I ran until the first water stop. I had to go to the bathroom. Found a port a potty and got a drink. It was about a three minute stop in all but it was enough to get me going a little faster after the break. I kept making sure not to go to fast as my goal was to not walk. I got help right after the stop. I hooked up with Jeff from Philedelpia, we ran the nest 12 miles to the finish. It was good we chatted a lot and pushed each other. He keeping track of our laps, but I think he was off a minute per, oh well. I never once felt like I wasn't going to finish the run. I knew I had it in the bag. IT was a good feeling. I kept with the gels and had water at every stop. THe last two miles I was able to pick it up to about a 9.5 minute pace. Not good enough to get me to break the 6 hour mark but It felt good none the less.

Not sure. Maybe bring my running watch so I can lap myself better. My goal for the run was to do 9 - 9:30 minute miles, i really needed to pace better.

Another Blurry momement for me. I was looking for Jeff the runner I was with for most of the Half marathon. Then I saw the watermelon and I was there. Had like 7 pieces. I wanted a massage but did not want to wait an hour. So I packed my things and went home. Surprisingly, I was not tired for the 2.5 hour drive.


I went slow and steady, I did not want to test my limits on my first 1/2 iron. Next one in September I will push the bike a little harder.


I definityl reccomend this race to anyone wanting to do a 1/2 ironman. I already plan on doing it again next year with my wife.