Grand Rapids Triathlon - Triathlon1/2 Ironman

This was a good swim for me. I didn't bilateral breathe much, as I had intended, but I did sometimes and it gave me confidence in the water. I didn't have any nervous moments, and I felt good throughout.
I did where my sleevelees, rather than my new sleeved wetsuit, in part due to temperature, in part due to lack of experience with it, and in part due to that fact that I haven't figured out how to take if off quickly.

Try to bilateral breathe a little more, but I'm ok with how much I used it.

I jogged from the swim and through transition, and even then I could feel my Achilles questioning me.
I wasn't as urgent with my transition because I knew I wasn't going to finish the race, but at the same time, I didn't doddle.

Nothing, it was a fine transition.

One of the best aspects about the bike is that my GURU and I were working so well together! Loved it! I will say however, that my butt was a little more sore than I would have liked. I've been thinking about changing saddles. I'll have to see how my next long ride goes.
I worked the bike of course. I did all of the passing, with the exception of one gentleman who I finished somewhat close to. We were back and forth at various times during the ride. As it turned out, he dropped out to the race after the bike for the same reason I did, and he's scheduled to compete at Ironman Wisconsin, in September.

I would have grabbed water at the last bike, aid station. I ended up running out with three miles to go. That's not too far, but when I was already 53 miles into the ride, I needed it.

At this point, I packed up all my gear, walked the distance of the transition area, gave my chip to a volunteer, and headed out onto the course to cheer on the runners.

This had to be done with my eye on the Ironman Louisville prize.

Didn't happen.

Under the circumstances, I made the right choice.

I rode my bike about half a mile out to cheer on the runners and then another 1/2 mile-ish to my sister's house where my car was parked.


Achilles tendonitis.


The Grand Rapids Triathlon was a first year event, and they did a fantastic job. If I didn't know it was a first year event, I wouldn't have known it.
It was a positive experience for me, under not-so-positive circumstances.
I'm very pleased with my performance. It would have been interesting to see what I could have done if I could have run.
Thanks to Ryan, Mom, and the Shaw's who came down for a spell to give a cheer and such.