Ironman 70.3 Rhode Island - Triathlon1/2 Ironman

I started out to the right in in line with th efirst buoys heading into the turn. There was some minimal contact and I hit th efirst two buoys dead one straight. As I rounded the buoy the sun was right in your eyes the whole time. Despite this I was able to stay straight and swamalong the buoys the whole way. Caught some feet a few times and was able to draft. At the turn I drifted to the left and went off course a bit. Got out the water feeling fine. I was hoping for a little faster time but they may be because of the lack of a wetsuit.

I felt good getting out of the water. Try and swim straight on the way back in.

About a 100 yard run from the beach to T1.

This is where the fun started. First I was totally under trained for the bike. My longest ride was 40 miles a few times. I knew the ride would be difficult and I did not have high expectations. About three miles into the ride I hear soemthing rubbing on my front tire. i think its the breaks so I reach down and adjust them. the sound continues and gets louder. I pull over to check it out and my front tube pops through the tire bead. I'm thinking crap the race is over i don't have another tire to use. Twopeople pull up on a motorcycle and call the support van which arrives within 15 minutes. He gives me a rim and a tire from his van and puts in on my bike. they were great. I hope back on the back and go. The course is totally different from two years ago and much tougher. Its all rolling hills very few flat sections. A killer hill at mile 28. The last ten miles are ROUGH roads with potholes and railroad tracks. there were soem spopts where I felt strong. My nutrition was on, this was a problem during my last HIM.

While it was a tough course I think it had more to do with my lack of training on the bike than anything else. I got through it and tahts all I could dp.

T2 was laid out the night before everything was in a bag ready to go.

I was happy to be off the bike and saw my family coming out of T2. They eliminated a big hill from two years ago, which was nice. Bythe time I started the run it was at least 90 degrees. I grabbed sponges, water and a bannanna at every aid station. Took a gu at miles 3, 6, & 9. Those cold sponges are the best. I ran the whole course and was hoping for under two hours. I just kept moving forward the whole time and I felt pretty good during the run. The volunteers were great.

Got my hat and took my finishers photo. Met up with the family and got some pizza. Took an ice bath and let the kids pour buckets of ice on me which they loved. Let the wife hit up the mall solo while me and the kids stayed in the room. Went to a restaurant for a bacon cheeseburger and a Sam Adams summer ale.


Lack of training on the bike. Nuff said!


Not a bad race. The point to point was much more convient than two years ago, when you had an hours drive to Naragansett. It was a nice little weekend vacation for us. My wife wants to do the race in two years.