Ironman 70.3 Branson - Triathlon1/2 Ironman

The swim was the segment I was least worried about. The water was so clear, I could see my fingers once I extended my arm out. I really tried to get in a good pace and not get to worked up. there was a little bit of bumping the until the first turn, but after that, there wasn;t too much. I was able to remain calm and stay within myself on the swim. Felt good coming out of the water.

Nothing

T1 took a little time because I had to put everything in a bag for them to take to T2. I wanted to remember everything, so I probably took longer than I should have, but I felt good about it and it wasn't as long as I thought it would be.

Just be faster overall.

This is the hardest bike course ever, but it is strangely a very fun course as well. After last years race and being pulled from the bike course due to 5 flat tires, I was really looking to a rematch with this course. I was glad the rain held off for me while on the course. I remembered every spot I flatted last year and I felt bad for all the people I saw who were having flats this year, which was quite alot of people. i wanted to make sure that I rode at a good pace but I also wanted to make sure and save my legs for the run. The downhills were fast and fun. One downhill had a sign that read "Extreme downhill, ride with Caution". I hit 53.1 mph down that hill. FAST!!!!!!!!! SCARY FAST!!!!!!!!!! but fun. The last hill into T2 was a very cruel joke, but being able to finish the bike course this year was a giant step for me and almost felt like a win! It was emotional in way, it was something I had thought about for over a year and to be able to conquer it felt great! The rain started falling on me with about 2 miles left to ride, so thankful I finsihed before the rain hit.

Keep riding and find some hills!

I was so thrilled to be in T2 this year that nothing else mattered. The rain was falling hard and thankfully I bagged my running shoes and dry socks before the run.

Nada

As soon as I started the run, I saw my family. What a great pick me up. My wife was thrilled for me to make it to the run this year, but not more thrilled than me. I goit a quick kiss from her and I started running through the Branson monsoon! It rained and rained and rained and rained some more. No use in trying to avoid puddles because it was impossible. I started to cramp in my hamstrings within the first mile and another racer gave me some Tums, which seem to help alot. After that I ran for 2 miles and then started a 10 minute run, 2 minute walk routine, or some sort of variation of it. This course was very easy to find a goal point to run to. It was very depressing to find someone to pace with and have them make the turn for the finishing chute, and I still had another lap or two. Every lap, I was able to see my family who toughed it out, all cramped in a mini van trying to avoid the rain, and then they made it to the finish line to see me cross the line. It was a sweet, sweet moment for me crossing that line. When they placed the medal around my neck, I almost lost it. I have been planning my rematch with this course for a year now and to finally get this monkey off my back was such a great feeling!

nothing, maybe run faster, but hey, I finished!

Kissed my wife and hugged the family. grabbed a warming blanket and chugged chocalte milk and ate a hot dog. I was so hungry! Thankfully, my son, dad and bro in law helped me gather my stuff and we went back to the condo to grab a hot shower and more food!


Nothing was going to keep me from finishing after last years failure. I did not care if I was going to be DFL, I WAS going to finish. Yes there is room for me to get faster, but this race was not about speed. It was about conquering this course, I have been thinking about it for a year now, and I am glad to say I am a finisher!


This is a great race! The volunteers, well I would be a jerk if I did not mention how great all the volunteers were. they stayed out there during the raining cherring people on the whole time, sometimes calling me by name, which was very nice. Great race and I think everyone should try it!