Ironman 70.3 California - Triathlon1/2 Ironman

The water was nice and a couple of sea lions escorting the pros were fun to see. I felt pretty good on most of the swim. I had to stop twice and put my swim cap back on...not sure why it wouldn't stay on. maybe something about putting it on out of the water since we started at the boat dock and then got in and swam out to the start buoys. Usually I get my head wet first so who knows.

I felt pretty good coming out of the water...slight cramping but in general that cleared up on the trot back to the bike.

The first part was nice...little bumpy here and there but potholes well marked and mostly flat or downhill with a roller here or there. There was one hill that was a killer...people off the bike walking. I was in my smallest gear and standing and I could barely get up it without falling over. There is nothing sadder than a bunch of sleek tri-bikes poking along so slowly you can count the spokes. ;-)

I was cramping the last 15 miles and I had a salt-stick malfunction so I couldn't get to my endurolytes. I was sucking gatorade and cliff blox as much as I could.

My cramping persisted so I kept up with the gatorade and cliff blox as much as possible walking a very fine line between cramping and vomiting. Turned out to be a pretty tough run for me. I saw a bunch of other OCTri people out on the course and a few other bt friends / acquaintances so it was fun in that regard. Well cheered from the people of Oceanside. There were a few crews that had boom boxes going and they stayed outside and cheered well into the end of the day.

I was undertrained for this. I really needed another month or so. Too early in the season for me I think.


I didn't stick around much after the race. I grabbed a ride back to my car from my support crew and then got some food and headed home.