IronMan Cozumel - Triathlon

I had never swum this far before and I had planned to start my swim training when my son got sick (took 8 weeks off training) so I was very happy to find out (afterwards) that I took 3rd in my AG. I know this is supposed to be a "fast" swim course but I was pretty done with it. It went by SUPER FAST though and I remember thinking that it didn't seem like 1:30 (my expected time). I was towards the very front of the "pack" but it was so spread out it wasn't a problem. I tried to find feet to draft off (and did find them - there are so people wiht motorboat kicks out there) but was more comfortable in open water.

train more.

the walk to the changing tents was 200m or something so I walked at first but then jogged towards the end. I totally changed from swimsuit to bibs and jersey AND took time for a GOOD shower. I figured I'd take about 15 min for each transition and this was close.

organize bike jersey better.

It seemed like was I was passed by everyone in the world on the bike. I tried to keep my HR in the high teens the first 2 laps but it was stuck around 130. Last lap I had it lower. I was really disappointed in my bike and the very last lap we had no tailwind at all - it was headwind in all directions due to hte rainstorm that rolled in. I felt GREAT on the 1st lap but worse on each subsequent one. Last lap the rain was so hard you couldn't see in front of your face. Then the puddles so deep it was insane. Crowd support in town, however, was like Le Tour. Amazing. Engaged the crowd the 1st lap and used them the 2nd two. I also ditched the Perpetuem on the last lap as my stomach had been very very bad the first 2 laps and I was hoping to turn that around. Went with on course Gatorade and water and GU and that all seemed to work.

train to get more aero and not have sores in sensitive areas.

Surprised this wasn't longer. Peed, vaselined foot (blister) after putting on shoe first time, sat down, yadda yadda. I was NOT looking forward to running. I'd never run further than 13m/21km and I had no idea what to expect and expected it would be awful. Grabbed GU fizzy electrolytes, my inhaler and a bottle of water. Felt like I was running with a suitcase full of crap. :)

Not sure. Organize T2 bag better?

I'd never run further than 21km and I was really really worried. I had plans for 15 min run/1 min walk for hte 1st lap but after the 1st run I knew I had to shorten the runs as my feet were KILLING me. It was really hard doing that 1st lap know how much lay ahead and re-framing it as 4 10ks didn't help as the signage was weird to say the least. So I just tried to get through it. I kept to 10min (or more or less) run and 1 min walk. I drank my electrolyte drink and had 3 GUs I stuck in my bra. My stomach was great now and I was thankful for that. The crowd support was incomprehensibly amazing. 2nd lap was a little better but in the dark but knowing that halfway through I was only halfway there was demoralizing. I also thought on the 2nd lap I'd be walking the 3rd. My feet were so very very bad and my hips started to twinge. About 2 miles from the end of loop 2 I got a bag of ice and placed it under my short's waistband to hold it to either hip and hoped for the best. The 3rd lap was amazing. I felt On Top Of The World the first lap and was looking forward to dancing with the music as I passed and high-fiving everyone. At about 2 miles from the finish my get up and go left. The last 2 km were really slow but that last .4km or so was AMAZING. The finisher's chute was SPECTACULAR and the crowd INCRECIBLE. I broke out into a sprint (how could you not?) and was SHOCKED to see my time. I'd had no idea of my swim and started my watch on the bike but had been unable to see my watch after dark. I was thinking my time was 15-16 hours. I was SO ECSTATIC to see 13 on the clock I about died. I think I barely heard the announcer, all my attention was on the clock. I was really happy with my time.

train more.

warm down? I hobbled and was very unsteady and had Red Cross trying to take me to medical but I was having none of it. FINALLY found my family and headed out.


this is the best IM out there. The crowd support totally makes the race.