Ironman 70.3 New Orleans - Triathlon1/2 Ironman

I was relieved to not have to swim in the water, but sad I didn't get to race the swim as well. The swim is my strong leg usually in distance races.

The start was odd, the age groupers started 2x2 every 2 seconds 2 people would start. The bike was wonderful to get out and fly in some warm weather, this was only my second ride outside this year without my cold weather gear on! I averaged 2 mph faster than I did last year with less miles under me for training. I was passing a lot of people I think partly because there was no swim wave to sort out some of the slower people, and partly because I was in one of the last waves to start. I would really like to ask anyone that races in such a large race to ride on the right side of the road as often as possible, there were times when I would have to pass a much slower rider in the middle of the road, and people would also be passing me making things scary. Also when they say no drafting, please don't draft. Sorry about that, but everyone I was able to talk to on the course was very polite, and our 5 second conversations were really helpful in keeping me pushing.

Try to train outside more before the race.

I like the changes to transitions, it really helped to even out the amount of movement between bike in and run out. It made everyone travel about the same distance. Great T-2 time, even if it was the first transition of the day.

Run a little faster.

I started off the first 8 miles at a 7:42 pace, then I lost it, my pace slowed down to 10:28 for the remainder. I was still able to finish about where I wanted to at a 9 minute pace overall. I liked the iced down sponges on the run, but would have really liked if they would have had them at all of the stations. The race volunteers were amazing! I was pushing pretty hard to run the whole thing and not walk. I was hurting really bad, and knew I was pushing harder than I probably should have.

I would not get hurt early on in my training cycle, I wasn't able to run more than 6 miles for the 3 months leading up to the race. I probably shouldn't have raced, but why not, it was a good time.

Tried to figure out how to calm down, I didn't feel good at all in the end. I don't know what was wrong, there was just a general feeling of disconfort, and pain. But within 10 minutes of the finish I was doing much better. I liked the food at the finish, but would have rather had some cajun food.


Training


I would love to do the race if I lived closer, but had to travel 1800 miles to race here. The finish is great in the French quarter, but parking and the long walk back to get cars is terrible!