Ironman 70.3 Racine - Triathlon1/2 Ironman

I am starting to enjoy wetsuit swims! This felt nice and easy, good pace, and just fun. Since I was in one of the very last waves, there were a lot of people to pass, and that did slow me down somewhat. Had one person hanging and banging on my feet for what seemed like too long, so I kicked it up a notch and dropped him/her. Otherwise exertion was pretty low.

Start closer to the front of my wave so as to have fewer people to pass.

Yeah, this was a slow transition. I spent time re-applying sunscreen (still got sunburned), and also my stuff had been kicked around a bit by the time I got there, so I wasted a little time trying to find my gloves.

Greater sense of urgency?

This was a nice, comfortable ride. I tried hard to take in fluid and nutrition throughout. Mostly Infinit, then Ironman Perform when I ran out, plus another power bar, some gel from my flask and a couple of packs of Gu Chomps. I was trying to stay comfortable, save my legs and energy for the run, and hydrate due to the heat. By the last third of the bike (11-noon), I was really starting to feel the heat. I don't know what the actual temperature was, but I heard that it was around 90 with a heat index of 100+.

In retrospect, my effort to save for the run was futile (see below). I should have pushed harder on the bike, and cut some more minutes here, since I did not end up having much success in the run anyway.

Stopped to use a porta-john, and also to reapply sunscreen. I was not in any hurry to start running in what was at that point (just after noon) oppressive heat and humidity.

This was hot and brutal. Ran for a while at the start with another guy who was going way too fast. Legs actually felt fine, even good! HR under control. Slowed for the first aid station for water and Perform, then found it hard to get going again. Used ice under my cap whenever possible, drank lots of water and Perform at the aid stations, and took advantage of the many residents with hoses to spray us down with. Main issues became bloating from drinking too much fluid, and (toward the end) running in soaking wet socks and shoes from all of the aforementioned hoses. For most of the run, I alternated running and walking. My legs actually felt good the whole time, and my HR never really got out of control, but I just couldn't keep up a run for very long because of the bloating and I think just general fatigue. Surprised that I don't have any blisters from running in soaked shoes, but I do have some sore toes.

I probably drank and/or ate too much, but with the heat and humidity I was afraid to drink any less or take in any fewer calories and electrolytes.

Walking and stretching, followed by some food from the food tent. More water and a generic cola. Went home, made a smoothie and went with the kids to a neighbor kid's birthday party.


HEAT, and probably decision-making about dealing with the heat.


This was my first HIM, AND my first half marathon, so I was happy with finishing close to the middle of the pack. Given the heat, I was also happy to have finished under my own power and not to need medical attention at the end. I was surprised to see that I ranked higher on the run than on the bike, so I guess it was hard for everyone out there. I guess that also reveals that the bike is still my weakest link, though I have come a long way during the past year or so. Before last year, I had probably never ridden more than 5 or so miles on a bike, at a casual pace. I'm pleased with my improvement but there is still room for a lot more.