Ford Ironman 70.3 Honu - Triathlon1/2 Ironman

I can't imagine ever seeing a more beautiful beach or swimming area than this. We swam here with ladavidson on Thursday. I was a little nervous about the mass swim start first time I had started a swim with a 1,000 other people, it went very well, the swim is the part of the race I am the happiest with. At the start I got moving with the pack and did a good job of drafting off my friends in the front (first time I have ever really swam well enough to be able to draft off of other, wow what a difference that makes) all of a sudden here came the first buoy, I was surprised it got there that quick, same thing with the second one, which was the one that turned us back north into the wind and a current that was going out to sea. I tried and actually stopped to look for the buoy's and was unable to sport them due to the sun and all the splashing going on, so back onto the feet of someone, after several minutes I looked up and noticed I was in a group of people headed for Tokyo Bay,,,,,, So I made the decision to break away from that group and head back to the group who was on course. I was swimming by myself for about 5 minutes and that was a little more difficlt than drafting. Just prior to the buoy that turned us into shore with about a 1/4 mile to go I sarted getting a few leg cramps, which I don't understand since I really don't kick with my legs at all, I get to the buoy, stop for a second to sport the next one close to shore and both legs lock up, but as soon as I start swimming they feel ok. I did the craw then entire way, well with the exception of when I did the side stroke for the sole purpose of thenaking the lifeguard for he support.

Do a better job of sighting and nagivating. I think more OW swimming and forcing myself to sight more will help with that.

I want to do some research to figure out why I was having some issues with my legs when, to the best of my knowledge I wasn't using them???????

Not a smooth transition for me overall. I stopped in the porta potty to pee all went well with getting the bike, got off the timing mat and onto the bike to have a volunteer tell me the red line up ahead was the mount line, off the bike past the line, insead of putting my foot on the pedal and swiming my leg over like I do and practice I mount the bike then put my foot on the left pedal push, not enough momentum up the slight grade and get right foot on the bottom of the pedal and give my right shoe a little grinding on the ground. I get a little ways up and notice my hrm I keep on the bike is missing, somehow it slipped off it's mount but was still on the aero bar, I stopped and reattached it

Prior to the race make a point of knowing where the mount area is. Make sure I mount the bike properly.

I need a lot more saddle time. Had one flat tire and had a difficult time with the co2. I have had 3 flats in the last 2 years two were in my last two races. At about mile 40 the bike started feeling toughter and I was getting passed quite a bit at mile 48 is when I noted my front tire was real real low,,,,, I am assuming it had been low for several miles.

about 8 miles before the turn it started raining, at first it felt good then it got a bit much no big deal. At the turn it was downhill with the wind at my back, I was a bit nervous at 40+ mph on a wet road,,,,, that was the first time in years I've been on a wet surface with the bike.

practice with the co2 tool prior to the race. TRAIN a lot MORE.

I likey when someone is there to grab your bike the second you hit the transition area. :)


Nothing

In the Oly's I've done usually about two miles into it I get my running legs back, this never happaned, the entire run, felt like the first mile off the bike, I hate to say it but I did a lot of walking on this course, I didn't really have any problems with my hr spiking up or anything just some real pain in my legs the whole way. Just before mile 11 I thought I might be able to break the 7 hr mark and was sure this effort would not cause a dnf so I pushed through the pain and ran as hard as I could. I missed it but I did have a real strong run finish with a solid sprint the last 100 or 200 yards.... yah I passed a few folks just before the finish.

For the race nothing, I think a lot more bike time is the key here, I feel I used my legs up on the bike and was out of gas for the run.

walked a mile and drank lots of pop, ate sweet stuff


not enough bike time and not enough bricks after long bike rides


Wow, I am spoiled for certain now. run aid stations every mile at least. A buffet every 2 miles. This was a real class act.

I am a little disapointed in my time, but pleased with my effort throught the race. I'm not in as good of shape as I thought. The course was tougher than what I had imagined it would be prior to arriving here. Doing a HIM is harder than I had imagined as well. Overall I am very happy with the overall race experience, my performance and my first M Dot experience.

Here is a link to the IM Live AG. I'll update the ag ranks when available.

http://liveupdate.ironmanlive.com/ppv/?rid=72