Ironman Coeur d'Alene - TriathlonFull Ironman

Swim was brutal! This was first triathalon so all new to me. I started middle to the back to let lots of people in first. Didnt seem to make a difference. First 0.5mile was survival as could barely get a stroke going without someone kicking, grabing, crawling over you or if not someone in front was stopped or had no where to go.
On return to beach on first lap I got calf cramp. FUUUUUUCCCCCKKKKKKK as if the aqua-wrestling wasnt enough!
Finally make it to beach and walk around timing mat and dive back in. This time I swing way right. Sighting was off a llittle and I kept going right but at least had clear swimming so didnt mind as much but then calf cramp...again...FFFFUUUUUUUCCCCCCCCCCKKKKKKKKKKK. Find kayaker and stretch for a few seconds. Sight turn buoy and bee line it. So now am back in the aqua wrestling pool not to mention the chop from people being all over the swim course. Much worse than first lap. Hit last turn and try to keep near buoys as less people now. Still get banged around a bit then one more timecal cramp FFFFFFFFUUUUUUUUUUUCCCCCCCCCCKKKKKKKKKKKK. I hate cramps
Anyway finally make it out happily and run to T1


1.2 mi 39:59 2:04/100m
2.4 mi 47:11 2:26/100m
Total 2.4 mi 1:27:10 2:15/100m

Not really sure. Could use more swim training although I am not sure how much of a differenc it would make unless I get fast enough to get in front and stay there. Not enough time to make me that good.
Also start wide from get go.

Had Garmin watch on for swim. Not sure why but got stuck and held me up a bit getting suit off.
I really have nothing to compare this to as this was first time ever for a swim to bike transition

Not put watch on till bike

Bike was fun but very easy course. Some hills but I am used to climbing much more than total for bike course in about 50miles so felt great. Stayed within myself and plan almost entire ride with eception of the few climbs. Never saw HR over 156 max. Garmin will tell! Probably went to hard on first lap but felt so good to get out of water and the need to catch up some. Towards beginning of 2nd lap started to feel some fatigue so purposely held back on leg out to turn around on 95. This worked well as took it easy and was feeling very fresh for ride back into town so put hammer down. Will be curious to see what average was for this split as I felt like I was flying.

nothing

Smooth transition overall. Gave myself a couple of minutes to stretch as this is critical for me since I am a cramper

nothing

So went into this thinking I could run between 4:30-5hrs and got right in middle. I have only run one marathon and it was in 4:06 so I was not going to beat that. Felt some fatigue on start but nothing crazy. Purposely slowed myself up as medial quads felt very tight and I knew it was a long day. After first turn around felt better and tried to pick it up but at this point cumulative effects of a day of swimming and biking starting to catch up. Had always planned on walking aid stations and stuck to this plan. Really questioning myself on start of 2nd lopp and mind and muscles felt good but joints were killing me. Specifically left ankle and knees. Made decision to walk much of the out to turn around so that I could do best I could coming home on last 6-7miles. This worked out well

6.6 mi 1:03:33 8:56:05 9:37/mi
6.8 mi 1:11:24 10:07:29 10:29/mi
6.1 mi 1:15:15 11:22:44 12:20/mi
6.7 mi 1:14:15 12:36:59 11:04/mi
26.2 mi 4:44:27 12:36:59 10:51/mi


More run training. Longest run going in was 15miles 3 weeks before. I have gone from not running a mile 2 years ago to running 2 marathons in the last 5 months.
Cant complain as time was within expected goal but definetly hurt more than expected

simply training time. Had a total of 10 pool sessions all year! luckily I am a decent swimmer and get some fitness relatively quickly. I do know that to get fast at swimming you needs lots of pool time and I felt like my run was more of a limiter so focused on bike run.
I avg about 8-9hrs/week but unfrotunately the month before race was lots of travel for work and missed many workouts often only excercising 3-4/week. Thats life


The townies and volunteers make this race. I have been to many cycling events and one HIM and none stacked up to the energy and excitment surrounding this one. A great experience and an awesome feeling of accomplishment although I think I will stick to 70.3's from here forward just do to training volume and abuse on the body