Ironman 70.3 Kansas - Triathlon1/2 Ironman

Again heavy chop and waves, but felt good about my performance until I saw my time. Felt relaxed and smooth, maybe I was too relaxed.

I'm not sure. I was confident in my swim coming into the race. Had a little issue with sighting I guess due to the waves.

Long transition run with bike up a short hill. Shoes on in transition, everything went pretty smooth. Happy with my time. Ran a little past the mount line to avoid traffic jam, clipped in without difficulty. Put gloves on while getting up to speed on the bike.

Nothing.

Felt pretty good most of the way on the bike. The winds were frustrating, but knowing everybody was on the same playing field made it a little better. Mile 35 with a big hill into a head wind was not fun and I probably used a lot of energy in that 10 mile segment before turning back. I am in need of a new cassette that is more conducive to hill climbing. Using too much energy trying to get up them.

Take it a little easier on the flats and decents. I puposely took it as easy as I could on the climbs knowing I have the wrong gearing. I would change out cassettes more conducive to hill climbing, or get a compact chain ring. Bring salt tabs on the bike. Forgot to unpack them in transition.

Felt good going in to transition. Everything went smooth and had a pretty fast time.

Nothing.

Weather hot, 90's and no shade. Aid stations well stocked with everything you need. My problem was severe leg cramps that started a mile into the run. I was really disappointed as I was really looking forward to going out and smashing it. My whole race day execution plan was based on a good run, but was not to be. I'm not sure if it was because of the bike, or not enough electrolytes due to it being a hot day and I forgot my salt tabs, or a combination of both. The first lap of the run I had to stop several times to massage my quads and hamstrings. I could get about 3/4 of a mile out of my legs before having to stop and massage them again. At one point I had to sit down and physically straighten my leg out using the ground because my hamstring on my left leg balled up so bad. I did manage to get some electorlytes in late in the first lap and actually had a negative split for my second lap. Still not what I had hoped for.

Get more gears for my bike. Don't forget to unpack the salt tabs.

Plenty of water, walked back to camp, about a half mile, and said hi to my kids and ate some salty potato chips before walking back to the finish line to cheer on my wife. Had a little beer, I couldn't help myself. After she finished, we went to the athlete food tent and got some chocolate milk and a pulled pork bar b que sandwich.


Leg muscle cramps. Have never had that happen to me before during a race. Not sure if it was an electrolyte issue, or a too much power output on the bike, or both.


Excellent event. Race director is top notch. Plenty of very helpful volunteers, food, water, etc. I've done this race one other time, and will be back next year, hopefully with better execution.