Ironman 70.3 Kansas - Triathlon1/2 Ironman


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Lawrence, Kansas
United States
World Triathlon Corporation
93F / 34C
Sunny
Total Time = 7h 36m 9s
Overall Rank = 999/1176
Age Group = 40-44F
Age Group Rank = 50/59
Pre-race routine:

Got up at 4:20. Ate a bagel with peanut butter, coffee, and DH drove me to the race sight.
Event warmup:

I'm not sure where the time went, but before you knew it, I was scrambling to get my stuff organized in T1 and T2. I hate having to be in a hurry. I need to learn to get my sh!t together in a timely manner.

Found out that the swim was not wesuit legal. Water temp was 76.8 and the cutoff was 76.1. I looked out at the water and saw how choppy it was. Since I wasn't a contender for any podium spots, I decided to wear my wetsuit. Because of this decision, I had to start in the last wave.
Swim
  • 52m 17s
  • 2112 yards
  • 02m 29s / 100 yards
Comments:

I'm so glad I wore my wetsuit!! The water was very choppy and I kept getting water in my mouth every time I turned to breath. I had to stop to catch my breath. Once I calmed down, I continued. Because of the choppy waters, I had to sight constantly to not veer off course. I saw a few people way off.
What would you do differently?:

I can handle the endurance of the swim, I just have no confidence when it comes to OWS. I'm glad I wore my wetsuit but felt a little wimpy relying on my wetsuit so much. I need to get over this!!
Transition 1
  • 04m 30s
Comments:

Took my time in T1. No comment.
Bike
  • 3h 39m 4s
  • 56 miles
  • 15.34 mile/hr
Comments:

I don't think I've ever had to endure wind conditions like I did today. This was on a whole other level of WTF! Having to start in the last wave, I knew the weather was going to get hotter and hotter. I tried to take in fluids and calories every 15 minutes. I would find out later that I didn't take in enough!

Some of the hills with the crosswinds and headwinds were laughable. I was constantly thinking about being Dorthy and flying off with the winds to the Land of Oz. The downhills at times were intense because I felt like I could lose control of the bike. I don't mind going fast but mix that with a mean crosswind and being a lightweight, I was fearful of being blown over.

after 3 hours and 39 minutes, I knew that this was going to be a looooong day. :(
What would you do differently?:

I know I always need more time in the saddle. I honestly didn't bike enough and I paid for it.
Transition 2
  • 04m 34s
Comments:

I knew things were going to be bad when I started cramping putting on my running shoes. I took in some gatorade and a gel, but I knew it might be too late.
What would you do differently?:

Be more effective on the bike regarding nutrition.
Run
  • 2h 55m 44s
  • 13.1 miles
  • 13m 25s  min/mile
Comments:

Sigh. Well, what can I say. The run is typically my strength, and it ended up being a demoralizing sufferfest.

After the first half mile of the run, my legs were cramping. I knew this wasn't going to be pretty. I shuffled and walked the entire race. I've never been this miserable. I honestly questioned if I was going to finish or not. But than I was getting pissed and thought to myself, " I didn't travel 9 fricken' hours to Kansas to not finish and get my finishers medal." I stopped the pity party I had in my mind and just moved forward whether it was walking or shuffling. The volunteers were amazing and the crowd support was wonderful.

I finally reached the yellow brick road to the finish!!! The announcer said my name and I got my medal!!! I suddenly felt lightheaded and a volunteer led me to a tent with chairs. He asked me if I could drink some water and I said yes. He handed me 3 bottles of cold water, and I gulped down two bottles. A few minutes later I felt like I could walk, so I got up and my family found me and congratulated me.
What would you do differently?:

Train more

Work on nutrition and hydration

Train more
Post race
Warm down:

None really.

What limited your ability to perform faster:

I would be lying if I didn't say I wasn't disappointed in my performance. I did the Racine HIM last year in 6 hours and 9 minutes. So finishing this race in 7 hours 36 minutes was a very demoralizing experience. I had to remind myself though that Racine and Kansas are different beasts. Every race has its challenges and obstacles. The conditions in Kansas were not ideal, but i also know i probably wasn't fully prepared for the distance. I am accountable for my actions. I guess I didn't think I would bomb like I did.



Event comments:

The volunteers were AMAZING! The crowd support was WONDERFUL!

I saw Lisa (Glinda the good witch) running with her tutu and wand. I smiled and wanted to say something but was too tired, LOL.

Congratulations to all the participants who suffered with me.




Last updated: 2012-02-07 12:00 AM
Swimming
00:52:17 | 2112 yards | 02m 29s / 100yards
Age Group: 0/59
Overall: 952/1176
Performance: Below average
Suit: Zoot full wetsuit
Course: The course was one loop in counter clockwise direction.
Start type: Wade Plus: Waves
Water temp: 0F / 0C Current: High
200M Perf. Bad Remainder: Below average
Breathing: Below average Drafting:
Waves: Navigation: Average
Rounding:
T1
Time: 04:30
Performance:
Cap removal: Average Helmet on/
Suit off:
Wetsuit stuck? No Run with bike: No
Jump on bike:
Getting up to speed:
Biking
03:39:04 | 56 miles | 15.34 mile/hr
Age Group: 0/59
Overall: 1034/1176
Performance: Bad
Wind: Strong with gusts
Course: One loop course.
Road: Smooth  Cadence:
Turns: Cornering:
Gear changes: Hills:
Race pace: Drinks:
T2
Time: 04:34
Overall:
Riding w/ feet on shoes
Jumping off bike
Running with bike
Racking bike
Shoe and helmet removal
Running
02:55:44 | 13.1 miles | 13m 25s  min/mile
Age Group: 0/59
Overall: 0/1176
Performance: Bad
Course: Two loops.
Keeping cool Drinking
Post race
Weight change: %
Overall:
Mental exertion [1-5]
Physical exertion [1-5]
Good race?
Evaluation
Course challenge
Organized? Yes
Events on-time? Yes
Lots of volunteers? Yes
Plenty of drinks? Yes
Post race activities:
Race evaluation [1-5]