Ironman 70.3 Boise - Triathlon1/2 Ironman

I won't lie right before we got to go they were pulling people out and I was telling my self this is the time to HTFU. In the first 100 yards I panicked and freaked out twice when a wave hit my mouth during breathing. I was thinking about quitting, but I told my self one bouy at a time you can do this. That is just what I did and when I made it to the first turn I felt like I was in a good rythm and was swimming well. Sighting on the otherhand was not so great. I sight every 5th stroke and I just kept being to far outside. I would turn do my 5 strokes, but I just couldn't get on the line. I did pass quite a few people from the previous waves, but I was passed by just as many from waves behind me. I hit my watch on the boat ramp and it said 39 minutes. I did then take time to undo my wetsuit top and fiddle with my goggles and swimcap. It didn't feel like 2 minutes, but life is crazy when it's 40 degrees and raining/sleeting. I have never had a wetsuit stripped, but they did a great job when I got to the top of the hill and sat down for them to do it.

I wouldn't do much different except sight better and get myself together more quickly when I have a panic attack. My goal for the swim was 45 minutes so 41 is fine with me especially considering the conditions.

Wow is all I can say. After they changed the bike to 15 miles I decided I would dump some gear like blocks, gels, and extra fluid. I got to my gear bag and I was actually warm from the swim so my first thought was I don't need a coat. Thankfully my friend Jeff was in T2 right by me and he helped me realize a windproof running coat was something he wished he had. I put my coat on and fumbled with my shoes, helmet, and belt.

Have gloves.
This was all a product of the weather. I usually do a 2-3 minute T1 with wetsuit so this isn't bad all things considered.

I was pissed when I heard they cut the bike. I drove 2000 miles one way to do this race and get the full amount of pain. I changed my mind after coming off of LP. Holy shit was that crazy. I was essentially holding my breaks and doing 30 MPH. That wasn't a huge deal except everyone was driving like they were drunk. Nobody seemed to be holding any kind of line. It was chaos and I was more than a little scared. After we came off the hill I started to pound it. I was hoping to find some space, but just as I was hitting a good caence and felling good we hit the section where they rediected us. This was a one lane 3 feet wide section with 2 90 degree turns. It was a huge bottle neck complicated by the people who were trying to get vegas spots. I understood their motivation it was just nuts for them to try and get around us. After we came out of that is loosened up for a little while. The entire 15 miles is on a light downhill so you can really cruz if people are not in the way. I think the bike course was not equiped to deal with that many people packed together. I saw nemerous pace groups blasting by like it was a draft legal race. Overall I think the bike was crazy. I was happy to survive it without crashing or killing anyone. I did see one agegrouper on a bike with a wetsuit and I thought that was funny, but he was flying so I couldn't make any fun of him. If we had done the full 56 I had planned on at least wearing my neoprene cap for the ride to keep my head warm. My goal was to maintain 20 MPH on the 56 mile course so I can't complain about the bike time.

Wear gloves and shoe covers. Drink more. IT was so chaotic I didn't feel safe taking a drink. I figured I'd be ok with the minimal fluids I took in on the bike. This would come back to haunt me on the run.

I watched one lady next to me at the dismount line almost go down because the pavement was still wet so I made sure I slowwed down before I tried to put a foot down. I could not feel my hands or my feet so I was happy with this T2 time.

Nothing except have a huge blowing heater that could heat the enitre T2 area. I know it's not feasable, but what the hell.

I could not feel my feet for the first 3 miles or so. The first lap I felt pretty good I was getting in fluid and eating my blocks every 20 minutes. My average pace was about 8:00 which is what I thought it would be. At the 6 mile mark I started to feel bad and the pace reflected that as I was running about 8:30 pace. Near the end the wheels fell off and I finished the run at 9:30 pace. Overall I liked the run course. I even got to run with lindsay Corbin for a little bit and that was cool. My previous stand alone PR for the half was 2:04 so I guess I can't complain about 1:54. I had just hopped to hold pace better and finish a little stronger not struggling to keep puke down and keep running.

Pace better and

I walked to a porta john and delt with the issues at hand. I then wandered slowly over to T2 to pick up my bike. While there I felt a little light headed so I layed down and propped my legs up. That always helps.


Cold and distance change. I planned on 70.3 not 29.3.


This race was my life for the last 6 months. I trained and trained. I planned and planned some more, but like most things in life the best laid plans often change due to uncontrollable circumstances. I had a great trip with a good friend. I also had a fun race. Not a 70.3, but who can say they did a race under these conditions for their first attmept at a 70.3? I did join team beef at the expo and I was happy to have an extra jersery to remember the event. Also if anyone plans on doing this event pack everything and stay at the Hampton inn. T2 was out one side and the finish line was on the other. I can't tell you how nice it was to take a warm shower minutes after the race finished. I'm off to the doctor for x-rays on my heel and if he says it isn't broken then it's time to register for Steelhead. To all you fellow Boise finishers I say congrats and what a day that was. I'm sorry I missed the post race party I went for a shower and a nap after the race. I ended up going to Hooters at 8pm and eating wings and fries till I almost puked.