Ironman 70.3 Austin - Triathlon1/2 Ironman

I did this race last year and the course was the same. This was the first race I used a wetsuit so that was an adjustment. Just swam at my normal pace, but with the sun rise I had a hard time sighting and was all over the place. I ended up almost cutting the course in half, but a life guard in a canoe let me know I had to turn around. So back I went around the turn bouy and didn't have many issues after that. Wasn't much contact and was happy with my time even with having to turn around.

Practice sighting and staying closer to the bouys.

Went slow as it was cold and I wanted to get my calf sleeves, socks, and jacket on. Decided against wearing gloves and felt warm the entire time. Had to carry my bike out as we were warned about prickers in the grass that had got stuck in peoples wheels causing flats. My warms were tired from the swim and I basically walked carrying my bike out of transition.

Nothing, I wasn't concerned with my time in transition, I wanted to be comfortable on the bike.

A lot of hills and wind, which I was ready for. I had really worked on my biking the past year. I improved 9 minutes from last year, but was hoping to be closer to 2:50. Not as many people with flats this year. I purchased a water bottle holder that attached to my aero bars as the water bottles they hand out don't fit in my water bottle holders. I didn't want to throw my water bottles away, so the new holder was great. I would recommend the aero hammock to anyone. There was always people around throughout the entire ride, but this year there seemed to be a lot more car traffic. Roads weren't close and there were several roads that had just one lane in each direction. So cars would be right behind a cyclist and you would have to pass the car or slow down yourself. Saw two people that looked to have some sort of accident getting help, but other than that was uneventful ride. Felt great coming off the bike.

More work on the bike and with the trainer. My bike continues to be a huge weakness for me.

Kept my shoes clipped in and ran to my rack. My shoe kept dragging on the ground so I end up pulling it off the pedal and carrying it to my rack. Took my jacket off, and drank my red bull. Off to the run I went with very fresh legs.

More practice running with my bike without shoes on.

Had a great run. I felt great the entire time and didn't have any cramps. I made sure I walked through each rest stop and got a water and coke at each one. First two miles realized I was going at a 6:30 pace and immediately slowed down as I didn't want to cook myself. Stayed pretty consistent the rest of the way and realized by mile 5 that as long as I kept my pass I would easily beat my goal of 5:30. Only had minor cramps as I started the run up to the finish line, and was an amazing feeling knowing I accomplished my goal and my family got to watch.

Nothing, the run worked out perfectly. The course has a lot of hills, but I do most of my training runs on hills so I was ready for them, plus it was the same route as last year, so I was ready for it.

Just talked with my wife and friend, got my stuff and headed home.


Nothing really, just need to get better on the bike, it is what drags my times down.


This is the second time I have done this race and it is great. I love the route and the weather was perfect. It is so well organized and the aide stations were well stocked the entire day. Would recommend this race to anyone wanting to do a 70.3.