Ironman 70.3 Racine - Triathlon1/2 Ironman

This was only my second open water swim triathlon and my first experience was pretty bad so I just want to stay comfortable. Would say that I was very comfortable so I accomplished my primary goal. Wanted to try and find someone to follow but I didn't succeed in that regard and the brief time I did follow someone I didn't think it really helped me so I just swam by myself for the most part. Thought the sighting was easy and think I did a good job. My time of just under 40 minutes is about what I would expect to do in the pool fairly easily.

Rented a De Soto T1 wet suit for event. I liked it a great deal but longer term I think a lighter suit would be better for me as I like it cooler. Also need more experience in wet suit swimming. Probably could have pushed harder but it was sure nice to come out of water feeling so good.

May have gone out too far from buoys. Racine was far less crowded than the first OWS I did.

Fairly sure I didn't need to breathe as frequently as I did but I was doing everything I could to be comfortable.

Next year I might ask around before the race to find someone who I expect to swim a similar time and just try to follow them. I could have pushed this segment a little harder.

Hey I'm pretty sure I'm going to be walking before the end of the half-marathon so there is no way I'm going to rush through the transition. I walked the whole way and was careful to not miss anything.

Have a bottle of water to drink on the walk out to the bike-out.

Came within a hair of quitting when I had the flat tire and when I got going I kind of lost my head to an extent and pushed too hard at the start. I had planned to take it easy as I thought if I pushed things I would struggle on the run. Am also very inexperienced on the bike and while longer term I think it could be my best leg I need to work on it and get to know the sport better.

Had cramps in my hands for part of the race which was very weird/unusual.

Take my bike for a test ride the morning of the race.

Take water rather than athletic drink at aide stations as I have a hard time drinking undiluted sport drinks. As a result I didn't hydrate as much as I should have the last half of the race when I was relying on aide stations. Also want to add bottle holders that are behind seat. I may have ate too much on the course but I' not sure of this.

My heart rate was generally in the mid/upper 130s. I had planned on keeping it below 130 and until I put together a solid run I think I should strive to do this.

I'm worried about the run as I do not want to walk 13 miles. I note that other people are running through transition and think I could do that too but I know I'm going to walk at least some on the run so why bother.

Will keep a bottle of water in transition to chug as soon as I come in from ride.

Well I know I was slow but I really liked how I felt on the run. I had biked harder than I planned and had not hydrated as well as I should have the last part of the ride so I was thrilled to be able to shuffle the first 9 miles before walking most of the last 3-4 miles. Cramped the last mile; I usually take that as a sign to stop and maybe I should have taken a break but I was only a mile away from finish so I kept walking.

Kudos to the race officials for having ice on the course. I know it wasn't as hot as it has been the last couple of years but I loved the ice! I loved the water hoses! I would come to a complete stop when ice was available and carefully put it into my hat so I could make sure and have that on my head.

I would have hogged more ice at the aide stations!

Flat tire. Not hydrating enough on last half of bike ride.

May have performed better had I ridden the first half of the bike ride slower but I'm really not sure that I would have gotten it back.


This is a wonderful wonderful race.