Ironman 70.3 Racine - Triathlon1/2 Ironman

Water was beautiful! It was the perfect temperature and was really clear. I'm used to some contact in the water but that was more than I have ever experienced (I've only done a few sprints and one olympic). I knew those super quick men in the last three waves would be coming up behind me, but they got there a whole lot quicker than I expected. My sighting was pretty good, although I felt like I was a little too wide at times, but every time I got closer I would get squeezed between people. I don't mind the contact (got kicked in the back of the head) but just didn't want to get hit in the face. My right goggle started foggy up and ended up with a little water in it about the last buoy before the turn to head back in. Then I realized my goggle straps were slipping down and my cap was sliding back. I was able to correct it by skipping a few strokes and pulling them up while skipping a few breaths also. I was feeling really comfortable and might have been able to push a little more, but I was also really happy with my time.

Swim a little harder and try to find some feet to follow a bit more.

I skipped the kiddie pools, cause they were pretty gross by the time I got there. I wasn't going to use the wetsuit strippers because I had heard you get pretty sandy, but I found the last one in the line and there wasn't much sand on the ground. Definitely the right decision, got it off quickly and was up and running again. I got lost in transition!!! I scoped out where my rack was in relation to swim in, but apparently things look different in the middle of the race. Once I found my bike, I kept feeling like I was forgetting something, so I made sure to take my time, hence the 5:46 time, but it turns out I had everything I needed. I walked my bike to the mounting line, clipped in quickly and was on my way. I was glad to have practiced mounting the bike and getting up that hill a few times.

Find my bike more quickly!! Don't get lost.

Got on my bike quickly and got to a comfortable pace. I added aero bars to my road bike at the end of May and was a bit uncomfortable with my new fit in both my knees and upper back. My knees held up well but as usual my neck and upper back were really sore after about an hour. I had a couple of opportunities to bike the course prior to the race, but rode it faster than any of the rides. Although it was my fastest ride, I wasn't sure how hard I could push and follow it up with a long run. I carried one bottle of Carb-Pro and one bottle of water. I tried to finish up one bottle of water between aide stations. I took in either Chomps or Bonk Breaker every 45 minutes with a Salt Tab and Carbo-Pro between. The last five miles are just so rough, I couldn't wait to get off the bike. Generally, I felt pretty good coming in and saw a bunch of family and friends which is always fun.

I wouldn't do much different, except maybe push a bit more and trial a long run after a long bike in training.

Took a while to get my arm coolers on but was really glad to have them.

I was having knee problems leading up to the race and so I wasn't sure I would be able to run at all. So when I started out, and didn't have any knee pain, I was pretty happy. I decided it was best to walk up the two hills at the start and on the second lap just to save the legs a bit. Took in a bunch of water at the first station along with some Gu. I grabbed some ice and put it in my hat, that worked out really well. It was definitely hot out there but I think I did well keeping as cool as possible. I took in a lot of water, only one cup of Perform (it was really warm and pretty nasty), Salt Tabs and 3 Gu's. By the time I got to the turn around, my feet were pretty wet and squishy but no blisters. At the turn around to start lap 2, I saw my kids and gave them both hugs and kisses, saw my parents too. My brother was half way up the hill on the way out again. He let me know my run time (I only have a timing watch and it was set for my total time). At about mile 7, I started a 1 minute walk and 2 minute run routine until about mile 9 when I just started running from point to point and tried to make it to each aide station. I also walked each aide station, I still haven't figured out how to drink water while running and not choking. I was really thankful my knee didn't start hurting at any point. My final goal was to run the last mile but made it to the last aide station and walked a bit after that. I did make sure that my family didn't see me walking at any point, except my brother on the last hill. I really wanted to run more than I walked and I accomplished that and so I'm pretty happy with my run. I got to the finish and actually felt pretty good, other than tired.

Don't give in to the walking. I always find it so much more difficult to start running than to just keep running, so next year I will be running even more. I would also like to keep my feet drier. Although, I'm not sure how to do that while pouring water down my back, using sponges, keeping my arm coolers wet and having ice in my hat.

I had to ask the volunteers if I could stop moving now. Made it through the finishers chute and was surprised to be asked by medical staff how I was doing. I was also surprised that I could tell her I felt good. I headed straight for the food. My family and friends had a nice shady spot under the trees and spent some time re-living the race and watching the kids run up and down the hill. Finally headed back to transition, got my bike and headed home (in a van with no air conditioning).


Inexperience, not quite knowing if I could push harder on the bike and still have legs to run with.


I had a great time and did better than I expected. Can't wait to do it again next year.