Ironman Cozumel - TriathlonFull Ironman

This was my first mass start and I really wasn't placed well to avoid the chaos. While I'm a very strong swimmer I got beat up pretty good the first 200m. Things didn't clear out until the first turn buoy. Once I got there I settled in and started cuising. I stuck tight to the buoys and the last one had jelly fish all around it. I really hate jelly fish and the got me good. I know I must have slowed after the last buoy because it felt like it took much longer than it should to reach the finish. I noticed a lot of people were going off course and I increased my sighting to keep myself on track. I actually felt good and gave a little push the last 100 yards.

Place myself better on the start...further out away from the crowd

It took me a too long to get my speedsuit off and tri shorts on. I just need to practice. I also should have used my own sunscreen and not used the events. I pay for this big time as the quality of the stuff was sub par. My race number and age group letter are now tatoo'd on my calf as this was the only place I didn't burn :)

I felt so good on lap one and was on the way to a kick ass race. I need to take salt sweat a lot. My salt tab dispenser got stuck and instead of stopping and fixing it I pushed on. On top of this I drank water not gatorade. The combo killed me. At mile 91 it hit. I had trouble keeping equilbrium and could hardly keep my bike straight. I also couldn't eat as everything wanted to come right back up. I not sure how I made it through those last 21 miles but I did. This was totally my fault as the support on the couse was excellent. There were stations all over ... I'm just an idiot.

Actually stick to my nutrition plan!

I don't remember this too much. I was having a hard time focusing. I forgot to take my gloves off. I think my helmet and bike shoes were removed for me and someone put my shoes on. I was forcing gel shots and salt tabs down. Somehow I got upright and ran out. I gave a bystander my gloves once I realized they were still on.

I spent the first lap downing gatorade as much as possible. I managed a run walk. It was frustrating as my legs felt great but I couldn't keep my equilibrium at a run. The aid stations were all over the place so that was a huge help. As I got salt back in my system and the sun went down I stablilzed a bit but the damage was done. I kept moving forward and was able to run in the last mile. Not the race I wanted but I'm pround of myself for pushing through.

I went right to transition to collect my stuff as I knew if I stopped I wouldn't be able to get back up. I got my bike to the TriBike drop off and somehow walked the mile back to the Hotel. Believe it or not after a shower and 30 minutes of sipping gatorade recover I felt well enough to go back out with my friend who also raced and cheer on the final finishers.


I loved the race. It was a great course and very well managed. The issues I had were of my own making. Even though I'm dissappointed with my time I'm thrilled with my ability to push through. I learned a ton and will make sure I train better on my nutrition intake.