St. Croix Ironman 70.3 - Triathlon1/2 Ironman

My goggles were foggy and it was hard to sight. I am awful at sighting and pull right. I enjoyed the swim. I didn't push this but definitely need more work on my swimming. Probably pretty accurate time for the swim shape I am currently in. Plan is to join masters in June. I just push myself more when I am with a group.

Better goggles, more swimming and some strength work.

I think I had a pretty good transition. Not sure of the time. We had to run through grass, down a sidewalk to the mount line. I ran with my shoes on my feet. I don't usually leave them on the pedals.

not much

I had 2 bottles launch with my nutrition, which I stopped for. I didn't want to not take in my calories and hydration. I also had a flat coming down a hill right about mile 30. My actual ride time was about 3:10 on my Garmin. At some point after that I reached around for a bottle and felt my stomach start to cramp. Then the right quad started to go. It was worrisome so I just made sure I didn't push it and cause a lock up! My forearms were also cramping.

I took all my nutrition and filled my water when I came to aid stations. After my flat, my bike and tipped over and I guess my water spilled out so I did go without for a bit. I took in 6 GU on the bike and 6 endurolytes. I decided after I flatted that I had come here for a High Quality Training Day and I was going to enjoy the sights and people, so that is what I did.

I need to figure out the cramping. It has been an issue in the past during races but not always. Also, more training and gym time.

11 pros DNFed and no clue how many others but there were flats everywhere and crashes. The male pro that was in the lead collapsed on the run course.

I was somewhat down coming off the bike because even though I was looking at this as a "training day" I still didn't have a good ride. I was hoping to put together a decent run, starting easy and building each mile. A friend from home was in transition trying to encourage me. I lollygagged a bit here.

Act like it is a race!

I hate to even post a race report as I really sucked! haha. I started with a 9:30 pace for mile one and started cramping in my quad. I just kept moving but mile 2 came and the quad was getting worse. Stopped for a sec to try to stretch it out/ shake it out, ice it. 10:00 for that mile. Mile 3 I ran a 9:30, which was ok considering the course but then...the cramping became awful. Not only my quad was cramping but my hamstring, foot, ankle, calves. I took in water, gatorade, coke, more endurolytes, salt...to no avail. At mile 11 as I was leaving the Buccaneer almost reduced to tears, a volunteer suggested I might need a ride to the end. For just a nano second I thought about it.

Again, need to look at my hydration and nutrition. Maybe I was just not ready for this race. I started training in January after taking off a year. Although I tend to think the cramping was more of a hydration/electrolyte issue as the cramping was all over, including stomach muscles.

Medic tent for an IV of fluids. Still some twinges of cramps after one bag. Maybe could have used another. I felt ok after the race, just afraid to move for fear of a cramp! My right quad felt bruised.


My fitness, cramping and my brain.



I told my coach I think the bike course is tough but not awful. You did have to be on mentally the whole time due to the conditions. This race really starts on the run. The cumulative effect of the bike with hills, heat, humidity, wind, rough roads shows up on this really challenging run course.

I swore while I was doing the "run" I would not do this race again....of course, time has passed and I believe I will be back :)