Ironman 70.3 Boulder - Triathlon

For my first 70.3, I was nervous looking at the swim course. It all went away when I hit the water. The first 800 yard seemed to take forever but I kept pushing through. With 200 yards left, there was a girl who was doing a modified freestyle stroke and ended up elbowing my in my lower teeth. I was slightly upset but we were trying to get the best line for our swim exit. The rolling swim start was not exactly that... The pros started at 7:00 and I did not get into the water until 10 pros exited the water.

Sight, sight, and sight... I found myself off course twice but I made up for it.

It was a fairly long T1 distance so I'm very happy with 3:15. I decided to not have sunscreen applied to me since I have a good base of a tan going and I did not thinking need it.

Run faster?

I kept hearing how the altitude would affect me. I went out thinking I would finish in 3 hours and I killed it. It was like a Sunday ride and I was cruising. I exited T2, kissed my wife and said I murdered that bike course. I was beyond surprised at my finish time. At about mile 30, near the second aid station, the police officer did not do a great job directing traffic. There were about 10 of us who just about got tagged by a couple cars. With the aid stations, the cars in the road, I was forced into the opposite lane of travel and I'm really happy I was not penalized for doing it. My nutrition on my bike was interesting. I only consumed about 30 ounces of my 40 ounce speedfil and I consumed 1 pack of power bar energy chews. I did not feel under hydrated or under fueled during the bike. I was happy to skip all aid stations.

Nothing at all!

I ran passed my rack and had to run back one more rack. Again, I was surprised I was under 2 minutes. T2 went very well. I again opted to not have sunscreen applied to me and I exited out, kissed my wife and took off.

Locate my rack better!

Yes, it was very hot but by the time I reached the aid stations, I was getting cooled down. I had a pattern with each aid station... Grab two cups of water, drink one, dump one on my head. I grabbed two sponges, put be one on each of my kidneys and just put more water on them at each aid station. At every other station, I would grab either power aid or cola. I felt great until mile 12 and then I could not wait to be done. At mile 12, I was telling myself I could do it. I started to get emotional and I fought off the tears. I fought them off until I made my final turn to the finish chute and he emotions came back. I tried really hard not to cry and I'm happy I didn't. I have no idea why I was emotional but it was very humbling experience.

Keep better track of my mile splits,

I laid down on the grass for 2 hours. I had sever motion sickness and every time I would move, thought I was going to throw up. If I stood up, I would sweat profusely and be brought back to the ground. After being on the ground for about 2 hours, I put sugar in my body and that helped tremendously.


Nothing, it went exactly as planned. I could not have asked for a better race considering this is my first 70.3.


It's the Mecca of triathlons! You must race in Boulder! The altitude was not an issue whatsoever. By the way, I saw Craig Alexander cheering us on at the intersection of Highway 36 x Ute Highway. I could not have asked for a better race and I was blown away by my final time.