Ironman 70.3 Racine - Triathlon

The first 100 yards was just insanity with contact and fighting the waves. There was just people everywhere. When we got to the first buoy I saw people just hanging on for dear life. There was no way to draft since you couldn't trust that the person was going straight. I managed to keep a pretty straight line by just increasing my sighting to about every 3rd or 4th stroke. The swells were so big that sometimes I would miss them on my sight and would have to try and time it. As we got closer to swim finish it got crazy again with about 4 or 5 different wave groups all mashing together. Lots of people breast stoking in front of me and stronger swimmers from late groups catching up. I was very glad to get the swim portion over with. I went in shooting for 38:00 based on my swim fitness so I was not too far off. Not sure how big the waves were but i am guessing anywhere from 2-4 feet?

Nothing except maybe try to get some more choppy water OWS practice.

Cut over 2 minutes of my previous year transition. Just went to "keeping it simple". No heart rate monitors, watches, race belts, GPS, etc.. Just got there put on glasses, helmet and was gone. Worked out great.

Practice a little more to just get it perfect.

Had some minor issues with my shifter not staying in the big ring and slipping into the small ring with all the bumps. I ended up just going small ring during the bumpy sections but I didn't think it affected me too much. When I hit any faster downhill portions I would use by big ring as a "turbo" haha.

Get my piece of crap bike fixed. I think I should have taken in a few more calories on the bike.

Had a minor brain fart as I went to 1789 instead of 1798. I sat there not processing what the hell I was looking at thinking someone put their bike in my spot. I then realized none of my gear was there and figured I was an idiot and went down the row a bit to my spot. I figure I lost about 45 seconds.

I knew I needed to get the elastic laces for the shoes I am using but I just don't like them. I think it would have shaved an additional 30 seconds if I didn't have to tie my shoes.

This is the part where I really need to work on. I did much better than previous 70.3 races but I think I could have still done better. I went out and took the first three miles easy. Picked it up a bit but started to feel some leg cramping coming on. After mile 8 I just pushed it to each aid station which really worked. Picked up the pace after mile 11 and finished really strong. I almost tripped on the sidewalk in the zoo part by the stage and had to literally use EVERY muscle inm y body to not fall. Hurt like hell and almost got me to walk but I kept pushing -Relentless Forward Progress!

Continue to get strong on the run again. the past years I have focused most of my energy on the swim/bike portion. Now that they are strong I need to get back to running. Hopefully the Chicago Marathon training will do just that.

Was very faint after the race - low blood sugar. I was all tingly in my face and arms the last two miles. I laid down for a bit then got some cola and some food and felt much better


Pretty happy and felt I ran a very well executed race


As always the volunteers and spectators are awesome at this race!