Ironman 70.3 Kansas - Triathlon

We were allowed into the water with three minutes before out wave. It was a nice temperature so I didn't even notice. What I did notice was the chops in the water. We were getting about 1 foot swells hitting us waiting to start. I had cut my swim shake out the day before short because I didn't want to swim in swells and not I was going to have to for 1.2 miles?! I got to the outside and the gun went off. The first part was pretty smooth
sailing until I tried to get into the drafting mix. I got kicked once and the swells were pushing me into a guy so much I was worried he was going to start throwing punches. The first 200m of the swim I kept getting hit in the face with the waves and had trouble getting comfortable. After a little pep talk I found my stroke and started passing the women's wave ahead of us. The swim overall went pretty smooth as I consistently worked passed the waves ahead of me but never saw anybody catch me. I figured the two waves behind me would have some fast swimmers but I never saw any.

Body Glide on neck. Wetsuit was rubbing. Not skip the shake out due to bad conditions since they can obviously happen in the race.

Getting out of the water was a struggle as I couldn't get my footing. I got to my spot and made a smooth transition but paused while I put on my helmet to gain my composure. With not racing this distance in almost two years I had to make sure I didn't go all out like I'm used to. I grabbed my bike and hustled through transition and made a beautiful flying mount while everybody else struggled to get on their bikes. Quickly my shoes went on flawlessly and I was ready to crush the bike.

Nothing.

My game plan had changed a few days before the race: I was going to push hard on the bike and struggle on the run. I knew if I tried to push my fastest pace on the run my IT band would blow within a few miles so forcing my legs to work on the bike would cause me to not be able to run as fast as I would have liked. This strategy was new to me and I was excited to just try to hit the bike hard instead of planning for the run.
Working through the park I thought about the bike course. I knew the first part was going to be tough with hills and headwind taking us out but it would be fun on the way back. I was yo-yoing with a few other guys so I tried to get a game plan with them. Passing each one I suggested we form a pace group like the pros do sharing the lead taking pulls to help with our pacing. I think they thought I was suggesting forming a pelaton which is illegal and none of them came with me as I pushed out of the park. I got a good tempo going but worried about going too hard.
I remembered my plan on encouragement so I did my best to cheer people on. As I rode by people I would tell them good job or offer advice to shift to a smaller gear up hills to save for the run. I came to the first feed station and was excited to grab a bottle. Unfortunately I didn't think it through and grab a Gatorade bottle instead so I tossed it. Next, I grabbed the bottle of water I needed but I hadn't tossed my water bottle yet! I then had to just dump the water on myself and toss it as I worked up the hill.
As we turned straight into the headwind I was still playing with one other guy. I told him we should work together to pace through the group and he liked the idea. He took the first pull and when we hit a hill I moved on up. As we made our way to the top he rode past mentioning that I really knew how to climb hills. This put a positive attitude in me because it was something I have really worked to make a strength of mine, climbing hills. The two of us worked great for a good five miles take turns leading and setting a good pace. I kept my eye out for a official and always made sure to keep out of the draft zone. As we turned onto the last road I lost sight of him and just pushed towards the turn.
Tailwind! I really started tearing up the road. Cruising at about 28 mph was not an
uncommon thing at this point. I made my way back and was doing great and suddenly my riding buddy was back! We got back to team working as we headed into the second feed station. Trying to grab bottles of water at 25 mph means they bounce off your hands really easily and I was luckily able to grab the third one from the last possible volunteer by the cap. Adrenaline kicked in and I shot up the next hill heading into the last of the headwind. My buddy came past me and my legs were toast; he shot up the hill and was gone for the day.
With about 15 miles to go the road suddenly got clear of cyclists. I was in no man’s land and my legs were aching. I never had wanted to get off my bike more in my life but I knew the run was going to be just as challenging. I fought for the last part of the bike to keep pushing and moving on up.

Ride through the rain the few weeks before. I hadn't ridden 50+ miles for over a month and I think there was a mental block due to that. Right about at the 2 hour mark I could feel the lack of training hit.

Heading into transition my legs were tired and almost caused me to crash on my dismount but I landed it. I put on my IT band brace and began the scariest part of the race.

Nothing.

Positive attitude was going to get me through the run. I knew it wasn't going to go well if it started hurting so I needed to keep my head on and just keep moving. Smiling was a common thing for me on the course as Karla and Kylie were heckling me when they saw me. At one point Karla was sitting on the ground saying, "We have lunch reservations at noon can you hurry up yet?" as she was stuffing her face with tortilla chips. I was excited to drink some coca-cola on the course for the first time since Worlds so I popped that every other mile.
My IT band wasn't acting up! I kept a steady pace as my feet were on fire and my quads were aching from the bike. The run course had a lot of spectators and it made for a great time. I made my way through the first lap and realized I hadn't run this far in a LONG time. My legs were toast and I had to run another lap?!
The sun was coming out and I was getting hot. My first half-ironman I learned to hold ice in your hands to keep you cool but it wasn't keeping my head cool. I was dumping more water on me than I was drinking and trying everything I could to cool down. Ice was going into my suit and I also tried putting it in my mouth and running with my mouth open. This doesn't work. With about two miles left I started going delirious. It took everything within me to keep my head up and it wasn't until I came around the last corner and saw a little girl with a sign, "All of this for a glass of chocolate milk?" that I was able to pull myself back together and finish it up with a smile.
I was so happy to be done.

Not be injured. Being outdoors before hand to know how to handle the heat.

Walking through the finish chute I was calling out for an ice bath and everybody seemed confused. Finally I made my way to the medical tent and got into one and got my blisters bandaged up. Finally, I was able to cool off but my IT band finally acted up in a fury!
My mom told me my results: 6th in my age group and 39th overall! I was really worried I would have to walk the run so this was exciting. My goal for the swim was around 30 minutes and I did it in 29:46! All of the hours I put in really paid off! My bike goal was to go about 2:25:00 and I went 2:22:42 completely crushing my time. My run ended up being
faster than my previous run at 1:30:58, an incredible time for going hard on the bike and running injured. For not having a lot of training in the last month and not being out in the heat much I did a really excellent job of coming in at 4:26:35 just shy of my goal time I set way back in September.


IT Band injury and lack of training leading up to last few races.


Never done an Ironman branded race before. They did a really good job. I just wish I would have actually got some food but I was too lost mentally to eat at that point.