Ironman Los Cabos - TriathlonFull Ironman

The initial start was funny because some big rollers came in. It actually looked worse on video then in person (youtube IM Los Cabos swim start). After that, I had some initial issues with water in my goggles, but I resolved that. Once I was fully underway, I got into a groove, but that took a long time. I was hoping to have sighted better, and to have had more room around me. I didn't really care, I just would have like to hit a nice rhythm sooner and for longer, other that that it was fine.

I would have sighted better, although, I thought I was sighting good, so not sure.
My goal was to not freak out during the swim, and I didn't. Also to swim my own race, and I did that too.

There was a long ways up a hill to actual T-1 bags, so that accounted for a decent amount of the time. The wetsuit strippers weren't like you see in other IM race videos, because the floor was sand and I didn't want sand all over my back before my bike ride. So, I stripped my own wetsuit. Changed into bibs, and my new IM Los Cabos (super comfy) jersey!
Got my bike and headed out of T-1. I now realizing that I was as far from the exit as possible. No big deal.

Nothing really. maybe keep a small towel in the bag to get sand off my feet.

Two loops. Out of T-1 towards Cabo, spectators were nice to see. It was warming up and that was nice. Got to first-part turnaround and headed back to Los Cabo, stating to warm up. Go to Los Cabos and things were great! lots of hill so far! Go to another turnaround and it was back up towards airport. I thought this was a small distance according to map, but I misread map (drawings). This is where things got tricky for me (and others). I kept going up hills and were hitting anaerobic levels pretty quickly, not good. Still, couldn't chizle the grin off my face "Ironman!!!" Ok, it's really hot and lonely up here by the airport, no spectators since the roads were closed. It just keeps getting hotter and hotter in the desert. Ok, finally!!!!!!! I get to the turnaround up here by the airport, but I can't believe how off I was on this course. Can't believe I have to come back up to this place again (lap 2). I called it my "dark place!" This is where I think a lot of people just couldn't do it again. This was hot and hilly (to me). That said, I went back into lap 2 thinking that I could do it again since I at least knew where the turnaround was and what to expect. Back to Cabo, back to Los Cabos, back to airport, back to town.

Not much. On the bike an old timer to the sport told me it was "all about the run," and since my goal was to finish, I kept telling myself that it was "all about the run." So, when I would get excited about something, I'd just dial it back. knowing, the main goal was to come home an Ironman. That said, there isn't much I could do differently.

T-2 was different than expected. First off my first time with a split transition, and first time i'd ever just handed my bike off to someone. So, no biggy, I just handed my bike off and went to the blue bag with my run gear in it. I got out of my cycling bibs (that's ride, I rode in comfort!), then slipped my shoes on (i'm a no sock runner), then race belt. Off with the jersey, and on with running shirt, and I'm off!

Nothing really.

When I started to run, my legs just didn't have the strength, so I had to walk a little. Eventually they adjusted to being off the bike and my run legs came back. I went out along a road for a ways, then went down by the hotel zone, then by the grocery store, then out a ways. We came back in towards T-2 and then took a right hand turn (which confused me a bit), and we ran out (towards some private clubs) a ways. The first lap seemed to take forever, then I got a lay of the land and it felt shorter each time. My main concern was for my wife and daughter who at this point my be just bored out of their minds! I lost track of them and didn't know how things were going so I just wanted to finish and check in with them.
Eventually my legs came back and I picked up the pace, but then after lap two, my legs started to slow down again. I have never ran this far, so I expected there to be a little retaliation. Overall, I was pleased because I was going to finish. I knew it, and I could hear the finish line, I was going to be an ironman! I left enough in the tank, and I saved enough of my legs to finish. YES.

There ins't much I could have done differently except maybe get more sunscreen on myself. The sun was brutal coming off the bike and doing the first half of the run. That hot Mexican sun was a lot to take for the whole day. Sunscreen in T-2 bag for sure.

Not much of a warm down. My wife and daughter were exhausted. I should have went to the medical tent and checked in. I wanted to see what they could have offered. Maybe an IV for hydration? Not sure. I guess other were doing it. Plus, I think I had sun-stoke and after it was all said and done, it took it's toll. So, next time I'll peek my head in and see what they have to offer. Why not, it's free!


Nothing other than I had no legs. I mean I do have them, they just didn't want to cooperate.


I think it being the inaugural race, it didn't have the following that other, more established races have. It was fun though. I like warm, and it was all of that. The water temp was good, the outside temp was good, and there were lots of spectators cheering people on (which is good). I don't think I'd do this one again, but for my first one, it was great. I heard there were a lot of people that dropped out, that's what I heard. I think they might have dropped out during the bike, that was kind of hard. Everything else ...is what it is.