Ironman 70.3 Steelhead - Triathlon

Really really difficult swim out to the first red marker where we turned right to start the rest of the swim. 3 ft waves, bright sun in our eyes when breathing on the right side.

I swallowed lots of water and had to tread water for a good minute to try and calm down before starting the main swim.

Main swim was really really hard because we were staring into the sun the whole time. Had to constantly stop and reassess where the markers were during the whole swim. Got off track quite a few times. I think I was along side a marker only half the time.

Darker googles? Not sure that would help. I really don't know how I could have done better. Maybe just breast stroke out to the first marker to get out of those waves. Really tough swim.

I was at the first rack on the south side of the transition area. I walked up the beach to transition like last year. Long walk in really loose sand. Had a long trip out of transition.

Nothing, really. Actually got changed quickly. Just had a long way to go to get out of transition. After reading last years comments, I wore bike shoes in transition. Good idea

Starting cramping in both thighs at mile 5! Never had that happen before. Usually happens during last 3 miles of the run. Really bummed me out. I drank non stop after that, and increased RPMs a bit to try and stretch out my thighs. No dice. Really made me nervous during the whole ride anticipating what was going to happen on the run

Drink more? I drank a ton starting at mile 5, and ate gels every 45 minutes. But I only peed twice. Urine was the right color, but not much came out either time.

Since I was at the far end of the transition area, it didn't take but a minute to rack the bike. However, I had to make the far run out of the transition area to the run start. Started cramping in the thighs immediately.

What a mess. Could barely start the run because of severe cramping in both thighs. I was able to force myself to run and the cramping died down enough to let me keep moving.

Ran the first three miles at a 10 minute pace. Next three was at about a 10:45 pace.

Mile seven was really tough because of cramping.

Just couldn't run any more because of mental fatigue from constantly dealing with cramping pain.

I had to skip the second loop of the run, and walked up steep hill to the end of the loop route around the Whirlpool campus.

Ran down the final stretch of the bike course which was about 3/4 of a mile at a 10:30 pace. Walked down a steep embankment and joined up/scared to death a bunch of runners doing the final 1/2 mile. Cramping was much less on the downhill run. Averaged a 11:30 on this part.

Got a lot of dirty looks from people who thought I was cheating. Cramping really flared up again on the last 1/2 mile. Averaged a 10:30 at this point.

Drank gatorade and water at every station. Ate gels every 45 minutes. I don't know what else I could do.

No giant smoothie intake before the race next year, that's for sure.

All I can think is that I ate too much the day before. Would consuming all that food cause me to not retain water well the next day? No idea. Really frustrated. Wish I hadn't eaten so differently because I can't help but think that had something to do with results.


Race site does not have group rank for individual disciplines. Was DQed because I stopped running at mile 7, and walked back via a short cut. I had a plane to catch in the late afternoon in Chicago, so I had to hustle back to the race ending.

I'll never ever schedule something later in the day of race if at all possible. Really hampered my ability to try and gut out the end of the race.