Ironman 70.3 New Orleans - Triathlon1/2 Ironman

This swim went a lot better than I was expecting it to. Being my first OWS in a wetsuit, I wasn't sure what to expect but I was happily surprised at my performance. What the swim did show me, however, is that I need a lot of work on my OWS skills (sighting, breathing, rounding buoys).

Work on the skills before my next OWS.

Apparently there were wetsuit strippers out there (which I was really looking forward to) but I never saw them and just kept running to my bike. It took me a while to get the wetsuit off but I'm sure I didn't lose too much time doing so by myself. Tried out the rubber bands with the shoes on the pedals for the first time without ever practicing it (I know, I know) and it worked out pretty well.

Take more time to practice transitions before my next race.

Despite all the things I read assuring me that I would overcook the bike leg of my first HIM, I really though I knew my body better than that. Well, I overcooked the bike leg big time for the wind and temperature conditions (it got HOT). By the time I rolled into T2 I was caked in sweat and dehydrated. The athlete guide called for aid stations at miles 15, 28, and 42 -- this was definitely not the case. The first aid station was closer to 10, the second closer to 40, and the last was at 50. I'm not sure who planned those out but I really hope they get that fixed for next year.

Train, train, train. Oh, and not overcook the bike.

I was absolutely demolished coming into T2. When I got off the bike my legs were in really bad shape.

Prepare for the weather!

This was easily the most difficult two and a half hours of my life. I hit the first mile marked in 7:25 and slowed for the first aid station not long after. My legs immediately began to walk up and I was feeling a bit delirious. A volunteer asked me if I was okay and if I needed some suncreen (could the burn really be that bad?) -- this was my first indication that I was in some serious trouble. Well, I had driven 1100 miles to come to this race, NO WAY was I taking a DNF. So I had a decision to make, push it and risk bonking completely or take it super easy and have a crappy run time. Well, I think we know how that turned out!

Hydrate properly on the bike and do more brick workouts.

I hobbled around for a bit, attempting to keep myself from passing out completely. I walked through the medic tent and decided I didn't need to wrap myself in a space blanket and lay down. I eventually made my way over to the food tent for some much deserved jambalaya and beer.


Training, weather, poor hydration.


I think this is a great race for people looking to do their first HIM. I also think that mine is a cautionary tale -- make sure you hydrate properly and prepare for the weather!