Ironman 70.3 New Orleans - Triathlon

The swim was about what I expected. Murky water with a gasoline taste/smell, and a slightly confusing course. However, sighting was not really a problem except for some issues finding the yellow buoy after the first turn, looking back into the marina. I caught myself swimming crooked twice, but overall it was uneventful. Starting swimmers 6 at a time helped, a sthe wait was not too long and there was virtually no contact. I swam in my Tyr swim sleeves for the first time and had no issues. I wouldn't know what my swim time was until the race was over, but this was an average time for me and I can't complain.

Swim straighter, swallow no water (I helped myself to a mouthful or two...nasty)

It's a fairly long run from swim exit to transition, but it was uneventful. I used a wet suit stripper and she was very efficient. I wear socks so I always lose a bit of time getting those on. I also put on my race belt as I had read it was mandatory for this race. My rack spot was fairly close to bike out, which was nice.

Nothing.

The MC announced winds wouldn't be a factor, but I had seen the forecast for SE winds @ 15mph and knew better. It figured to be mostly a cross/headwind out and a cross/tailwind back, but it didn't seem that way as I felt I fought the wind as much coming back as I did going out. So the relief I expected in the 2nd half never came, and I ended up with a higher avg HR than planned or desired (I don't have a PM yet). I felt strong on the bike and it was a PR for me by a fair amount, but with the heat and sun I feared it would make for a difficult run.

I didn't stop at aid stations. I took in about 40-44oz of Perform, most of a flask of EFS Liquid Shot and 3 Saltstick tablets.

The roads were closed to traffic, which was great. Road conditions are quite decent except for the occasional expansion joints. I saw no draft packs and only a few individual drafters. I saw no race officials at all.

I thought I might have over-biked, but in hindsight I can't say I would change anything.

Except for running past my rack spot by about 10 feet, T2 was uneventful. Shoes, hat, watch and hand bottle on and I was off.

Pay closer attention to where my rack spot was in the row.

The run is mostly flat, except for one bridge and a few overpass-like "hills". There is very little shade, and the sun was fairly brutal (my Garmin said 84 degrees at the end of the bike). The first 7-8 miles is along the lake. The run course was changed this year due to the festival, so it ended at City Park. Due to the heat, I raced with a hand bottle for the first timer ever, filled with cold Perform. I got tired of it being on my hand, but I definitely liked having access to mostly cold liquids whenever I needed them.

This was my 3rd 70.3 and I will probably never get used to the feel of that first mile, where I feel like I'm barely moving but am actually running a low 7:00 (too fast). I then settled into a more reasonable pace and held it for longer than I expected. I poured ice water on my head and back at each aid station, and also filled my hand bottle up as necessary. I struggled a bit between miles 8-11, but found a second wind for the last 2 miles. I had targeted a 1:40 but knew mid-way through the run that wasn't happening. I had no idea what my swim time was and I thought I had lost my goal of a sub 5:00, but still knew I was having a decent race, all things considered. I saw my wife and son about 50 yards from the finish and that made me very happy.

Outside of the Perform, I took in no calories on the run. I intentionally left my 2nd EFS Liquid Shot flask in T2 as I could tell I wouldn't want it.

I still need to work on my run pacing at this distance, as I start off too fast and end up too slow.

Grabbed a ton of water as I could tell I was a bit dehydrated (had not peed since before the start). Found my family, ate some food, but then caught the bus back fairly quickly to get back to family vacation time in the French Quarter.


I can probably nit-pick, but this was a PR for me so I am really very satisfied.


The swim isn't great (nasty water), but the marina swim works and they seem to have fixed the swim cancellation problem. The bike and run courses are fine, and the volunteers and support were great. This race suffers most from its logistics. Registration is nowhere near transition (and bike drop-off), and the race does not finish at transition.

But I love New Orleans and would do this race again.

Unrelated to the race, but I can't say enough good things about Bullfrog Water Armor Sport gel-based sunscreen. I applied one layer at around 615am, and did not burn at all, after all those hours in the sun.