Ironman 70.3 Muncie - Triathlon

I found a spot at the back of the pack to keep all the other swimmers from having to swim over me. To break my own tension I announced to the 35-39 women who were lining up to go in the wave after us that I wanted no funny business as they passed me. The gun went off and off I went. I hadn't really done any open water swim training, so it took a while for me to get comfortable and in a rhythm. I finally did and started cruising for a while. I was enjoying the fact that I wasnt coming in contact with any other swimmers when I looked up and realized I was way off course. Oops. I made my way back and when I finally made it to the first turn buoy, I first started thinking that I was really going to be able to do this. As I made the turn at the last buoy to head towards shore, my back cramped up. If this had happened earlier, I might have freaked out, but since I had the shore in sight, I was determined to power through it. Reaching the shore was one of the greatest feelings because the swim leg had been scaring me to death.

Obviously work on sighting and open water training. It might not be a bad idea to concentrate on form in the future. I mainly focused on endurance because when I first decided to do this, I couldnt swim 2 laps without getting winded.

I was on a delirious high from having completed the swim, luckily I had everything organized. Got dressed for the bike, ate a Clif Bar and sat and drank a gatorade. Somehow that took me 10 minutes. I wasnt too worried about that because I wasn't concerned about time, just finishing.

Maybe a little more hustle in the future. Its ok to enjoy the break but maybe I should act like the clock is still running.

Despite the fact I pumped up the tires that morning, when I got on the bike I immediately noticed that I hadnt pumped them up enough. Crap. The first aid station was at mile 15 so I figured I could make it there where there would be light tech support ie. a pump. When I got there I asked a volunteer and a pump was brought right over. He couldnt figure out how to use it and neither could I. Different attachments that made no sense to this novice caused me to give up and try at mile 25. A lovely volunteer there was able to pump up the front tire but was having trouble with the rear. She tried to get the pump off but it was stuck. As she was moving it around trying to get it off, all I could hear was that horrible hiss. I was freaking that she was going to pull the stem out when a senior volunteer came over and managed to get it off. I rode off with less air in the tire than I started with. Since the course was 2 loops, mile 35 aid was the same crew as mile 15. I pulled up there and the same kid recognized me and asked if I still needed the pump. Yes, did you figure out how to use it? No he said. Sheeesh. I refueled with some Gu & Gatorade and decided I was just goung to muscle the rest of it out. i didn't even stop at the mile 45 station.

All in all it wasnt horrible. Its not like the tires were flat, I just knew I would be doing myself a favor by pumping them up some more. It was nice riding on a smooth closed course, although at 40 miles in I was soooo ready to be off the bike. Getting to T2 was another deliriously happy moment.

Invest in my own bike. I was borrowing this one. Also take the bike out for a little ride beforehand to make sure its good to go like I saw all the smart people doing.

Another pokey one, but I didnt mind. Is was nice to sit in the grass and take the shoes & socks off to glide my feet. I was feeling great that I only had the run left to do because that is what I am most used to, even though I had only run 13.1 once before. Seeing Tara, PJ & Joe was such a huge boost at each step of the way that only anyone who has done this before could understand.

Like T1, act li,e the clock is running. I was well organized with plans in place should I have gotten caught in a thunderstorm out on the bike course.

I told Tara as I was heading off that I was feeling Ok and was going to jog is thing out, and thats pretty much what I did. My legs were out of whack at first, but I did enough brick training that my muscles fell in line pretty quickly. I started getting chest pains at mile 2 which had me concerned, but I dialed it down a bit and all was good. I jogged the whole way, even up the hills even though so many people were walking the course. It was really nice having aid stations at every mile. It was always just a matter of getting to the next one. I stayed fueled and hydrated and had no cramping issues like so many others i saw. After I had picked off all the aid stations one by one, it was time to head to the finish. Once I was able to hear the finish line announcer, I didnt feel like I had just gone 69+ miles. I turned it up and found my way to the finish chute. So great.

I dont think there is a lot I could do differently other than become more experienced with triathlons.

Car had a dead battery, but we were able to take care of that quickly and it was off to the Fort for beer & wings.


Great event and very well run. Lots of enthusiastic volunteers and everyone was so awesome that I couldn't even be frustrated with the bike snafus. Beautiful rural course and we were really lucky that the weather cooperated. This was my first 70.3 and the common question is am I going to step up and do a full one. I have no doubt that I could do it if I dedicated myself to training for one, I just dont know if I'm ready for that part. Not only did I have to make a commitment for this race, my family had to contribute quite a bit of their time for this as well. Every athlete that competes in these has a support crew behind the scenes that makes it possible and I'm no different. For now I'm going to enjoy not missing the 4am alarm that is telling me to get up and get in the pool.