Miami Man Half Iron Triathlon Speedway Edition - Triathlon1/2 Ironman

Water was warmer than expected, easily the warmest swim I've done. I was surprised by the clarity of the water. The perimeter is limestone which is very visible and the middle is deep and dark. Sighting was difficult on the back half of the loop because of heading directly into the rising sun. I missed a buoy on the 1st lap and had to double back slightly. Also, the new TYR goggles worked great, no leaks, minimal fogging.

Not sign up for a race at the end of spring football. Could not get to the pool once practices started.

12/109 - best part of the race for me. I had a great spot, first rack, first bike. Problem was, the bike out AND the bike in were at the complete other end of transition, which meant I got to run the entire length of transition with my bike twice.

SUNSCREEN, SUNSCREEN, SUNSCREEN!!!

I'll be honest, this bike course was the ONLY reason I signed up for this race. Getting to ride my bike on a NASCAR track was the coolest experience ever. I hit 27+ mph on the front straightaway, that alone was worth the price of admission. Getting to ride up the banked turns was icing on the cake. I loved the 3 laps in the speedway, the rest of the course not so much. The remaining course is on very rough secondary roads, mainly used by agricultural businesses and garbage trucks on their way to the 2 landfills the course goes past. Yes, you get not one, but two landfills, AND you get to go past them on the way out and the way back, EACH lap. So do the math, that's EIGHT times you get to ride past a steaming pile of garbage from the most populated city in Florida.

Train more. I basically went into this race with only a 25-40 mile ride once per week. Not enough endurance built up to push as hard as I did.

Made the decision to unclip and run in my cleats back to the rack after I started cramping in both quads late in the ride. Did no want to risk a fall in a race that I wasn't going to PR. I also

SUNSCREEN, SUNSCREEN, SUNSCREEN!!!

I'm seeing a pattern there.

I now know the true meaning of "death march." I really had intentions of jogging the run, the problem was I had already started cramping on the bike. The heat was brutal and I am still fighting plantar fasciitis so less than 3 miles in, I was resigned to walking. I was able to maintain a 15 min/mile for the first lap but just a mile into the 2nd lap, I developed a nasty blister on my left 4th toe. That slowed my pace down to the point that I knew I would not make my 7 hour finish goal.

Get healthy, see a doctor about my foot issue, lose weight, train, remember to lube the toes, pray for shade, put on deodorant, use Body Glide, etc.....

None! I crossed the finish line and they handed me my metal and a bottle of water. I had to ask for a Gatorade, which the volunteer just opened the cooler lid and pointed. I politely explained that if he didn't get it for me, he would be pulling my body out of the cooler.


SUNSCREEN, injury, weight, lack of training, heat, and wind.


While the course was well designed, there were obvious places where corners were cut. The race swag was very low quality and minimal at best. The post race food/beverage was lacking. And for a "destination" race and a very unique venue, there was hardly anything to do for families.