Ironman 70.3 Eagleman - Triathlon

It was a non-westuit swim but the Choptank river is salty and I felt buoyant. Overall I experienced some contact but overall I swam well and, given my swimming fitness, was satisfied with this swim.

I'd heard stories of the year prior, which was also non-wetsuit, that the Race Directors made men cover their chests forcing racers without speed suits to wear t-shirts and tops. Luckily that wasn't the case this year.

Moved with a purpose but took my time also to lower the HR.

Great bike leg. There was little wind, lots of the course had brand new, fresh asphalt that was butter smooth. The non-wetstuit swim really spread the field out.

I raced with HR for the first time ever (took me 12 70.3 races to do this, go figure). My HR was pegged right at 138 the entire race. Twice I went to 144 for a short stretch, but nothing crazy.

I raced right in the heart of my aerobic zone. My legs/quads were never in distress and I always felt like I was just spinning. I held Aero 90%. Considering the bike fitness I brought into this race, I had the perfect Bike Leg.

Good transition. Was feeling great and ready for a solid run effort.

From the get-go my HR kept spiking. I couldn't run comfortably. Legs were great but my head and chest were screaming. For some bursts I was able to run but for the better part of the race I walked, including the last 4 miles, running/ hobbling the last mile.

Kudos to Eagleman org as their was an overabundance of ice (including some aid stations with ice machines!) coke, red bull, gatorade, oranges, gels, etc. Unbelievable aid station support. Best I've ever seen actually.

In a nutshell: heat is my achilles heal. I raced a Sprint a week ago in freezing water and the race was

2 years ago I came into Eagleman with a lot less fitness (especially less Run fitness) and finished 30 minutes faster. But it was cooler. The heat is my achilles.

In training I was running and Brick running at 135 HR and maintaining 8:30 to 8:45 pace. This was my goal but with the heat and sun, it wasn't happening

To put in perspective how bad this run was, my avg FULL marathon time is 3:3X with a 3:15 PR. I was 3 minutes off my FULL marathon time!! LOL!

I spent 30 minutes with my head hung between my legs. I threw up all the coke in my belly into a garbage can. Definitely had some heat stroke.


Heat.


Eagleman is a fast flat course, but when the heat and high temps show up, it's a challenge. The aid stations helped me finish this race. I've completed this race three times and each time has been harder and slower. But I'll be back.