Ironman 70.3 Raleigh - Triathlon

The first half of the swim was great! Then, the wind picked up and the second half of the swim was very different. It was difficult to make progress with all the chop. It was the most difficult triathlon swim I've done.

I'm finally getting faster at transitions. It helped that I had a great rack spot nearly right at the bike exit. I dried my feet, put on my helmet and shoes, and got moving.

The bike started on the wrong foot when I dropped my chain right after exiting T2. Then, I accidentally hit lap a second time on my watch. I realized that I needed to get it reset, so I had to stop to do so. These cost me a lot of time early in the bike. I am also undertrained on the bike due to all the rain this spring. I was pretty sore after only about 15-20 miles. Otherwise, I feel that it went pretty well.

Make sure my watch is set the way I need it. Train more with longer bike rides.

This time does include using the porta potty and getting sunscreened. Otherwise, I'm pretty happy with it.

The run was a Death March. The sun came out about halfway through the bike leg, which increased the temperature by 15 degrees (at least). I was very hot by the time I started the run. The hills, asphalt, and complete lack of shade make this run extremely difficult. My performance was awful. I was just trying to survive, as I could not cool down. It was completely miserable.

I have no idea. Somehow acclimate to the heat. Otherwise, pick a different race.

The choppiness of the lake on the swim. My own lack of training and preparation on the bike. The sun, heat, and lack of shade on the run.


Ironman always puts on a good race. The volunteers are always amazing. They probably couldn't help the choppiness of Lake Jordan. The run course, however, is ridiculous. A June race in North Carolina all on asphalt with no shade is complete misery. The run course must be changed.