Ironman 70.3 Ohio - Triathlon

I was a little nervous going into the swim. The first 500m I knew would be OK and I figured once I made the last turn and headed back to shore I'd be OK, but the long 800m across the back of the lake worried me a little - it looked like a really long way. I started out good - the water was very comfortable, a little dirty from the storms the previous day, but pretty calm. I made the turn around the first buoy and started the back portion of the course just swimming easy. I got swum over a couple of times from the wave following us catching up but it wasn't bad. I did get knocked in the face pretty good by a lady swimming next to me. Didn't knock my goggles off, but I've got a bit of a bruise on my cheekbone from it. Once I hit the orange buoys I knew I'd be OK - that was the halfway point on the swim. I just needed to get to the last red turn buoy then head back to shore. I've heard from a couple of people that the course was a little long but I finished pretty much around my expected time and I don't wear a GPS during the swim so can't really say if it was.

Nothing really - it went pretty much as I expected.

T1 is always a little long for me. I'm just afraid of forgetting something. I brushed the sand/grit off my feet as best I could, put on my socks and shoes, tried to apply a little sunscreen (ended up missing a few spots here and there), put my swim stuff in my bag so it would make it back to the stadium, then grabbed my helmet and bike and headed for the bike out. I did stop at the porta-potty on the way out - figured it was worth a minute or two to be comfortable for the first 13 miles or so on the bike.

Just practice - I'm always slow in T1.

I was hoping to be a little faster on the bike but the roads for about 1/2 the course were a little rough - older chip seal so packed down but still a little rough to ride on. The first half of the course was basically stair steps north and east, mostly flat. The first aid station was at an S-curve on the course. Not the best place for it but we had been warned about that at the athlete meeting - there just wasn't a good place anywhere else around to put it. Most people decided to just skip this one. Lots of volunteers there though to help those that did stop. I reached this station at just under and hour so right on pace with what I had planned - take it a little easier for the first 22 miles, then try to push it a little on the rest of the course.

I got passed by a lot of people - which I expected. Being in an early swim wave meant that over 1500 people were possibly going to pass me on the bike course and I think most of them did.

Once we got to the northernmost point on the course we started the return trip to town - basically a south/east stair step. This is where we ran into the wind. It was worse when you were heading east, but still pretty bad heading south. At this point I was ready to be done but still had over 20 miles to go. So I just put my head down and kept pedaling. I quads started cramping up right before the last aid station (approx. mile 45) so I stopped there for a few minutes to try to stretch them out and refill my water. The last 10 miles of the course is where the hills were. Nothing big, just rollers really but my legs were not happy about that. I really need to do more hill training, even for relatively flat courses. So I got through those and made it back into town and onto the bike path for the last mile, and to the stadium for T2.

More longer bike rides. I did a couple of 46 milers and one 50 miler but they were all on a route that is pancake flat. I need to add more hills to my rides.

Got the bike racked, shoes changed and grabbed my handheld, number belt and visor and I was off. Probably should have stopped at the sunscreeners but I was ready to be on to the run.

Add a little more sunscreen. The sun was out but the temp were nice and there was a breeze so I didn't feel that I was getting a little burned.

I knew the run would probably be tough. My longest training runs had been in the 8 mile range and I only did 2 of those. I've had some issues with my Achilles and my ankles that kept me from running as much as I should have. I had decided that I would walk the first mile, then start doing a run/walk through the 2 loops. I actually felt pretty good starting out. Did the "stick" portion of the course then started on the loops. The course was hilly but not much worse than what I run on at home. I started the run/walk which went OK for a while but every time I ran my HR would skyrocket so the walk breaks ended up getting longer and longer until I was walking more than running. There were aid stations every 1-1.25 miles and I took water and Gatorade at each one. On the second loop I started adding a little cola too and ice in my tritop. The breeze was nice too - it helped to keep you cool. And a big thank you to the people who had the sprinkler set up on the course - that felt really good. I knew if I was going to make the course cut-off I had to finish the run under 3:30 so for the first loop I tried to keep track of my pace. I was doing about 15m/m average so I could make it if I kept that pace going. By the second loop I was mostly walking and just wanted to make it to the finish, no matter what the time would be. So I stopped looking at my watch and just enjoyed the course and all the spectators out cheering for us. I finally made it back to the "stick" and headed back to the stadium and the finish. I did manage to run the last 1/3 of a mile or so down Henry St and into the stadium and around the track to the finish. I made the 8:30 course cut-off with 9 minutes to spare.

More run training. I knew once I started the run course I'd be able to finish - I just would have liked to run more and walk less.

Got my finisher's medal and hat and met up with my husband. He got my bike and transition stuff for me while I got something to eat and went to meet up with my tri club group. Most of them had great races and Lynne even got 5th in her AG. It was a good day all around.


I need more swim, bike and run training.


This was my first HIM (and possibly only) so it was nice to have such a good experience with it. The volunteers and spectators were amazing, the course was really good and I enjoyed doing this with such a great group from the tri club. If I ever decide to do another HIM, I would consider doing this one again.