IRONMAN Chattanooga 70.3 - Triathlon

Self seeded in the 32-35min wave. Jumped in the water and swam upstream to the first turn buoy. The rest was all downstream. It felt like I was going quicker. Swim went well and was very pleased with time.

Nothing

There is a long steep run uphill to transition. Made sure to apply sunscreen. Having a bike rack with the All World Athletes was great as the location was ideal. However, there were also many bikes off the rack when I arrived :)

Nothing

I was using my aero helmet for the first time in a race. It was rubbing quite a bit on my ear so I need to adjust some. Bike went well. I was able to have a solid swim so I gave myself some distance from the mass volume of cyclists coming. This was a problem last year due to the shortened swim. Lost a water bottle at mile 10. Grabbed a Gatorade Endurance at first aid station. That stuff is way too salty and upset my stomach. I took some Pepto Bismol which helped. Glutes and hamstring were tight by the end of the ride. I kept on track with my hydration and nutrition.

Only put short bottles in seat bottle baskets

Nothing

It was extremely hot so I knew I needed to hydrate plenty. I was able to start my race early which helped that I ran between 10h45-12h30. First loop went well. I took Gatorade, water and ice in my cap at every aid station. I took sponges which felt good but that was a mistake. My socks got soaked and may lose toe nails because of it. Saw my dad and Adam on the pedestrian bridge at the halfway mark which gave me a boost. Last 5 or 6K in that heat was a grind. I kept it together until the end. I love reaching that sign with arrows near the end and picking finish line instead of 2nd loop. Ran down the finish shoot and crossed the finish line. Quite happy with that run in those brutal conditions.

Don't use sponges

Cooled down and met Adam and dad. Grabbed some food when I recovered a bit. Got my stuff from transition and went back to the car.


Chattanooga is a top rate event.