EagleMan Ironman 70.3 Triathlon - Triathlon1/2 Ironman

First time swimming in choppy waters and only my second open water swim. Started out ok then became nervous. Very hard to navigate and breath. Not really any trouble with others around me, but when your in the back, you have it all to yourself.

More open water swims. Choppy and water current training swims. Just get my mind and body use to open water.

Remained calm in the transition. No real trouble with anything. Help I planned everything ahead of time and was able to follow the plan.

Might work on already having my shoes clipped in and getting on the bike. Not much else, it was very smooth.

Being use to all hills and mountain, I didn't have any trouble with the flatness of the course. Started out hard and kept the pace. Lots of bikers passing me early, but was able to pass as many in the last 20 miles. Might be my strongest event.

Looking back on the bike portion, I'm very happy with everything. If anything, I might try and stretch my legs out more to stay loose.

Really took my time getting ready for the run. Took time to apply sun screen and make sure I didn't forget anything for the run.

More multi-tasking. Getting things off and other things on.

Again, being from the mountains, it was very different running on a flat course. I'm not use to being able to see runners a mile ahead of me, so that was different. Refused to walk although I was wanting a break in the last 3 miles. Started to cramp about 12 miles into it, but it held off. With the finish line just 50 yards away I started to cramp again in my right calf, but it never fully hit.

More water and Gatorade, possibly more Coke or Pepsi for better sodium retention.

Met my wife just past the finish line for a hug and kiss. Sat down for 25 minutes and tried to eat, but was not really able to at that time.


Poor swimming ability and poor swim training. Running out of steam in the run portion.


Everything about this race from my training to the trip home was more than I ever dreamed it would be. Could not have asked for a better experience. When we found out all the hotels within 30 miles were booked, I was worried, but Homestay was amazing. They set us up with a host family and that was huge. The family was perfect, helped out in every way and so friendly. Love the fact they lived 2 blocks from the race, so I was able to walk down the morning of. They gave us the run of the house and let me stay and recover after the race. Gave me and my wife use of their pool and fed us dinner the night before the race. Even offered to take us sailing the day before. Homestay is such a life saver and the host family was perfect. Don't hesitate to use this program, we learned so much about the area and picked up advice about what the weather is generally like, something I would not have gotten if we had stayed in a hotel.