Ironman 70.3 Florida - Triathlon1/2 Ironman

I did ok on this. I was a little winded the first part, but soon caught my groove. I kept veering to the right off course, so next time I think I'd start to the left near the buoys. I tried to "race", but didn't want to use too much energy before my day began. Had to pee the whole time while swimming.

Start toward the inside. Take advantage of drafting.

I actually raced this part :) I wasn't the fastest, but I wasn't the slowest...and here's the best part: I peed in my shorts. I had to pee so badly on the swim, but couldn't in the horizontal position, so when I got to my transition area, I squatted down to get all my crap on and just went. I swore I would NEVER pee my pants on a race but I did. It was very freeing!

I did OK on this so I'm good.

I raced this course. Really raced it, but was careful not to hammer it. If I felt my legs burning, I'd back off a bit, but not too easy. I passed a lot of granny climbers on the hills and took advantage of the downhill. I set my watch to beep every 10 min. so I would remember to take a sip of my ultra concentrated Infinit, followed by as much water as I could stand. I went through a 20 oz bottle of infinit (750 calories), about 80 oz of water and a gu. Seemed perfect.

Not sure I"d do much different. I'm quite pleased with this bike.

Again, I remembered I was racing and just got down to business. I did stop at the porta-potty to pee for this transition..took about 20 seconds.

Ouch...started out with an 8:30 mile. Felt good but decided to back off a little for the next couple of miles just to save some for the rest of the run...next split was around 9:15, then 9:30 for 2 miles...then the pain. oh the pain..What has only happened at miamiman and the Virginia beach 1/2...what I believe is IT Band tightness, resulting in stop-you-dead-in-your-tracks knee pain. I stretched, I walked, I put on bio-freeze, I just couldn't run. I tried. When I could run, I ran..then I'd walk, stretch, get up and try again. People are so very gracious. Lots of "are you oks?", "need salt tabs?" "keep going-almost there"..Everyone was in pain. But this pain is not discomfort. Not "I"ll never do this again" kind of pain. This was "I"m so frustrated because I want to run but just can't pain". I tried to run through it. I did. I kept telling myself to keep going, it'd be over in 60 min, 50 min. etc. I so badly wanted at least beat my time from Miamiman, but no dice. My last split was a 16:00 min mile. But I finished. At no point did I ever even consider quitting or wish I wasn't doing it. I felt strong and mentally there (good nutrition and hydration will do that for you). My last HIM (which was my first), I was not in the same place at all, so this was a good feeling. My mental attitude toward racing has done a 180 and I think I may like it now. Pain and all. I WILL do another HIM and I WILL do it in 5:45 or less.

I now know my body is getting older, even if my brain is still in 3rd grade. I have to do more stretching, yoga, massages...I can't beat myself up like I used to!

Hobbled around in a daze trying to figure out where the massage tent was. I saw no one I knew. I couldn't figure out where the massage was, so I wandered over to the food. Got 2 slices of cheese and went to get an icy cold coke, but they were OUT!!! OUT OF COKE????? I had to drink a Sprite. Found Egg and his lovely family and chatted with him for a little bit while trying to choke down the pizza. IT was good, but I wasn't hungry. Tried to find Jess and Trixie in the spot where I saw them on the run (these girls were a HUGE BONUS!!! They cheered for me better than my family would have and I just met them the night before!) to thank them for their shouts of encouragement...they were gone). Went in search of the massage tent and found something better: Frank, Bill, Ivanka and their entourage all hanging out in the shade! Talked with them for a bit, then decided to go wait in the massage line, which was long. After a guy finished, I asked if it was worth it, and he said he waited an hour and didn't feel it was worth it at all. Hopped out of line and decided I just wanted to go home. I was dirty, tired, and wanted to see my family and my cozy home. I got my stuff from transition and rode my bike back to the parking lot with some ladies I know from local racing at home. Drove home, stopping at a starbucks on the turnpike for an iced coffee..I had a headache-the coffee helped, since I hadn't had any caffeine all day. Drank a lot of water and had to pee sooo bad when I got home. The family was at the door with a little welcome home banner :) I was pretty stiff.


My IT bands.


This is the biggest race, in terms of production, that I've ever done...it was cool to have a little village to wander through, but not much to do or see there. There were tons of volunteers and crowd support, which is very cool. I tried to thank as many people as I could, as I really and truly appreciated their being there. I think I want to do this again...biggest complaint-the run course. It was awful in my opinion. Not sure how they can improve it or if they even care.

I had a great time. My mental attitude was so good for this. I was a little nervous the night before, but it quickly passed and was fine the morning of. It was great to see all the BTers...and let me just say Frank and Bill are world class guys. They have lovely families and are just rock solid dudes. Thanks guys!