Ironman 70.3 Florida - Triathlon1/2 Ironman

Well, you had to start off by running about 20 yards into the water before you could actually swim. Ironically enough, I had watched other waves take off from the start and fall over each other trying to start swimming. My wave was almost leisurely. We quickly walked into the deep water and started swimming. No one was pushing or trying to get that 1 second faster from the start. Kinda weird.

I had decided that I was going to stay about 10 meters to the right of the orange triangular buoy's because they had flags on the right side. Almost like making a channel for us. This was great until the fact that the buoys had moved since the beginning of the swim. I think I did ok because I was finally able to site on the turn buoy. But I felt bad for the people that were sighting off of the left hand side. Never found anyone to really draft off of so I just did my normal thing of trying not to get passed and not running over anyone.

Things were good overall until I got to the turn bouy. As I came up to it, a kayak was moving into position right next to it to help someone. So not only did this cause a pile up at the buoy, but I had to take the long way around. Then the mass of humanity started to get worse. I saw at least 4 different cap colors during the rest of the swim.

As I approached the second turn buoy, I saw a green suit trucking sexily along. How did I know it was The_Mac you ask? It was because I could see the Mermaids under him checking out his "stroke". Yeah...it was big sexy. I yelled out "Hey Mac" and continued on. I think that he should wear smaller goggles...they decrease drag.

The final turn we had the sun to our left side. So when I took a breath on my left side, I had to cast my eyes behind me a bit to keep from getting blinded. This helped me not get blinded, but caused me to go a bit to the right. I would correct and then go too much to the left. This brought me too close to the buoy's with about 200 meters to go. I found myself inside a chevron.

Yes, like ducks flying south, a chevron of swimmers. I guess it's the new drafting pattern... Well, I tried to get out of it but the person to my right wasn't budging. I wasn't going to stop and they were going much slower, so after two attempts, I did what had to be done. I took two quick strokes and swam kinda over the person. But I was mindful not to kick!! Once I got out of it, there was clear water ahead and I sighted the exit arch. I came out and felt good, not tired at all.

I should have pushed a bit harder on the swim. I felt comfortable the entire time. But I didn't go anerobic from the get go...that was a plus.

I would ask them to measure the swim course accurately! It was long.

I had to pee coming out of the water, so I waited until I got to the water station. I grabbed a cup of water and went while I was running to my rack. I think the volenteer didn't quite know why I wasn't drinking the water.

It was a pretty long run from my rack to the mount line. I was very methodical in putting on my stuff but I made one critical mistake...socks!!
I always wear socks for biking and running.

Nothing. T1 went well overall. Go through my process a bit better before the race.

Well, I got out on the bike and immediately realized that something was different. Was it that I was riding a disk wheel? No... Was it that I actually felt confident going into this ride? No.... It was that I could feel the inside of my bike shoes!! Dammit...I forgot to put on my sock. This caused me some serious grief and strife. I was confident that I could bike and not get blisters, but I knew that I couldn't run more than a mile without socks and not get blisters...I tried to put it out of my mind.

The first 20 miles or so of the bike were great. The couple of times I looked down I was doing over 26 mph and my HR wasn't even up to 150 yet. I was excited and I was passing people like they were standing still. Then the wind came... And then the hills came....

Who the hell brought more sand to FL while I was gone? The ride had 800 ft of climbing and I was expecting like 30! Oh well...it was fun repassing flat landers that attempted to pass me when we got to a hill. They must not have gotten my IM MOO climbing memo.

I went through 6 Nuun tablets and think that I drank enough. I managed to go 3 times on the bike but I had to adjust to make it happen. The hard part was trying to find a good break between people. I actually told someone that decided they wanted to sit on my wheel that it was a bad spot to be right then. They fell back... My nutrition was spot on even though I didn't want to eat my bars. I forced myself too and I was glad that I did. Nutrition is key in these races.

About half way through the bike, I felt myself starting to peter out. I had been holding a good tempo until that point. I decided at this point that I needed to hold a consistent pace, but back off a little bit. I wanted to go all out, but I knew that if I blew up, there would be no chance of a Clearwater slot. So I backed off a bit and just kept a good tempo.

The back half of the bike seemed like it took forever! But I was passing people left and right and it felt cool. But I made sure to give props to the people that I did pass. But I said many a "on your left". I only heard it twice though.

Great Karma moment on the bike: At the third Aid station, the guy in front of me tried to grab 3 gels from the last volenteer and totally missed. So I grabbed them and then yelled out his name. (it was on his back) I gave them to him and kept one for myself just in case. He was very surprised and very thankful. Thankful that I didn't kick his butt when he tried to pass me at mile 54!! Just kidding...I passed him back just because, but I was glad that I gave it to him. I honestly believe that Karma moment came back to help me in T2.

Stupid moments on the bike: Humm...I hear a disk about to pass me...NO...that's my disk! This happenned about 4 times.
- When you try and put water from an open topped Gatorade bottle into your Aero Drink at 26+ mph, most goes in your lap!
- Did I mention that I forgot to put on socks?!

Only saw a couple of packs go by. One was 4 deep and the other was 3. Most people were easy to get around but I realized that some get uncomfortable when you zipp by them within 6" going 4+ mph faster than they are.

I had one sappy moment on the ride. I knew that if I came in around 3 hrs off the bike that I had a snowball chance at a 4:30. I looked at my watch and even with a long swim, I was in just after 3 hrs. I got a bit misty eyed because I couldn't believe that I had actually biked as fast as I did and that I had a chance at my PR. That lasted about 20 pedal strokes until I saw Nan.

She was at the last turn and I smiled at her. Then I pointed and yelled out, "Socks...I need socks!" I think people might of thought I was an A-hole, but I smiled before then.. :P

Remember my socks so I don't fret for like 4-5 miles.

This is where Karma was paid back. There is a sandy section right after the dismount line. As I carried my bike over that, I happenned to look down and sure as S$$T, there were my socks! I put my bike against a barrier, avoided other riders coming against me and grabbed my socks out of the sand.

I guess I put my socks inside my bike shoes when I was packing and they came out when they were spinning as I carried my bike to the mount line. How about them apples?!

I took my time in T2 to make sure I had everything. Nancy popped her head over the barricade with some socks in her hand. She rocks! I told her nevermind and headed out on the run. But she was resourceful and got me socks with like 45 seconds notice. Now that's an IronSherpa for you baby!!!

Nothing. Things went smoothly, but not fast.

Well, I was super happy to have socks on. I took off and decided that I was going to run consistantly instead of pushing the envelope. On the bike I had decided to get out of all out race mode and just push.

I came out with 2 other guys so I wanted to try and stick with them since were were kinda trading places for the first 2-3 miles. I lost track of one when we got to the turn around on the grass section. Then it was more of try and not get run over by the people coming the other way.

I realized another mistake that I made. I had practiced running off the bike with my gel flask in my side jersey pocket and had no issues. That was because it was EMPTY!! I had never put a full one in there. So I ran with it in my hand. And believe it or not...I actually used it. Granted, I forgot on some aid stations, but it helped. Amazing what happens when you race like you train.

Midway through the 1st lap, I saw Jorge coming for me. I knew it was only a matter of time. I also spotted JC (my nemisis) about 1 mile ahead of me. And that was with a 25 min head start. My two goals were to keep Jorge at bay as long as possible and to see if I can not lose any more time to JC. Jorge passed me on the first loop like I was picking Daisy's. We did a low 5 and then he went back into race mode. He is intense on the race course and extremely pleasant off. Can't ask anything more. On the second loop I came up on JC walking. I yelled at her to get going because I can't win by default. She just had a bad race...we all do. But she finished and still finished 5th in her A/G! JC is intense, but she was so proud of what I did today. She gave me her "award" from the podium, a hand held water bottle. In JC world...that's huge. When she said that I earned it I realized just how well I did. And she was more anxious for me to get a slot than I was. I'm so glad that she got me back into running in college. She's still my Nemisis though!

I never entered the push till it hurts phase. Jorge passed me right at the end of the loop where the BT fan club was. Trixie stuck her butt out when Jorge passed by and I don't think she saw me because I reached out an smacked it! I think it caught her off guard. They were very motivating...Thanks ladies. Plus it was super eye candy...not that I was looking...

I gave Nancy a kiss every time I passed the turn around. I was relaxed this race and I think I performed better because I was. yes, I could have maybe gone 3 - 4 minutes faster, but I would not have enjoyed it as much and I would not have been able to encourage others as much. I think I found a good medium.

The sun showed up midway through the 2nd loop and it became a scorcher. I packed 3 sponges into my top and they helped a lot. I did not like running in the ruts along the grass paths. Plus with so many people you were jumping in and out of it as you passed them. I just basically ran down the middle of the out and back and people just kinda got out of the way or I meandered around them.

The last mile was a stalking event. My friend April was in front and I wanted to catch her. I did and then I saw a guy from Great Britian and snached his spot with about 100 meters to go.

The coolest part of the run was in the chute. I could have passed the guy in front of me with like 20 meters to go but didn't. I looked back to see if I was going to be repassed by GB guy and he gave me the it's all good sign. So we spread out so that we could all get good finish pictures. I thought that was classy on his part. Or maybe he was tired...not sure.

Nothing really. I could have pushed harder, but didn't see the need or have the desire. I enjoyed this run. I felt like I was on a training run. Granted, my time showed that, but it also got me the results I wanted. So it all worked out.

Gave Nan a hug and kiss and headed to the lake to wash off my shoes. My mom found me later and said that I didn't even look tired. I guess I played it off well.

JC and I licked our wounds waiting for James and anyone else around.


My run needs to be worked on. More interval work!!!


The out and back on the run were really tight. Other than that, great run race.

Well, I PR'd by 28 minutes!! And I got a Clearwater 70.3 World Championship spot. It was a great day.