Big Kahuna Triathlon - Triathlon1/2 Ironman

I just could not get comfortable in this swim. I was cold the entire time. My feet went numb, but my hadns and cheeks felt like they were burning (like when you stick your hands in a bucket of ice water). I had to breathe every second stroke instead of my normal every third becuase I felt restricted. I had the usual feelings of "what have I gotten myself into again" for the first ten minutes. I did a decent job of navigating because I kept popping my head out of the water. I couldn't draft because I was too slow for my group.

Warm up the water!!!

The transition area was a few blocks from the beach so it was a long run. It was nice that they had some buckets of water when you entered the transition area so so that you could wash your feet off.

I should have waited till after taking off my sleeves before I took of my swim cap and goggles because I had them in my hand and didn't know what to do with them wile taking off the sleeves.

I had to pee for the entire bike leg. I didn't want to stop becuase I was doing so well, you can guess what happened; a few times. I did the climbs very well. In fact I caught people on every climb. There were a few serious descents where I got up to 40mph, I didn't do all of them in the aerobars becuase I got a little nervous with the speed.

I used ZIPP 606 tubs and they were perfect from racedaywheels.com

don't be afraid to push it a little harder.

The end of the bike came sooner than I though and I didn't even have time to get my feet out of my shoes. I also wasn't used to the type of rack that we were using (not the pole style).

KNOW THE COURSE!!!

I started out having to pee, I made it the first aid station which had a port-o-john "perfect". Then around mile 5 I started pacing a Dan from Stanford who I had been near on the bike. We had a good pace and just kept it going. The strategy was to stay at 150bpm for the first 7 miles then bring it up to 145-155 bpm for the next 3 miles then bring it up to 157-158 for the next 2 miles and then go all out for the last mile. the strategy was perfect I felt solid the entire time. though I was getting passed on the way out I started to be the one doing the passing for the last three miles. The last half mile on the beach was brutal because the sand is so soft but the finish felt good. Then I met Michellie Jones across the finish line.

Go 1-2 bpm harder for the entire run. I might have been able to take off an additional minute or two.

Went back in the water to clean myself off. It was like an ice bath.


Being careful not to go out too hard. I could have pushed a little harder on the run and bike. As for the swim, warmer water would have been nice.


They should not have let family and friends in the transition area before the race, they needed more port-o-johns near the transition area. Needed a better photography company (should have had people taking photos by the Tiki on the run). Volunteers at the aid stations were great.