Gulf Coast Triathlon - Triathlon1/2 Ironman

It was rough, yellow flags. Trip out was pretty good, I had a draft for the first 2 buoys and I made first turn on the buoy. Going across not so good as I drifted out a little. I made the turn really wide and the return to shore was way off course. I got pulled to the right and I was way to far outside. I corrected over and over but never got on line. I noticed a kayak to my right about half way in and thats when I gave up correcting my line and just swam for the shore. I had to run 50 yards back to the transition gate after I got out of the water. It also felt like the water was pushing me back out.

It was definitely the toughest long swim I have ever done.

sighted a little more often after the last turn. I have bad eyes and wear prescription goggles but my vision makes siting tough in the long races. I am happy with my swim. I was 5 minutes slower than 06 but the conditions were way tougher. Looking back, I am okay with this swim.

Ranking 544 overall, 50 in age group.

Transitions were my strength today:)

Pretty happy with this. Maybe I should have taken a long drink of cold water before getting on the bike but I knew I had water on the bike.

Start out with a cross tail for 3 miles, then into the wind for 9. I felt fine early. Drank water for half hour, then had a rice krispy square and started with some gatorade. Got the tail wind for the next 18 miles, sweet. I was knocking out 22 to 24 for lots of this run. I kept drinking my water and gatorade and knocked out one bottle every 10 miles. My aero bottle came loose at about mile 29 and had to stop a minute and to fix it. Not a big deal but stupid equipment, I need to make a permenant fix on that. Drafting packs were still there but not as bad as I remember in 2006. The referee presence on the course was significantly improved from 2005 and 2006. The ride back was alot tougher but I stayed strong and spent most of it at 18 or better. I got passed a couple time and tried to hand close to the passers. Ate throughout the ride, 2 banana's a pop tart stick, and finlly a goo. I played hip hop with 2 different guys and maybe went a little harder than I should have. Oh, I counted 180 net passes and I finished the bike, moved up 24 spots in ag and 386 spots overall.

I was pretty much on target with where I thought I would be. 8 minutes slower than 06 but that was expected given my training and my prep race results. Best case would have been 3 minutes faster and maybe the loose aero bottle made that happen.

478 overall, 27 in AG. Whew I was fast, my best performance of the day in both age group and overall.

I took shoes out with half mile to go. Very quick run to bike and into running gear. I forgot my running bottle and didn't remember it till I was a mile out on the course.

Remember my amphipod

Started first mile feeling a little rough but I clicked out a 10:30 and was happy. About halfway through mile 2 I started to struggle. I guess its an uber bonk but I was walking by the end of mile 2. The 3rd mile was convincing myself I could finish. I have never been this close to quitting. I actually thought about my mentee group and that kind of pushed me forward. I tried to run in every mile but it got harder and harder. I was taking sponges, water, everything but nothing was helping. Sister Madonna passed me in the park. What an amazing lady. I heard someone call my name in mile 4 but I was delirious and couldn't tell who it was. By mile 9 my feet were raw from all the sponges and water in my shoes. My HR was way down but no gas in the tank. The volunteers were awesome and so helpful. Its kind of a blur from 8 to 12. High fived the team magic folks at mile 12 and struggled in. Frank was waiting with a quarter mile to go and made sure I was okay, I waved up to the condo as I figured Marcy was watching from there. I pushed it in to the finish. Cheri and her friend were there and took my pic. It was so cool to see her and hear her cheers throughout the day. My mind was really bleary at this point. Frank came over and helped me get my stuff and go back to the room. Wow what a day.

I am not sure. I have done this race 3 times before and then did ironman florida here too. I don't know what happened on my run. I hope it was the cumulative effect of the swim bike. But I really don't know. My run split was slower than than my first split in ironman (stop whining) while my run training was great.

Oh, the sponges in my shoes caused my feet to be a mess by the end of the race but I don't think I would have survived without them.

got stuff and went up to the room. Had a beer and then walked back down to cheer in anybody else who might still be out there. I lasted till 4 oclock and went back to the room.


I don't know for sure.


I don't know?

Nutrition - Seemed okay,
Exertion - HR on bike was 144, just about perfect
Heat Acclimation - Its been a cold spring. We haven't had any really hot training days and this was a nasty hot day.

This is a great race. Short of iron branded, its about as good as it gets. You feel like a rock star, volunteers are awesome, course is challenging.

My only complaint is a whine. I was in wave 13, starting over an hour after the first wave. Only 1 more wave after mine. I think putting the speedy AG's at the back of the race helps exacerbate the drafting problems on the course. That said, it also gets the riders off the road quicker so its a double edged sword.

I was disappointed in my time and I hope this report isn't too whiny. In the end I was proud that I gutted it out. My best accomplishment of the day is the sweet tan I got!