Ironman 70.3 Rhode Island - Triathlon1/2 Ironman

Swim seemed amazingly hard. Multiple people I talked to said their times were way over normal. More waves than I had seen when I went out to look around a couple times before. Coming back in, there was a current pushing us across the course. Many people ended up between the two lines of buoy's and had to swim back out. My sighting went really well but breathing was so restricted by the suit I couldn't get a decent breath between waves, chop, and constriction. My swim ended up about 10 minutes slower than I wanted.

Buy a wetsuit and practice with it to get used to breathing in it. Also, this is for all three disciplines, I quit working out two months ago and I paid for it yesterday.

Before the race, and while swimming, I kept going over in my mind my T1 plan. I got to T1 and completely ignored it. Skipped the drink, no gel, right ankle caught in my suit, etc., etc. Plus I was catching my breath.

Actually, nothing. My lack of speed came mostly from trying to slow my breathing down.

I didn't practice my nutrition ahead of time but I believe I really nailed it. Seemed like I never really bonked. Of note, my neck is killing me today from riding aero. Aid stations were good. Seemed like there were alot of flats out on the course. Saw one guy doing the run with a really nasty case of road rash on his face, shoulders, and leg (there is no way I would have kept going looking like he did). A lot of the locals were rather pissed at the traffic back up leading to corners, but at the same time some people were out sweeping the side of the rode to make it a little nicer for the riders. Think it was pretty well received over all in this community.

Mike time in the saddle and hill work.

Love the volunteers for helping but the lady pointed me in one direction but said the other, then when I saw the sign where my bike was and headed that way she said I was going the wrong way so I stopped and looked and she realized I was ok. Mike spot was about in the middle so I was beat by the time I racked.

Nothing.

Volunteers did an awesome job. tried to thank as many as I could. Had a problem for about the first 4 miles, felt like I had stress fractures on the outside edge of my arches. That and my hip flexors were killing me, think bith were left over from the bike. At the end I would run til I could see the agegroup on the guy in front of me . If he was in mine I would pass him and get far enough ahead that either he started walking or I did but still was able to stay ahead.

This is the longest run I have ever done, by at least 4 miles. I am really kicking myself in the butt for stopping following my workout routine 2 months ago. I know I was on track to do alot better than I did.

Crossed the line, got the medal, went and grabbed my bags and bike, drove back to the beach to get my truck, went and got my tattoo(gift from the wife), went home and grilled then passed out on the couch!!


I don't know if I burnt myself out with the workout thing or what but started smoking when I went for a guys weekend, then got home and went on vacation, followed closely by work picking up etc., and stopped working out, almost completely. Need to get a coach next time. Not next year though, I am having shoulder surgery.


This is my first HIM and first race longer than a Sprint. I will volunteer for it next year while I am healing but may get in on the 2010 one. I think Rhode Island did a decent job pulling off an inaugural race and would recommend it to others.