Ford Ironman 70.3 California - Triathlon1/2 Ironman

Water temperature seemed fine once we swam to the start line. I have never been in the ocean before and the salt water was interesting to get used to. My goal was 43 min and get through with a smooth transition. I somehow managed to beat my goal even though I was swimming aimlessly around the harbor. Also, the sun was coming up when rounding the outermost buoy and I couldn't manage to sight a thing.

Keep practice swimming and work on sighting.

I was so happy to be out of the water but stayed focused for the bike. Put on socks, shoes, helmet and started running.

Need to remember to put sunscreen on after body marking as my shoulders got burned to a crisp by the end of the day.

It was a great course with spectacular views. I knew according to the elevation graph that the back side of the course would have some hills. My goal was for a 19.2 avg pace and on the way out stayed about 21. Then the hills showed up but I didn't lose as much time as I thought.

Since I met my goal I don't think there is much I could do differently. I certainly need work on upping my speed but I don't think I could have managed any more than this right now.

Good start to the transition by racking my bike and putting my shoes on. I put my Garmin on and started it. It didn't have enough time to find satellites as I was running out of transition, but I just started my timer and began running. It eventually found satellites.

My goal was to hold at least a 8:00 min/mile pace but since my Garmin was slow to fire, my pace for the first mile was about 6:50 when it woke up. Not a good start to my pacing strategy. I tried to slow down but was so excited that I just held a 7:40 for the first loop. Then reality started to set in on the second loop when my pace started to fall. The sand beach sections didn't help with pacing either but it did make it more interesting.

Work on pacing off the bike.

Wondered down to the massage tent and had some pizza, soda and fruit.


Swim - Swim - Swim


This was my first half and my one year anniversary of learning how to swim. I had such a good time with this race. I managed to meet all of my race goals and am looking forward to another one. The course was entertaining and volunteers and fellow racers were very friendly.