Ironman 70.3 Boise - Triathlon1/2 Ironman

The water was pretty calm the first few minutes. I was finding a good rhythm, sighting well, and drafting off some good paced feet. Then I noticed it was getting pretty choppy, looked up to sight and the buoys were at least 50yds off to my right. The whole pack of us were way off course, so I think the waves must have pushed us some. I started swimming back toward the buoys and sighting more often and then my goggles fogged up. It was making it really difficult to sight but with all the waves I was afraid if I tried to clear them I might get a face full of water and since I wear contacts that could have been a big problem for me. So I struggled to see for most of the swim. After I rounded the first buoy the waves really kicked up. There were whitecaps, and I just kept thinking it's like the wave pool in the waterpark... just enjoy the ride. I snuck breaths under my armpit and that was working quite well. I actually caught some air off the top of a few of the waves and felt pretty good that I was staying calm and swimming through it. Then for some reason, I think because my sighting had been so bad and I kept having to get back on course, I started to think that maybe I had cut the course. I started feeling kind of panicky thinking I might have cut the course and would be DQ'd and not get to finish my race, but then I told myself that if I had cut the course surely a kayaker would have told me, so I tried to quit thinking about it, but it was a nagging fear that I would be told I was DQ'd after the swim. It's strange the games your mind plays with you during races sometimes. I finally stopped about 100 yards from the finish and cleared my goggles because I couldn't see anymore at all. Then I just swam for the boat ramp until my hands touched bottom. Stood up and ran up the long hill to transition while pulling the top of my wetsuit down and my cap and goggles off. I didn't stop for the wetsuit strippers because I can get out of my wetsuit pretty fast and was afraid it would just take me longer.

Defog my goggles before the swim start. I usually don't have any trouble with this, but since I normally do a warm up swim any goggle issues are resolved before the swim start. I actually felt pretty good about my swim given the conditions out there, but more frequent/ consistent sighting would have saved me a lot of extra distance.

Once I crossed the timing mat at the top of the hill I walked the rest of the way to my bike rack to get my hr down. I grabbed my bike bag and dumped it out on the ground, got all my gear on, threw my wetsuit, goggles, and cap into the bag. Tried to grab my helmet off the bike but I had attached it around the middle of my aero bars before I put my podium quest bottle on, so it was stuck underneath the bottle. Really dumb move, but I was able to detach one strap from the bottle and pull the helmet strap out, so it didn't cost me too much time. Then, I ran the bike out to the mount line and hopped on.

Keep running to my rack and not attach my helmet under my bottle.

I had a rain jacket in my bike bag, but didn't grab it since it wasn't raining when I started the bike. The first few miles were mostly down hill and it was lots of fun zooming down the dam after passing the couple speed bumps at the top. Then, it started raining... it down poured for most of the rest of the ride. There was thunder and lightning in the distance and I found myself wondering how conductive a bike is. The puddles and wet roads made the downhills and corners nerve wracking, but I handled it OK. My glasses kept steaming up and I kept having to wipe the inside with my finger so I could see. There was even some hail as I was going up the steep hill to the bird sanctuary. I was working hard enough on the bike that I didn't get too chilled though. Then I rounded the corner at about mile 32 and hit a wall of headwind. I was pedaling hard, but couldn't go more than about 12 to 13mph on the flats. I was getting really tired and just praying it wouldn't continue for the rest of the ride. I stopped at the next aid station to use the port-a-let.The volunteers were awesome, they racked and unracked my bike for me and there was no waiting, so it was pretty quick. I headed back out and luckily only had to deal with the headwind for a few more miles. Towards the end of the ride I was getting really fatigued and my legs were getting sore and I just wanted off the bike. Biking is definitely my weakness and hordes of people passed me, but I really didn't mind and it was really nice to see the friendly faces of fellow BTers and friends. I passed a handful of people too, which is pretty good for me.

Nothing really, this was a good bike for me especially considering the conditions.

Again the volunteers were awesome. I came into transition and someone directed me right to my rack, then another guy racked my bike for me and found my run gear bag under the rack. I dumped out my run gear bag and stuck my helmet, glasses, and bike shoes in it and cinched it up. Then I put on my shoes and amphipod belt and ran a long way down the row to the run start. I was soaking wet and pretty cold during transition, but I knew I'd warm up once I started running.

Ditch the amphipod belt. It was completely unnecessary with all the aid stations, and I was sick of Infinit anyway.

I stopped at the first Port-a-let and had to wait about a minute because they were full. My calves and achilles started to tighten up right away and I dealt with that for about the first 6 miles until they finally gave up and quit hurting. I was exhausted, and my legs hurt, but I continued running easy. It was pretty demoralizing when I saw my split times were 12:30ish even though I was running. I was also getting stomach cramps, so after the first two miles I started walking the aid stations and drinking coke and broth. That seemed to work pretty well and my split times even improved a little. I had to laugh when they offered me a sponge at the aid stations though, since I WAS a sponge. I don't think they had a lot of takers on the sponges this race. :) I was still getting occasional stomach cramps, but they weren't too bad and I knew I WOULD finish this race. I continued walking the aid stations and running (well, more like shuffling and splashing through puddles) in between. The spectators and volunteers were fantastic! Slapped lots of kids hands and appreciated every kind word and smile! The last 3 miles were by far the longest miles I've ever run, and I drew on all the positive energy everyone has sent me and looked around at all the other people who were taking this journey with me and found the inspiration to keep on going. I passed a few people the last two miles and almost passed another girl shortly before the finish line, but when she saw me try to pass her she kicked it in. I smiled and thought "She wants it more than I do today" and I was so happy for her! As I crossed the finish line someone wrapped a blanket around me, put their arm around me, and asked if I was OK. I said "yeah", but I think if he had not been there I may have fallen down. He stayed with me and walked me through to get my medal, finisher's hat, and photo. I really can't say enough about the awesome volunteers!

Walk the aid stations and live off the course during the run.

Met Gary and my Father-in-law outside the finisher's shoot, and walked over to get some drinks and steak tacos. They were delicious! Then just went home to get warm and dry.


Still need to build more base, especially on the bike so my legs wouldn't be so toasted when I start the run.


I was a little annoyed at not being able to swim in the reservoir before the race and not being able to preview one section of the bike course, but in the end I saw why Ironman events are so popular.The city of Boise was fantastic as well! It was incredibly well organized, the volunteers were extraordinary, the spectators were out in force even in the horrible weather! It was an experience unlike any other, and I would definitely do it again!