at the actual start of my wave i got all the way out to the right away from the crowd which worked out well at the start, I had some open space for the first 10 min of swimming. This was a double edge sword because I wasn't able to draft at all for that first stretch, i actually ended up off the course a little bit because i was swimming so strait, i ended up having to cut back in towards the buoy at the first turn. After that i was dead on the line the rest of the race. The second buiy was much more crowded as the wave behind me was catching me, i picked up my pace and pushed away though and i was good for the home stretch at that point. The last stretch was really crowded and i actually was able to do some good drafting through this part. Now coming out of the water was my first sign of trouble as soon as i put pressure on my legs they felt sketchy. I was able to run out and get to the wet suit strippers, which were great, but dropping down on my butt then getting back up is what set of the cramp in my quads.

maybe get back in with the main line in the first stretch sooner so i could try and draft more.

I took some time to to stretch and wait for my legs to loosen up. I had some Gatorade, a banana and a salt stick, and a gel. Once the cramp went away I made my way out to the bike course!

I would like to avoid a cramp in my leg coming out of the water, I usually only get cramps on the run portion so I am a little unsure why that happened but it loosened up.

i will try and look at the positives for me. I made it through the entire first loop without getting off my bike once, despite a ton of people walking up that big hill, i rode past them! I was able to get some serious speed on the descents and stay in control. On the flats on the second half I was down in the aero position for a ton of it, i did not like those long gradual climbs though. On the second loop up that big hill i ended up walking up the top part but that was the only time i walked on the bike course all day. I was good with getting a ton of calories on the bike which is why i was able to get through the run ok in my opinion.

Get more hill work in/get a tri bike!!!

quick stop, racked my bike, put on sneakers and had a banana and the last of the Gatorade on my bike, then off I went.

Now the first two miles were ugly, my legs were not happy. The first time up the bigger hill i had to stop and stretch for a few min until the cramping stopped, but after that i was able to get through the rest of the run, although i walked up most of the hills and ran the rest, but the run was a breeze compared to the bike course.

Do better on the bike so I can run closer to my normal 2 hour half marathon time.

I was timid as this was my first 70.3, i feel like i could have pushed a little harder on the swim and cut some more time off my swim.


Amazing first 70.3 Experience now on to the rest of the season!