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Ironman 70.3 Branson - Triathlon1/2 Ironman


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Branson, Missouri
United States
World Triathlon Corporation
70F / 21C
Precipitation
Total Time = 6h 55m 22s
Overall Rank = 422/1400
Age Group = 45-49
Age Group Rank = 45/71
Pre-race routine:

This was an out of town race obviously. It had rained pretty much non-stop the day before and through the night. The "routine" consisted of getting up at 3am parking a T-2 trying to find something open to eat. (note to self-pack breakfast)and trying to stay comfortable/dry
Event warmup:

We mostly huddled under a pavilion before the sun came up and I felt it was time to get my wetsuit on. I managed a very brief swim before they ordered us out of the water. It was perfect though, I got my wetsuit wet and felt a huge confidence boost about the swim based on how I fle those few strokes
Swim
  • 47m 55s
  • 2112 yards
  • 02m 16s / 100 yards
Comments:

I am satisfied with this swim (a first)I only broke my stroke twice, once when I got sandwiched in traffic between 2 swimmers and once to get a clearer picture of where I was. I guess I was summer where in the lower middle of my wave, I stayed with blue swim caps for the first leg, caught some pink caps and was overtaken by yellow caps later. I had predicted 45-1hr finish with a secret goal of 40 or less so 47:55 is ok ad the face that I had no problems, swam steady and never panicked is a bonus.
What would you do differently?:

Nothing other than see about some coaching this winter
Transition 1
  • 04m 22s
Comments:

Transitions were slow. We set up T1 the night before during the rain and I packed my helmet, gloves and shoes to stay dry. Unpacking these and then packing the wet suit in my bag to be transported to T-2 took extra time. I did not get to lube up my ankles before putting the wetsuit on and it hung up a bit there.
What would you do differently?:

Not sure, maybe save my helmet/gloves/shoes for race morning vs set it up the night before that way I can stage them properly
Bike
  • 3h 50m 34s
  • 56 miles
  • 14.57 mile/hr
Comments:

This is a challenging course. It gets plenty of discussion on forums as a tough course. We were blessed weatherwise-the clouds broke, sun came out and began to dry the roads. I enjoyed the course, cooler temps than others had experienced helped I'm sure. But my focus was to not trash myself on this ride and keep my mind on a strong run.The hills were not "brutal" very steep but they were long. It is a mental thing mostly, accepting a prolonged climb at 6 mph. 1 bathroom break on the second lap.
What would you do differently?:

Simple answer is a bit more training. I put a very heavy run emphasis on my training but have neglected my rides other than my long rides. I think 2-3 more rides during the week and some power/speed work would help. Even riding conservatively I should be able and wanted a 16 mph average not 14.xx
Transition 2
  • 02m 6s
Comments:

Another slow transition for the same reasons, frustrates me a little because I consider myself "good at transitions". The rain that had held off during the swim and bike started while I was changing shoes and became a torrent as I left the TA
What would you do differently?:

nothing, perhaps have my shoes out but covered, but that wouldn't have helped either, there was just too much water running across that parking lot.
Run
  • 2h 10m 40s
  • 13.1 miles
  • 09m 58s  min/mile
Comments:

Great run! The rain came down big time early in the run. I stepped carefully through puddles, jumped over the mini rivers that crossed the course at first. I was concerned about stepping in a hole or something and also had some funny thought about not getting my feet too wet-after lap one that became pointless. I kept my planned 1 minute walk at each mile marker and held a decent pace. I wanted something in the low 8's but 9+ was ok since I set a PR for that distance. I carried my own gu packets for nutrition and took water, G-ade and some soda on the course. One bathroom break at mile ten. Late in the run I briefly flirted with trying for a 2 flat or sub 2 and it seemed in reach but digging in for that hurt. I shifted my focus to a sub 7 hour race which I got and still had a good run split.
What would you do differently?:

nothing really. Hard to argue with a faster run split than I have done all year during my stand alone long runs!
Post race
Warm down:

Keep moving, talk to my wife, nephew and bro/sis in law who spent all that time in the rain to support me!, paced some, I was getting crampy..eventually loaded my gear up. I was grateful for all the help as I was really starting to struggle with things. Little things would make my foot or calf want to cramp.

What limited your ability to perform faster:

Other than the fore mentioned bike training-which I put in every race report, nothing. This was my first 70.3 so I had little to compare myself too.


Profile Album


Last updated: 2011-03-15 12:00 AM
Swimming
00:47:55 | 2112 yards | 02m 16s / 100yards
Age Group: 53/71
Overall: 0/1400
Performance: Good
I just counted strokes, with very brief siting and tried to stay in "traffic"
Suit: 2xU
Course: Sort of a lopsided triangle clockwise.
Start type: Run Plus: Waves
Water temp: 70F / 21C Current: Low
200M Perf. Good Remainder: Average
Breathing: Average Drafting: Average
Waves: Navigation: Average
Rounding: Good
T1
Time: 04:22
Performance: Below average
Cap removal: Below average Helmet on/
Suit off:
Yes
Wetsuit stuck? Yes Run with bike: Yes
Jump on bike: No
Getting up to speed: Good
Biking
03:50:34 | 56 miles | 14.57 mile/hr
Age Group: 46/71
Overall: 0/1400
Performance: Average
I focused on staying conservative during the ride and it showed, but truthfully I doubt I could have been much faster and it would have hurt my run. BIKE SPLIT 1: 11.4 mi 11.4 mi (47:59) 14.25 mi/h BIKE SPLIT 2: 29.4 mi 18 mi (1:15:38) 14.28 mi/h BIKE SPLIT 3: 47.4 mi 18 mi (1:19:03) 13.66 mi/h BIKE SPLIT 4: 56 mi 8.6 mi (27:54) 18.49 mi/h
Wind: Little
Course: From T-1 to a 2 lap (closer to three) course on a closed section of highway-lots of hills
Road: Smooth Wet Cadence:
Turns: Good Cornering: Good
Gear changes: Good Hills: Average
Race pace: Comfortable Drinks: Just right
T2
Time: 02:06
Overall: Below average
Riding w/ feet on shoes Good
Jumping off bike Good
Running with bike Average
Racking bike Below average
Shoe and helmet removal Good
Running
02:10:40 | 13.1 miles | 09m 58s  min/mile
Age Group: 38/71
Overall: 0/1400
Performance: Good
RUN SPLIT 1: 2.2 mi 2.2 mi (19:28) 8:50/mi RUN SPLIT 2: 6.8 mi 4.6 mi (45:04) 9:47/mi RUN SPLIT 3: 11.3 mi 4.5 mi (48:57) 10:52/mi RUN SPLIT 4: 13.1 mi 1.8 mi (17:11) 9:32/mi
Course: 3 laps at Branson landing including a retail strip and public parks, RV park.
Keeping cool Good Drinking Just right
Post race
Weight change: %
Overall: Good
Mental exertion [1-5] 5
Physical exertion [1-5] 5
Good race? Yes
Evaluation
Course challenge
Organized? Yes
Events on-time? Yes
Lots of volunteers? Yes
Plenty of drinks? Yes
Post race activities: Good
Race evaluation [1-5] 5

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2011-09-18 8:36 PM

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Master
2236
200010010025
Denison Texas
Subject: Ironman 70.3 Branson


2011-09-19 12:26 AM
in reply to: #3691429

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Veteran
358
1001001002525
Taoyuan, Taiwan
Subject: RE: Ironman 70.3 Branson
Nicely done.  Sounds like a fun day, too bad about the rain!  Way to go sub 7 hour!
2011-09-19 1:20 PM
in reply to: #3691429

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Elite
3067
200010002525
Cheesehead, WI
Subject: RE: Ironman 70.3 Branson
Way to go! I don't know how well I'd deal with rain like that. Nice job!
2011-09-19 4:18 PM
in reply to: #3692369

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Regular
215
100100
Kirkwood, Mo.
Subject: RE: Ironman 70.3 Branson
Nice job on your first half Jeff.  That was one epic thunderstorm!  It was funny watching people dodge the puddles in the pouring rain.  Sorry to miss you at the race.
2011-09-19 7:48 PM
in reply to: #3692650

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Master
2236
200010010025
Denison Texas
Subject: RE: Ironman 70.3 Branson

jlamm66 - 2011-09-19 4:18 PM Nice job on your first half Jeff.  That was one epic thunderstorm!  It was funny watching people dodge the puddles in the pouring rain.  Sorry to miss you at the race.

Ha! I was one of those. I was concerned about pot holes or cracks in the pavement. The asphalt at that end of the course looked a little rough. I gave up and just splashed on through

2011-09-20 6:23 AM
in reply to: #3691429

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Extreme Veteran
492
100100100100252525
NW Arkansas
Subject: RE: Ironman 70.3 Branson
Great job! I enjoyed your report as well. Congrats on the finish. It was tough.


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