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Ironman 70.3 Austin - Triathlon1/2 Ironman


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Austin, Texas
United States
World Triathlon Corporation
90F / 32C
Sunny
Total Time = 7h 19m 20s
Overall Rank = 1649/2533
Age Group = M35-39
Age Group Rank = 293/
Pre-race routine:

Woke at 4:15, drank two Ensures and ate a Clif bar. Drove over to the arena and waited in traffic, seems like all I did this weekend was sit in traffic and stand in lines. I'm getting good at it. Got all my transition stuff situated and headed down to the water for the start.
Event warmup:

Nothing really, other than stretching at the start line. Ate one Gu about 15 minutes prior to swim start followed by water.
Swim
  • 33m 42s
  • 2112 yards
  • 01m 36s / 100 yards
Comments:

The swim went alright. I was really hoping to be out of the water right at 30 minutes, this is close enough I guess. I had some disorientation/dizziness around 300-1000 yards in, not sure what it was all about but it went away. Also got a bad calf cramp about halfway in one leg, then again about 40 ft from the finish. Never had that happen before and it certainly is not from a lack of training, I swam 40000+ yards in both August and September and was feeling strong. Sighting went well, I was never more than 10 ft off the bouys. It was more of a challenge to go around slower swimmers in front of me. The highlight of my swim was that I decided to start right up front. Front row, about 5 people from the left. I chose to chance a rough fight rather than lose a minute or two and have to swim around a ton more people. It worked out, plenty of contact but nothing that really bothered me.
What would you do differently?:

Stretch my calves more prior to entering the water?
Transition 1
  • 05m 33s
Comments:

I simply suck at transitions. I'm just so out of breath exiting the water that I choose to take it easy in the transition and let my heart rate come down, when I should do that on the bike instead. First time for me having everything in a bag, then having to bag my wetsuit, swim cap and goggles.
What would you do differently?:

Get sponsored, so I don't care if I bag my wetsuit, swim cap and goggles. Just leave 'em behind and get new ones after the race!
Bike
  • 3h 27m 52s
  • 56 miles
  • 16.16 mile/hr
Comments:

Seems like I could almost cut and paste most other RR's about the bike. The first half I felt great, then around mile 30 the wind developed and kicked my rear. I was averaging 19ish on the front half of the bike course, then fell apart on the back half. I just couldn't pedal any harder into that wind, then my shoulders/back started aching and I couldn't get back down into the aero position. The race course itself probably wouldn't be so bad if the roads were in better condition. The aid stations seemed to be at good intervals and the people working them did a good job.
What would you do differently?:

I chose to rent a bike for this race so the fit wasn't perfect. But I'm not sure it was poor bike fit that was my doom. Buy a tri bike and get strong on it, then either do races closer to home or fork over the money to bring it along.
Transition 2
  • 05m 16s
Comments:

I was so demoralized that I just didn't care anymore. I was ready to get off the bike and just lay down and not move for a while.
Run
  • 3h 06m 59s
  • 13.1 miles
  • 14m 16s  min/mile
Comments:

I don't think I would have called this a death march, because I at least managed to run the downhills. But bottom line is that it was brutal. And it was all on me. And the heat. Take away my lack of preparedness and the heat and this would have been a good run course. I'm still undecided on whether or not I like the 3 loops. While it was nice after the first loop to know what was coming, it was quite demoralizing to know I had to do it all two more times. I also felt bad on my third lap when I passed the "mile 2" marker and heard the Garmin beep of the runner next to me, signaling that for them it really only was mile 2. I'm sure someone else thought the same thing when it was happening to me.
What would you do differently?:

Run more. Alot more. And bike more. Honestly I did complete a HM as well as a 10 Mile race within the past few months, so I know I can do that distance with acceptable times (~9:30-10/mile on the half, 1:32 finishing time on the 10 Mile). So I think it goes back to the bike, and getting stronger on the bike so I can finish with more in the tank.
Post race
Warm down:

Wandered around the finish line in a daze for a while. Looked at all that great food and just couldn't imagine eating any of it. I considered checking myself into the medical tent for a quick exam, but some of the folks in there looked real bad so I just walked back out. My family did not accompany me to this race, I really didn't know anyone there, it would have been nice to have someone familiar at the finish line to help me make some more rational decisions about rehydrating and getting some calories in. And cooling down.

What limited your ability to perform faster:

Insufficient training, heat and wind.

Event comments:

I hate traffic and standing in lines. And I feel like that's all I did the entire weekend. Whether it was going downtown to have dinner or trying to get through packet pickup. The line at the Ironman store was almost as long as the line to pick up my packet, so I didn't spend a few hundred bucks there. Maybe that's not a bad thing! I probably won't be back to do this race again, but that is more a factor of there being a ton of other 70.3's I want to try, not because it was a bad race. I feel the race officials and staff did a great job with getting things on the course as decent as it was. Sounds like it could have been alot worse, especially on the bike course. And of course the wind and heat are completely out of their control.


Profile Album


Last updated: 2011-08-30 12:00 AM
Swimming
00:33:42 | 2112 yards | 01m 36s / 100yards
Age Group: 51/
Overall: 286/2533
Performance: Good
Suit: xterra full
Course: Out, over and back, counterclockwise.
Start type: Wade Plus: Waves
Water temp: 73F / 23C Current: Low
200M Perf. Good Remainder: Good
Breathing: Average Drafting:
Waves: Good Navigation: Good
Rounding: Good
T1
Time: 05:33
Performance: Average
Cap removal: Good Helmet on/
Suit off:
No
Wetsuit stuck? No Run with bike: Yes
Jump on bike: No
Getting up to speed: Good
Biking
03:27:52 | 56 miles | 16.16 mile/hr
Age Group: 0/
Overall: 0/2533
Performance: Below average
Wind: Headwind
Course:
Road: Rough  Cadence:
Turns: Good Cornering: Good
Gear changes: Average Hills: Average
Race pace: Hard Drinks: Just right
T2
Time: 05:16
Overall: Average
Riding w/ feet on shoes
Jumping off bike
Running with bike Average
Racking bike Good
Shoe and helmet removal Below average
Running
03:06:59 | 13.1 miles | 14m 16s  min/mile
Age Group: 293/
Overall: 0/2533
Performance: Below average
Course: 3 loop, seemed to be always going up or down.
Keeping cool Below average Drinking Not enough
Post race
Weight change: %
Overall: Below average
Mental exertion [1-5] 2
Physical exertion [1-5] 2
Good race? Ok
Evaluation
Course challenge Too hard
Organized? Yes
Events on-time? Yes
Lots of volunteers? Yes
Plenty of drinks? Yes
Post race activities: Good
Race evaluation [1-5] 4

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2011-10-25 3:57 PM

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Expert
1544
100050025
Alexandria, MN
Subject: Ironman 70.3 Austin


2011-10-25 4:10 PM
in reply to: #3737854

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Champion
10018
50005000
, Minnesota
Bronze member
Subject: RE: Ironman 70.3 Austin
I think you did a great job under less than ideal circumstances.   It's only up from here! 
2011-10-25 6:59 PM
in reply to: #3737881

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Extreme Veteran
479
100100100100252525
The Woodlands, TX
Subject: RE: Ironman 70.3 Austin
Andy, it was nice meeting you at the race.  Don't get too down on yourself.  Coming down to Texas is hard for many.  Keep at it.
2011-10-26 11:04 AM
in reply to: #3737854

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Master
1883
1000500100100100252525
San Antone, Texas
Subject: RE: Ironman 70.3 Austin
Good race man, it was really tough out there.  You made it to the finish and that's what counts!
2011-10-26 2:59 PM
in reply to: #3737854

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Alpharetta, Georgia
Bronze member
Subject: RE: Ironman 70.3 Austin

I know what you mean about lines and traffic (and I didn't even race, just spectated)! The lines were a sign of ill-preparedness from Ironman if you ask me. We spent 2.5 hours checking in, signing waivers, and having one person stand in the Ironman store line while others shopped. It was unreal.

BUT all that said, congratulations on the race! I am proud of everyone battling that wind and heat. 

You should come to Lawrence for Kansas 70.3 in June... no traffic and very minimal lines.



Edited by lisac957 2011-10-26 3:00 PM
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