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Ironman 70.3 New Orleans - Triathlon1/2 Ironman


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New Orleans, Louisiana
United States
World Triathlon Corporation
Total Time = 5h 09m 10s
Overall Rank = 591/1132
Age Group = W 25-29
Age Group Rank = 16/41
Pre-race routine:

This wasn't the race I wanted. I wanted a real 70.3 For an early season half I was having trouble deciding between this race, Rev3 Knoxville, and Orlando 70.3. I picked New Orleans because I have never been to New Orleans, and I thought lightning doesn't strike twice, and since the swim was canceled last year, I though we would be good this year. Left South GA with my best friend Loraine at 3 a.m. Saturday morning. Long boring drive. About 40 minutes from New Orleans we decided to stop for lunch so we wouldn't have to try getting lunch in the city. While at lunch I got the email that I was dreading, the swim was canceled. On top of that, the bike course was shortened to 52 miles, and there would be a 2 mile run to start the race, so this was going to be a long course duathlon. I had so many emotions running through me, I was mad, I was pissed off, I was upset, and then I was depressed. I can't believe I drove almost 12 hours for a long-course duathlon.
Event warmup:

The start was really unorganized. Every wave they had 2 people go off every 10 seconds in a time trial fashion. My age group was dead last, were we supposed to go off at 7:27. They ended up starting my age group after 8, I went off around 8:05, I was the second to last person of the whole race to start. I took it easy and decided to to the first 2 mile run at an easy pace just to warm up. First run time (2 miles)was 16:44


Swim
  • 00m
  • 2112 yards
  • / 100 yards
Transition 1
  • 04m 6s
Comments:

Due to unforeseen feminine issues that occurred 2 days before this race, both transitions were longer than I wanted them to be, and I will shut up about that now and leave it at that
Bike
  • 2h 44m 29s
  • 52 miles
  • 18.97 mile/hr
Comments:

The issue with the race being shortened was because of strong winds. Strong winds canceled the swim, and shortened the bike course because of debris from the wind. I was riding my Sram S60s with a disc cover on the back wheel. Since I was second to last to start the whole race I passed 100 people or so. The only time things got sketchy with the disc was on the tall bridges we had to go over close to the sea wall, at the very tops of the bridges I could feel the wind pushing the disc and I had to work to stay on the bike. Other than that no problems. I kept nutrition to a minimum, just water, ironman perform, and a few shot blocks. The headwinds were brutal, but since I live and train in flat with headwinds I was able to hammer these sections. When I got to the dismount line I didn't realize how much I spent myself on the bike course. After hammering the headwinds I just felt wrecked
Transition 2
  • 06m 36s
Comments:

see T1
Run
  • 1h 56m 57s
  • 13.1 miles
  • 08m 56s  min/mile
Comments:

The day before, after finding out the course was altered, I had to set a goal for myself to get me through the race. I set a goal of a sub 2 hour 13.1 mile run split. The run course was great, plenty of enthusiastic volunteers at the aid stations. The run was 2 laps with 2 out and back sections. I think I liked this run course because this is how I do my run training, multiple laps with out and backs. The first lap I felt great, head up, decent pace. There were a few hills but nothing too serious. At the turn around heading out to the second lap got some mojo from the crowd and a high five from Loraine. Second lap was not as good as the first. I could feel my left achelies getting rubbed raw and it hurt. I was also just plain tired, I was pulling out all the mental strength I could muster to get through the race, I looked down at the ground a lot on this second lap, that is always my tired and true coping method. I was hurting, and looking at my watch I knew sub 2 hours was possible, but it would be close. The whole run I only used water and ironman perform for nutrition, I felt like it was all I needed. Mile 12 I gritted my teeth and pushed through the last mile, at 12.5 there was one last hill, I dug deep to get up it. When I saw the finisher's chute I knew I was sub 2 hours. Since it didn't feel like a real 70.3 I just crossed the finish line without doing the arm raise.
Post race
Warm down:

Got my finisher's medal and mylar blanket. My legs were hurting bad so when Loraine found me I leaned on her for a minute. She took me somewhere to sit down. It felt great to sit. I told her a few things about the race. She told me about her day as a spectator, I was surprised to hear about all the crashes at the bike dismount line, even by pros. She told me everyone just looked wrecked after the bike, so at least now I know it wasn't just me. Got some post race food, attempted to drink a post race beer but just wasn't feeling it. Pack up my stuff and grabbed my bike and left back to the hotel.



Event comments:

I have a lot of mixed emotions about this race. I don't know what to call it for one. In my mind, even after this weekend, I still only have one 70.3 under my belt. I had been looking forward to this race all winter, and worked so hard on my swimming to get ready for. I think this race has potential, but I don't think I will race it again, swim being canceled 2 years in a row is just bad mojo. Gives me a chance to try another early season half iron race next year. I am now super pumped up for Muncie 70.3 on July 7th.






Last updated: 2012-02-02 12:00 AM
Swimming
00:00:00 | 2112 yards | / 100yards
Age Group: 0/41
Overall: 0/1132
Performance:
Suit:
Course:
Start type: Plus:
Water temp: 0F / 0C Current:
200M Perf. Remainder:
Breathing: Drafting:
Waves: Navigation:
Rounding:
T1
Time: 04:06
Performance: Bad
Cap removal: Helmet on/
Suit off:
Wetsuit stuck? Run with bike:
Jump on bike:
Getting up to speed:
Biking
02:44:29 | 52 miles | 18.97 mile/hr
Age Group: 0/41
Overall: 0/1132
Performance: Average
Wind:
Course: A few out and backs
Road:   Cadence:
Turns: Cornering:
Gear changes: Hills:
Race pace: Drinks:
T2
Time: 06:36
Overall: Bad
Riding w/ feet on shoes
Jumping off bike
Running with bike
Racking bike
Shoe and helmet removal
Running
01:56:57 | 13.1 miles | 08m 56s  min/mile
Age Group: 0/41
Overall: 0/1132
Performance: Good
Course: 2 laps with 2 out and backs
Keeping cool Drinking
Post race
Weight change: %
Overall:
Mental exertion [1-5]
Physical exertion [1-5]
Good race?
Evaluation
Course challenge Just right
Organized? No
Events on-time? No
Lots of volunteers? Yes
Plenty of drinks? Yes
Post race activities: Average
Race evaluation [1-5] 2

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2012-04-24 9:46 AM

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Expert
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Fort Riley, Kansas
Subject: Ironman 70.3 New Orleans


2012-04-24 11:38 AM
in reply to: #4169391

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Master
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Subject: RE: Ironman 70.3 New Orleans
Great job despite all the issues!
2012-04-24 11:46 AM
in reply to: #4169391

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Expert
819
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Subject: RE: Ironman 70.3 New Orleans

Same thing at Steelhead in 2011.  Only they had no run to start so not even a DU.  I found a 69.1 sticker and am doing an inland 70.3 in 7 weeks.  

http://www.cafepress.com/+671_sticker_oval,282377895

 

The link is for an oval 67.1 sticker.  Something to remember your accomplishment.  Remember that 5+ hours and 67.1 miles is still a heck of a long way.

Congrats.

2012-04-24 12:29 PM
in reply to: #4169772

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Expert
1128
100010025
Fort Riley, Kansas
Subject: RE: Ironman 70.3 New Orleans
leftrunner - 2012-04-24 12:46 PM

Same thing at Steelhead in 2011.  Only they had no run to start so not even a DU.  I found a 69.1 sticker and am doing an inland 70.3 in 7 weeks.  

http://www.cafepress.com/+671_sticker_oval,282377895

 

The link is for an oval 67.1 sticker.  Something to remember your accomplishment.  Remember that 5+ hours and 67.1 miles is still a heck of a long way.

Congrats.

Thanks for reading! I already have a 140.6 sticker on my car, so don't think I'll be getting the 67.1

2012-04-24 3:26 PM
in reply to: #4169391

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Extreme Veteran
399
100100100252525
Long Beach, CA
Subject: RE: Ironman 70.3 New Orleans
Great RR, your bike time in that wind was incredible! I hope you get the 70.3 you are looking for in Muncie!  I also feel like I need a 70.3 make up, so I think another 70.3 is going to be on my schedule in the future too. Congrats! It was a tough one out there!
2012-04-25 8:31 AM
in reply to: #4169391

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Veteran
671
5001002525
Harrison, Oh
Subject: RE: Ironman 70.3 New Orleans

Wow ~ sounds like a very frustrating day.  Way to hang in there!  Fabulous 13.1 split!!

I will see you at Muncie.  Not racing this year, but will be there to support some friends ~ I will look for you!



2012-04-26 5:09 AM
in reply to: #4171592

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Expert
1128
100010025
Fort Riley, Kansas
Subject: RE: Ironman 70.3 New Orleans
marathongirl11 - 2012-04-25 9:31 AM

Wow ~ sounds like a very frustrating day.  Way to hang in there!  Fabulous 13.1 split!!

I will see you at Muncie.  Not racing this year, but will be there to support some friends ~ I will look for you!

Thanks Stacie!!

Look for me in Muncie, I will be wearing the Team RWB tri kit in my pic

2012-04-26 6:54 AM
in reply to: #4169391

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Pro
4360
200020001001001002525
Baton Rouge area
Subject: RE: Ironman 70.3 New Orleans
Nice job on the race!!
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