They only had one navigation buoy for the 90 degree left turn. It would have been helpful if there had been others to mark the most efficient course

I don't know. Aside from doing the race multiple times, I'm not sure that I could have done anything different to have a better course plotted through the latter portion of the course. I definitely did a few hundred extra yards though

It just takes a long time to bundle up in layers when it is cold. I'm usually slow in transition but this was abysmally slow. Even though I was warm in the water, my feet got numb in the run to the changing tent.

I would practice getting dressed. I had packed my bag in reverse order so the stuff I needed last was on the bottom but I should have practiced getting in the layers. I put on my jersey and realized I forgot (and needed) my base layer so I had to take the jersey off, put the LS base on, etc.

I stopped at the Special Needs and shed some layers. I think it was good to actually stop even though it took some time. The training rides definitely paid off too.

Continue to try to improve my speed. It's my weakest segment for sure. Just need to keep after it.

Slow once again

I opted to fully change. I'm not sure that was really necessary but I was comfortable. Obviously it took time. If it had been warmer the smarter option would be just to swap bike shorts for running shorts and be off

I managed to "run" the entire course. After about mile 18 I walked through the aid stations (hooray for flat coke and soup) but aside from that, I did not walk. I felt very good about that and it gave me confidence that I had trained enough. I was very tired but I finished strong.

Bring a headlamp. Even though they augment the city lights with generator light sets there are some very dark portions and I was cautious in those so that I didn't stumble but it affected my gait and definitely slowed an already slow pace. I would have been happy to have gloves at the end too. I only had shorts and a t shirt on and it did get cold once the sun went down.

Kiss and hug Hank, the best supporter ever. Get my finisher PJ pants and then head to the car.


I just need to get faster and stronger on the bike. The wind took a lot out of me and so my run was slower than I hoped as well. I left this race thinking I would like to do another one so I am happy that I was able to run the entire marathon and to finish strong.


I would highly recommend this race to anyone. It was my first Iron distance and I'm glad I chose this one. Wilmington supports this event all the way--the volunteers are magnificent. So glad I did it!