Vineman Ironman 70.3 - Triathlon1/2 Ironman

I watched the previous waves and it seemed like the craziness thinned out fairly quickly so I set myself up right in the middle of the pack hoping to keep my space and not get bowled over. My wave was 45+ women so it was big! The horn went off and I tried to draft behind some girls. I lasted a few feet and I'd lose them then I picked someone else. I loved the feeling of getting some help getting pulled along :) After a while I just went on my merry way. The water was great, the scenery was beautiful and I stayed relaxed the WHOLE way.

Not much for this race. I met my goal of staying relaxed and not stopping. For the future, I just need to get faster :) A common theme in my tri life :)

T1 was good. I probably could of been faster. Handed over everything to the fam so we didn't have to look for my gear bag at the finish (everything left in bags they gave us were transported back to the finish).

I love this course! The first 5 miles are flat and it was a great time to regroup and get into bike mode. Then the rollers started. They didn't seem as bad as when we came up for a training ride. It was great starting in a middle swim wave because it really made me feel like I was 'in' the race with all the fast age groupers going by :) When they have the old ladies go towards the end, I feel like I'm out there by myself most of the time! Mostly stuck to my nutrition plan. Drank 1 1/2 bottles of CarboPro/Heed, had a Lara bar and some Honey Stinger chews. I still find it hard to get all my nutrition in. The nice part is my stomach stayed settled and I felt like I had pretty much the same energy level for the whole bike.

Nothing! I was faster then I was expecting to be. Again, though, I'd love to keep getting faster but I know that'll come.

Nice to see the fam coming in! I had to go to the bathroom most of the bike but didn't want to stop and just couldn't do it while riding :) Took the time in T2 and felt much better starting the run. Had to stuff my sports bra and tri top with the gels I wanted to bring. Made for a funny looking bumpy chest.

Train with the gels they were handing out on the course so I didn't have to carry anything.2

Like every other race so far, I'm tired at the start of the run! Walked through the aid stations as planned. Then started walking up the hills. On the way back I was walking on some of the flats. Some of this was because my legs were toast and some was mental. I'm mentally tougher then I used to be but I still have to include that in my workouts. Swim, bike, run, buck up! Not a bad run overall for my first HIM and it was nice to see so many other people taking walk breaks too :)

I think I could of run more training for this race.

Walked around a bit, stretched, forced some food down for recovery. Visited with some speedy friends from home that also raced.


I loved this race and I'm really super proud of myself for doing it. There, I said it!

It was great having Dave, Kathleen and Laura come up for the weekend with me. They were such a great help and found me at each transition to cheer me on and take pictures. It made me feel like a rock star :)

Great volunteers and really well organized. The course was beautiful and the weather, this year, was perfect!