Ironman 70.3 Steelhead - Triathlon1/2 Ironman

I felt really good during this entire swim. When I had to breath out of my left side I would get a little of course because I couldn't see anything out of that side, but when I would breath out of my right side I could see shore and other swimmers so I didn't have to sight a lot on that side. I was really lucky that I found someone going the same speed as me and we swam next to each other for the whole swim. I was really happy with the way I felt with this swim.

I should have trained a little more, but overall I wouldn't change much.

I am always a little discombobbulated (is that a word?)coming out of the water so I had to walk for a while on the beach. That transition zone was long and I had a long walk since my bike was at the far end. The other crazy thing was how full of bikes transition was. I started in the 16th wave and it felt like I was in last place coming into T1. I'm usually MOP so a few bikes is always expected, but full racks seemed really weird.

I could have jogged a little more and saved a minute.

This was where I lost my goal finish time. I knew I was in trouble when I got on my bike and my computer was not reading cadence. I stopeed twice for just a quick look and after the second stop I got it online. For the first 20 miles or so I was doing great. I was averaging over 20 and felt a little pressed, but ok. I was taking in fluid and pushing the pace. Then I flatted.....I've never flatted in a race so I knew I was in a little trouble. To tell the truth I have only changed the tube one other time on a bike and never on my new bike. Well to say the least I drew all my inter youtube memories and changed the flat in about 14 minutes. Not bad I thought for a rookie. Here is where I also made the mistake of the race. I felt some internal thing in me to push the pace and catch back up to everyone. I don't know why I did that, but it would come back to kill me in the run. The next minor/major mistake I did was not look down at my speedfill. I didn't realize it, but it was near empty when I passed the aid station. Stupid Chris. Man I regretted it when I had to go what seemed like forever till the next one without fluids. I knew my goose was cooked.

Chill out. I'm not racing I'm meeting a goal and I just need to learn to stay within my pace. No try to catch up to some unseen foe. Also asses fluids before aid stations. Don't ride through them like an idiot.

I tried to take in some fluids and a little food, but I knew I was toast. I left T@ knowing I would be walking and when you start in the 16th wave that can get lonely.

Put on more sunscreen. I was so caught up in my dispair I only put it on my head. I should have covered my shoulders. Who knew the sun's rays burn your skin?

What can I say it was a sufferfest. I tried to run when I could, but it was a killer. I got lucky the first 4 miles or so and the sun wwent into some cloud cover. That was awsome, but when it came back I fried and died. About mile 6 my back started to cramp up amd I just felt like a zombie. I almost quit at mile 10. Everything hurt and I just hated on myself, but I remembered the finish is the real goal today. I sucked it up and ate some potato chips. Those helped some. I took in fliud at every aid station. I cup gatorade and one cup water plus one cup of water over my head. I decided at mile 11 and some change I was going to run until the finish even if I died. I ate the last blocks I had and drank what water the second to last aid station offered and started my death trott to the finish. I was never happier to be done running.

Nothing. I gave what little I had left and when I was done I WAS DONE. I ran 1:54 at Boise 29.2 this year and I know I can do way better, but that wasn't in the cards today.

I sat on the nearest cooler at the finish and drank water. I then took a shower in the cool spinning washer part thing by the beach.


Stupidity. I sprinted in high school and college (back door brag coming) I was all state in high school and went to nationals in division 2. That experience in high school and college is a huge hinderence to my pacing. I lived the go fast till you die today just like a good sprinter should, but I really need to learn how to go at a good pace till you finish before CDA next year. I'm a little scared now and it will only help me in my prep for the full.


Thanks to everyone for cheering me on. To all you turds who used your I pods and I phone in the back with me. I secretly wished bad things on you for cheating, but I know now you can't help it because rules don't apply to you.