Ironman 70.3 California - Triathlon

Predicted my swim time to be between 40 and 45 minutes long but I surprised myself with my actual finish time, yay! I kept myself close to the pack despite being near the back but as the swim continued, I started passing swimmers in my wave using my long steady strokes compared to their higher stroke rate style. I guess my technique improved since Orangeman!

As the white cap swimmers from the next wave started showing up, I swam alongside them to draft a bit and I really enjoyed that. About 3/4s of the way through, I started catching, drafting, and passing a few yellow cap swimmers from the wave before mine. I'm really happy with my swim performance this time!

I felt like I could have pushed a bit harder but the wetsuit was still a bit tight. I didn't want to hyperventilate so I kept the pace aerobic. As my wetsuit gets more broken in and flexible, I have a good feeling that I can push my effort more confidently.

Got out of the swim not feeling wobbly and the volunteers unzipping my wetsuit was awesome! Removed Garmin 910xt and held it between my front teeth then carefully jogged to my spot in T1 as I pushed my wetsuit down to my waist and removed my swim caps (I used 2) and goggles.

As I started getting my wetsuit off my legs, another triathlete must have applied too much force removing his wetsuit from his legs with his arms that he pulled himself backward and made a loud THUD! No volunteers were around to hear that so I came over and helped him out. I called out to some volunteers and the ones that heard me came over to take care of the guy.

Wiped my head with a small towel, Halo headband on, helmet on, Oakleys on, and race number belt on. I also lathered up a with another generous amount of Butt'r Al Bundy style, got my nutrition in my rear tri-top pocket and off I went to the bike exit. I had to walk fast instead of run so my nutrition didn't fall out of my pocket like they did at Orangeman's T1.

Perhaps buy a bento box than can store my nutrition so I can run out of T1 w/o worrying about losing them while running out.

HR did not get picked up at all during the bike so I relied on RPE. I kept my pace as even as possible and only got out of my saddle when I was about to reach and pass the crests of each ascent.

My PD aerodrink sponge got ejected somewhere about 5-10 miles in so after that I was getting a nice Gatorade splash on my face and body whenever I hit a bump somewhere during the course. Damn that big bump! >.<

My training for this race was solid as I did not feel tired at all at T2 and I held aero position against the headwind the last 10 miles.

On side note, ChrisM from BT caught up to me and called out my name and we exchanged greetings. He was looking strong! =)

Properly secure the sponge using the cap which I left at home thinking I didn't need it. Argh!

Also consider peeing on the bike since I had to stop and pee twice costing me a total of about 4-5 minutes.

Had no space at all to rack my bike. 10 bikes to the left, 10 bikes to right, all of which were already crammed together. A volunteer tried his best to help me get space and we both were finally able to make some after several minutes. Argh!!!

After racking my bike, I duct taped key areas on my feet to prevent blisters from forming and put on fresh socks. Put on shoes and fuel belt.

Bike and swim and T1 faster so this doesn't happen???

I tried my best to start running easy but my left hamstring cramped and locked up on me twice during the 1st mile so I had to stop and stretch, walk and stretch again. After that went away, I paced myself at 9:00/0:30 the first 6-7 miles and walked through each aid station as well. I had to stop and pee between mile 5 and 6. >.<

I alternated between Perform and cola at each aid station all chased with water. AccelGel'd at mile 1, 6, and 10. I also took a couple sponges to put into my tri-top to keep cool because the sun came out and it got kinda warm, 75-78°? =)

Quads and calve muscles started feeling tired at mile 8 so I resorted to plan B and used 5:00/0:30 pace. I felt like I was on the edge of cramping badly so changing to plan B prevented that along with walking up the steep ascents at that point of the race.

At about 1/2 mile to go, I unleashed everything I had left and finished with a super strong sprint through the finish chute! =D

More run training as I came into this race with very minimal run training. But I was literally coming from nothing due to ITBS last year so I think I did pretty well seeing it didn't flare up this time. =)

Walked and got pizza, chips, cola, water.


Aiding a fallen triathlete in T1, no space in T2, low run volume due to rebuiding from essentially nothing December 2012.


I'm impressed with how organized this event was. Plenty of volunteers! I wished there was a smoothie drink served at the finish though, hehe!

I plan on racing this again next year. =D