Memorial Hermann Ironman 70.3 Texas - Triathlon1/2 Ironman

felt good. BT advice of kicking legs a lot towards the end to get blood flowing to avoid feeling faint when getting out worked very well.

take swim lessons

took my time. first HIM, ran through my check list. someone had turned my bike around. that confused me a little.

ate ginger cookie, some water.

speed up a little.

HR monitor not working initally. felt okay with that and went by RPE. Felt really good, too good as I was going faster than normal. My plan was a 14.5 mile pace and I knew I was going faster. Tried to slow down but just too nice a ride. Got HR monitor going again. HR a little too high so backed off slightly.
Nutrition: 2 bonk breakers first two hours, GU roctaine (500 cal), Ironman perform (300 cal), banana, 2 GU's. Gut felt great.

Probably drank a little much. First HIM and IT band issues benefited from 2 potty breaks

forgot sunscreen on legs and under back of arms/hands.

took time. potty break. stretched IT band.

nothing

miles 1-2 were the worst pain experience of my life. 99.9% sure a DNF would occur. I had done serveral bricks but not at my bike race pace. Every muscle fiber in my legs killed me. Then I found a new friend who was about my pace and we ran together for the rest of the race! Legs felt better and talking to someone new made the run go by much quicker.
I beat my stand alone HM time by 5 minutes.

IT band issues knocked down my training including 2 weeks off running just before my peak training. Then a slow creep up. I had not run longer than 5 miles in 7 weeks. Given all of that I should have eased back on the bike and walked only for the first .5 to 1 mile.

kept walking.


limited base
not enough strength training
ITBS


I had a lot of fun and due to my IT band issue, I was happy to show up for my first HIM mostly uninjured, yet slightly undertrained. I am happy with my BT custom training plan/coach to help me get there!

I had a Ironman buddy tell me to pray and enjoy the race. I wrote that on the back of my right hand and looked at it and did both often during the race. It was a little something that just helped ease my mind and help me to enjoy the experience. I also always write my families initials on a finger and added my BT training group (BDAS) on another finger. Both groups helped me get to and across the line!