Whirlpool Steelhead 70.3 Triathlon - Triathlon1/2 Ironman

I really wasn't sure how to handle a run instead of a swim. I happened to meet up with Michael "Smitty" Smith and took his advice since we had been standing around for over an hour to take it easy. That was good advice.

Swim

Stopped to pee at porta john before getting on the bike. Had to go and wasn't sure if I would have been able to on the bike.

Nothing, it was an okay transition for me considering the pee stop, the long way through transition and that I wore gloves which I ususlly don't do when I race shorter tri's.

There was a lot of bike traffic, but I guess I ride at just that speed that I was neither drafting people in front of me or having people draft behind me. Most riders who past me were really cooking! I did change places with a couple riders throughout but we all played by the rules and I know that my pace helped someone on a relay team ride a good race for her. It was interesting for me, considering how flat Indiana is that I was so strong on the hills. Most of my passing seemed to be on the hills going both up and down. There were a fair number of people who coasted down the hills. I have a couple hills where I train and that helped me I am sure and during training, I took advantage of "cheap" speed and pedaled down hills to up my overall average speed.

Nothing. My goal was 3 hours and I knew I was pushing it for me and that I had a half mary to follow, but I didn't want to finish the race and say "I could have pushed a little harder" so I took a risk snd pushed the speed on the bike. If I had gone slower, I may have been able to run faster but I think my overall time would have been slower.

Nothing much here, most of time was used up getting my bike all the way down the lane to my rack spot right next to the run exit.

Maybe leave the gloves on and take them off while running and stuff them somewhere.

I decided going in that I would walk the aid stations and run the rest. At about mile 7, I was really feeling it! After that, it was just put one foot in front of the other and make it to the next aid station. I was able to finish with only walking the aid stations, but was off my goal time of 2 hours.

Try to walk less at the aid stations.

Walked around and then got in Lake Michigan and played in the waves. It was awesome...until my calf cramped!


Training, I imagine. My run needs more emphasis and I probably shoud do some speedwork for all three disciplines.


I won't knock the event because they changed it to a DU and some logistic issues came up. It did seem somewhat disorganized at times, and it did start an hour late, but I saw no way to prevent this after cancelling the swim. The aid stations were well run and well stocked, even though I was in the back half of the pack. I would do this one again, though for next year I will look at other halfs for a change.