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Ironman 70.3 Singapore - Triathlon1/2 Ironman


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Singapore,
Singapore
HiTri Events
88F / 31C
Overcast
Total Time = 6h 15m 38s
Overall Rank = /
Age Group = 30-34
Age Group Rank = 0/
Pre-race routine:

Woke up at 5am and had a half pb&j and a cup of yogurt with granola. Got to the race site around 6:30. I chatted with some fellow racers in transition & took my time setting up. I waited in line behind Faris Al-Sultan at the baggage check in and spoke to him for a few mins & wished him luck. nice guy.
Event warmup:

Got in the ocean just to get a feel for the current & water temp. I didn't want to do too much since it's killed my swims in the past.. Took one gel 15 mins before the start.
Swim
  • 57m 35s
  • 1900 meters
  • 03m 02s / 100 meters
Comments:

Everyone was confused about the swim route on race day. The race packet and race briefing wasn't very clear on the swim layout. So we all watched the pros go off to make out what was a very confusing & poorly communicated swim route. By the time I figured it out, I hear the announcer say: "all 30-34 age groups should be at the start line. the gun goes off in 5 mins" Oh sh$t!! In a "slight" panic, I ran through the crowd (along with a few others who weren't paying attention) and made it to the start a minute before the gun went off.

Swimming is my weakest discipline & I knew I was going to put in a slow swim, so I tried to take it easy. There was a current going against us from left to right, which made for slower swim times. I think most of the good swimmers were coming out of the water in the low 40 mins (avg). One thing I learned about HIM swimmers are that they're way more competitive than any other race that I've done. Example: 1. I got in a few clusters & some swimmers actually switched to breast stroke just to kick people out of the way. 2. I was drafting a guy for a bit and when I decided to make a pass, he also switched to breast stroke and gave me a few kicks to the ribs. As my first HIM, I didn't expect it. Lesson #1.
What would you do differently?:

Sight less & trust that I'm swimming in a straight line. Be ready for anything.. even after the first 200m.
Transition 1
  • 04m 24s
Comments:

There was about 200m from the swim exit to T1, which made for the longer time.
What would you do differently?:

nada..
Bike
  • 2h 33m 55s
  • 90.1 kms
  • 35.12 km/hr
Comments:

I came out of the water feeling pretty good and relieved to be done with that section..

As I got on the bike, I kept saying: "pace yourself. you still have a HM after this.." My target was to average around 32-33 km/h.. I blazed through the first 30km clocking a 35km/h pace, but my GPS and speedometer said I was averaging around 34km/h. I knew I was going faster than planned, so intended to slow down a bit on the 2nd lap. I got some favorable gusts of wind and I think the race & other competitors around me got the better of me. I whizzed past the next 30km at a 35.6km/h pace. ooopppss... I knew that if I kept this up, I was going to bonk on the run. Last lap, I though I slowed down considerably, but I still managed a 34.7km/h pace on the last 30 km. I knew I went faster than planned, but my legs still felt pretty good & "fresh".

I thought I managed my nutrition well. I had 2 cliff bars, 1 power gel, & three 32oz bottles of Gatorade.


What would you do differently?:

Lesson #2: pace myself and really stay within the my race strategy
Lesson #3: take more calories on the bike to prevent cramping on the run
Lesson #4: don't fully rely on technology. I should have noted my bike split times instead of letting my GPS & speedometer do the work.
Transition 2
  • 01m 58s
Comments:

T2 was fine. nothing unexpected and I was feeling pretty good.
What would you do differently?:

nada
Run
  • 2h 37m 46s
  • 21.1 kms
  • 07m 29s  min/km
Comments:

I came out of T2 thinking: okay, I'm still on track, my legs feel fine and I need to ease into the run & maintain a 6'15"/km pace...

The first 4km: 6'04"/km pace and I felt pretty good. I think I averaged around 6'10"/km for the next 4km and then that's when it happend.... out of no where, my left calf and right hamstring just gave out... it was the wierdest feeling & I've never experienced it before. Going from a 6'10" pace to a dead stop.. I tried to walk it off for a minute and started to jog again.. 30 secs later, cramps again, but this time even worse.. I spent the next 5km walking & running when my body would let me. It's the most frustrating feeling.. your heart & mind is totally focused and ready to run, but my legs just froze up the moment I started to push again. At one of the aid stations, I grabbed two bananas & a power gel and walked/ran for another 2 km. All of a sudden, the cramping subsided a bit and I gave it a go. I muscled through the next 3 km without stopping or cramping and then my legs gave out again.. I knew I was low on potassium and needed more nutrition, but it was too late at this point..

I finished up the last few kms with at a painful walk/jog pace. I did manage to work up a decent jog down the finishing chute!!
What would you do differently?:

Lesson #5: don't go too hard on the bike no matter how good I feel. stay within the race plan..
Lesson #6: more nutrition, more nutrition, more nutrition.
Post race
Warm down:

stretched and made my way into the post race dinner.. I was starving and needed calories!

What limited your ability to perform faster:

1. going too hard on the bike
2. more nutrition
3. relying on technology to pace myself

Event comments:

This was my first HIM and I expected a lot of unexpected things to happen on race day. Unfortunately, I wasn't really sure how to tackle any of this since I was in uncharted territory. My first goal was to finish the race and everything else was a bonus.

I had a great time & really learned a lot about my body and racing at this distance. It's a completely differnt beast than racing an Oly.. I've had a lot of help on BT & my MG (thank you all!), but sometimes you have to find out the hard way to learn what has been preached ;). Only thing left to do is learn from my mistakes, impletment the changes, and execute on my next HIM!!! any suggestions for my next HIM????? :)




Profile Album


Last updated: 2010-12-10 12:00 AM
Swimming
00:57:35 | 1900 meters | 03m 02s / 100meters
Age Group: 0/
Overall: 0/
Performance: Average
Suit:
Course: 2 laps
Start type: Run Plus: Waves
Water temp: 75F / 24C Current: Medium
200M Perf. Average Remainder: Average
Breathing: Below average Drafting: Good
Waves: Navigation: Average
Rounding: Average
T1
Time: 04:24
Performance: Good
Cap removal: Good Helmet on/
Suit off:
Wetsuit stuck? Run with bike:
Jump on bike:
Getting up to speed: Good
Biking
02:33:55 | 90.1 kms | 35.12 km/hr
Age Group: 0/
Overall: 0/
Performance: Good
Wind: Some
Course: 3 x 30km loops on a fast & flat course.
Road: Smooth Dry Cadence: 90
Turns: Good Cornering: Good
Gear changes: Good Hills:
Race pace: Comfortable Drinks: Just right
T2
Time: 01:58
Overall: Good
Riding w/ feet on shoes Good
Jumping off bike
Running with bike Good
Racking bike Good
Shoe and helmet removal Good
Running
02:37:46 | 21.1 kms | 07m 29s  min/km
Age Group: 0/
Overall: 0/
Performance: Bad
Course: 2 x 10.55 laps
Keeping cool Average Drinking Just right
Post race
Weight change: %
Overall: Below average
Mental exertion [1-5] 5
Physical exertion [1-5] 3
Good race? Ok
Evaluation
Course challenge Just right
Organized? Yes
Events on-time? Yes
Lots of volunteers? Yes
Plenty of drinks? Yes
Post race activities: Good
Race evaluation [1-5] 5

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2011-03-21 4:24 AM

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Veteran
209
100100
New York
Subject: Ironman 70.3 Singapore


2011-03-21 5:25 AM
in reply to: #3406174

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Expert
1037
100025
Portland, OR
Subject: RE: Ironman 70.3 Singapore
Great job out there!  Those lessons will help you out a ton on your next HIM! 
2011-03-21 5:43 AM
in reply to: #3406174

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Pro
4528
2000200050025
Norwalk, Connecticut
Subject: RE: Ironman 70.3 Singapore
Great job and Great report Tuffli!!  Congrats on an awesome performance!!!
2011-03-21 6:17 AM
in reply to: #3406174

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Champion
7163
500020001002525
Verona WI--Ironman Bike Country!
Subject: RE: Ironman 70.3 Singapore
YEAH!! What a great first experience....and you learned some valuable lessons for your next one.  Rest up!
2011-03-21 6:51 AM
in reply to: #3406174

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Master
1841
100050010010010025
Sendai, Japan
Subject: RE: Ironman 70.3 Singapore
Great job Tuffli!!!  I've visited Singapore 6 or 7 times.  I understand the weather and can't imagine doing an HIM there (I haven't done an HIM yet, but the humidity in Singapore has to make the run really difficult.).   
2011-03-21 7:12 AM
in reply to: #3406174

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Champion
6973
500010005001001001001002525
marietta
Subject: RE: Ironman 70.3 Singapore
AWESOME JOB MAN!!!!   CONGRATS!!!   looks like you learned a lot for the next one. 


2011-03-21 7:16 AM
in reply to: #3406174

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Expert
1797
1000500100100252525
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Virginia
Subject: RE: Ironman 70.3 Singapore
Great job!  It can be tough the first time to know what to expect and how your bodywill react.  Sounds like you did an awesome job and things will only improve!!!!!
2011-03-21 7:20 AM
in reply to: #3406242

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Champion
9060
5000200020002525
Charlottesville, Virginia
Subject: RE: Ironman 70.3 Singapore
Great job in tough conditions!  Congrats on the first HIM.
2011-03-21 7:56 AM
in reply to: #3406174

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Master
1372
10001001001002525
Tosa, WI
Subject: RE: Ironman 70.3 Singapore
Nice work out there and way to push through the nutritional issues.  Now to figure out what works for you without causing stomach shut-down.....not an easy task.   
2011-03-21 8:14 AM
in reply to: #3406174

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Master
2436
200010010010010025
Apex, north carolina
Subject: RE: Ironman 70.3 Singapore
Great job on your first HIM!   Huge accomplishment.  Remind me later to talk to you about antifatigue tablets and Nuun - they have helped me out tremendously in high heat and humidity.
2011-03-21 8:43 AM
in reply to: #3406174

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Master
2621
2000500100
Almaden Valley, San Jose, California
Subject: RE: Ironman 70.3 Singapore
Great rr, and awesome job out there!  It's hard not to hamer your strength, but man, you did GREAT on the bike!!


2011-03-21 9:29 AM
in reply to: #3406174

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Elite
3072
200010002525
san francisco
Subject: RE: Ironman 70.3 Singapore
What an outstanding effort!  Especially given the heat and humidity, you really did an amazing job out there.  Time to kick back and relax! 
2011-03-21 11:26 AM
in reply to: #3406174

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Extreme Veteran
689
500100252525
Subject: RE: Ironman 70.3 Singapore

great job on the first HIM!  wow that sounds like a very physical swim.  Great bike split, hopefully we can meet-up in Singapore and your bike will rub off on me. 

 

Congrats on a great race.

2011-03-21 11:26 AM
in reply to: #3406174

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Pro
4100
20002000100
Wherever the trail takes me, WA.
Subject: RE: Ironman 70.3 Singapore
Extremely impressive race!  That heat/humidity would have melted me!  Way to go!
2011-03-21 11:58 AM
in reply to: #3406826

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Subject: RE: Ironman 70.3 Singapore
Great job, Tuffli! You must have had a lot of fun on that bike leg! Running in that kind of heat is really tough - I hope it's a little cooler for your next one!
2011-03-21 1:14 PM
in reply to: #3406174

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Elite
4108
20002000100
Calgary,AB,Canada
Subject: RE: Ironman 70.3 Singapore

Great job man. Sounds like pretty rough conditions, but you got through it.

Congrats!



2011-03-21 3:42 PM
in reply to: #3406174

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Melon Presser
52116
50005000500050005000500050005000500050002000100
Subject: RE: Ironman 70.3 Singapore

Way to go Tuffli!!! You are one tuff dude, that's for sure ... as for your next HIM: whichever one I'm doing! Heh.

You rocked it just fine on a ridiculous swim. EVERYBODY has a crappy swim at S'pore 70.3 if you noticed, and no, nobody really knows or understands the swim course, so actually given all that and it's your weakest leg, you did great.

As for the bike and run ... well, ultimately you really did hit your goal, finish, and everything else is a bonus! AWESOME JOB and that's what a first HIM is for! Also, yeah ... in equatorial weather, electrolytes start to play a big part. Most people, cramping is a fitness issue, but not for you. Obviously you are very fit and were very well trained for this race.

Very very happy for you, congratulations, and here's to the next one!

2011-03-21 4:06 PM
in reply to: #3406174

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Master
2501
2000500
Subject: RE: Ironman 70.3 Singapore

CONGRATULATIONS!!!

What an awesome race! Awesome experience! And a most awesome RR. I love all of your things that you learned along the way -- great reflections and the perfect starting point as you prep for your next go-around. You did an amazing job. I can't even fathom racing in heat and humidty! Like Steve, I would have melted for sure!! Enjoy your recovery -- you've earned it!!!

2011-03-21 9:32 PM
in reply to: #3406174

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Master
1478
1000100100100100252525
Horseheads, NY
Subject: RE: Ironman 70.3 Singapore

Great job man.  Sounds like the run made for a long 13.1 miles!  Way to stick with it.  This will set you up for your next one!

Congrats.

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