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Ironman 70.3 Florida - Triathlon1/2 Ironman


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Orlando, Florida
United States
Ironman North America Athlete Services
Total Time = 7h 55m 4s
Overall Rank = /
Age Group =
Age Group Rank = 0/
Pre-race routine:

To begin, this race was super fun. I'll start right off by saying I was quite a bit slower than I anticipated being, but am still really proud of myself for actually getting out there and doing it.

So pre-race... we got to Orlando (after spending the entire week moving our home) around 3 p.m. Saturday. There were some serious thunder clouds rolling in, and I had to have my packet picked up and my bike checked in by 6 p.m. I left Chris at the hotel (Disney Ft. Wilderness Lodge) and rode on the bike path over to the race site. It started downpouring (along with some really scary lightning) on my way over, but made it safe. Took note of the fact that it's about 1.5 miles from the hotel to the race site, as I will be walking that the next morning.

Got checked in, picked up packet, bummed around the store a bit hoping for the storm to stop, and then caught a shuttle back to the hotel.

Early dinner, in bed by 9, didn't fall asleep until almost 3 and slept on and off until 4:30. Woke up to crashing thunder and lightning as another band of serious storms was making it's way across the state.

I worried a bit that they might cancel the swim, but it was one fast moving band that just ended up postponing the race start by about 20 minutes.

It DID make for an unpleasant walk over to the race site at about 5 a.m. as it was POURING and scary. Chris was with me and the poor guy was drenched by the time we got there.

I drank a big cup of coffee to get things moving on the way over, and between 5:30 and my actual wave start at 7:40 I had a big bottle of water, a gel and two bananas.
Event warmup:

The walk was all I did. We weren't even allowed to put our toes in the water until our wave went off.
Swim
  • 48m 38s
  • 2112 yards
  • 02m 18s / 100 yards
Comments:

The swim start was delayed by 20 minutes, and by this time the storms had passed. The bad news was, I was soaked to the bone and the wind had picked up a bit. It was also quite cool outside for FL (I heard someone say it wasn't even 70 degrees) so I was freezing. My fingers and toes were blue and I felt like I had permanent goose bumps.

Good news was, the water was 82, and I was anxious to be in it.

Got lined up, ran on in, dove down once it was deep enough and started swimming. Not sure what happened here, but at this point I panicked like I have NEVER panicked before. I now really understand people who say swimming terrified them.

I am SO comfortable in the water, and never get freaked out, so this was really weird for me. The only way I can think to explain it is that my fight or flight response went into over drive and my body tried to do both as hard as it could at the same time. I freaked out so bad I completely stopped and had to tread water as the next TWO waves of athletes passed me (6 minutes at least).

I was no where near a kayak, so I just focused on keeping my head above water and telling my self I was being an a$$.

After the second wave caught up to me and I got pummeled I managed to convince myself that it was going to get WORSE as the really competitive men's age groups started, so unless I wanted to drown from getting beat to death I needed to swim... at least to a kayak.

Put my face in the water and took off, and managed to calm down and swim after about 100 yards.

No idea what that was about, but it was behind me. The rest of my swim was actually really solid. Caught a face full of water a few times because of the chop, and the water STANK like gasoline which was unpleasant, but overall I was really happy with it once I got going. Wish I hadn't had to waste those probably 6-8 minutes acting like an idiot on the front end.


What would you do differently?:

Not panic obviously, and I forgot to pee near the end of the swim. When I got out of the water it hit me how bad I had to go and I knew I was going to have a LONG T1.
Transition 1
  • 07m 13s
Comments:

This is a LONG run from the swim to T1. I was fine getting out of the water, not disoriented at all, jogged up the beach, over the river, thru the woods, the mulch chips, the slippery pavillion and found a port o potty. Peed for what felt like 25 minutes, and then got my gear together.

The actual time in T1 was short, I just rinsed my feet, strapped on shoes, helmet and race belt, grabbed bike and went.

I had a little trouble clipping in once I got out there as I had wet mulch stuck in my shoes, so that required some try and try again, but it only cost me maybe 30 seconds (though it felt like 2 hours).
What would you do differently?:

Not have to pee and PUT SUNSCREEN ON MY LIPS. Good god, do I regret forgetting that on both the bike and run.
Bike
  • 3h 33m 8s
  • 56 miles
  • 15.76 mile/hr
Comments:

I loved this bike course.

There was a pretty kick butt wind going the entire time, but wind actually doesn't bother me. When it's blasting me in the face I just smile because I know when I'm going the other way I'll be crusing.

The course was much hillier than I expected, which is my own fault. I could have checked elevation maps. I've done some hill training in spin class and what not, so my legs were fine, but by the end of the ride my back was not loving me. I dont have a tri bike, but instead a roadie with clip on bars, so every time I had to shift (which on the hilly segments was often) I was up on the horns. I figure about 20 miles of the bike or more I wasn't down on my bars, and I really didn't train for that.

I did stop at the second aid station to pee (again) which, as much as that peeved me to have to do, I was relieved to know that I was so well hydrated, as that can be an issue for me.

Nutrition on the bike- 4 bottles of water total. 3 packages of chomps, and one gel (EW).
What would you do differently?:

I was really really happy with my ride, so nothing.
Transition 2
  • 04m 22s
Comments:

Into transition, there were about 6 of us all on teh same rack that came in about the same time so I made small talk with the other girls.

Sat down so I could slather my feet in body glide and not miss a spot, socks shoes, gulp water and I was off. Nothing special.
What would you do differently?:

Nothing. It was a slow transition, but I get blisters so easily, especially when my shoes are soaking wet still from the rain, so the extra time was worth it.

Oh yeah, sunscreen on the lips.
Run
  • 3h 21m 43s
  • 13.1 miles
  • 15m 24s  min/mile
Comments:

Got off the bike feeling pretty good. The first loop of my run the course was PACKED as all the fast people were on their last loop, and there were lots of people on their second as well. Only a handful of us on our first, but I wasn't alone.

One thing I noticed very quickly was that my heart rate was spiking really really fast. After the first mile I started a walk jog to make sure it didn't go too high. Kept up that madness for the rest of the race.

Second loop my split was a bit faster, which was what I was going for, but my legs were feeling those hills.

On the third loop I had one last port o potty stop right after mile 12. I was REALLY hoping to hold it until I crossed, but this was a matter of cramping life or death, and it was worth the few minutes it cost me so that I could finish without pewping myself in front of my family.

The last mile of the race you run on the same path that all the athlete's that have finished are going out on to get their bikes back to their cars and whatnot and the entire time everyoen kept cheering those of us out there on, telling us we were close, we could do it, we looked good, (lies lies LIES) but at the time, it felt great.

Went down the chute, rounded the bend and saw hubby and my parents and did the girl thing where I almost started to cry. I didn't even look at my time, I was just glad to have finished without crashing, puking, or even for one minute (other than that odd swim start) doubting that I would finish the race.
What would you do differently?:

There are always improvements for me to be made on the run. In truth, I probably only ran about half the time because my HR just kept jumping. Train more, train in the heat... and for this course, train on terrain other than roads. Running thru the meadow was not fun for my legs and ankles, so practicing that would likely help with actual muscle fatigue.
Post race
Warm down:

Hobbled back to transition to get my bike and let my husband and mom take care of me and feeeeeed me.

What limited your ability to perform faster:

You know, there were a lot of little things that added up to the 1/2 hour that I didn't think I would need in this race, but I can't say I'm disappointed. I will do this distance again, and I will do it faster simply because I will be better trained, but I'm happy with my performance here.

Event comments:

This was a fun race. I LOVED the organization, the venue, the voluteers, etc.

It's worth saying that I LOATHE Disney and likely won't do this one again simply because if one more person told me to have a Magical Day I was going to punch them in the throat, but Ironman puts on a heck of an event.




Last updated: 2011-02-04 12:00 AM
Swimming
00:48:38 | 2112 yards | 02m 18s / 100yards
Age Group: 0/
Overall: 0/
Performance:
Suit: Not wetsuit legal
Course: One loop swim, counter clockwise
Start type: Run Plus: Waves
Water temp: 0F / 0C Current:
200M Perf. Bad Remainder: Good
Breathing: Good Drafting:
Waves: Navigation: Good
Rounding:
T1
Time: 07:13
Performance:
Cap removal: Good Helmet on/
Suit off:
Wetsuit stuck? Run with bike:
Jump on bike:
Getting up to speed:
Biking
03:33:08 | 56 miles | 15.76 mile/hr
Age Group: 0/
Overall: 0/
Performance:
Wind:
Course: One loop
Road:   Cadence:
Turns: Cornering:
Gear changes: Hills:
Race pace: Drinks:
T2
Time: 04:22
Overall:
Riding w/ feet on shoes
Jumping off bike
Running with bike
Racking bike
Shoe and helmet removal
Running
03:21:43 | 13.1 miles | 15m 24s  min/mile
Age Group: 0/
Overall: 0/
Performance:
Course: 3 loop run. Part of it on this open meadow stretch. And when I say part, i mean like, a mile and a half each loop.
Keeping cool Drinking
Post race
Weight change: %
Overall:
Mental exertion [1-5]
Physical exertion [1-5]
Good race?
Evaluation
Course challenge Just right
Organized? Yes
Events on-time? No
Lots of volunteers? Yes
Plenty of drinks? Yes
Post race activities:
Race evaluation [1-5] 4

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2011-05-17 7:19 AM

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Pro
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Sarasota FL
Subject: Ironman 70.3 Florida


2011-05-17 8:15 AM
in reply to: #3503324

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Expert
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Rowlett, TX
Subject: RE: Ironman 70.3 Florida
Way to go INTIMIDATOR!!! I am very proud of you. Odd thing in the water but you overcame it and got the job done. Hope you are feeling good today. Very impressed.
2011-05-17 9:29 AM
in reply to: #3503324

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Pro
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Bartlett, TN
Subject: RE: Ironman 70.3 Florida
Great job Nicole, I am very proud for you!
2011-05-17 9:35 AM
in reply to: #3503324

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Extreme Veteran
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Subject: RE: Ironman 70.3 Florida

Great job.

You were very very smart to keep that HR under control.

Last year I didn't and paid dearly for it. I kicked myself for a year for DNFing because I didn't control my pace. This year I did and I know it's what saved me.

You executed like a veteran :-) Congratulations

2011-05-17 1:08 PM
in reply to: #3503324

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Austin, Texas
Subject: RE: Ironman 70.3 Florida
Way to go Nicole!  So proud of you!
2011-05-17 1:29 PM
in reply to: #3503324

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Extreme Veteran
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Miami
Subject: RE: Ironman 70.3 Florida
Very nice...Congratulations on your finish and overcoming the swim adversity


2011-05-17 2:30 PM
in reply to: #3503324

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Expert
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Subject: RE: Ironman 70.3 Florida
what a magical race report congrats!
2011-05-17 6:37 PM
in reply to: #3503324

Veteran
320
100100100
Lost, Florida
Subject: RE: Ironman 70.3 Florida
sounds like a magical day!
2011-05-17 10:28 PM
in reply to: #3503324

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Master
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Boynton Beach, FL
Subject: RE: Ironman 70.3 Florida
I always enjoy seeing a good throat punch. Nice race and fun report to read. I enjoyed the race and my family rewarded me with two days afterwards of walking thru animal kingdom and magic kingdom. Time to rest now.
2011-05-18 7:20 AM
in reply to: #3503324

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Payson, AZ
Subject: RE: Ironman 70.3 Florida
Very proud of you.  You made the decision to do a race, trained your booty off, and finished successfully.  And there is talk of more!  Loved watching your progress this season, although you gave me very little reason to smack talk you and that was boring
2011-05-18 2:37 PM
in reply to: #3503324

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Extreme Veteran
546
50025
Oakland, Florida
Subject: RE: Ironman 70.3 Florida
I have paniced as you did on the swims.  But the last 3 IM events (2 Halfs and 1 Full) I have not.  I read where counting strokes as crazy as it sounds would help me concentrate and not get that paniced feeling you are talking about.  I just count the number of strokes before I breath and it has cleared up the problem.  You can do a google search and you will find some advice.  Great job in that you did not let it get the best of you and you were smart to take your time tell yourself you had the training for this and kept going.  You should be proud that you took that approach.  Nice race!


2011-05-20 9:06 AM
in reply to: #3503324

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Regular
102
100
Tampa, FL
Subject: RE: Ironman 70.3 Florida
Great Job out there Nicole. After reading your awesome report makes me feel like I need to at least attempt a half now. Thanks for the inspiration and good luck on your next one!
2011-05-20 9:35 AM
in reply to: #3503324

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Champion
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Lost in the Luminiferous Aether
Subject: RE: Ironman 70.3 Florida
You Rock!!!!! If nothing else I am so glad I got to watch you come across the finish line!!!
2011-05-20 2:50 PM
in reply to: #3503324

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Triathlete Nation ~ Texas!
Subject: RE: Ironman 70.3 Florida
Awesome job Nicole. Very proud of you! 
2011-05-22 11:19 AM
in reply to: #3503324

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Master
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Subject: RE: Ironman 70.3 Florida
Way to go Nicole!!  Great job on the race!
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