Sunday, July 21, 2013

Ironman 70.3 Muncie Race Report

After last year's abbreviated Muncie 70.3 due to an extremely hot stretch, we were given a discount code to use for this year's race, so several of us decided to head back.  This included a couple first timers.  I think a total of 21 of my tri club members headed up for the event including Ken, Megan and Jessie (first timers at the 70.3 distance), Carlos, Bill, Scott, etc. 

Since my first and only half Ironman went so horribly in 2011, I felt like I was almost guaranteed a PR.  The weather appeared to also be cooperating including a likely wetsuit legal swim, something none of us expected.  I really didn't have any set goals heading in as I was still pointing my season toward Ironman Louisville in late August.  For reference, last year was a 1 mile swim, a 30 mile bike, and a 10K run.  My splits were:  49:24, 20.33 mph, and 1:13:11.  I figured the swim had to be better without the heat and a wetsuit, but I wasn't sure I could keep up the pace on the bike. 

I decided to go in a sleeveless wetsuit in order to avoid any potential overheating but had to wait almost an hour after the first wave, as my age group was near the end.  This did have one benefit, though.  I was able to target some earlier wave folks to help motivate my swim.  My swim time was 41:41, a huge improvement over a .2 mile longer distance.  Super pleased with that.  My T1 was 6:03, not great, but I did stop to pee and get slathered in sunscreen. 

We knew from local reports that miles 20-35 on the bike were going to be very rough and we weren't disappointed.  I've seen items thrown off bikes on rough roads but never full aero bottles, water bottles still in expensive carbon cages, etc.  It was total carnage over that section and it really seemed to kill a lot of cycling speed.  As I neared the two hour mark, I looked down at my Garmin and saw I was averaging 18.3 mph.  After some quick math, I realized that 18.6 mph would put me at a sub-3 hour bike split.  That's something I couldn't imagine pulling off.  So as we got back on the smooth, slightly downhill part of the course, which also include a bit of a tailwind, I hit the gas to see if I could do it.  Bike split was 2:59:03 meeting that sub-3 target.  T2 was a bit better than T1 at 4:49.  Also included more peeing and sun screen.

I was now on to the run and the temperature was starting to climb. I knew I was in for some rolling hills and with the heat, wasn't really sure what to expect.  I also made a big mistake leaving T2 without electrolyte tabs and felt like that hurt me, especially after the run turnaround.  I think the run splits show this.  I did the first 6.6 miles in 1:09 but the second in 1:25, much slower.  I also probably went out too fast and paid for that later in the run, which included a lot of walking toward the end.  Total for the run:  2:35:14.

Grand total for the day:  6:26:50, a 2 hour PR!  Obviously my other half-Ironman was total rubbish but I was certainly proud of myself and the improvements I've made.