I’m starting to drink that kool aid. As a bonus, the shorter distance training/racing doesn’t require nearly as much recovery time (I’m 46).
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Super happy with my first race in a couple of years on Sunday, ATW Grafman (middle distance/half). Came 1st in 4:17:01 
Was a really well-organised race with a great vibe. It was quite windy, leading to a bit of chop in the water and crosswinds all over the shop on the bike.
Did fairly well in the swim and came out with the front pack, but gradually lost a few minutes on the leaders over the bike leg, so definitely a bit of focus needed there over the next few weeks. The course was rolling, and there were definitely some tactical efforts to stay with the front group. I lost both my BTS bottles too. I was trying new cages (Lezyne Flow) that worked well and were super grippy, but it was the bolts that let me down. Both cages lost the top bolt and then swung round upside down. They managed to hold the bottles for a bit before they eventually dropped out. Not ideal (and completely my fault for not checking the bolts), but I made do with what I had. Better bolts and copious amounts of thread lock have now been used 
Came through T2 a few minutes behind the leader, but then had an absolutely cracking run. I was worried I’d overdone it a bit on the ride and had no idea if the run pace was sustainable. Managed to get to the front, and then it was a case of just holding that pace for as long as possible. A massive gamble, but it paid off.
Couldn’t have asked for a better return to racing, and coincidentally the race fell on the second anniversary (sort of) of the fatal crash at IM Hamburg that left me hospital with a broken spine.
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Finally notched my first Ironman 70.3 @ Kona last weekend!
That swim was all-time, we had sea turtles, and fish swimming all around us the whole time it was gorgeous. The bike was also stunning along the coast. The run was brutally hot and a really tough course. Puked up everything on mile 3 from the heat/nutrition and felt so much better after that.
All of the athletes and volunteers were absolutely amazing giving high fives and pumping each other up for every single mile of the 70.3. The energy and vibes had me smiling all day, I love being surrounded by all of you pain-loving-psychopaths!
Ended up w/ a 4:52, hoping to do another next year in the sub 4:30 range. (Baby coming in a month so I am likely done with 70.3’s until next year.)
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Marbella here I come. More to follow in the days ahead.
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What advice do y’all have for cold weather races? Coeur d’Alene looks like it’s going to be cold this year: low 45ºF/7.2ºC, high 60ºF/15.6ºC, 55% chance of rain. Water temperature is currently 68ºF/20ºC.
I’m less worried about the swim, with these temperatures a shortened swim is possible (or cancelled altogether, if the lake turns over and the water temperature drops). I’m more worried about hopping on the bike wet in those temperatures. I’m thinking:
- Skip the one-piece trisuit, wear tri shorts for the swim and put on a long sleeve jersey in T1
- See if I can buy a gilet or rain jacket this week, or at the race expo, in case it rains
- Wear full-finger gloves and/or toe covers
Anything else I should think of? Open to any tips.
You have a good plan.
In the one true cold race I did I was able to put on a long sleeved cycling jersey/jacket. It warmed up enough to remove the jacket for the run. Fortunately, no rain that year.
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I dont have tri experience to draw from with this recco but having ridden and getting completely soaked in the PNW(simulating getting out of a swim) even if its low 50’s you’ll dry off pretty quick. My worry would be your fingers getting cold out on front of the tribars leading to some discomfort. Is there any kind of sock/ glove you can put on the tip of the bars and put them on while you’re riding? That wont take you any time in T1 but send you out there with some extra gear.
Same with no tri experience with this situation but rainy riding, I’d do anything to avoid having to wear a rain jacket. They’re just so slow.
If you think the rain might stay away and you’ll warm up then you could maybe do arm warmers that you could then peel off once you get drier. But definitely long finger gloves. Nothing worse than numb hands while you’re trying to shift and brake.
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I need some advice, and its probably in this thread, but i haven’t found it. Im considering buying a tri bike for a 70.3. The course is moderately technical and very lumpy, no real climbs but still over 1000m elevation. My main reason for thinking of getting the bike is to position myself better for the run. My current bike is a tarmac sl7. Thoughts?
How’d the race go?
Incredible. The cold was a big nothingburger, it turned out to be perfect weather for racing. Got a personal best (5:30:22) and finished 16th in my age group. I’ll post the race report once I’m done typing it up.
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