Enjoyed reading that. I swam 1 minute slower than you, and I'm still trying to work on my Open Water speed, as I am significantly faster in the pool (about 5 minutes for the same distance). I hear you on the steep ramps. I was on good pace during the first half, I was on route to a 5:17, but the last time I had to go up the pier just killed me. After that my quads were hurting every time I tried to pick up the pace. After the turn-around, something in my shoe had been bothering me for about 4 miles, and I thought it was a rock, when I stopped to get it out of my shoe I realized there was nothing in there. Last 2 miles were painful; quads blowing up, blister burning on my foot, ended finishing in 5:23.

This was my first 70.3, so no time goal, but now I know where I'm at, and I'm hungry for more.

Good work and solid report! I feel like your run is a lot better than your bike based on the 2:50/1:29 splits, but that's still solid work all across the board.

Significantly better I would say. I rode 2:46, and I ran 1:51 XD

congrats. for all practical purposes you were under 5hrs. Re: The number on the bike deal is something to check on for every race. Ironically, I've never had to wear mine, but, perhaps someday...

That is a solid run, you seem to have some low hanging fruit to work on in the water and on the bike, but, that's what makes life interesting; always something to work on.

Enjoy the journey

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I saw this on a white board in a window box at my daughters middle school...
List of what life owes you:
1. __________
2. __________
3. __________

Yeah, I am a 2:4X guy in shape but nowhere near 1:30. Best was 1:55

The hills on the bike come back to haunt you on those short punchy ups and downs on the run.
First 70.3, it's tough to pencil out because, as you've experienced, you just don't know how the body is going to respond.
A 70.3 course w flatter bike and run, and a lake swim would certainly be faster. But what's the fun in that?
KS

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Karen ST Concierge

True. Very very true. It's Tuesday and my quads are still quite tender. The race was very fun, and I'm 100% certain I will give it another go next year and see if I can have a better performance. See how close I can get to 5 hours.