Raced the Augusta Ironman 70.3 yesterday and learned a few valuable lessons I thought I’d share.
Watch where you’re going. At about 30 miles into the ride I was cruising along at about a 20 mph pace, looked up and saw a rider well ahead of me. Looked back down for a bit and then BAM, I ran right into the back of him and crashed to the side. Fortunately he and his bike were unhurt and I just sustained a skinned knee and slightly out of true front wheel so I was able to get back up and ride. Obviously I underestimated either his or my pace. Still, it undermined my focus.
Pay no attention to what it says in the Athlete Guide. Water and aid stops were supposed to be 15 miles apart on the bike portion so I carried only two bottles (I sweat and drink a lot). Well, it ends up they were more like 20 or more miles apart. At one point I was out of water. Next time I’m taking the full complement of bottles.
Little problems can escalate. I stopped to give my friend a Co2 when I saw he flatted. Later on, my arm pad flew off. I turned around and retrieved it. Happened again 5 miles later. Stopped again, cursing the cheap velcro. These unplanned stops led me to mistake number 4…
Dropped Enduralytes are worth going back for. While bending over to pick up my arm pad, I think the tube hold my salt tabs pushed nearly out of my tr-top pocket. Later on it fell into the grass on the roadside. I was so tired of stopping I decided “screw it, I’m going to keep going.” Lo and behold guess who cramped on the run? I ended walking the last four miles. What should have been a 5:45 race ended up being a 6:36 one. Those lost two minutes getting the salt tabs would have been well worth it.
All in all I’m glad I raced. It helped me re-evaluate some things for Ironman Cozumel.
For most people it would be fine. But I like to stay well hydrated. On two occasions I’ve suffered from heat exhaustion and passed out so I have to be more careful than most.
#4. I saw a guy drop his Gu flask at mile .85, looked down, and then just shrugged it off. I thought to myself, foolish. That early in the bike, I would have stopped and picked it up.
The aid station situation was disappointing if not flat out misleading. Happily I had prepared to sustain myself the whole ride, but had it been hotter, I would have probably needed them at some point.
I learned I need to figure out a way to hill train in Florida.
#4 - same thing happened to me. I kept my Endurolytes in a ziplock bag in my bento box, and they blew out about 3 miles into the bike. I just crossed my fingers and hoped the Accelerade in my bottles and sports drink on the run course would get me through. Well, by the time I hit the run I couldn’t stomach another ounce of sports drink, so I stuck with the water. Cramped at mile 9 and walked most of that mile, then shuffled and suffered through the rest of the run. Should’ve finished the run in less than 2:30, but ended up at about 2:49. Next time I will gladly give up 1 or 2 minutes to retrieve the Endurolytes in order to save 19 minutes on the run. Lesson learned!
Augusta was only my second 70.3. In spite of the slow run I felt great about the swim (who didn’t?) and I was very proud of my ride. Great race overall.
Totally agree with you on the aids stations for the bike. The guide had 2 listings stating that the aids stations would be at 10 miles and 15 miles but the first one wasn’t until 20 miles. Luckily it didn’t hinder me but for others I can see this being an annoyance. Plus side is that I think all the aid stations were up hill which allowed you to grab a bottle without having to slow down too much. Worse part was the 1.5 mile walk back to transition after the race. After racing 70.3 miles, the last thing you want to do is walk lol.
*How did your arm pads fall off if your arms were on them *
I know there weren’t too many opportunities but have your ever tried braking while in the aerobars? It was frustrating not being able to grab the bar ends and get out of the saddle from time to time. I know I wasn’t the only one because I saw another arm pad on the road.
4 - same thing happened to me. I kept my Endurolytes in a ziplock bag in my bento box, and they blew out about 3 miles into the bike.
Strange question, but if your bento pack was closed, how exactly did all of your endurolytes ‘blow out’? Does your bento not fully zip closed? If not, I think you may need an upgrade.
Been there on the arm pad thing…