Challenge Accepted!

Gear check time! My first ever Ironman 70.3 is in the books, folks! And let me tell you, it was a rollercoaster of epic proportions.

The Swim

The weather was rainy, and the water temperature was a brisk 13.7°C. For a seasoned mountain lake skinny dipper like myself, this was child’s play. However, with underwater visibility of just 10 cm, it felt like swimming in a murky cauldron. My ancient wetsuit made me feel like a first-time swimmer, complete with a heavy left drift and several triathlon close contact moments. Even though it only lasted 16 minutes, it felt like an eternity.

And then came my nemesis: getting out of the wetsuit. My timing chip was stuck on one foot, and my watch on the other hand, rendering me a paralyzed jellyfish. After what felt like a lifetime (11 minutes, to be precise), I was finally on my way, in dry, warm gear for the bike leg.

The Bike

Onto the bike course, and what a course it was! Riding my aero bars in race conditions for the first time felt incredible. And then, the hills began. Despite not having the build of a mountain specialist, I thrive on uphill sections. Climbing the steep witches’ hill in Schmerikon and the ascent to Goldingen was a psychological victory as I overtook other riders.

The downhill that followed was exhilarating, with speeds close to 70 km/h. My HUNT wheels performed admirably, though my bike showed a slight wobble at those speeds. The best part was a downhill section where I could push past 50 km/h in the aero position – pure bliss!

A cheer from my family at the halfway point boosted my spirits, and I managed to keep the pace for the second loop, testing my body’s response to running with tired legs.

The Run

Transition 2 was more efficient, thanks to my trusty tri-suit, and I was off on the 21 km run course. The first lap felt good, although I couldn’t match the pace of the more seasoned triathletes. Aiming for a two-hour half-marathon, I hit a slump at the start of the second lap but recovered mentally and physically for the final stretch.

I finished the run in just under two hours, clocking a total time of 5:12:34.

Lessons Learned

1. An old wetsuit can drastically impair your swimming abilities.
2. Training pays off: my bike split was pretty good.
3. Running is a different beast entirely.

Takeaway

This race went well. I’m in the middle of the pack and have identified my strengths. I’ve reached the minimal desired Suunto Fitness Level of 40, and now it’s about spending the remaining 17 days until SWISSMAN wisely. I know I need to race more tactically for SWISSMAN, conserving energy for the transition to running.

Uphill sections have always been my strong suit, but I must resist the urge to go all-in during the roll-in towards Tremola.

My final investments will be in swimming gear to ensure an efficient swim. I’ll get a new wetsuit and perhaps a better pair of swimming goggles, although finding the perfect pair can be challenging. I’ll keep my 11-30 bike cassette as it is and trust my legs.

Overall, I’m cautiously optimistic about my chances of finishing SWISSMAN. I’ve played my cards well, navigated health challenges, and thoroughly researched my gear.

Onwards and upwards!