Ironman 70.3 New Orleans

This was my first race of this 2011 season. I have never been to New Orleans so the city was a new experience as well. The city was different. I loved the food, I loved the historical sections that I saw, and I was amazed at Bourbon Street and how it truly is a party way beyond when I would ever be still awake (like as I was driving to the race Sunday morning people were still stumbling through the streets).

The race was also an experience. The day before the race it was super windy...we did a practice ride to kind of feel the headwind as well as the tailwind in case conditions did not improve for race day. As we glanced at the swim venue in the morning it was crazy wavy...so we opted not to do a practice swim...however, as the day went on we decided we might as well get in and take on those 5 foot waves to prepare for the following morning. Luckily, we swim in the gulf which is wavy periodically so it was challenging but not totally foreign to us. On race morning the conditions had not improved, if anything the wind was worse. Race director announced that wind speeds were 25+ mph so the swim would be cancelled...a major disappointment I must say...but I understand safety first! So bike was a time trial start (never done that before)which means you are lined up by age group and started in pairs every 30 seconds...not bad but not my favorite! Bike was flat and windy....let me clarify...head windy!!! About 35 miles of it was 20+ mph headwinds...felt like two steps forward 3 steps back. I just kept telling myself everyone is enduring this just keep pedaling....keep your cadence at 90... I arrived at the half way point and was about 8 minutes behind my minimum goal so a negative split was in order. So I put my head down and finished it out with a negative split..not the time I was hoping for but I will take it with the conditions. I think my average speed was 19.6...thank you Mother Nature for the gusty winds..you taught me yet another lesson in mental toughness! Run was an improvement coming off of last years injury infested season....but still alot of work to do. Big take home from the run was "you do not need water at every water stop Tracy" Needless to say the crowd support at the finish was amazing...I was glad to see the finish and I wanted to not ride in any wind for at least a week! All in all good race, disappointed in no swim, keep working on run, and another race in the experience tank of 70.3 racing. Can't wait to take on Augusta and Miami in the fall. Until then I will train hard and enjoy the journey!