Ironman 70.3 Miami Race Report – Part 3 - Bike

It’s been nearly 6 months since the race, so it is about time I finish this race report!  I need to start getting ready for 2011 race reports!

 

Here are some shots leaving T1:

After leaving transition, the route took us southwesterly towards SW 248th street – nearly to Homestead Air Force base.  I knew from my scouting around Google Earth that many of the early roads would be very narrow and that there would be many turns.  This made it pretty hard to pass and get into a rhythm as the course felt very crowded until about halfway thru the ride out. 

I also was expecting pretty much a tailwind out and a headwind back.  Therefore I really took it easy on the way out.  Even without much effort I was flying, although I was getting passed frequently.  I had to keep reminding myself to stick to my plan as I knew I would need to put out a lot of effort in the second half of the bike.

 

Probably the smartest move I made on the bike was carrying nearly all my nutrition with me.  I had read reports earlier in the year where Ironman had run out of supplies at Ironman Wisconsin on a particularly hot day and I guessed that it may happen here, particularly given that I was in the last wave of competitors.  Sure enough aid station number 1 was nearly abandoned when I got there, just a few drinks left.  Aid station number 2 near the turnaround was being disassembled when I went by.  I felt bad for people who were relying on these stations.  I could have used another water, but at least I had all the calories I needed.

 

Once we made the turnaround the wind was at times quite frustrating.  But there seemed to be enough shelter and turns to keep it from being a huge problem.  I was expecting a more open course, but there were actually a lot of trees and buildings blocking the wind.  I think the tight course might have actually helped in this regard.  In the second half of the bike I started passing a lot of people.  Many of them were from earlier waves, but some were struggling after going out too hard in the first half, or were bonking because they didn’t get their expected nutrition at the aid stations.

 

While I was riding, the family moved down the monorail to a spot just before the last drawbridge.  I understand that their cowbells and cheering were very popular with the passing riders.

 

Here are some shots of me as I went buy them, passing another large group of riders.  Notice how none of them are in the aero bars!

 

Overall the bike went better then I was expecting.  Looking at the conditions and the technical race course, I was expecting to be a bit slower. 

 

Nutrition during bike:

32 oz Aero Bottle – 3 scoops carbo pro – 330 calories, 74g carbs

24 oz Bottle – 3 scoops carbo pro and 1.5 scoops gatorade – 430 calories, 102g carbs

20oz Water Bottle

1 Cliff Bar – 250 calories, 43g carbs

3 Shot Blocks – 100 calories, 24g carbs

 

Time/Placing:

Bike – 2:44:15, 20.4566 mph, 94/187 AG, 707/1899 OA

T2 – 1:58, 60/184 AG, 392/1865 OA

 

I was in 690th out of T1 and 660th after the bike, so I passed net 30 people on the bike.  After T2 I was 632nd, so I passed another net 28 people in transition.  Funny to think that I passed almost as many people in the 2 minutes during transition as I did in 2.75 hours on the bike.