Race Preview: Ironman Mooseman 70.3

This Sunday is Ironman Mooseman 70.3. The race is part of World Triathlon Corporation's 70.3 series offering qualification slots to the world championships held later this year in Las Vegas. This race is a half Ironman consisting of a 1.2 mile swim, 56 mile bike and 13.1 mile run.

The Swim


The swim is held in Newfound Lake. Earlier this month the water temperature was hovering around 58 degrees. As of earlier today it was up to 67. Some unseasonably warm weather has moved into the area and helped to raise the water temperature. I've invested in a neoprene swim cap to wear under my race issued cap. Needless to say, I'll be racing in my full wetsuit for this race. Hopefully, I make it out of the water not completely frozen.

The Bike


This is where things will get interesting. The course is two loops around the lake and each loop features one Category 5 climb and one Category 3 climb. Word is that last year featured numerous people walking their bikes up sections of these climbs that reach 16% grade at some points. Luckily, I had my bike built with a compact crank and a 11-28 cassette in the back. We'll see if that's enough to keep me on the bike and not escorting it up the hill by its side.

One reviewer of last year's race put it this way: "The New Hampshire DOT is great. Somehow between laps 1 and 2 they find a way to make the hills longer and steeper than the first time you ride them."

Total elevation gain on the course is over 2,800 feet which is more than I'll face in Wisconsin which is twice the distance.

Here's what the course looks like:

The Run


I don't think there's much to say about the run other than that by the time I make it there I won't have much feeling left in my legs. What's not numb from the swim will be from the hills on the bike. The run looks to be about a 3 mile out-and-back course completed twice. There is a notable climb in the middle which you hit each time, so that will add up to take a toll on me too.

Goals For The Race:

My swim will be about maintaining composure in possibly less than ideal conditions. It will be about pacing and making sure to race my race - not getting caught up in the excitement of the mass start. You can't win a race in the swim, but you can lose it.

The bike will be about proper pacing and knowing that no hill can go on forever. I've trained on hills here that are as steep or steeper than what I'll be facing. Don't buy into all of the hype and go smart. Don't stand out of the saddle too much or try to be a hero. Let the others burn their legs up here. The bike will also be about nutrition. Get the calories I need and don't slack. I'll need those calories later in the race.

Lastly, don't start out fast on the run. Go conservative for the first out and back. It may end up being my pace the entire time, but don't be disappointed if it is. Remember that this race is only training and prep for the big show in September. That's what I'm training for.