Chattanooga 70.3 — For the Love of the Process

Chattanooga 70.3 — a whole different story than Oceanside, that’s for sure.

The swim got cancelled on Friday. That rarely happens, and almost never the day before the race. I had time to be mad and disappointed — and I was.

Skipping the swim hurts my race. It’s my strength, and it usually sets me up to ride tactically and avoid surging past packs on the bike. I always get caught on the run, and this levels the field in a way that doesn’t work in my favor.

It was my first time doing a TT start, so I decided to treat it as a learning opportunity. The one upside. I was definitely more stressed knowing I’d already qualified for Worlds at Oceanside — and I’m glad I had that secured. I signed up for Chattanooga not just because I love the area (I do), but because I believed this course was where I could do the most damage. If I hadn’t already qualified, my stress would’ve been through the roof. Even though my run has improved a lot, I’m still far off the top — and swimming helps bridge that gap.

Race day: up at 4:45, made breakfast and coffee down in the hotel parking lot in my van. Set all hydration, brought gear to transition, pumped my tires, made sure everything was solid (no flat wanted this time). Then back to the hotel to get into my kit and spin on the trainer — I’d brought my road bike + trainer for this exact reason. No swim = need to warm up differently. Got in 40 minutes with race efforts. Core temp up, legs ready.

Vi and Blake walked with me to the start. Kisses and hugs — maybe a few tears. I’m an emotional king, I won’t lie.

Transition. Countdown. 3-2-1 — go.
I wasn’t in my prime right off the line, but five minutes in, I found my rhythm and started smiling. First 15 minutes was a full-on passing party — maybe 100 to 200 athletes. Then I locked into rhythm. Found legal packs, dropped the illegal ones. I wasn’t interested in risking it the way some were.

The first hour went well. The second hour? Even better. I was able to maintain power, push when the course asked for it, and really take advantage of knowing every turn and climb. We’d arrived in Chattanooga a week early, and I rode the course twice and drove it twice while Vi rode it I followed (Tour de France style) . That made a difference.

Back half of the bike I held just under threshold — saving a bit for the run.
And it paid off.

I beat my 2023 bike split by 15 minutes, ish
New position. New wheels. Tubeless. New tires. Disc wheel. More aero helmet.
Every detail we dug into this year in testing showed up on this race day.

T2 was quick.
Run started fast. Too fast. Coach told me my first km should be my slowest… so I checked myself. Slowed down. Settled. Then built back in. It was HOT and humid, classic Southern conditions — so cooling became my #1 tactic. Ice in the suit, water on my head at every aid station. That effort kept my HR steady and let me run strong.

This is a two-loop course, which I actually love. You get to learn from the first lap, and apply it on the second. On the back half I started re-passing many who flew past me early. That’s when I knew pacing and cooling were the winning combo.

I negative split the final km at 4:00/km.
Fastest 70.3 bike ever.
Fastest 70.3 run ever.

Would this have been my full 70.3 PB if we swam? Honestly, I think so.
Best form I’ve been in. Best execution. And I like to think it could’ve also been my best ever placing.

Nutrition was 95% perfect — no cramps, which is rare for me.
If you want the full nutrition case study: CLICK HERE

With perspective, curveballs are part of the game. No race is 100% perfect.
What matters is how you adapt — before, during, after.

The mindset you show up with makes all the difference.
At the end of the day, it’s just a race — and Blake and Vi still love me the same… I hope ;)

This one was a confidence booster. And it’s just the start.
Next up: Mont-Tremblant in June, my first full Ironman at Placid in July, then a long prep for Worlds.

Things are settling into place — I just need to keep showing up and keep stacking those good habits.

Big thanks to my partner sponsors — it’s fun building this one brick at a time