Dr. Gloria Petruzzelli

Vineman 70.3, in 2008, was my first half-Ironman. I have since raced multiple other half-Ironman distance triathlons and I have done the Full Vineman twice, but I have not been back to Vineman 70.3.

When I raced at Vineman 70.3 in 2008, I had been on my Cervelo P2, my first time trial bike, for maybe 6 weeks. I done some Olympic distance races, but never anything like a half-Ironman. I had no idea what to expect for myself, how my body would respond on the run, or what goals to set going in. I estimated I could finish in 6 hours or maybe 5 1/2, but .I really had no idea. I flew through the swim in just over 26 minutes, which until only recently remained my best half-Ironman swim split. When I got off the bike and ran out of T2, I checked my watch, did some math…