IRONMAN 70.3 Muncie | 2023
Muncie, Indiana, is a 2.5-hour drive from our home. In 2023, I had several new career opportunities and responsibilities, and I didn't train much in the first semester. However, I tried to stay active.
In 2023, I completed the Flying Pig Half Marathon, the Kentucky Triathlon Championships, the Cincinnati 1/3 Ironman, 70.3 Muncie, and the Honor Run Half Marathon.
The Muncie 70.3 Swim Course is a 1.2-mile swim in beautiful and historic Prairie Creek Reservoir.
The Bike Course is a “fast” out-and-back (2 loops) with some winds, 56 miles of closed state highways and country roads that wind through rural Delaware and Henry counties.
The Run is also a one-loop, out-and-back route around the south side of Prairie Creek Reservoir. The course continues over rolling hills that are a challenge to athletes before finishing back at Prairie Creek Reservoir.
The Muncie 70.3 in 2023 was on September 30th. The average daily temperature in September for Muncie is around 67°F (19°C), with highs of approximately 80°F (27°C) and lows of 55°F (13°C). In 2025, the event was on July 12th. In July, Muncie's daily high temperatures are around 83°F, rarely falling below 76°F or exceeding 91°F.
How did the half Ironman go for me?
By then, we had our lovely dog Phoenix, so we went with him, making it a family trip adventure with some challenges, but we managed. That year, I took a short swim the day before and then rode for 30 minutes to check the bike and familiarize myself with the transition.
The Swim: I took the Swim as a warm-up, and it went very well. The water was smooth, unlike the choppy conditions I experienced in 2025.
The Bike Leg: I was trying to stay conservative and stay in the aero position as much as possible.
The Half Marathon: During the Run, I focused on staying hydrated and maintaining a consistent pace. Although some miles were challenging, I was surprised and thankful to finish in the top 3 Overall Female and second in my age group.
“Every adversity, every failure, every heartbreak, carries with it the seed of an equal or greater benefit.”