Ironman 70.3 Musselman Race Review: A Beautiful Course and a Huge Personal Best

After months of early mornings, long rides, countless miles, and plenty of race-day prep, Ironman 70.3 Musselman was finally here. This was my first “A” race for the season, and after crossing the finish line, I can confidently say it lived up to the hype.

From the stunning Finger Lakes scenery to an incredibly well-organized event, Musselman delivered one of my favorite race experiences to date.

The Swim: A Calm Start

The day began with a swim in Seneca Lake, and I couldn’t have asked for better conditions. The water was just barely wetsuit legal, which was welcome news on race morning. The wetsuit provided a little extra confidence and speed.

The lake itself was beautiful, and despite the usual race-day nerves, I settled into a comfortable rhythm early. I particularly love that Ironman events have you start as a self-seed based on your swim time. It was a smooth start to what would become an unforgettable day.

The Bike: One of the Most Scenic Courses I’ve Ever Ridden

If you’ve heard people rave about the Musselman bike course, believe them.

It is easily one of the most beautiful bike courses I’ve experienced, and some even argue it’s among the prettiest on the Ironman circuit. Rolling through vineyards, farmland, and overlooking the Finger Lakes made it surprisingly easy to appreciate the scenery—even while racing.

Going into the race, I made the conscious decision to ride a little more conservatively. My goal wasn’t to chase every watt—it was to arrive at the run feeling strong.

Mission accomplished. I came off the bike feeling controlled, confident, and excited to start running.

The Run: Where the Real Race Began

The first half of the run felt fantastic. My pacing was right where I wanted it, my legs still had life, and I started thinking I might finish even stronger than expected.

Then the second lap arrived.

As anyone who’s raced a 70.3 knows, things can change quickly. The fatigue finally caught up with me, and every mile became a mental battle. My nutrition had gone fairly well throughout the day, but looking back, I think there’s still room to improve my fueling strategy so I can carry more energy deeper into the run.

One promise I made to myself before the race was simple: No walking.

No matter how uncomfortable things became, I wanted to run every step to the finish line.

There were plenty of moments when walking sounded tempting, but keeping that promise to myself became my focus. One mile at a time, I kept moving forward until I finally crossed the finish line.

The Finish: Better Than I Imagined

When I looked at the clock, I honestly couldn’t believe it.

Finish Time: 5:13

Even more exciting, that was good enough for 4th place in my age group.

I narrowly missed earning a spot at the Ironman 70.3 World Championship, which stings just a little—but more than anything, I’m incredibly proud of the race I put together.

This performance showed me that the months of consistent training paid off. Sometimes race day comes together even better than expected, and this was one of those days.

Would I Recommend Musselman?

Without hesitation—yes.

Whether it’s your first 70.3 or you’re looking for a memorable destination race, Musselman is an excellent choice.

Some of my favorite parts:

• A beautiful lake swim.

• One of the most scenic bike courses I’ve ever raced.

• Fantastic volunteers and race organization.

• A welcoming atmosphere throughout race weekend.

• A challenging course that’s rewarding from start to finish.

  
  

It’s the kind of race that reminds you why you signed up in the first place.

What’s Next?

While I’m incredibly happy with this result, I’m also excited for what’s ahead.

For the rest of 2026, I’ll be shifting my focus back to sprint and Olympic-distance racing. I’m looking forward to racing faster, sharpening my speed, and seeing what I can accomplish over the shorter distances.

That said…I don’t think this is goodbye to long-course racing.

This race reminded me just how rewarding the 70.3 distance can be. The challenge, the strategy, the atmosphere, and the feeling of crossing that finish line are hard to beat.

I have a feeling another long-distance race is in my future next year.

For now, though, I’m going to celebrate this one.