Iron Star Triathlon - Triathlon1/2 Ironman

Good swim, even with the bottleneck at the first turn out of the marina into the lake. Had to walk over a small section of island with water level less than 2 feet deep. Then had to spit out gasoline in water when lifeguard boat got too close at one of the turns.

Pick-up pace after first turn. Maybe more aggressive in start and first 800m.

My heart rate was in Z4 entering T1 (don't know why) felt good out of water and didn't have far to run to T1. I was slow out of T1 due to lost rubber piece in glasses. Cost me about 1 minute as I had to go back to the rack and search for nose piece.

Have back-up glasses.

My strategy was to spin the uphills and attack the downhills. It seemed to work as I passed allot of people on the downhills and flats and held my own on the uphills. I honestly can't imagine doing better on this course than I did, given my current ability. I had leg cramps off the bike in T2 so I must have missed some nutrition of hydration component.

Train more in rolling hills. More leg strength conditioning and better nutrition plan for hot weather.

Bad leg cramps off the bike. I also had to pee leaving T2. I didn't think the cramps were because of hydration (see note about having to pee) but I might have missed an opportunity for endurolyetes. I drank Gatoraide Endurance with Amino Vital and water. I also hydrated for over 8 days before the race.

Push harder on the downhills, practice eating/hydrating at faster pace. I slowed during eating/drinking times and saw people pass me only when I was eating or drinking.

I felt ok on the run through the first 7 miles. However, I had some issues breathing while we ran through a field of pollen, a guy mowing his HAY and someone else burning brush. All these allergens sparked a asthmatic reaction (mild) that distracted me. I also had severe cramps after mile 7 that slowed my already loping pace to a sluggish shuffle-step.

Bring inhaler on every run. Prepare for the unexpected. Stick to hydration and nutrition plan on the bike. The cramps on the run were, most likely, caused by nutrition mistakes on the bike.

Walking.


Inability to breath uninhibited, missed nutrition or hydration on bike. Could also have been the heat but I have been training in the heat all summer with no issues.


I like this race alot. I would like to see some upgrades on the course management for the following: 1. I saw a biker hit a car that was supposed to turn (but didn't) due to a traffic issue. This should have not been an issue if the volunteers were paying attention to the RACERS instead of the TRAFFIC. 2. They should have vaseline at the run aid stations. Even Half Marathon (only) races have this item. 3. Bottle hand-ups on the bike were in bad locations and the volunteers were standing still instead of running along side the riders. We had to slow too much to get a bottle. I love the volunteers, but they were understaffed and undermanaged in this regard. 4. I know it's a small thing but I'd rather have a nice race medal than a coffee cup as a momento for a Half Ironman. We are not supposed to drink coffee and Half and Whole Ironman anyway. Why encourage the habit? This could be a premier event in Texas but they need to improve the atmosphere of the event with small things. Larger and nicer transition, signs, race volunteer management, etc. Still, I'll be back next year and the year after that.