Ironman Texas - Triathlon


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The Woodlands, Texas
United States
WTC & Memorial Hermann Hospital
91F / 33C
Overcast
Total Time = 14h 11m 4s
Overall Rank = /
Age Group = M 40-44
Age Group Rank = 0/
Pre-race routine:

Wife & son volunteered for body marking so they were up at 3:15... so I got up then too. Ate a plain bagel with peanut butter & honey about 4am, then snacked on a stinger waffel, Gatorade G2 & water while John (Fattyfatfat) & I walked over to the swim start from tranistion.
Event warmup:

tread water for about 10 minutes
Swim
  • 1h 39m 6s
  • 3862 meters
  • 02m 34s / 100 meters
Comments:

goggles kept fogging up and I couldn't see for crap. Kept having to stop and clear them. Additionally, it was a crowded swim for the first 500+ meters (way mor crowded then IMFL). It started to clear, found some open water until the start of the canal, then it got crowded again.

This was simply a long slow swim for me! It sucked...PERIOD!
What would you do differently?:

I put anti-fog in my goggles the night before...didn't help. Maybe use newer goggles.

I slacked off on my swim training the last few weeks before this race...that obviously contributed to my crappy swim...so I will stay focused on the all aspects of the training plan next time.
Transition 1
  • 07m 16s
Comments:

Didn't rush this... wanted to make sure I got my feet dry, socks on, helmet, sunglasses, butt-butter...everything on and comfortable.

It went well.
What would you do differently?:

I could maybe maybe move with a little more urgency, but after that swim I was a little defeated and just wanted to regroup.
Bike
  • 6h 24m 37s
  • 112 miles
  • 17.47 mile/hr
Comments:

Again, not what I expected from myself. I had ridden this course before and had much better results. Not sure what I was doing out there... I had sections that I felt great and others that were just demoralizing. I was just not on my game today.

High spot was my bike nutrition...it was spot on. stinger waffels every 30-40 minutes with water and a little bit of Gatorade. Felt so much better coming into T2 then I did at IMFL and I felt like I worked harder on this bike leg then IMFL.
What would you do differently?:

Maybe push a little more???? Some days you are the windshield and some days you are the bug. Today I was the bug! I averaged 19.92 on the majority of this course just a few weeks prior to the race and felt awesome off the bike for a transition run. Frustrated and disappointed, but its Ironman and so many things can change over the course of the day...
Transition 2
  • 08m 55s
Comments:

Again, I was a little defeated after the bike split...really thought I would be in under 6hrs... I tried to regroup again for the run, and make sure I got everything on and comfortable before I left the tent.

Garmin fired right up and was linked as I left the tent, that was a plus.
What would you do differently?:

nothing really... If I felt better about the race's progress, I may move faster.
Run
  • 5h 51m 10s
  • 26.2 miles
  • 13m 24s  min/mile
Comments:

I felt really good starting the run... I knew not to start out too fast, and my pace was right at 10 minutes per mile. I was feeling very hot by mile 3 and started pouring ice water and ice spoonges over my head. This was the beginning of the end for my running... my socks got drenched and by mile 8 I started to feel the big ass blisters on the balls of my feet behind my big toes (especially my left foot). I jog/walked lap two and tried to do the same for lap three. By mile 22 I could barely walk on my left foot, let alone jog on it, so I resorted to walking as quickly as I could for the last bit... I turned onto market street and found the strength to run to the finish with a big ass smile on my face! IT WAS OVER! Not nearly what I had expected, nor imagined...but it is what it is!
What would you do differently?:

My legs & my cardio were there for the run... my feet were not. I knew I would struggle in the heat, I always have as a runner. I could have changed socks on all three laps I guess to try and cut down on the blisters...who knows.
Post race
Warm down:

Hung out with the loudest cheering section on the course! A bunch of cops and teachers cheering for me the whole damn way! They were awesome!

What limited your ability to perform faster:

I was mentally defeated after the swim and it just kinda snow balled from there... the day just kinda went from bad to worst performance wise. I guess I could have pushed harder through out the swim and bike, not sure. Maybe it just wasn't my day... Who knows. I will climb back on this horse and keep moving forward, I know that for certain.

Event comments:

I got through it, there is room for improvement and I will return to the Ironman distance. I am not in a hurry to come back to IMTX, but that too will fade with time and I will find my way back...maybe after another trip to IMFL or a visit to IMAZ or IMCdA.


Profile Album


Last updated: 2010-06-24 12:00 AM
Swimming
01:39:06 | 3862 meters | 02m 34s / 100meters
Age Group: 0/
Overall: 0/
Performance: Bad
Suit:
Course: out & back with a turn up the canal.
Start type: Deep Water Plus:
Water temp: 79F / 26C Current: Low
200M Perf. Below average Remainder: Below average
Breathing: Good Drafting:
Waves: Navigation: Average
Rounding: Average
T1
Time: 07:16
Performance: Average
Cap removal: Good Helmet on/
Suit off:
Wetsuit stuck? Run with bike: Yes
Jump on bike: No
Getting up to speed:
Biking
06:24:37 | 112 miles | 17.47 mile/hr
Age Group: 0/
Overall: 0/
Performance: Below average
131 Watt Avg (Goal was 165)
Wind: Some
Course: Large loop
Road: Smooth Dry Cadence: 78
Turns: Good Cornering: Good
Gear changes: Good Hills: Average
Race pace: Comfortable Drinks: Just right
T2
Time: 08:55
Overall: Average
Riding w/ feet on shoes
Jumping off bike
Running with bike
Racking bike
Shoe and helmet removal
Running
05:51:10 | 26.2 miles | 13m 24s  min/mile
Age Group: 0/
Overall: 0/
Performance: Bad
Avg HR 118, Max HR 151
Course: triple loop course
Keeping cool Average Drinking Just right
Post race
Weight change: %
Overall: Average
Mental exertion [1-5] 3
Physical exertion [1-5] 2
Good race? No
Evaluation
Course challenge
Organized? Yes
Events on-time? Yes
Lots of volunteers? Yes
Plenty of drinks? Yes
Post race activities: Average
Race evaluation [1-5] 4