Buffalo Springs Lake Ironman - Triathlon1/2 Ironman

My watch either didn't start when I hit the button or it got reset in the chaos. Either way, I started my race without having this leg recorded, so it was difficult to know my time.

The start was rough for the first 300 meters or so. I got hit so hard in the face I saw stars. I also got my ankle actually grabbed twice, which is always fun. I did my fair share of bumping into people, including accidentally clobbering the guy in front of me who decided to come to a dead stop unexpectedly. I apologized, asked if he was OK and kept going.

I was very relaxed the entire swim. Probably too relaxed. I should have gone a little harder, but I didn't really know what was ahead of me the rest of the day so I went easy. I have also had a problem with my calf cramping in 1 mile and longer OWS so I was very careful to limit my kicking.

I stayed on course pretty well until the last turn back to the shore. Later Tommy told me that one of the buoys was blown off course, and I went way to the right and had to cut back across to the shore. Probably added about 100 meters.

I also got rubbed pretty hard on the back of my neck from my wetsuit.

I need to seed myself a bit more aggressively in the swim start. It's too much work to swim over/around people.

I think my T1 was pretty good--had to grab a couple extra things than usual: salt tabs and bib #. I double checked to make sure I had everything before leaving.

I was extremely nervous about the bike course. I knew that it would make or break my race. I just haven't been able to train on hills here in Dallas like those I faced in this race. Luckily everyone was going about the same (slow) speed up the hills, and I would actually pass the heavier rides going up, only to have them pass me on the way down. I was very glad that I had the 12-27 on there; I saw some people suffering with improper gearing.
I did well on the descents and didn't ride my breaks at all--saw a lot of people scrubbing off speed on the downhills.
At mile 23 I saw Badmann pass me on her way back. I yelled for her and she waved.
At about mile 40 I really had to pee, but I didn't want to get off my bike and then have to get back on. I was uncomfortable in the saddle at that point and the winds had picked up. I was ready to be off the bike. Decided to just suck it up and wait till T2.
I drank plenty of water and took in my liquid calories and gels pretty much on plan. Had about 900 calories total on bike, which was right on track for me.

I probably could have pushed harder on the bike but I knew I had to run the half-marathon after, so I wanted to err on the side of caution. Also, the bike is my weakest leg, so I just need more time in the saddle and to start lifting weights again to get some more strength in my legs.

More Bodyglide in choice areas.

T2 was long because I had to use the bathroom. I checked 2 porta-pots and both were occupied--the rest had the red handle so I stood around waiting for someone to come out. I finally checked another door and it was empty, even though it looked occupied on the outside. I peed forever. I swear, my body did not realize it was a race. Lost a good 1-1.5 minutes with the whole bathroom thing.

I also forgot to grab the rest of my salt tabs and a few more gels for the run--the ones with extra caffeine.

Not forget stuff. Check all the bathroom doors. Put on more sunblock.

I felt awesome for most of the run. I walked the aid stations to make sure I got plenty to drink. The problem was that I was only drinking water, which probably was a mistake. And I was sort of gulping it. I hit the turnaround at 57 minutes, and knew I was well on my way to a sub 6 hour race. Every aid station I grabbed something to drink and then dumped the rest on my head. I would also wrap one of the ice cold towels around my neck to keep cool, and put some ice down the front of my top. It was pretty damn hot out there at this point.

The portion on Energy Lab road was brutal mentally. Definitely the toughest part of the race. I did run with a guy in my wave, but in the 45-49 AG for about 3 miles. We talked the whole time, which helped. His goal was sub 6 hours too, but I had to watch him go as we got closer and closer to the finish and I got slower and slower.

At mile 10 I started falling apart: my chest was tight, and I had a lot of pressure on my diaphragm. I wasn't sure exactly why I was having these symptoms, but I felt like I shouldn't push it too much. My HR was alright, around 158.

With two miles to go I just couldn't keep running to the next aid station; I had to walk. I walked most of the last two miles, and saw my goal of sub 6 slip away. I didn't much care at that point. I just wanted to finish.

Not knowing my time for the whole race was really difficult...I knew I was missing about 30 minutes on my watch, but it came down to being close enough that I didn't know exactly what I needed to do to break 6 hours. I think if I would have had that feedback, I may have been able to shave off those 4+ minutes because I would have known where I was.

The area on my neck that was rubbed raw from the wetsuit absolutely baked in the sun. It was the thing that hurt worst, and continues to be. Guess that's pretty good to have as the most major complaint!

My nutrition fell apart during the run. I only took in 1 gel and mostly water. At the last 3 miles I started sipping gatorade, but it was too late.

Grabbed my finishers medal and t-shirt and headed to the food tent. I grabbed some gatorade and ate about 3 slices on watermelon. I then wandered around aimlessly for about 40 minutes looking for Tracy. I had seen her with the BT crew about 400 meters from the finish, but I didn't think to go back there. I kept thinking she would come to the finish area. There was also no shade and I really wanted out of the sun.

I finally found them and soaked in the lake for a few minutes. Sat around watching athletes come in for about another 30 minutes then gathered all my crap for that awful walk back up the hill to the parking area.


Additional time in the saddle
Better nutrition on the run


Loved this race! All the volunteers were amazing. I will be back!
Also had some of the best jock-strappers around. It was awesome to get those cold towels and see our names chalked on the road.