Memorial Hermann Ironman Texas - Triathlon

This was my first mass start and first IM. The first 800 to 900 yards was a fight. I never thought I was going to drowned, just searched for some breathing room and space. My coach physically prepared me for this swim. I never once felt tired or exhausted.

I had been training at an average of 1:38 to 1:45 per 100 yards. The problem with this swim was me. My sighting sucked as I simply just targeted the yellow and red buoies. The caused me to zig-zag which actually increased the swim distance. As I made the right to go into the canal I could have cut the corner better. For my next race I will try and sight better, stop the zig-zag and use some actual strategy.

Out of the water I ran to get my T1 bag. I yelled out my number but the volunteer gave me the wrong bag. I didn't realize it until i was in the change tent. So I had to run back to the bags, put the wrong one back to where it belonged and grab mine. This added a few minutes. Ultimately this was my fault since it is my responsibility to get the right bag.

Once i grab the bag I will double check that i was given the right bag.

My goal was to get a sub 6 on the bike - mission accomplished. To be honest I really enjoyed the bike. I live in the area so i know these roads. I knew what to expect and where. I followed my nutrition plan almost to the tee. After the first 30 minutes I consumed a gel, then 25 minutes after that I consumed another gel, then ate a stinger waffel after two gels. I repeated this cycle ever 25 minutes. Had a salt stick every hour for the first 3 hours then when it heated up i ate 2 salt sticks every hour.

I sipped on water and a little perform all during the ride. I never felt thirsty and even had to pee...which i did while riding. At around mile 40 i would grab a water and put it on my bike, then grab another and pour that all over my face back and neck. I really stayed cool and hydrated for this ride.

I did feel a slight bloated feeling during the first half of the ride. This was because I swallowed plenty of air during the swim. I fixed this problem by passing the gas which made the bloated feeling instantly disappear.

I watched my HR during the bike and kept it at or under 143 BPM. Me and other riders talked a lot. i figure next time I can push it a little more to lower that time to something a little more respectable. But with this being my first IM I didn't know what to expect so i played it safe...maybe a little too safe.

A volunteer grabbed my bike once i got into transition. I took shoes off in grass and made my way to the T2 bags. After the T1 debacle, I made sure that i had the correct bag. I wore sock so my feet didnt burn on the concrete unlike other athletes. No blisters. Got into the change tent, drank some water, threw some Vaseline on my junk, put new socks on, threw my K-Swiss A-Kona's on, grabbed my Marine Corps desert boonie cover and headed out.

Not sure, thought this was a little smoother. I think maybe next time I'll leave my shoes on bike but i wasn't positive about that rule for this race.

Once off the bike and on the run I could tell this was going to be a very hot and brutal death march. I had to adjust my strategy so that I didn't complete fall apart by mile 13. I really took it easy - maybe too easy during the first half of the marathon but it was tough. My physical fitness was not the issue; yes my legs were tired but not tore up. My concern was the heat. I had to get my HR back into my zone. I would walk and run, walk and run, walk and run during the first half. I was trying to really save my self for mile 13.1 and beyond.

on my second loop i retrieved my special needs bag so that I could change my socks. This felt great. I had also been feeling bloated so i went into the bathroom at NorthShore park and tried to make myself throw up - i just gagged.

At the aid station I drank water, held ice in my hands, put ice down my shorts and in my hat. This helped. Towards the halfway point I felt better and increased my running. I felt a little cramping so i forced myself to sip on perform. On the second lap i would run, then walk a little then tell myself "ok...run to that sign". If I felt good i would continue the run.

By this time i knew my goal of getting a 11:59 or better was blown. So i headed towards that 12:59 or better. I was watching my watch and i thought I had it but when i headed down the shoot the clock said 13:03 - damn.

I had plenty of friends and family along the course and some friends in the race. Seeing them was very motivational as you might expect. The crowds were awesome along the waterway and the isolation along the far part of the course was also very interesting. I enjoyed every minute of it.

I wasn't as emotional as I thought I might have been. Additionally, I never went to any dark places were i questioned my reasons for doing an Ironman nor did i ever contemplate quitting at anytime during IronmanTexas. It is because of this that I realize that I could have pushed harder and for longer.

I was off my goal by 64 minutes. I could have reached this if i had swam and sighted straighter, pushed it a little more on the bike, and endured a little more on the run. Physically and mentally i was prepared for this race - my coach made sure of that. I think my issues was I kept trying to reserve myself when i should have pushed more.

Going down the shoot a saw my family and friends that had come out to watch. I gave everyone i could a high five. It was an awesome experience - one that i will be doing again. Once through the shoot and across the line i simply just wanted to sit down. My mother, wife and kids left after a few hugs. My dad stayed with me to get my bike and bags and to make sure I didnt pass out - he drove my truck. Once in the truck i suddenly started sweating profusely and thought I was going to throw up but it didn't happen. At home I thought it would be a good idea to have a beer. My body felt differently though because i started sweating and threw up that beer.


I limited my self, of course the heat had plenty to do with it as well.