Lone Star Triathlon Festival - Sprint - TriathlonSprint

Started out quick so I wouldn't get kicked or bumped too much. I was a little anxious being my first tri, but kept it under control. Stayed with same two or three guys most of the way. Swam through parts of the two waves ahead of the first-timers group, which may have slowed me down a little bit. Sighting was okay for third OWS, though I'm sure I was zig-zagging a bit to avoid people.

I ended up 1st in the first timers and would have been 5th in my AG (35-39). Race results showed me at a 1:54/100 meters. I think the distance was off (maybe longer?) because my pace during the quarter was along the lines of what I'd expect on this as my quarter iron.

Wear ear plugs and pull cap over ears. I ended up with an earache later that evening, not sure why, but I'm attributing to slamming my left ear into the water repeatedly while sighting. I must be doing something wrong.

Pulled off cap and goggles while jogging to the wet suit strippers (true life savers). My problem generally is that after I swim, I tend to get a little dizzy as soon as I get out of the water. I didn't experience that as much as I expected so I jogged to bike, put on helmet/sunglasses and sat down to put on socks/shoes, and to take a drink. I probably could have saved some time if I didn't wear socks and/or I could put on shoes clipped to the bike. If I would have done either, it would have been a disaster.

Nothing this time around.

There were some headwinds on the ride out though mostly crosswinds, which slowed me down a bit. I was able to pick up the speed to 21-22 most of the ride back, but couldn't get average about 20mph. Felt comfortable through the bike. I passed alot of people from the earlier waves, which may have given me a false sense that I was riding fast enough when in fact I could have pushed harder. I enjoyed the ride and see this as the key area where I can improve.

I might have pushed a little bit harder. My average speed on the bike during the quarter was a bit quicker though I attribute that time to a stronger tailwind on the ride back.

Okay transition based on time. Only problem . . . I forgot my race belt with my bib. I figured it out 100 yards out of transition and was told to go on without it. Zoots sped up the transition and wore the same socks for the run as I did for the bike.

Put the race belt on FIRST, or put it on during T1.

I thought I would/should be hurting more on the run but felt good the whole way through and was able to run a 7:00/mile pace for the last half mile.

Work harder on the bike.

Stretched back and hamstrings. Picked up pizza, ice cream, oreos, fruit, bananas . . . and let my kids eat most of it. Made sure to drink enough water but probably didn't eat enough post-race. Went to Schlitterbahn from 1:30-4:00 with family. Exhausted and ready for nap for the next day's quarter . . . but the nap never materialized. Glad the family was there to share in the experience and excitement and that I could share the experience with my brother-in-law and two close friends, all of which completed their first tri too! I won an award, which was kind of cool (likely my first and my last tri award)


Not much. I wished I would have gotten some more sleep but nutrition and preparation was good. I would have placed 8/65 had I competed in my age group.


First triathlon so I don't have anything to compare it to. However, I thought it was extremely well organized, the expo was pretty good and had some really good deals, and the swag was quality stuff (race hat/shirt/ bottle/towel).

Only complaint and it's pretty minor was that some of the bike course heading/returning from the seawall (road w/ speedbumps) was pretty rough with a few potholes . . . I ended up getting a flat tire as I rode back into transition. Thankful it didn't happen at the beginning of the ride.

All the race staff and volunteers were very friendly and helpful. I'll definitely be back next year.