CB&I Tri - The Woodlands - TriathlonSprint

Only my second race, and once again, I exerted myself way too much for the results achieved. My heart rate was out of control and I had trouble breathing and never got in a rythm. This should be the easy part of the race for me and I should be refreshed when I exit, rather than gassed and staggering. I need to work on the between-the-ears part of the swim...

well, I'm going to have to stop sniffing glue before these races if I can't get out there and swim like I'm capable of.

Ran up the wrong row, screwed around with the wetsuit, had to stop and splash some gatorade down to calm down. All of this is attributed to my poor swim. Fortunately, I had a nice rack location close to the bike out gate, so I took the time to get the shoes on and clop out at a jog rather than attempt any mount line heroics. It worked out OK.

Get my composure in the swim so I have it together when I come out of the water.

Well, considering I've only had the bike for a couple of weeks, this went really well. My stretch goal was to average 20 mph, no big deal for the accomplished cyclists on this course, but would be solid for me, and I was able to exceed that. Stayed aero for most of the way, with a few short breaks to stretch. I was concerned that I would blow up on the last stretch, but I was able to sustain 20+ pretty much all the way in. This was great for me!

Just need to get more miles in on the bike and get conditioned to holding aero longer. I need to adjust the seat to keep from sliding forward slightly. Overall, I was very happy with this leg.

This was decent. Again, the rack location close to the bike in kept me from trying anything stupid. I kept moving and got the running shoes on and out the gate in pretty good shape.

Not much.

I didn't get my first mile split, but it felt a little slow and it took all of the first mile to get my legs back. Since the first and third miles were out and back, I actually thought about strategy for finishing in style. When I caught my mile 2 split at about 7:57, I knew I was in good shape and had enough left to kick it in. Last 500yds or so was about as fast as I could run. Got sub-8 min/mile pace for the first time in a race and just off my time trial pace of last week. I'll take it!

Maybe push the pace a little harder earlier? Catch my splits so I will know what my pace is for the first mile.

Drank a little water and walked back to transition to cheer on the bikers coming in.


Other than my screwed up swim which affected T1 and the bike start, this is about as good as I can hope to do at this stage of competing. I really think that I am pressing too hard to swim fast (because I know I can). Just need to relax and do it.


This was a really nice event. One unique feature that appeals to me is the age group Clydes and Athenas classes that they offer. Not only do you compete with big guys, you compete with old, big guys! This feature enabled me to get to the podium way sooner than I have a right to expect to. Thanks!!!