Lone Star Triathlon Festival - Half Iron - Triathlon1/2 Ironman

I decided to not start front of the pack. The last time I tried to start front of the pack, I started too quickly and my HR was screaming. So, started middle of the pack and tried to not get my HR too high at the beginning. The first leg was ok, rounded the bouy and damn. It appeared to me that there was a current or a headwind. Also, my shoulders and arms got tired fairly quickly, haven't had this before

Start front of the pack. My swim performance was lack luster at best. I need to better understand this is a race and I need to be front of the pack.

This transition was slow for me. All I had on my mind is that I wanted to be able to run coming off the bike. I struggled so much in Austin in October running off the bike, I wanted to make sure I could in this race. Transition went well, just need to get faster...

Ha!! I need to move more quickly and efficiently in transition. Oh, I should have also applied sun screen as the damn sun burned the shit out of me... Oh yeah, turn my damn Garmin on when I head to the swim. I turned it on in transition and messed with it for way too long getting it set to bike and waiting for it to find the satellites, shit I know better than this.

Ok, this was an out and back along the gulf coast. It felt as though we had a headwind on the way out. I wanted to pull 20.5 to 21.0 and have enough energy coming off the bike to have a decent run. At the turn around, I was hoping to have a nice tail wind, not so much. There was one at times, however it appeared that the wind changed directions and we had a tailwind but mostly a cross wind. This is the first course I have ever ridden with only a handful of turns. It was nice homever to see the pros on the back as I was on the way out..

I need to push my bike harder. I just need to find the balance with pushing the bike to get some good speed/power and having enough left in the tank to have a nice run..

This transition moved better. My legs felt pretty good coming in off the bike. I was ready for the run. No major issues in T2...

Yeah, put sun screen on... It would have been less painful the next week!! Also, get faster in transition.. I just need to understand this is a race and move accordingly.

Ok, I had one mission in Galveston. That was to run the entire run course with the exception of walking the aid stations. I did just that, the problem was that I didn't push the run as hard as I should have. It was rather annoying to run 4 loops, did i say that already? The aid stations were nicely layed out, it was damn hot. I was hoping to pull down 9-9:20 pace for the run. Didn't quite get there. I was happy that I didn't come out on the run course off the bike running too fast. However, after first 2 miles, I should have pushed it more..


Get faster and run harder. I did fine on hydration and nutrition..

Crossed the finish line and waited for Tam. I knew she started like 40 minutes after me, just curious to what type of race she was having. She puts so much time and effort in, I knew she needed a good race or she wouldn't be happy. She crossed the finish line and I could tell she was upset. After an autograph and picture session with one of her fans, we went and got some food.


I didn't have the determination in the swim. I guess I was kinda fearful that my HR would get out of control the first few hundred yards. I should have started front of pack. I also need to find that balance between biking hard and having good run legs. Then on the run, I just need more miles, more bricks in training and more speed work. This is where I am going to pick up most of my time and hit my goal of sub 530 in 2010. I should also move faster in transition.


Do away with the 4 lap run course. Put a couple more aid stations on the bike, otherwise... It was nicely done.