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

Swim felt like it took 20 minutes... Was surprised how quick the swim was over.Felt really good out there. The chop was tough coming across the middle of the course but I thought i had a good rhythm going. Got a little off course, but overall was happy. Little slower than I thought it would be but based on conditions I was happy. Got out of the water and heard Paul cheer me on. Got a big boy to rip the wetsuit off me, and then ran to the bike rack.

I could probably have pushed it more, but being my first HIM, i did not want to feel spent after the swim.

Ran to my bike after the strippers. Ran by number '455' and saw his bike still there. Jumped up and down a few times to celebrate my "Potts Moment" and decided to hang in T1 for a while bragging to those around me. HA
Decided to take my time so sat down put the socks on and got comfy.

maybe sit around for '455' to show up?
Nothing really. I felt good, and was ready for the bike.

Split was 1:35:03 and 1:24:32....Shows the difference in the wind. Got a bit of wind behind us on the way home, but not alot. By about 40 miles(64k) i felt done. the wind was getting to me and I wanted to get the bike and attempt to run. Tony blew by me about 5-10 miles into the bike, saw John just fter the turn around. Saw i was about 4 miles ahead of him. Lots of great people way out on the course cheering us all on.

Not alot. The wind on the way out took alot out of my sails, but I did enjoy the ride for the most parts.

Ran hard over the mat to ensure my bike split broke 3hrs. Then I guess i took my time. I didn't put elastic laces in to my shoes. So that took a bit to tie up the shoes. Didn't really see the point in them for such a long race.

was an okay transition. I realized after that i did a very poor job putting on sunscreen here.
not sure how some guys had a t2 under 2 minutes.

It was hot!!! I thought i would like the 4 loops, but after the 2nd loop i was done going out to the dead area of the course. I was not ready for the heat in Texas. I stopped at every aid station for iced sponges and water. Lots of spectators to cheer you on, but the twists and turns were getting to me. I was spent after the 2nd loop. Was great to have Michelle out there to cheer me on. I walked every aid station. Had a few 'moments' out there. The holy sh$t i'm going to finish a HIM moments. Caught John on the last loop. By this time realized my 6hr pipe dream was gone. So when I caught up to him I could tell he wasnt having a great time. Him and I walked together, ran a bit together, and really talked about things. He let me go on ahead to finish. So i took off like a rocket. That lasted for about 200 meters. HA. He caught up to me we ran for a bit. We chatted again and he gave me a fist bump and said go finish. The last few hundred metres were kind of a blur. Lots of people cheering us on and when I saw the chute I had alot left. I think I passed 4 or 5 people in the last 100 metres. Heard Michelle/Paul/Jarrett/Suzy cheer for me but i had no idea where they were at. Fist pumped it I think as I ran through.

move to a warmer climate in the winter to train for an April 70.3 in Texas.

Big hug from Michelle, congrats from Tony,Suz,Paul& Jarett. Went and grabbed some food. Had a piece of Poppa John's but I really enjoyed the pretzels. Realized that I was going to be sore in the morning. Waited with everyone to see Sam and John come in.


Honestly, today I've really thought about how I could have gotten under 6 hrs and tried to see how important it was for me to break 6hr in my first HIM.I know the last loop I could have done faster but when I slowed down and had my 'john moment' I knew 6hrs was gone way before chatting with him. Could I have gone faster earlier? I honestly do not know. It's hard for me to understand if I really did empty the tank. When i hit the chute I felt like I had a ton of energy left, but maybe that is just the chute mentality. I had my secret goal of 6hrs, but really i just want to finish this. So in a way I am a wee bit disappointed, but so proud of where i am at now. I am no longer that 'guy standing at the BBQ'. I just completed a frickin' 70.3!!!
GOD BLESS TEXAS!!


1st 70.3 is done. First HIM distance. So hard to compare to others, and if the race change much from last year. So many volunteers out there, and lots of support from people all the way on the bike out to the pass turnaround in the middle of no where. I go back and forth on if I like the 4 loop run. Yes great for spectators, but tough when you have to run it over and over again. As my host is leaving Houston, not sure if I'll be back for it again. But great race, and an even better weekend.