LongHorn Ironman 70.3 Triathlon Festival - Triathlon1/2 Ironman

Not a bad swim. I was able to get a decent draft off and on from a guy that has historically been a much faster swimmer than me so I was happy when I was out of the water right after him. Sighting and rhythm were good. I was hoping for a 30min swim but this still isn't horrible. The swim did put me a couple minutes behind where I needed to be for my target finish time and I paid a price for that later on.

Used the strippers and had a pretty good T1. Put my helmet, sunglasses, and race number on. I decided to put arm warmers on because it was still a little chilly. Had them rolled up so they went on pretty easy. Shoes clipped on the bike and I was gone.

I knew I was already a couple minutes behind and felt like I had to have a good pace on the bike. I started out easy for the first 8 miles to get into a rhythm and then hit it harder the next 40 miles. The plan was to go easy for 8 miles, harder(er) for 40 miles, and then spin easy for the last 8 miles to get ready for the run. Nutrition and hydration seemed good as I took in plenty of calories but I'm not sure I took enough fluids. I did pee at 45 so I felt like I was hydrated. I did not take any salt tablets thinking it just wasn't hot and that was probably a mistake.

My legs felt pretty good the entire ride and my heart rate never really got out of wack. I could definitely feel my legs on some of the hills and on some of the sections into the wind and I probably should've held back a little more on the bike.

I felt like I hit the bike hard last year and I was at about 22.4mph and this year I was faster even though I felt like I didn't push it as hard as last year.

Slipped feet out of shoes and luckily got in the right row. Tough to find the right row with a 2 tranistion race when there's not a lot to look for. I had already put my Gu's in my back pocket on the bike so all I had to do was put socks, shoes, and hat on and I was gone.

I knew I was in trouble at mile 1 of the run. My legs felt and energy felt great out of T2 but I started feeling the beginnings of cramps in both quads right before the first aid station. I knew I had to try and take care of the cramps early or I'd have a problem so I stopped at the aid station and took in a few Gatorades and also took in some salt pills. I felt better for the next 5 miles but I knew I still couldn't push the run because I could feel the twinge in my quads. At mile 6 I again took salt tablets and water to try to get rid of the cramps.

By mile 7 it was game over. Both legs completed seized up with cramps and I could not even move. My left hamstring was locked as was my right quad. I tried to put weight on 1 leg while working out the cramp in the other and then alternated. This is honestly the first time EVER I thought it might be a good idea to DNF. After 5 or 6 minutes working on my legs I was able to start walking again. Then it turned to a slow jog, The last 6 miles were jog as long as I could (and by jog I mean slooooow jog) until I felt major cramping and then I had to walk again.

I literally limped into the arena and the finishing shoot. Crossed the line and was EXTREMELY disappointed I didn't reach my goal. This race was to be a confidence booster for IMSG in May.

Not sure. Looking back it may be I went too hard on the bike even though I didn't feel like I was hammering it. May be I needed more hydration or just more salt. I felt like I really couldn't drink anymore so it may be a salt issue more than anything.

I just had to sit on the cold concrete floor. I sat for almost 15 minutes because I wasn't sure I'd be able to get up again without completely cramping up.


I was really hoping this would the HIM I break 4:40 but that may have been my downfall. While I was very dissapointed in the result I may have learned a valuable lesson. I was chasing a specific finishing time and tried to make some time up on the bike and it probably cost me on the run. I know I would've broke 4:40 if it wasn't for the cramps and I'll figure it out for my next HIM. The good news is I don't really have these cramping issues in IM because I never really push it that hard. But, and that's a big but, there will be some good hills at IMSG so I'll need to be smart and not hammer them.

Now I need to re-evaluate where I am and where I need to be for IMSG and that Kona slot. I have 6 months and I'm way ahead of where I was for my last IM due to injury. I'm close, very close, and if I train smart and execute on race day I have a shot.

Now it's time to take an easy week and then I'll start really going for IMSG.


Great race! I actually liked this run setup much better than the original plan. I think it was great to start and fisnish through the arena and it made it a much more fan friendly race.