Iron Star Triathlon - Triathlon1/2 Ironman

My swimming is terrible. And it's not going to get any better. Was compounded by having trouble sighting due to new goggles. Felt like I wasted a lot of time zig-zagging. No problems though. Just slow.

Wear my old goggles.

A lot of people have commented on the wetsuit strippers being too close to the swim exit. I was surprised as well. It seemed they were right at the water's edge. I have never not had the top portion of the suit untied and the calf zips not unzipped before.
Overall, not too bad a transition. The fresh cut grass was amusing. Wanted to take my time and not panic after swimming so slow. Knew I had a lot of miles to make up for lost time and didn't want to hurry and do something stupid.

Bypass the strippers.

We had ridden the course the week before with the wind coming out of the north. I averaged about 21 then and figured if conditions were right, I could do the same or a little better today. I felt pretty strong the whole ride and stayed in the big ring 99% of the time. But after about 40 miles I was starting to think I had pushed a little too hard. The last half I did with any hills, I pushed way too hard and paid dearly on the run with cramps, etc. I really didn't want to go there again.
All in all, the ride ended up as I had planned. Only one bike passed me and I passed a lot of guys in my age group so I felt good going into T2.
As an added bonus, at the top of the hill at 105 and Lake Walden, my wife and kids and Kelly's wife were just getting to Conroe after packing up our campsites. They actually followed me 1/2 way up the road to Del Lago, filming on their camcorder and yelling and screaming. It was an awesome way to end the bike leg. (Just don't tell USAT)

Not a lot on race day. I would definitely come up here to train a few more times. Living in the bay area, there is really nothing to duplicate rolling hills.

My bike was set up well and didn't give me any problems. Thanks, Sun and Ski Bay Area.

Overall pretty good. I wanted to change my socks from the thin ones I wear with my cycling shoes to my trusted Asics Kayano socks for the run. I know this costed my a minute of so, but it really helped on the run.
As I was leaving, the USAT ref yelled that I did not have my number on. I like to wear it turned around and it was there, but when I looked down I couldn't see it so I started running back to my bike. They then started yelling that I had it on and I turned around and started running again. Must have looked pretty funny from the sidelines

Nothing. Time was a little slow, but I did not want to screw up anything by getting in a hurry.

Right from the start, I felt my quads cramping. When I saw my wife a 3/4 mile, I told her I thought the run was going to be bad. I was hoping someone had some salt or electrolytes as I had eaten my last at mile 35 of the bike. And at the first aid stop, an answered prayer, was a volunteer with a handful of Endurolytes. Awesome!
The run overall was okay after that. I passed a few guys in my age group and tried to keep a decent 8:30 pace. But the bike leg gradually caught up with me and 8:30 gradually got replaced by 8:45, 9:00, 9:15. At that point I figured that I would run as steady as I could and walk the aid stations which I did until the end.
I was planning on running 1:50 or so. All things considered, I am happy with a 2:03. The way my legs felt at the start of the run, I was fearing a lot worse.
The volunteers were awesome. I especially liked the Boy Scouts and their enthusiasm. And to the lady with the Endurolytes at Mile One, God Bless You!

Run a lot more in the hills. We have been training all summer on flat ground and doing a lot of long bricks. This helped a lot at Clear Lake, but it showed up here.

I had considered wearing some light trainers (Asics Magic Racer) At the last minute, decided to go with the Asics Nimbus. Best move of the day.

Met my family and Kelly and Diane at the finish. Drank a coke and some water. Walked around and got in line for a massage. Good choice. Ate a little pizza afterward. Drank a couple more diet Dr. Peppers.


Not enough training in the hills. Wrong choice of goggles.


I really love this race. We did the first one in 2003 and this is my first time back.
Races of this size are great for a number of reasons. Cheaper entry, more local old-school feel, lot of local support and...wait for it...NO DRAFTING! I liked the course, the organizers did a great job and I'll be back next year. Thanks, Greg.

Sorry to hear about Milford's DNF. Considering the number of boxes and, coolers and t-shirts he loaded into the rental truck Thursday night, he certainly deserved better.

And congratulations Mr. Ritter. You are one scary fast young man.