Ironhead Dallas Triathlon - TriathlonOlympic

Start was ok. Stayed relaxed and didn't panic. Before the first buoy someone grabbed my ankle and the strap on my chip came off. So I had to turn around and tread water for a few seconds and wait for it to float up. Rather than try to put it back on my ankle, I shoved it down the front of my pants.

Sighted the close together buoys pretty easily. Some of them, though, were a long way between each other, so I got off course a few times. Hardest part was the swim into shore. Right into the sun. Got off a few more times and ended up about 5 feet to the left of the landing. Volunteers were helpful in warning me not to trip over the concrete edge of the boat landing.

Attach strap more securely.

Swim a little harder. I was relaxed, which is good. But I was slower than my goal time. Maybe it was a little long, I dunno. Kind of a crapshoot with OW swims.

Relaxed T1, probably took too long. 36th in my AG. And I still forgot stuff. Didn't dry my feet off very well, which lead to some nice pruning and a blister later. Also had forgotten to reset my computer.

Then when I tried to clip in and start, I just couldn't get in. That took a while. Frustrating.

Dry my feet off. Do a better job of preparation.

For me, this was a great bike. Surpassed my stretch goal for the race. Got passed a lot more than I passed anyone, which isn't a big shock. Kept a nice high cadence and didn't use too much energy. Saw all the BTers on the course except for Shannon. When I saw an ambulance coming as I finished my 2nd lap, I was getting a little nervous. Then I saw who they were for - two guys were lying in the grass with broken bikes. Looked like one of them may have broken his nose.

Saw Aaron already 2 miles into his run on my way in. Hollered some kind of trash talk to him. Hardly even remember what I said now.

Nutrition: Took a Choc Accel Gel and a salt tablet both at 3 and 20 miles into the ride. On the bike I had a 240 cal bottle of Accelerade (probably drink 3/4 of it), and 20oz of plain water.

Nothing. For me, this was flying.

No issues with the transition. Mighty fast.

Nada. 7th fastest T2 in my AG, like that counts for anything.

Saw Shannon with Seb on my way out. I could tell she didn't feel good. Swimming with ruptured ear drums doesn't bring out the best in most people. I'm just impressed that she even tried it.

As for my run, where to start? It went wrong almost instantly. Legs felt great, but almost as soon as I started to run my stomach cramped up. I could feel liquid sloshing around like crazy. Exact same feeling I had on the run at the No Sweat Aquathon in April and when Seb and I did a brick run after the Collin Classic. Met Tommy and then David going the other way.

Pain got worse the longer I went. Finally had to walk after the 1 mile marker. From then on I just got progressively slower. Tried to run the 2nd mile to the aid station. That didn't work.

Took a step off to the side and tried to hurl. Managed a little bit, but not enough. From then on it was a frustrating process of running as far as I could without doubling over, then walking 30 seconds. Stopped at every aide station. Drank half a cup of water and poured the rest over my head.

Saw Aaron before I started making the slow ascent onto the dam. I was not a happy camper. He, however, was looking strong. The down and back stretch on the dam was miserable. My legs were raring to go, but my stomach just wouldn't let me. Any time I got a good pace going, it would flare up again.

6 miles never seemed so far. All I wanted to do was finish. I knew my time was going to be way slow. I just wanted to get to the end so I could stop running...err...jogging...err...walking.

At long last I hit the 6 mile mark. Mustered up the energy to trot home and not walk. About all I could manage.

Figure out my race nutrition. What I did is not cutting it. No way I should run this slow. Suckage.

Found some water and sat in the shade. I was miserable. Then tried to talk Shannon out of her funk. Her ears wouldn't let her swim. Well, she completed the swim, but only after backstroking a lot when she felt sick. She missed the cutoff by 3 minutes. In retrospect, it's probably a good thing, as her other ear (the good one) started bleeding when we got home. Maybe God was doing her a favor.

Tried to walk around a little. Went over to transition and changed out of my socks and shoes into my flip flops. Pruning sucks. Also grabbed my Endurox, though the last thing I wanted was more liquid calories.


Too relaxed on the swim.

Cramps on the run.


For my first Oly, I guess 2:52 isn't bad. Could have...should have been 5 to 10 minutes faster. My stomach let me down.

Loved the course. Guess I should get used to it. First HIM will be there in 6 weeks or so. Need to figure out what's up with my stomach before then.