Ironman Texas - Triathlon

First few hundred yards were bumpy, but I found some clean water and went on at an easy pace. I did not swim hard enough intervals in training to know what my HR would do if I went hard so I laid back easy. I did not take the straightest line due to my lack of confidence in the swim so I stayed off the bouy line. When we came to the turn it got bumpy again, but thined out. The the canal came and I am glad it was shallow. When I was getting sandwiched and hammered I would just lay back then push off the bottom. I swam what I thought I would, just not what I wish I could

train harder! Kona slots do not come by people who swim 1:16's

I was trying to put on my helmet while running into the tent and I dropped my bag. I stopped to make sure I did not leave anything.

not drop my bag

I had fun on the bike. I knew the north portion inside and out since I trained on it all of last fall for Ironstar, then every weekend starting in December for this race. All I wanted to do was get off the bike in 6 hours on the concervative since this was my first IM. The first part my HR was high 140's, but it went down to high 130's after 30 miles or so. I was going much faster than I expected so I was a bit confuesd on my HR. I could not believe all the people I was passing even though I did not feel like I was pushing. On the way to richards there was 3-4 of us going back and fourth. I do not think we were bike racing, but rather riding our own races. My HR was the only thing I was constantly watching so when I hit 56 miles and I was around 2:30 I knew I was in no mans land. My last HIM bike split was 2:47 and it was on most of this course. After the crowd started thinning I got bored with the ride. It started to feel too much like training by myself. I ended up seeing someone in the distance then going after them. Not the smartest plan, but as long as my HR was below 150 I did not care.
I had a few aid station mishaps that scared me a bit. some aid stations only had perform at one side so I would grab a water at the front and get to the back and no perform was offered. I actually stopped at one station to have one brought to me. I was in too good of a mood to let it affect me.

carry more gels with me so if I missed a perform I could use the gel for fuel. Also I wish I would have drive the south portion of the course. The last 6 miles felt like they lasted for ever. I was not sick of the bike, but I had no idea where we were going.

I was excited to be taking my helmet off and placing my visor on my head. I was calm and starting with my bodyglide on my feet and after I placed one shoe on I realized I did not change shorts yet. This is were the GREAT volunteer came in. He placed towels on the ground so my feet would not get wet while I changed shorts and put my socks on. I can not say enough how great the volunteers where at this event. (on a side note I will be back to volunteer just so I can give back to the event that made such a difference in my life)

rehearse my T2. I have never changed shorts so I was off a bit.

I have never had ice and sponges at an aid station. With that being said, I think I put enough ice down my shirt and shorts to fill a huge ice chest. I came off the bike feeling great. One thing I learned during training was I knew I could come off the bike a feel good. In training I knew coming off the bike I would be running a bit fast so I tried to slow down as much as possible before my body slowed me down. I wanted to be below a 9 minute pace during the run, but I could not hold on after the first lap. After all I read I thought miles 13-18 would be the worst. Well that is exactly where I hurt the worst. I saw a good friend on mile 6 or so that pulled out of IMTX because of a hurt foot. He just did IMCOZ and ran with me yelling that I would be an Ironman at the end of the day. I also saw Triritter and Smilford hanging out and that brought a smile to me. Those are 2 guys I want to be as fast as so it made me feel good at that point to have them yelling at me. I think I had a preconcieved notion about this and I could have been mentaly weak during these miles. Just before the second loop I saw my wife. I knew she could read me and I almost started crying when I saw her. I hurt bad and I know she does not like seeing me in pain. My mind wanted to get through this run and I was damn sure my body was going to follow. The end of the second lap brought about some fresh feelings. I knew the run course by now so I knew when my ice would be melted, sponges warmed and the order of the aid stations. I am not sure if the volunteers could see my pain, but each lap they seemed more considerate for me. The first lap they showed, second they offered and third they just did it. I stopped and ate a cooking and drank a coke while at an aid station just so I could tell them how much I appreciated them. I could not believe how many people where walking. I know people walk, but

read things that say that the run will be easy

walked to get gear bag and then straight to food tent. Rookie IM mistake was not have a pre determined meeting spot


I am not sure if it was my low swim/bike miles, heat or both. I had plenty of run miles, but I went 5:12 off a max of 160ish miles. My swim volumn was a little low, but I did not swim hard so maybe that offset that. My bike was consistant, but without looking I may have more 3 day bike weeks than 4. I have room to improve and I will get to Kona one day.


I was surprised at the lack off food options and no recovery drink. I sure did not want anymore perform, cola, or water, Honey milk, muscle milk or chocolate milk would have been great!

of course nothing compares to watching Mike riley call out an Ironman!!!!!