Swim
Comments: I felt I did really good the first loop. I was on target and didn't go too hard. There was a fair amount of impact, but nothing major and I have gotten good and deflecting blows. For example when I realized someone was next to me I might cross over there feet, but use my arm to limit there kicking first. I managed to take care of business just before the end of the first loop, my first time doing this in a race. The second loop was not as kind. First, I had seemed fine on the first loop but noticed my heart rate felt really high at the start of the second loop, I reduced my speed a bit and that seemed to help. I started off too far right and despite adjustments continued to do so. Before I got across the lake to the first buoy I noticeda Kayak tailing me on my right. I thought I adjusted left but then ran into said Kyak who's kyaker said "I'll get you to go left one way or the other". I adjusted and got around the buoy but continued to have problems. Near the top of the L I sighted the last buoy but something seemed off. I did a wider sight and realized I was on target for the buoy on the wrong side of the lake, and had to adjust to go halfway back across to round the correct buoy. I noticed that I was being passed by some of the women from a few waves after me, and I was passing people from a few waves ahead. One guy from 3 waves prior to mine was breast stroking and I had to avoid him. I sprinted the last 100 Meters or so, but again I went too far left and got out without the help of a volunteer. What would you do differently?: More sighting. I wanted to go faster, but was afraid of hurting my bike and run times. Transition 1
Comments: This was a really long run from the swim to T1. It was about 1/4th mile. I intentionally walked a lot of it as I planned to let my heart rate drop before I hit the bike. I had a little trouble getting my feet on top of the shoes, but it worked out ok. What would you do differently?: Bring my sun glasses for the bike. I had forgotten them. Bike
Comments: I was passed a lot on the bike and only passed a select few. Being big enough to be a clyde I was able to pass a lot when I had a tail wind, and was passed by more when I had a head or cross wind. Sadly, there was a lot more head/cross wind than tail. I was able to get some pretty good speed (24) at times, but was in the 15s at others. About half way through I started feeling some saddle discomfort. I'm going to need to use more body glide, get a different product, or different shorts. On the second loop I rubbed against the curb with my pedals for a second. Other than that the only noticable issue was I wandered too far from the right a few times. What would you do differently?: Time in the saddle. Transition 2
Comments: I had some trouble moving my garmin from the bike to the watch, but getting my feet out of the shoes went fairly well. Jumping off the bike was a little slow, but I did it. Swapped the halo, helmet,shoes etc was fairly easy. I was pretty wiped out by this time so I tried to take it fairly easy still. What would you do differently?: Hustle a bit more. But only if I had the fitness to do so. Run
Comments: I knew my fitness wasn't up to running a 10k at the end of an Oly, I had hoped to run to the first water stop and then walk 1/4th mile from there and then run again... but alas it wasn't to be. I ran the first half mile, then started walking. I walked/ran the rest of the course running no more than half a mile at a time, but probably never walking more than half a mile at a time either. I suspect I walked approximately half to 3/4ths of the course. I had also hoped it would be a bit cooler this time. I was too hot, but that wasn't really my major limiter. What would you do differently?: Work harder in training. Post race
Warm down: Found a place to sit, found my wife, then went and got in the ice bath, my first. There was very little food left, ate one of 2 slices of cheese pizza then gave up. I got a coke and got my stuff ready from transition.... then went home and ate chineese and started typing this report. What limited your ability to perform faster: My fitness. I need to HTFU and do a lot more training. Event comments: This race was the 3rd I have done this year (or ever) by OnUrMark. They always put on good races. The race changed venue's just over a month ago and that may have had some impact on the race. This isn't to ding the race at all, but in comparison to Bridgeland I fent there were a few things missing. I know it is September but it was still really hot, I could have used the ice sponges and the ice cold towel. It seemed like the SWAG was lesser than for Bridgeland and I only mention it as I thought Houston was suppose to be the cumulation race for the season. Still, I plan to do this race next year as well and will recommend it to anyone. Last updated: 2011-06-06 12:00 AM
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United States
Onurleft Event Management, LLC
90F / 32C
Sunny
Overall Rank = 403/442
Age Group = 40-44
Age Group Rank = 81/87
Put bike in transition the night before and had most of my stuff in the car.
Got up around 4:50 - Later than intended and scrambled around a bit. I ate a NutriGrain bar and a pack of peanutbutter crackers on the drive, wasn't that hungry but didn't want to end up flatering later.
I had put sunblock in my transition bag, and put it on in transition so I didn't forget. I did however forget to put it under my tri-top zipper area, so I got a little burn in the middle of my chest.
After I setup transition I walked down and did a quick swim, then ate a bannana.
Swam about 200 meters twice. Once before the sprint start and once just before the olympic start.