Memorial Hermann Ironman Texas - Triathlon

Started a few rows back and towards the middle/right side. Got pummeled and swam over, ankles pulled, kicked, nudged, etc. Pretty much that way until first turn bouy (1m out?). Rest of swim found clearer water and felt good. The water felt nice. Sighted good and was shooting for a 1:10-1:15, but happy w 1:17 due to the rugby match this swim was, lol

Stay towards the right to find clearer water and not gravitate towards bouys unitl later in swim. Or learn to start in front and hammer it for a bit.

Tailwind on way out, felt pretty good, but it was hot and humid. I had 1 aero bottle of efs, 2 bottles efs behind seat & water to chase gels and salt on downtube. 1st 30 miles avg. 22.87, but felt the effort wasn't too much. Kept on drinking, taking gels and powerbars (cut in half). Felt I was drinking and eating enough, but I was sweating like a beast. I live in FL and know what heat & humidity is, but this year has been cooler. Once crosswinds and headwinds came into play, I slowed my pace/effort as to not overdo it. At about mile 70-75 a cramp hit my left hammy. It didn't let up and worked its way to my right leg. Stood up on pedals and stretched them out. Had to do this occasionally thru the rest of the ride. I was still drinking (enough??), eating and salting (enough?). I trained on bike great and felt a 5:30 split should be about right (give or take 10').My training volume has been great and some have been intense sessions. I also train in an area w bigger hills and more elevation gain. When the cramps hit and would not go away w a stretch, I was pis*ed off, because I knew I was in for a long run. I trained and felt a sub 11 hr IM or in the vicinity was in the cards, even w the heat. Got off the bike and leg locked slightly, hobbled into T2 Told girlfriend (gf) my legs were cramped and in pain.

I was diligent all week about staying hydrated, salted, vitamins, electrolytes, etc. Not sure dialing it down even more would have helped, because I really felt II did.

Stretching cramp seized legs for a bit. Subsided for a bit. Off I went. Glad I kept my shoes on, I heard of stories where athletes burned the bottom of their bare feet.

Started running out of T2, made it about 1/4 mile before both legs cramped in quads. Stopped, stretched out and began jogging forward. This was pretty much the whole 26.2 miles, but the cramps hit the quads, hammies and calves. A few of them stopped me and I could just walk a little to calm them, some of them stopped me in my tracks and just about fell over. One of them stopped me for about 5 minutes and the pain was something beyond a cramp. I had to ride it out, which crushed me. My gf was on course running around to support and cheer me. She quickly recognized I had goose bumps and was kinda worried (she's a nurse). Told her it's going to be a long day and I should be okay. Running is my strong sport and my training and racing over the years show that. Today was something I have never been through and quite frankly I wasn't happy, but the pain I went through to finish the run was mentally satisfying. Even my gf who is an elite runner and a multi IM finisher mentioned she has never seen so many conditioned athletes walking so early, being carted off by EMS and plenty of pros getting wheel chaired out. She was on guard all day to play "nurse". I planned on running slow (8:30-9:10 pace) w my HR in check, but couldn't do it. I was humbled and quite disappointed. Side note, loved the fans, support, volunteers. The music on the course made me perk up some. The environment was crazy fun and would be one of the reasons which would bring me back, yes crazy thinking!!

I'm not sure, perhaps drink double what I did on bike, double the salt? I'm a huge sweater, but maybe racing in the heat isn't for me. I love the heat, racing in it, maybe not so much. I have to pick and choose what races I can do due to work, kids, etc, so may not have a choice but to overcome heat related issues. Although this was abnormally brutal.

Met up with gf, stretched out legs a touch, ate a couple burritos and called my kids who said they watched me cross the finish line on the Live Feed. All good.


I don't like to make excuses, but the BRUTAL, BRUTAL HEAT put me in place. It took me a fairly good nights rest to reflect what I accomplished. Although, I missed my goal time of 2 hrs, I was quite proud to finish and commit to not giving up. Off to NOLA I went for two days of food and fun.


If this race was a month earlier or later in the year, this thing would sell out in minutes.