Memorial Hermann Bridgeland Triathlon - TriathlonSprint

Overall, the swim went pretty well. A couple times I found myself significantly off course, but since I sight rather frequently (about 14 strokes - counting both arms), I don't think I added too much distance.

I did start to get hot at about 300-400m or so. The water was warm, the sun was coming up, and the swim cap keeps the heat in.

I tried drafting once or twice, but it was a failure. The visibility in that lake is about 0.00001mm, at best, so that made it harder. The water was warm, so I started getting hot after about 300m, with the swim cap on.

Not much

The ground was a bit muddy from rain the night before, so I had to take a few seconds to wipe off my feet. Overall, though I didn't make any major mistakes.

This race had a longer run in transition to my bike, which increased my overall time. GPS data shows that I was at my spot for 1:18.

I was happy with the bike. Per my coaches instruction, I was to not go too fast the first couple of miles. After that I was usually over 19 mph for most of the ride.

It took a little to get on get going. Sometimes my mind would wander a bit and I would slow down slightly, so perhaps I need to focus more.

Per my GPS, I only spent 39 seconds at my station, the rest of the time, I was running.

Chesty Puller said that "Pain is weakness leaving the body." Well, a lot of weakness left today. My run time was 2:24 slower than my PR, but it hurt the entire time. The weather was brutal. My wave was one of the last, so starting a half hour later in Houston in August is the difference of 3-4 degrees. According to the weather report it was about 84 for the run, but it "felt like" 95F, and yes it sure did.

I found heart rate training to be helpful here. I know my LT was 184, and if I could stick to that, then I knew I was actually putting in a good effort and I didn't have to question whether I was "wussing out" over the heat.

Carry my own freezer pack? I wonder if I could keep some freezer packs in a small cooler, and then grab them on the run.

Twice on the run, there was someone with a hose which was helpful, and at the Mile 2 station, they handed out iced sponges. Both of these were welcome reliefs, but I could have used more.

Immediately sat on the ground for a couple minutes. They had ice baths at the finish line, which I sat in for a good while.


The heat!!!!


While this race is a challenge due to the August heat, it is well organized and popular. It is a bit more expensive than most sprints, but it does come with free race photos, which usually costs $40 more.