TRI Aggieland Sprint Triathlon - Triathlon

It was a time trial start and I seeded myself as a 9:00 min. swimmer so it took a while to get to me. My training partner is a faster swimmer than I am so I got to watch him go. In observing the swimmers I couldn't help but think that some folks haven't swam in a while and severly over estimated their capabilities for swimming. I know this is the case because I did it last year.

It came my turn to start I passed over the mat and away I went. I got right into the flow and I was moving well. I got passed by the guy right behind me about 200 meters in. I didn't let it bother me, just gotta swim my swim. I passed a few by the first 400 meters. I got passed again and then I hit the turn at 650 meters. Where a woman was holding onto the wall and as I pushed off she determined this was when she would take off as well. No big deal except she was a back stroker and was hugging the line divider. So as I went to pass she hit me, and pushed me down a little and through me out of my rythem. I recovered and thought nothing of it, I'm sure she didn't mean to do it and she was probably feeling bad. I couldn't get over cause someone was passing me so hopefully it was a one time deal. And then whack she hits me again. Now I'm a little more hacked this time and then pow again she hits me on her stroke. So I decide to start kicking to pick up the pace a little and put her behind me. I clear her about the middle of the pool but not before she hits me two more times. I'd be lieing if I said I didn't cut over a little fast in hopes that one of my kicks would find her reaching arm.

Rest of the swim went really well and out the exit I go and head for T1. The timing mat for T1 was right as you entered the transition area so looking at my time I think I predicted my swim time pretty accurately.

Kick away from the back stroker. I was very satisfied with the swim overall considering this was my shot at redemption from the debacle that was last year's swim.

Hit transition dropped the goggles, and cap. slapped on the helmet, sunglasses, and shoes grabbed the bike and ran out to the mount line. They put carpet down this year in the parking lot and that helped a lot.

Yes I have become a bucket guy. Ever since the HITS series when I found out how great a place to sit and change your shoes is. So say what you will, cause I am a bucket convert....lol.

I stopped for just a second to take a breath, my socks rolled on pretty easy. I ran the bike to the mount line and was out and on the road pretty quickly I thought. After look at results though I was much slower than I was hoping for, I was wanting to be about 30 seconds faster.

I do like the bike. It is my strongest discipline. Being a slower swimmer gives me the advantage of having a lot of targets out there to try and chase down. I left my Garmin at home and just rode by what I felt.

The course is great. Pretty flat smooth roads except for a few rough spots, and wide lanes. I passed a lot of people on the course. I was feeling good, just listening to what my legs were telling me, I didn't want to run the risk of overcooking the bike so I tried to stay right below the level where my legs are screaming at me. I took fluids just before every corner, and a gel about halfway through.

I was really happy with my cornering, I was shifting before the corner and came out just right it was good. Something I haven't done the best job of in the past and was focusing on for this race.

The only thing that bothers me is there are still some "Sunday cruisers" who just ride all over the place oblivious to their surroundings. Sometimes even when you call out on your left you have to get into the brakes. Really annoying but I know it comes with the territory, especially in sprint distance races.

Before I knew it I was headed for the dismount line and the bike was over :-(

Nothing, maybe could have pushed a little harder, but I still haven't found the tipping point of overworking on the bike.

Again the bucket makes for a nice transition. Almost had a spill at the dismount line, but managed to stay upright. Good move into transition, shoes on, visor on, race belt on and away I went.

unclip both feet before dismount, almost lead to me eating it.

Took off and the legs felt pretty good coming off the bike. I was worried because I didn't have my Garmin and was afraid I would blow up over the first half of the run without any real time feedback on my pace or heart rate.

I was paying very close attention to what my body was telling me. Listening to my breathing pattern, how did my legs feel, etc. I think I was pretty quick over the 1st mile. Bypassed the aid station at mile 1 and wish that I hadn't as I was pretty parched by the end of mile 2. I settled into a little slower cruise over mile 2 which featured two climbs. I got passed by a few and tried to hang onto every one of them that passed me, but eventually they all got away. Good news is in doing so I was passing more than I was getting passed.

Over the last half of mile 2 there is a pretty rough little hill to run up. I remember it well from the race last year. It just seemed to go on forever. But what a difference experience can make. I was ready for it this time and it didn't seem nearly as tough. Ran to the aid station at the end of mile 2 and walked just long enough to get some water down which was a smart move as I was getting a little cotton mouthed.

Convinced myself to give it my all over the last mile and to leave everything on the course. I was moving at a pretty good clip and my breathing was starting to become labored as I entered Kyle Field for the second time. Running around the stadium track lifted me up. It really is an awesome spectacle to run inside and by the time I exited I knew it was about a quarter mile to the finish. As I came out of the stadium I saw my training partner who had already finished and he cheered me on to the finish line which gave me a little boost.

Ran under the pedestrian underpass and made the left turn up the hill to the finish. Gave everything I could to sprint up that hill and down the short finish chute. Got water, got medaled, and walked around to meet up with my buddy and cheer on our other two friends.

Nothing really. I felt like I measured and managed my effort pretty well throughout the race. If I felt like I was too comfortable I kicked it up a notch. If I felt a little gassed I backed off a bit. I was really happy with the race as a whole.

Met up with my training partner and we cheered on the rest of the participants and waited for our friends (triathlon virgins) to pass by. I was great to see all the people testing and pushing themselves.

Once we all finished we took a few pictures, loaded up, went back to the hotel for a shower. Treated ourselves to Death Burgers and Tijuana Fries at the Chicken Oil Co. and then left for home.


Not too much I don't think. I came in with a goal of 1:15:00 (realistic), and a 1:10:00 (optimistic) and quite literally split the difference. I also beat my training partner head to head for the first time by 0:00:19. That is going to haunt him for a while. He has always been able to build a big enough lead on me in the swim and then hold me off over the bike and run sections, but my swim has improved so the gap has narrowed.


I love this race, but then again I am biased. They listened to a lot of suggestions we had last year concerning the transition area and did a lot to address it. Redemption race promotions always has put on a good race and this was no exception.