Ironhead Dallas Triathlon - TriathlonOlympic

Started at the very back and outside of my wave. It worked well to keep me out of the turmoil of the middle of the pack. Unfortunately the first buoy was still a bottleneck. The back stretch was great I stayed to the outside and pretty much swam free from collision. The last turn was a welcome knowing the swam was almost history. I got behind a guy that was swimming like a drunk drives. I couldn't go around, every time I tried he would course correct 20 degrees and smack me. Fortunately I got around him and finished without a black eye or broken ribs.

Next race I think I will not start so far back in the wave and I will definitely not swim so far out on the side. I really swam a lot further than necessary. My HR reading seemed high, but I didn't feel like the effort I had to put out for the swim was to much. I think I need to do a bit more drills during training.

Took my time, I didn't want to forget anything. So I took off and forgot all my gels!! The good news was that the first thing I did arriving at my rack was take a hammer gel before putting on my helmet.

Tape my gels to my top tube and pack into shirt on the ride.

Got a stitch in my side about 5 mins into the ride. I tried to ignore it hoping it would go away, it didn't. I slowed my pace down to try to get my heart rate down and slow my breathing. It finally worked! Once my HR got below about 140 the stitch went away. The rest of the ride went good. My pace was a little slow because of the side cramp, but overall not far from my goal of 20mph. Got passed more than I passed. Got passed by a yellow bike who almost took me out as he/she zoomed back in front of me missing my front tire by about 2 inches, I said "be careful". I thought to my self "why do that, that person is going to cause an accident" Well about 10 minutes later I rode up on 2 bikers down on the side of the road. One of them was the yellow biker.

BE CAREFUL OUT THERE!!!!

Maybe start with a little higher cadence with a slower pace to get my HR and breathing stable before pressing hard. Hydration was good, but could have used a gel or two out there!! I will tape my gels to the top tube next time.

Once I got off my bike I found myself walking to the rack, once I noticed I was waling I started to trot. I wasted a few seconds walking. Once at my rack I took my time. I ride my bike without socks, so It took me a second to put on my running socks and then I slipped on my shoes Yanks laces are great, no tying . Grabbed my hat and I was off

Get off my bike and jog to the rack instead of walk.

Ran to each aid station and walked the station. I alternated water with Gatorade, until I got to the station that was out of Gatorade. The dam was hot. I got overly concerned with the heat and my HR so my concentration was gone. Didn't run hard at all. Had plenty of go at the end, ran the last half mile at a good clip, hence the 177 Max HR

Trust my fitness and not be afraid to run my race. I could have pushed harder the entire run and been OK, but I let the conditions sike me out. I was worried about getting overheated and played it a little to safe.

My wife met me with a R2 recovery drink and a cold bottle water. Just walked around a bit, got my bike and headed to the truck.


Swim: Swam a little conservative in regards to swim path. I think I will swim a tighter pattern at the next race.

Bike: Don't forget my gels, and start easier and get into my rhythm before going hard.

Run: Run my race, cognizant of the conditions, but trust my training and don't be afraid to push it, especially the last half of the run.


This was my second TRI, my first was the Metroplex Sprint last month. So I am learning a lot. I am a little disappointed with my run, I was off my normal 10K pace by almost 2 minutes. Keeping the big picture in mind all my paces, even the run, are in line with what my plan is for the IM Florida in Nov. I had fun, isn't that what its about??