Tri Tyler Half - Triathlon

Water temp was COLD!!! Race morning the temp was in the 40s. Standing on top of the dam most of us were numb from cold before we entered the water. Surprisingly, the ~66 degree water temperature was a welcome reprieve from the air temp. Even with a wetsuit, this was a cold swim. Added to it, there was a thick layer of fog on the lake that made it difficult to see even the next swim buoy.

Pray for warmer weather. Bring flip flops to walk from T1 to the start...lots of rocks to walk over.

Kind of a long run to T1...did I mention that it was cold...
Had a hard time running straight and putting on shoes and socks because my hands and feet were frozen.
The wetsuit strippers were great!

The hills really got me. The first 1/3 of the course is nice. I felt sick to my stomach during this part (I blame the cold) and had a hard time taking nutrition. Then come the hills...don't let the mapmyride course map fool you...there are LOTS of very steep hills (in addition to the Beast and Water tower hill). It was challenging but fun...speeds ranged from >40mph (going down water tower hill...good luck going slower than that) to 4mph (going up the beast). Unfortunately 2miles from T2...hissssss...yes I flatted 2miles from T2...still don't know what caused it...but a race volunteer showed up out of nowhere to help within 1min and helped me get going again.

Aid stations were well manned...I felt sorry for the lady at the first one, sitting alone with a cooler of bottles, but everyone did a nice job.

Do more hill training and practice eating while doing hills.

My wife kept yelling at me to beat people out of T2...thanks hon!

The run starts flat and then builds into some big hills. I didn't think much of them from the elevation chart, but beware, they are not fun...especially the big one right before the turn around point. I had cramping problems (I blame my poor bike nutrition), but managed to finish. The aid stations were well manned and had lots of options.

Hills!!!


A very nicely run small race. I personally like bigger races better...there were very few spectators along the course (either bike or run). The hills on the bike and run are intense...be ready (and there are a lot more steep short hills than the elevation charts show). Both the bike a run courses had beautiful scenery...nothing like running through the pine woods of east Texas. The swim was frigid and foggy. I know the race typically isn't this early in the year, but I'd consider leaving it at that date...the cold water swim adds an additional challenge that you don't find much in Texas.

The race was very well run and the post race celebration was great...lots of door prizes and good food...

The prize purse really does attract some high profile athletes...I got to high-five Chris McDonald on the run...how cool is that!