Memorial Hermann Ironman Texas - TriathlonFull Ironman

I hit the water at exactly 7 AM, which is good because that meant I had the full 17 hours maximum time to finish the race. Passing yellow buoy after yellow buoy felt endless, and I was constantly hoping for the red turn buoy to finally show up. I was punched and kicked in the head, and I swallowed water many times. At last, I swam up to the first red turn buoy, then to another, and then to a serious of orange buoys. I knew I just need to keep heading for the bridge, not miss the canal entry. I noticed from afar that everybody was turning right to where the canal must be. Waves were coming from everywhere, but I just kept heading towards the end of the canal, which I thought would never end. At last, I saw the end and an arm reached out for me. I clocked in at 8:53 AM, which was way ahead of my expected 9 AM finish.


Practice more and more time in the pool

I headed towards transition and grabbed my bike bag, which had been tied with a red ribbon. Inside the transition tent, it was all mud! I wore my helmet so as not to be penalized, but did not put on bike shoes yet because of all the mud. I had one bonk breaker and one Roctane Gel. Bike transition was a "Tough Mudder" race in itself; I grabbed my bike and carried it out barefoot. I washed my feet at the small kiddie pools set for us. Off I went, as there was no sense staying in transition like the some others and not gain a single mile.


probably brought some disposable hospital booties.

The first 10 miles were good. There was wind, but it was not so bad. The ride from Woodlands Parkway towards 2978 was not bad, except I noticed that my power meter was not working. I didn't mind that too much, as I was going by RPE, and as long as I was in sustained pacing I would be fine. My strategy was sustained speed on flat, spin going uphill, and hammer going downhill. From 2978, it was on to the dreaded 149, where the rolling hills were endless. I passed Mile 60 with plenty of time ahead of cutoff. I could feel the humidity, and it felt hotter than any other training rides I went on. At every aid station I grabbed a bottle, and poured it all into myself. FM 149 wall allrolling hills and hot headwinds and crosswinds. FM 1486 was another ride through endless rolling hills, crosswinds and headwinds. I knew it would get better when I got on Jackson St, but, no, headwinds were still blowing when I got there. After Jackson mile 80 is 1488, where there has always been a tailwind, and I thought I would be home free when I got there. Not that day. Headwinds were still blowing, and I felt as if the winds were just bullies out to get the riders. I noticed a lot of riders were slowing down due to the heat and humidity. Finally, I passed the 100 mile marker, and the last 12 miles were the longest 12 miles I ever rode. I was in transition at 3 PM, way ahead of the 5:30 PM cut off. The sun was high and humidity was at its worst.


PRactice more hill climbing and hydrate more swith from a 28 OZ bottle to 35 Oz Aerobottle. Wear Socks with bodyglide on the bike to prevent bisters

I handed my bike to a volunteer. I was already focused on getting out of transition quickly, and grabbed my run bag. I wolfed down a bonk breaker and another Roctane gel and drank Skratch. Socks on, shoes on, and, most importantly, bib on with my hydration belt.


nothing bring extra socks on the run.

I sensed I was doing good on time. I knew the run was three loops, and I started with a sustained pacing for 6 miles, grabbing one cup to drink and 2-3 to pour on myself to fight the heat and humidity. On the 8th mile, I felt a kind of weakness. I felt I could not continue anymore, and the wall started to get real. I tried run walk 10/1, but still felt weak. I tried 5/1 as well, but still felt like giving up. I felt my feet were all blistered. At the next aid station, I ate everything I could: potato chips, bananas, pretzels, and I started walking. I felt revived while walking, and I figured if I walked fast enough I had plenty of time to spare. My target time to finish was completely gone from my head, and all I wanted now was to finish.
I passed by a guy who was cramping, and I offered him electrolyte tablets. He took two and I moved on. The second 9-mile loop was my slowest 9 miles ever, drinking 1-2 cups at every aid station and pouring 2-3 on myself. My legs were weak and feet ached from blisters I thought I would go numb when I reached the 18th mile. When I finally completed a second loop fast walking, it was growing dark, which was great as it helped to lessen the heat. Glow sticks were being handed around. By this time my feet were heavy and wet from water. I passed by a 65 yo guy crunched over and cramping. I offered him my electrolytre tablets and he popped 4 right away and I offered him all my water. I needed to continue so I left him with some girls in the crowd. I passed by special needs and grabbed my bag to change socks. I was in pain from the blisters.
It was dark, and after the 18th mile, and it gave me just the strength to fast walk one mile after the next. When I reached the 23rd mile I didn't care if I had to crawl across the finish line. The last 3 miles was the longest 3 miles in pain, even as the crowd grew louder and louder. I see a bright light, and one of my best feelings of relief: "Carlo, you're an Ironman!" I was grabbed by a nice guy who gave me water, and placed a medal around my neck, and gave me a shirt. I did not notice my family at the finish line, but I knew it was already too late for my son to be up. So I just grabbed a pizza to make sure I didn't pass out. I went back to transition in pain from my feet and I was so glad the volunteers grabbed our bikes for us. I headed back to the hotel. My son was still awake and I just hugged my family. Best feeling in the whole world.


Hydrate some more. Bring extra socks. USe non-blister socks body blide my feet and foot.

Drank bottle of water and somemore at the hotel.


Dehydration , blisters.


It was physically the hardest day of my life . If you ask me if i would do it again its worth every sweat and every pain.