LongHorn Triathlon Festival - Half Iron - Triathlon1/2 Ironman

I think the swim may have been a little long. As good as I felt in the water, I was thinking I would have gotten out of the water in 40-42ish. I was actually disappointed when I looked at my watch and saw almost 49 minutes. I felt GREAT in the water. This bi-lateral breating thing rocks! I would sum up my swim with two words...Comfortable and Consistant. I figured that I did not want to push myself on the swim. The extra few minutes I might get out of it would come back and hurt me later in the day.

It was a little tough treading waiting for the swim start. The sea grass freaks me out. When I started to swim, some of it decided to come along for the ride and for the first 100 yards or so, I was trying to get it off of me.

Nothing. Even if the swim distance was right, I would not have changed anything. I felt great in the water and not pushing myself was a smart idea.

Uphill run on the grass to transition. Took a second to catch my breath and make sure that I had everything. Helmet - check, gloves - check, lava salts - check, gu flask - check. Socks and shoes on, and off I go!

Nothing! I may have taken an extra 30 seconds or so, but I wanted to make sure that I had everything I needed.

Wow, awesome ride. Once I was out of the park, I just settled into a comfortable position and cadence and rode. I really was in a zone. Not fast, but not slow, just comfortable like the swim. About 12 miles in, I looked up and realized that that in front of me, the clouds looked really threatening. I just kept saying...no rain, no rain, no rain! And, there was no rain. I kept to my plan. Every 15 minutes alternate between Infinit and then Gu and water. Lava salt every 30 minutes. At the first 2 aid stations, I refilled my aero bottle.

The ride itself was good, but I knew right away that Keith's estimate of 1400 feet of climbing was way off. It was many stretches of fast and flat or stretches of rollers and big climbs. Garmin had me at 2900 feet of climbing and I really believe that!

Hung with the same people most of the ride. We traded turns. I would pass on the hills and then get passed back on the flats. I felt great most of the time. My quads starting hurting at about mile 40 but you just keep pedaling.

It was nice that they had the course marked every 10 miles but, I can say that the stretch between miles 30 and 40 seem to go on forever.

There's a little mental game I play on the bike and run. At certain points, I equate how many miles I have left to something familiar. When I hit the 50 mile mark, and I though that all I have to do is ride from Radio Shack to SW Blvd and back. A ride I have done many times. All I have to do is that, and I am off the bike!

Push a little harder but...comparing my time from this ride to the Fla. 70.3 I was 6 minutes slower but...add the extra mile and about 2700 feet more of climbung...I'll take it!

Good T2! I kept my shoes on until I got to my transition area to keep my socks clean. Took a little extra time. Traded out my empty gel flask for a full one. Put my Lava Salts in the pouch on my race belt. Shoes and hat on and off I go!

Nothing. I'm happy with this transition

Wow, we were all so worried about the hills on the bike, nobody really took the time to think about how hilly the run was. 1900 feet of climbing in 6 miles. Oh, and we got to do it twice! The run started out great for me. I was averaging 11-12 minute miles for the first 4 miles. The run started with an out and back through the park, climbing and descending Mt. Austin a few times. Then on a grass trail which was really hard to run on. The grass trail included an uphill from hell. Everyone was wallking that hill! I came through the first loop and for the first time since the swim start saw Steve. He did great on the aquabike and it was so great to give him a hug. At that time, I did not even notice his swollen lip (You'll have to wait for his race report to see why he had a swollen lip). The best part of the run was all the BT'ers I saw along the course, or at the finish area. When you are at a low point, hearing people cheering for you can do more than all the Gu shots in the world. Slowed down quite a bit on the second loop but, like I did on the bike, I put the run into context of my familiar run loop. At 6 miles to go, it's just from the house to Davis and back. At 4 miles, to the hocky rink and back. Step by step, I kept moving and soon, the finish chute was there. As I came into the chute, I heard the BT gang cheering for me. First Shaun and Lynn and then the whole North Texas crew. Next thing I know, I'm racing down the chute, slapping hands with everyone and crossing the line! It was one of the best days of my life!

If the run was a little less hilly and we did not have the grass sections, I know I could have averaged at least a mile a minute faster. I gave it everything I had so I guess there is nothing I would do differently.

Cold towel around the neck and just keep moving so I did not tighen up. Walked around congratulating all the BT peeps on a great race. We all finished!! Waited for Sue to cross and then Aaron got his award for coming in first in the Aquabike! I was hungry but the idea of a burrito, even from Freebird's, did not appeal to me. Hung around for awhile, said goodbye to everyone (except Sue and Shaun, I looked all over for you but could not find you), packed up the car, changed into some dry clothes and headed home.


Just need to keep the training going. I could not be happier with my performance. I did miss my goal time by 7 minutes, but that's OK. The run was a lot hillier than I thought, and I can honestly say I gave it all I could. I stuck to my nutrition plan, felt adequatly hydrated and never doubted my ability to finish with a smile!


All I can say is Keith, you put on one hell of a show! Organized, well supported, all the aie stations were well stocked and had ice even at 7 hours. The cold sponges were awesome. The bike course was GREAT. Jard but not impossible. The run, well I could have lived without the hills but I guess what does not kill you makes you stronger! I will be back next year!