Lone Star Triathlon Festival - Half Iron - Triathlon1/2 Ironman

So the swim - what can I say....hmmmm...most people know it's my least favorite event but I have been working hard on it. I didn't get a chance to swim the day before because of the bad weather. So
- this was my first open water swim this year....
- first salt water triathlon (I've avoided these - ocean swims)
- first time using wetsuit (only practiced once in the pool a few days before).

Okay - so I know better - but sometimes circumstances arise and - 2XU sent me the full suit a few days before - I should have swam in my sleevelss - the full was a little small and I was not comfortable. Had a small.. okay a LARGE panic attack in the water...and really had to talk to myself for the first 10 minutes of the swim - tried to think about my stroke and less on the fact that the wetsuit was suffocating me. I was breathing every stroke and only on the right side so sighting was somewhat limited. Never felt like I could get in a good rythym - think that was just lack of open water swims this year.
I was so happy to get out of the water :) The swim seemed to last forever...it was definately not on the short side.

by the way salt water stings your throat when you swallow it :)

More open water swim time - hard to do this time of year...

More time in wetsuit.....I know better I just did it anyways.

Well I always look forward to the bike...but as soon as you hit Seawall road you were hit with 13 miles of a very nice headwind. I would say between 15 and 20mph at times....my average speed on the stretch was about 14mph and I was passing people. Once you got to the turnaround it was amazing...I was averaging around 24mph sometimes hitting 26. The way back was so quick...the second loop was about the same as the first the wind may have calmed slightly but by then you were pretty tire of fighting it. I found myself not going as fast as I could just because I was fighting the wind....I'd catch myself and try and speed up.

I really paid attention to my nutrtition. Used aero bottle filled with water and two small water bottles filled with gatorade and one scoop of carbo pro. Drank all of water and refilled once - drank some of that - drank one of bottles w/gatorade and 1/2 of the other. Ate 6 shot bloks...and 1/2 peanut sandwich. Worked out well...felt like I was really keeping on top of my nutrtion. Took 2 endurolyte pills during the ride.

I had only done 15 miles previously on this new road bike so this was definately a test. It did great - and I loved it...all the compenents and seat and peddels were all the same so it was just the frame...very nice - performed very well. Although I wish I had had my tri bike to really see what it would do on the flat surface.

Three of us who all had bikes racked right by each other - came in at the same time so it was kind of hectic getting our bikes on...took my time.

My legs felt fine transitioning from bike to run.

Drank at most of the rest stops - kept cool by putting water over me....just kept an even pace wasn't racing or trying to go fast just trying to go steady and make it through feeling pretty good. Walked through some rest stops - but did not walk any other time. Did a couple shot bloks and a gel and a couple pieces of banana. Overall I was happy with my run time...it is getting better. I didn't have any pain from past leg problems...knees felt good...they were tired but no pain. Didn't have to take any pain meds during the event.

Need to keep increasing my miledge slowly....and the speed will come back slowly.

I felt really good after the race....no medical tent...could really tell that my nutrition was much better at this race. This was a really early season half for me so I was pleased with my overall results...there are lots of things that I need to work on and keep training...but I think it was a good warmup. I might pick a smaller race as my first before a half...mentally it's a little hard when your first race of the season is a half...but I like a good challenge.


This was a very good race. The weather was iffy for awhile...but race organizers can not help that. It was extremely well supported....lots of volunteers and very helpful. Nice expo - lots of great and easy parking. The bike course was good - safe. Run was good....a little crazy..maybe they can work on that a little. Great event for spectators. Excellent event.