LongHorn Triathlon Festival - Half Iron - Triathlon1/2 Ironman

I started off on the left side in the second row. I wanted to be on the left side because in yesterdays and my warm-up swim I had a tendancy to drift to the right. I started off just fine and was not getting bumped at all. Then instead of drifting to the right, I must have taken a hard turn right because next thing I knew I was right in the middle of the washing machine. I got my self straightened out and just kept going. There was more bumping than what I had ever experienced before but I just kept moving forward knowing that I would eventually get a clear path. I eventually worked myself to the right side of the pack and this worked great because I breathe to my left. I could just use the other caps to site off of. I should have started on the right side. I will know better next time. Just before the first right turn, the first pink cap from the wave behind caught me. I was wondering if it was Ashley. I did find out later it was Ashley's sister because of the number on her arm. I knew the pink caps would catch me and this worked out great for sighting. I figured if I kept them 10 to 20 yards to my left I must be going straight. I really felt like I got into a good rhythm along the far stretch. I kept the pink caps in close proximity and just stayed with the beat of my tempo trainer. Occasionally, I would site and I would be right on line with the next bouy. As I rounded the last bouy, I just knew I was going to be around 40 minutes for my swim time. I was feeling so good that I actually thought about IMAZ and how the 2.4 mile swim would be no problem. As I got close to the shore, I saw the weeds and actually stood up too soon. I had to take about 5 more strokes before touching bottom. I got out of the water no problem and I ran up the hill to transition. Lori was right there cheering me during the run-up. It was not until I got on my bike that I looked at my watch. It said 51 minutes. I was stunned that my swim took me that long. I felt so good but was painfully slow. I let that bother me for about 30 secs before I told myself it was time to concentrate on the bike and maybe you can make up some of that time.

Lasso Ashley's sister and have her tow me around the course.

11/87, I forgot to take my cap off, while running up to transition, and it took me a couple trys before it came off so I could put my helmet on. I got all the grass and dirt off my feet and my socks and shoes went on no problem. I ran through transition to the bike mount. Usually, I do the flying leap. This time I decided to save the extra 5-10 secs so I stopped mounted and took off.

Take off my swim cap and goggles while runnning.

I drove the course and road a short section on Friday. After driving the course, I was not worried about the hills that several people referenced. I knew it would be a fast course. Going in I wanted to average 19.5 mph and after driving the couse I thought 20 mph was doable. I got into a good rhythem pretty quick. As usual, my HR was way higher than what I wanted but I knew it would slowly come down. Unfortunately, my HR monitor went haywire for the first 40 miles. Sometimes it would read 147 and a minute later it would read 53. Anytime I sat up to eat I would fiddle with it, but it did not come around until mile 40. So for the first 40 miles I just went on what felt good. I was glad that my swim wave was one of the last ones so I would have plenty of people to pass on the bike. I just kept hopping from one biker to the next, getting a little draft as I moved up, then going by them. Early on, I passed SportySue and had a short conversation with her. At the first aid station, they placed it right at a curve. I had all my hydration with me so I did not need the aid stations for the bike. The guy ahead of me reached out for a bottle of water. I go to pass him on the left while saying "On your left". He starts to vear to the left. Again I say "ON YOUR LEFT"! He ended up straightening out leaving my about 1/2 inch before I was in the gravel off the road. He did say "Sorry" as I went by. About 1:30 into the bike I come up on Color-coordinated Karen. Who could miss the light purple top that matches her bike so well. So I come up to her and say, "That has got to be the cutest tritop out here". Then she starts busting my balls because it took me so long to catch her. That's what I get for passing out a compliment. The rest of the way I did not see anyone else. It was nice to have the mile markers at every 10 miles. From my watch, I could tell that I was staying near 20mph. When I drove the course, I missed at least 4 turns. I was a little worried about missing a turn during the race. But that was not an issue as there were at least 4 volunteers at every turn. There was never a doubt as to what direction you had to go. There was even a short steep hill that a couple volunteers were at the top of just to motivate people to get up the hill. Later on, the song "Paradise by the dashboard lights" got in my head. I remembered Ahmed, from Playtri, saying that thinking about extra things will only cause you HR to go up. So I tried to get the song out of my head. I started thinking about bringing my knees up for a smooth pedal stroke, "I gotta know right now. Do you love me. Will you love me forever. Do you need me. Will you never leave me....", OK, bring your knees up just think about bringing your knees up, "Let me sleep on it. Baby, Baby, let me sleep on it. I'll give you an answer in the moooooorniiiing...", Finally, my HR monitor started working around mile 40 and I was glad to see that my HR was right were I wanted it to be. As I get near the end of the course, I knew I still had the two hills to go up. I was not worried about the hills but I was not prepared for what I was about to see. Going up the last hill, you could see the runners going up the same hill inside the park. Now these people are over 5 miles ahead of me and I am assuming are pretty fast. Over 3/4 were walking up the hill! Two words came to mind Holy Shit! I told myself that I would not walk up that hill, I must run the whole way up it. As I come to the dismount line, I came to a complete stop before dismounting and unclipped. Usually I take my feet out of the shoes and run off, but again I just wanted to be safe rather than save 5-10 secs.

Nothing, this was a great bike ride for me. I drank and ate just like I wanted and went faster than the 19.5 mph goal I had.

2/87, Does this deserve a "Who's your Shock Daddy". Bike shoes off, running shoes on, helmet off, visor on, picked up feul belt and ran out of transition.

Nothing, Nada, Zero, Zilch

Coming off the bike I felt so good. I saw Lori as I exited transition and she yelled out, "You look so good". I could tell from the look on her face that she was not just saying that. My legs got right into the run. Usually, it takes about a mile to get my running legs. I had my running legs from the start. I knew about the big hill at the end of the loop, but I was not prepared for all the other hills. I saw so many people during the run. John, Clint, Gaarryy, Karen, Sue, Reagen, Kelley, Jill, Doug, Mike, David B, David G. It is always a little pick-me-up when ever you see someone you know. The funniest meeting was when I saw David B on our second loops. I was going out to the expo center and he was coming back. I am sure he heard "Craig" come out of his mouth. But, all I heard was this caveman like grunt. Thanks for the chunkle David. Along the course, I saw Chris and Johnny cheering me on. Even though I was not expecting the run to be so hilly, I was really feeling good the entire first lap. Going up the big hill I got right behind a girl that was running at the same pace as me and I let her just pull me right up the hill. I did the polite thing and thanked her at the top of the hill. Because I felt so good on the first lap, I think it caused me not to drink as much as I should have. I just had my original game plan, in mind, and did not compensate for the heat. As I finish my first lap, I see Lori again and she holds out her cell phone for me to say hello to our little sister Alyson as I run by. I look at my watch and I realized that 5:30 is not doable, but if I can maintain my pace I will be very happy. When I hit the hills going out to the Expo Center, it all comes crashing down. I started to feel a little chill and I knew that was not good. I knew I needed to start walking the aid stations and take in more fluids. I had never walked the run before, but right then and there, I did not care. So every aid station it was three cups of water. Drink half the cup, pour half on my head. During the second lap, I caught up with John and walked with him while I finished my water. Then later on I caught up with Reagen and we ran together for a while. As I came by transition heading out on the trail, Lori saw me walking and drinking. Her face told me that I was not looking so good. She really helped me by telling me to just do the best I can and enjoy it. So it was off to the trail to tackle the monster hill one more time. By definition I ran all the way up it, but I was straddling the line between running and walking. As I got to the finish line, I do not think I was able to muster a smile. But, I was glad to be done. I can not believe that I ranked highest, overall and AG, in the run. I think it is a good indicator of just how tough the run was.

I would have gone slower on the first lap and made sure I was better hydrated

Lori was there, for a big hug, as I exited the finisher area. Then I found a tent to sit down and they had misters in there. I saw someone with a Pepsi and I said, "That sure looks good". Zoom, Lori was off and got me a Pepsi. After sitting for 10 minutes, I just was not feeling any better. I told Lori that I really felt like I needed to lay down and put my feet up. Zip, Lori was off to the medical tent and secured me a cot to lay down on. The medical staff put two big bags of ice on either side of my groin, under each armpit, and under my neck. They took my BP and asked if 96/62 was low for me. I said yes while think isn't that low for anyone not named Lance Armstrong. They said they could give me an IV but they had more critical people right now. I told them that I totally understand and if they need to kick me out that is fine. The medical people laughed and said they would not be kicking me out. After about 10 minutes, I felt much better and gave up my cot for the next victim. Lori was so great to stay with me and make sure I got was ever I needed. I walked around for a while talking with other BTers and then went to clean up my transition area. I was greeted by a colony of fire ants that had taken over my duffle bag. I ended up with about 10 bites between both hands. After cleaning up my transition, I went back to cheer the rest of the DFW crowd to the finish. By this time, I even felt good enough to eat a burrito.


#1) Carrying a piano on my back while swimming.
#2) Not being smart enough to change my run plan for the conditions


I deem this race a huge success because all the of the DFW crew finished and for many of us it was our first HIM. I was initially disappointed with my performance. But after feeling normal and seeing that I was in the top 25% overall and top 33% of my AG, I am totally pleased.