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 Swim
Comments: The national anthem was awesome! I've never experienced it before a tri before, and I couldn't stop smiling. I kept thinking of Gina carrying the American flag as she was finishing the run, how she would be crying uncontrollably. And I just got so caught up in the moment that it was time to do another HIM. At that moment, there wasn't another place I would rather have been than right there. Great experience. I'm in the 3rd wave. First couple go and David Gillen sneaks up behind me. Chatted a bit. He told me he "subscribes" to my blog. That's awesome. I'm amazed at how the BT community keeps up with each other like we do. I know I keep up with everybody's nearly every day. Told him he needs to start blogging, although I know he uses other means to track his work. On to the swim. Tahressa hollered at me on the way out. Thanks T. Countdown from 10 and we're off. Little bit of contact both left and right early. But I feel fast in the pack. I enjoyed the contact. It's my security blanket. It lets me know that I'm on the course, which is so assuring since I tend to get off track alot. Same thing I always think of when I'm racing. Stay long. Dig deep. Pretend like you're swimming down hill, in hopes that I can keep my hips on the water since I don't have a freakin' wetsuit on. First buoy comes and goes and I'm in the pack still. Feeling pretty good. Make the turn at the second buoy and I can feel that it's definitely spread out quite a bit. Lost most of my drafting partners at this point. Time to fly solo. Try to stay in the good rhythm I've been feeling and next thing I know I'm way too far to the right. I see the kayaker pointing at me to go left. I figure I'll just swim to her. Start sighting every 6 strokes to make sure I'm online. Make it to her and I can now see the next buoy so I swim to it. I'm thinking here lies my problem. When I'm at a buoy, I can't see the next buoy. And sometimes I can't see any people. Goggles are fogged so bad. So I take off my goggles to see the people, and then start swimming again. Pretty uneventful swimming to the next turn. I'm glad I found a few people at that buoy. Otherwise, I probably never would've turned and swam clear across the lake. Or at least until a kayaker found me to tell me how pathetic of a swimmer I am! Found a guy going slower than me, but must've gotten to this point well before me because I took my detour. So I drafted off him to the finish. Definitely swam slower because of this, but at least I was on the right line. What would you do differently?: How about I say this again for the ten millionth time? I need to learn how to swim. I'm really not believing that more time in the water will make me a faster swimmer like the bike. I will admit I could be wrong here however. I don't get tired really, so maybe I'm not pushing hard enough? It's just that paying somebody to coach me could get really expensive, so I'll just keep trying to figure it out on my own I suppose.  Transition 1
Comments: Pretty good transition. 5th fastest in my AG. Legs felt good coming out of the swim and up the hill. Saw Maurice and gave him a five. Heard somebody yell my name, and realized it was Jonny. Thanks for the encouragement. I really took my time for the most part. I don't wear socks when I bike and the shoes are already on the bike. So it's pretty much throw the goggles and swim cap down, put on the shades and helmet, tuck the gels and endurolytes in, and get a move on. It's now to the point where I don't think during transition. Just do it. What would you do differently?: Nothing, but speed up a little maybe.  Bike
Comments: Finally. My bike has been missing me so much. I think it was pissed off at me for taking so long in the swim! Don't try to mount on the run. Take my time. I'm a walking pile of destruction. No sense in crashing before my favorite segment starts. There's quite a bit of traffic, and for some reason I'm very unstable as I start and I can't seem to avoid the cones seaparting the bike out from bike in. I come within inches of hitting every single one of them! Just what in the hell is wrong with me? I'm not that disoriented or anything. Just clumsy. I do manage to avoid them all and finally get in my shoes. Look at the HR and it's in the 170's. Calm down buddy. You've got to ride for awhile. Smooth spinning until the HR gets to 148, maybe 2 miles out. Now I feel good. Rolling hills on smooth road. This is awesome! I loved the beginning of this course. I loved the entire course! Such a fast course, but challenging enough to be called a bit on the tough side. So I'm plugging along for the first 10 miles hitting the flats around 22 and the small hills in the 17-18 range. Man, I feel great. About 10 miles out and Aaron passes me. I was hoping I could hold him off until maybe halfway out, but my swim sucked and his swim was superb. He yelled to me "No pebbles". A reference to my last HIM which resulted in a pebble getting embedded in my heel. Not very funny dude. :) I'm smoking by alot of disc wheels, taking pride in doing so. But one day I'll have a disc wheel, and I'll regret making these statements. Found a few guys my speed and we took turns with legal drafting. Never said anything to any of them, but it was understood that each of us had that intention. It was these same faces for a long, long time. Hit that crazy downhill about midway through the course. Oh, man. That was awesome! I hit 46 mph. I screamed, "YEEEEHAAAAWWWW!" as I flew down it, expressing my deep Texas roots. What a blast! Cruising along and staying in the low 150's as planned. Feeling great. Around mile 40-45 maybe and I reach for a water bottle since I was out. And then it happened. Something always has to happen. Some girl misses her water bottle. It creeps off to the right. But rather than veer off the road or just keep going, she decides to come to a quick stop right in the middle of the road. You don't do this! This causes accidents! I can attest first hand. I brake pretty hard and swerve to the left, managing to dodge her. But I lose control, somehow manage to unclip, and go head first over the handlebars. I land on the bulk of my hands and my left elbow, rolling over to my back upon impact. Actually a great landing considering the circumstances. Bumped my head just a bit. Yes, helmets work. Head didn't hurt at all. But I was pretty bloody from the elbow down. The water people ask if I'm ok, and I say yes. Get up and I see blood on the bike, and also the chains off. Please let the bike be ok. Please. Put the chain back on, start pedaling and everything is cool. Was the water worth it? I think so. Looking back, I actually enjoyed crashing. Yes, I oddly enjoyed it. It was pretty freakin' fun. Why? I don't know. And this comes from a guy who is scared to ride roller coasters. But the thrill was so exciting. It hurt to get into aero due to the wounds on my forearm, but I would be climbing the rest of the way for the most part so no big deal. Within a minute I see Ashley. Show her the wounds, and she flips like any girl would. Tell her I'm fine and take off. The adrenaline is really flowing now. The HR is up in the mid to high 170's, above my measured LT of 168, and I'm approaching 30 mph on the flats. Dammit Clint, slow down! Settle in again and prepare for the hills. On my last distance ride with Gina I decided to see how it felt to switch into the big chainring and into a smaller gear and leave the saddle and mash up the hills using all this excess weight I've managed to accumulate. I realized I was getting up the hills rather fast, and it actually felt good to get out of the saddle and stretch the upper quads and hips. So I did the same. And I was smokin' people up the hills. I must've passed 3 or 4 people everytime we got to one. I was probably wasting alot of energy in the process, but it really felt good to get out of the saddle and stretch. I'll probably do the same from now on, with the exception of when I start ultracycling. Finally make it to transition, and the legs don't feel too shabby. I know I have to run a half-marathon now, but at least it's not with a rock in my foot! How about we just say screw the run and ride another 56 miles? Now that sounds like a great plan! What would you do differently?: Not crash. Everything else I was very happy with. Especially nutrition. Took in all the perpetuem (6 scoops) over the ride, including 2 gel shots and 3 endurolytes every 30 minutes. Worked well. Transition 2
Comments: Didn't flying dismount. I'll save the high flying acts for sprints and olympics. Trotted into transition and racked the bike. Threw the helmet off and put my running cap on. Never got yankz, so I sat down on my fatass and laced up the shoes. Didn't wear socks. Never wear socks. What would you do differently?: Get yankz.  Run
Comments: My initial thoughts of when I started was this is going to be so much better than Prairieman. The legs aren't feeling great, but they're not bad. I take off at what is probably a 9 min/mile pace. A couple of miles and they finally start to feel better. I make the U-turn and I'm seeing BT'ers everywhere. Seems like I saw Raegan and Craig first. Yelled at the Shock Daddy. It's never really been discussed, but I use Craig as a motivation for the time I want to run. But when I saw him running at the pace he was running at, I knew he would get the best of me that day. Then I saw Ashley, and she was truckin'. Ok Clint, new goal. Don't let Ashley catch you. After 3 minutes, I knew that goal wouldn't last. Come back through the main area and into the trails. And I hear a yell "I'M GOING TO CATCH YOU CLINT!!!". Crap, she's already here! So I peek back and compliment her on her running cap. She was wearing the same cap I was, the Too Hot to Handle 15k. I tell her I got the best of you that day, but you're going to destroy me today. And she did. Run with her for awhile as the sun comes out and really starts beating down hard. We stop for a walk break, and then encourage each other to run again. She continues and I stop again. I guess I never walked until I hit the middle of the trail on the first loop. Not too bad I guess. Eventually I make it to the monster hill on the trail, and I see John and Ashley walking together. I make some comment that I thought was funny, but it was probably really stupid. Can't even remember what it was. But I stop and walk with them for a few seconds. Then I hear yelling at the top of the hill. It was Jana, who I don't know but apparently Ashley does because when Jana started screaming Ashley takes off into a sprint! Dang it, there goes my running buddy. Manage to run all they way into the 2nd loop from this point. The 2nd loop is when my stomach started to really hurt. Sloshing all around. I realize I've been drinking way too much water. I've been taking a gel every 20 minutes and 3 endurolytes every 30 minutes. But I run out of endurolytes as I enter the 2nd lap. And now the legs are getting a bit weak. Start stopping alot more often to walk at this point. See Marcy around the U-turn of the 2nd lap. I wanted to provide more encouragement to her, but I was tired and hot. And a bit grumpy. I just wanted to run so bad, but kept walking. Kept thinking about Gina. Just how in the world am I ever going to be able to do any of these great competitions and events we've been thinking of doing if I can't even run the half-marathon course in an HIM. Too many negative thoughts. Tried to push them away. The HR monitor is straight up flippin'. 180, 157, 113, 220. 220??? Great, I'm dying! Ok, who cares what it says. Just finish this thing. See Tahressa and Brandon as I enter the trails on the 2nd loop. They are so cool to have stuck around to Sunday to cheer me on. They ask how I feel, and I reply that this sucks! Well, I was lying. That run was so awesome! I'm still thinking in my head I can push 8-9 minute miles for the last couple of miles maybe, despite all the walking I've done. And then the cramps come. Right calf first, then both. When the calves start cramping I'm so worthless. Stop to massage, but they are nothing like Prairieman. There they would cramp for 5 seconds, and finally relieve. And then cramp again 15 seconds later. Here they would cramp for maybe a second, and stay away for at least a minute or two. Fought on with my run, cramp, walk cycle. Walk all the way up the "monster". Turn the corner and see the the last aid station. I'm almost there! I can run the rest of the way. I know I can. Nope. Stop one more time. See the finish line and run through fighting off the cramps as I cross. Oh what a feeling it is to finish these things! What would you do differently?: I'd like to think that my lack of running due to my foot injury the previous 2 or 3 weeks hurt me, but it's more just I wasn't ready for these hills. And my base isn't strong enough. If I used the injury, I'd just be making excuses. I just need to continue to build the base. Also, I need to pack more endurolytes. Maybe could've prevented the cramps on the last 3 miles. Post race
Warm down: Signed up for my first massage. I never knew it could feel so good just to be rubbed! You happy Craig? The massage therapist said my hamstrings and quads were really bad, the worst he had seen that day. Said to look into yoga or pilates. I guess I can join the girls. Chatted with all the BT'ers and exchanged stories of the course. Watched all the finishers cross. Marcy was the best. Nearly started crying because she looked so excited to cross that line. Greatest moment I've ever seen in my young triathlon career. It was so great to see each and everyone of you BT'ers out there. You guys really made the experience. What limited your ability to perform faster: Just lack of training mostly. I'll reminisce a bit. I've only been doing this since February. In January I decided I was tired of being a fatass, so I decided to lose weight. Stumbled across this great website, and lurked for a couple of weeks. Finally decided to join and start posting to meet new people to train with. In January I couldn't run more than 2 miles without having to take walk breaks. I couldn't swim 50 yards without having to walk and catch my breath. I went to the lake and rode with Karen in February, and I averaged in the mid 16's for 2 loops around the lake if I remember correctly. I was ready to quit. Just thought this wasn't for me. I'm so glad I stuck with it, because the rewards are immeasurable. This sport has really changed the way I approach life. And much for the better. Tri-season #1 is in the history books. Next stop - Ironman Arizona!!! Event comments: Can't say enough about this race. Keith Jordan is absolutely the best at putting on a race. No if's, and's, or but's. I'll do this race again and again as long as he continues it. And I'll break 5:30 next year! Last updated: 2007-07-06 12:00 AM
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EndorFUN SPORTS
92F / 33C
Sunny
Overall Rank = 193/642
Age Group = M 25-29
Age Group Rank = 21/49
Here we go again. HIM, round2. As cheesy and girly as this sounds, I do like to write these so I'll have a recollection of how the race went, including moments prior and moments after. But I enjoy writing these things up alot, and I'm not really quite sure why. It's not like I'm that big of a talker. Well, here goes. They tend to get long, so if you like boring material, this is for you! Maybe you can print it out and place it bedside for when you want to go to sleep.
We'll start with the morning before. Had all my stuff packed for the trip. Wasn't sure if I'd be able to get my mini-brick in while I was in Austin since I didn't know exactly when Gary would show up, and Gary was my ticket into a hotel room. So I woke up at 3:30 am to get started. On the road by 3:45 with about 15 minutes on the bike and 10 minutes running if I remember correctly. Just wanted to feel the transition one more time before the big race. Showered up, and headed to the greatest city in Texas...Austin.
On the trip there Brett, who is Gina's crew chief, gives me a call and says Gina just finished the bike in around 20 hours. I can't even begin to express my amazement when I heard this. So she's in T2 and he hands her the phone. Of course I ask her how she's feeling, because my biggest concern was how she was going to get through the run. She said her feet hurt. Well, no crap, baby. You just rode 336 miles. They're bound to hurt a little. Or alot. Most likely the latter. But she assures me she feels good, which was very comforting.
I head straight to the race site and they have the park sealed off and force me to park at the expo. No big deal. Take the bus over to watch the sprint and olympic. Figure I would find some BT'ers there. Sure enough I see an Iowa Hawkeye visor. Does this guy ever not wear Iowa Hawkeye gear? So I chat with Craig for a second. Later find David, Aaron, Ashley, Steve, Marcy, John, am I missing somebody? Forgive me if I have. Chat for awhile and watch the race.
See John's cousin Patrick come off the bike, and he makes a gun with both hands and sticks it in his mouth. That was classic. Can't remember much more of the race. Hoped to see Tahressa but there were just so many people.
As I was leaving I did catch Brandon and Tahressa. Congratulated her on her finish. Took off to eat lunch with Craig at Chili's. Gary joined us as he was just strolling into town. Soup and a sandwich. Nothing spectacular. Had to save room for the big BT dinner.
So on to the BT dinner. Wow! BT'ers everywhere! I'm sad to say I didn't get to meet most of those I don't know. Maybe I can catch up with some of you another time. My meal got mixed in, so I just grabbed some from people here and there and ended up with a nice meal. Very cool of Marcy to throw this together.
Headed to bed around 9ish maybe. Or so I intended. Brett calls again and Gina is now on the 3rd marathon. That's my girl! He hands the phone to her and she talks to me while she's doing her speed walk. Apparently she didn't have much running left in her. By this point she has about 9 laps, 18 miles, to go. She sounds pretty bad at this point to be honest. But she has a positive attitude, so that was very reassuring. I made her promise me to call me when she got finished, regardless of the time.
Try to go back to sleep and my little brother Zac calls to tell me USC was upset by Stanford. Awesome! At least if Texas is going to lose to ou then I can enjoy a USC loss. Now can I get some sleep please.
3:03 am. Phone rings. Brett says she's on her last lap and she'll be done in about 10 minutes. Thank God. She's almost done, and she's going to destroy not only the bike record, which I thought she would only flirt with, but also the run record, which to be honest I didn't think she would approach. I really don't think she did either. So I go out to the hall, hoping that I'm not causing Gary to lose any sleep. If I did Gary, I apologize. Gina calls at 3:15. I can't even begin to express how amazed and proud I was of her. I didn't know what to say. What do you say to somebody who not only completed a triple Ironman, but destroyed the course record by a near 6 HOURS?!?! I was mostly concerned about her health. She assured me that she was ok, but I knew she would face all the same symptoms that the double last year had brought her. Gina, you are absolutely amazing and you inspire me more than anybody ever could.
Alarm goes off at 4:45. Gary gets up pretty quick. I lounge for a second, very much unlike Prairieman where I was out of the bed running practically. Grab my stuff, mix the perpetuem bottle. I head out leaving the perpetuem mix and gels in the room as I'm coming back to pick it up. Gary is fully packed so he takes off. He has the room for another night. I'm taking off from the race site so I have to grab everything. As I come back, my key won't let me back in the door. You're kidding me. My nutrition is in there. Ok, head down to the lobby. The room was booked in Gary's name, so I'm not listed as a guest. And they won't give me another key. So I call Gary, who's a bit lost on his way to the site. Ummm, Gary, can you come back to the hotel to let me in the room? He says he would, but then I convince the hotel to give me another key if I can provide them with all of Gary's personal info like name, address, phone, etc. Awesome! Now I can get back into the room after my 30 minute delay.
On to the race site, where I enter this crazy line of traffic. It just won't go. I'm starting to panic a bit. I finally see a car pull over along the fence line to park. What the hell, I'll join them. Bad idea. Cop comes by yelling at everybody...NO PARKING! Crap. Then I hear somebody holler my name. It was Jill. You guys got caught in the trap too? Some guy lets me back in line, and it doesn't take too much longer to get parked. It's about 45 minutes to the race start by now I guess.
Grab my crap in my walmart plastic bag since I forgot to bring my transition bag. That's right. I'm going ghetto today. See Aaron and Chris as I enter. Chris offers me a bag, but I kinda like that walmart sack. It shows spunk. Screw around and chat for awhile. Setup transition and realize I don't have any CO2 cartridges. What is wrong with me??? Didn't I learn anything from Disco? Just how in the world do I make it living from day to day? Head over to the Mavic tent and they don't have any either. About this time transition is closing. I make my way down to the swim start, realizing I'm just SOL if I get a flat.
It's at this point where I really start to panic. I left my chip in my car. At this point I really start to question my mental capacity. Am I really just retarded? Is there something inside me that enjoys all the screwups that happen during these races? Maybe so. :) So this takes me to my warmup.
Ok. Transition is closing. Think man. If I leave transition I'm not going to be able to get back in. Not enough time to go back to the car. Ok, I'm going barefoot. Alright, you've got to find somebody in the know Clint. First I see the volunteers at the bike entrance. Sprint there. Explain the story. They tell me to go to the run-far van. Crap! That's far! Sprint through transition, over a couple of rails, nobody is there at the run-far van. See the food people. They don't know anything. Another volunteer at the swim entrance. They tell me that run-far is at the swim start. Sprint down to the megaphone man and explain my story. He says, run-far is right there dude. Tell them my story. He says, "Wow! Are you in some kind of luck! I've got a spare chip right here." Crazy. Gives me my chip, and I got a warmup in the process! :)
Let's get this baby started!