LongHorn Triathlon Festival - Half Iron - Triathlon1/2 Ironman

Since I started in the 8th wave, I knew that there were 6 waves starting behind me. I'm not a fast swimmer, so I knew there would be some UFC action going on most of the swim. Before the 1st turn bouy, the wave behind me caught me. THe lead swimmers were fine, but the 2nd pack was exactly that. Kicking and punching, and just in general, full contact swimming. All the other waves were the same. going across the back, I actually got a hand on my head, and dunked. I did my best to not lose any pace or impetus, and just kept on swimming.
I was noticeably swimming harder than I usually do, but doing a decent job of keeping form very consistent. This is probably the first time I could really tell that I was making an effort in the water. When I got out of the water and looked at my watch I couldn't believe it I was 13 minutes faster than last year. I believed at the time that the swim was a little short, and we are understand now that it was 200-300 short, but im still pleased with the swim.

About the only thing I couldn't do was draft. I was always in the middle of the fray, so I know that there was a draft being created all around me though.

I was in there long enough to bake a cake, but unfortunatley once I finished I realized that I didn't....bummer.
The run op from the lake was very controlled. Jacob was yelling as I came out the first few feet, and I was planning to run about 1/2 way up the hill, then walk to rest, since there was no good reason to redline this early. My feet were dirty and muddy so I had to do the dreaded sit down and clean them off before putting the socks on.....

maybe use a bigger towel so I can clean my feet easier and quicker.

I'd have to say that I was really looking forward to the bike today. I knew that the beginning portions of the bike were changed so that was an unknown, but the majority of the ride is as we did it last year. The bike was going along great. Onto the 1st short steep hill after the right hand turn, and damnit, I dropped my chain. I had to walk up 1/2 of the frickin hill! Right near the top, I saw someone had lost their entire rear hydration mount cages and all....wierd. Thru 10 miles, felt awesome, did a good job keeping the HR down. Thru 20 miles, damn, I can't believe i'm still feeling good. My pace was up so I was really optomistic about the overall ride! From 20-40 is where the ride began to change for me. It was much more into the wind, much more up and down. By about mile 40 I was starting to cramp a little. Not too bad, but I knew that from 12-24 I hadn't drank enough water, but I was trying to fix that now. I added some extra salt, and kept that up until off the bike. By the time I made it to the mile 50 aid station I had stopped to stretch 2x, just to make sure. From 50 miles on there was just no go juice in the legs. Made the last 2 hills just fine, but part of me were hurting that have never hurt before. I rolled in a little disappointed that I hadn't pulled out a faster ride, but it was still another 12 minute PR from last year.

I'd probably go a little harder in the first 20 miles, since it was less rolling. I took advantage of all the downhills so I couldn't really better that.

Not too bad. I didn't get out of my shoes, since I didn't see the point of saving that time, to spend it cleaning my feet off again.
Running shoes on, and start the slog. I noticed that I was really bloated so that explained the lack of power and the cramping....noting was processing.

nothing really

Left transition still feeling like I would have a decent run, but that came to a screaching halt about 300-400 yards outside of the transition. I knew from now on, this would turn out to be a death march, and I was right. At about mile 1.5 John came up on me, and he was hurting too. we alked the flats and uphills, and ran the downs for about the next 1.5 miles before he went on his way. I was finally starting to feel a little better, so I started to run a little more. I actually caught back up to John shortly after the BT tent, at about mile 5? I was still walking a decent pace. Quadzilla was next then around to the start of the 2nd loop. 2nd loop was much lonelier. Only had 3 people pass me, and there were some behind me too. Once I made it back to the park, Marcy walked with me until the to of quadzilla and then she peeled off whe I had about 1 mile left. As soon as I turned back into the trees, I saw a task in front of me. I saw a lady about 400-500 yard ahead of me. I wanted, no needed to pass her so these last few minutes would go by quicker. I ran more in that last mile than I did for most of the rest of the 1/2. I caught and passed her with about 2 1/10ths left, and still put another minute into her by the finish.

Run....suck it up more....repeat

walked to the BT tent, and stretched...alot.


weight.


I did not perform as I would have liked, but I finished!