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

My head wasn't in this. While I've been handling the injury fairly well, I think it sort of mentally broke me down. I was a little tired that morning and kept yawning, and once we got out there I just wasn't enthusiastic about race day. When the wave went off there was some decent contact and some fairly violent guys (Aquabike and Relay legs together), I sighted well, and it cleared out but seems like it took forever to get that first turn and then it was a sharp left. I had no one to draft off of at all. Just no one around at the same speed. After that first left turn we started catching up to the other waves--the first one being what would've been my AG wave, so I was dodging some pink caps then. I tried to keep right on the buoy line. I also tried to keep my stroke full. The saltwater wasn't bothering me much, but my energy wasn't as good as it should've been. It was also only the 3rd time (including the previous days swim) that had been able to swim in my long sleeve suit. I swam in a sleeveless last year. Had I been racing the HIM I probably would've gone with the sleeveless, but it became more of a training race so I went with the full. About 1/2 way through the swim I could feel my shoulders getting tired and I just wanted to be done. By that time I was having to weave through several of waves of slower swimmers--I think the only cap I didn't see was a gold cap from the very first wave. Once we made the final turn I really tried to do some good strong pulls, I swam all the way to the carpet, got out, and headed out to transition just glad to be done. I saw my time though and I wasn't happy. Maybe not surprised, but not happy. I am faster than that. I wasn't in it in my head or in energy and not sure why.

Not get injured and be out of it mentally. Psych myself up mentally. Swim more in my long sleeve wetsuit. Swim more OWS.

Rank: 1/23 (Women AB) and 5/41 (All AB)
Well, I was worried about this cause I didn't know how fast I'd be able to move and I took it kind of easy really. I came out of the water and started moving up the chute at a light jog, got my suit down to my waist, my cap and goggles off, pointed to one of the guy wetsuit strippers, flopped on the ground and he did the rest, grabbed the suit and jogged into transition, grabbed a sip of Gatorade on the way to get the salty taste out of my mouth. Actually took a little bit of time to get my shoes on and my helmet/glasses right and off I went. I had no pain, I was thrilled.

Umm, run faster--but that means being able to run. I looked at the AG transitions and mine was right up there, had I been running/competing, I would've been faster. So, overall pretty pleased.

I wanted to work it out hard for the first 3-5 miles and then settle in, I started off okay and was pushing 19-20mph. There was a decent headwind that turned into a crosswind. My hamstrings were pretty tight and just couldn't get loose, I had to stand up just a little a couple of times and come out of aero a couple of times to get loose. I couldn't tell if the wind was slowing me or if it was just I couldn't get going. With as flat as this was I should've been going faster. My hips were sore--not painful, just sore and I couldn't get comfortable on my seat. Mentally, still a little out of it. I switched into an easier gear a couple of times to spin the legs out a little, just couldn't seem to get out of the 19's. Then the 79 year old guy passed me...impressed the heck out of me, but seriously. I was still passing a lot of people, as I went, but when that happened, I wasn't going to let it stay, so I let him get comfortable, I got comfortable and took him back over and that was that. He even said he thought he dropped me a while back, haha, nope I was right behind him (legally of course). I don't remember when the first aid station was, but the bottle they handed me didn't have a sports top. WTH?? I have caps on my Podium Quest and thankfully unplugged the top one in time to get a little in and then had to chunk the bottle. I couldn't believe the stupid top was off. I was taking in my Infinit right on the right increments. I was at just about a 20mph avg at the 1 hour mark. Then near mile 20 something FINALLY clicked and that was it--from that point forward I was between 20-24mph. I finally had energy and the passing I was doing before just increased. My hips weren't hurting anymore, I got good bottles at the bottle hand ups (they tried to hand me a top off, but I said NOT THAT ONE, and pointed to one another guy was holding that had the top on), made it through mini loop, and once I got going on the way back for the last time I kept telling myself I didn't have to have anything left. I think we got a little bit of a tailwind. I did have a couple of folks not remember that on-your-left means I'm coming up on your left, and I had to yell it twice cause they about pushed me into cones. I just kept pushing away and was having fun. As we turned into Moody Gardens some folks were slowing down but I just kept driving through. Saw Erin, Chad, and Jenny cheering me on and that was great. I did take my shoes off (good practice) and I didn't want to have to unclip to get off--I would've had to slow down in the chute anyhow because there were several folks there...one guy that was dismounting at the same time I was tried to take me down, but I saw it coming and kept out of his way and got across the timing mat and was DONE!

I needed to get going sooner--20 miles is too long to warm up. Maybe I needed some nutrition a little sooner than I took it? I do DESPERATELY need a new saddle as mine was definitely hitting some nerves, literally. I get fit for a new one on the 10th and hopefully that helps. It was fun to hammer, but I really think I may have still felt too good when I finished. My hip adductors were sore, but I had a decent amount of energy. I did do well with my nutrition and hydration. I am happy with the time and speed, but do think I could go faster, especially if I can click before 20 miles.

Haha, I turned in my chip, got my medal, my towel, and my water bottle and relaxed as I watched everyone else head out on the run. It was kind of strange.

Be able to go run :)

I cheered people on in the run--it was nice not to do 4 loops though and still feel like I got a good workout in!

I walked over, got some water, talked to Stephen, and then got my calf and piriformis worked on at the massage tent. They were great. I then went and then cheered on lots of folks doing the run, got some food, and cheered some more and got sunburned...then it was award times and I placed 2nd, got my nice award, got some free goggles and my friend Anne scored FREE Mavic Race Wheels!! SWEET!
The lady that beat me out for 1st in the Women's Aquabike beat me in a few races last year as well (Lonestar and Longhorn at least), and I was thrilled when I looked at the entrant list for the HIM (before I was hurt) and saw she aged up to 30-34. Well, apparently she got hurt too and switched the AquaBike! Go figure!! Anyhow, I shook her hand and told her that, and she was kind. So good job Kathy, now stay in your age group (hopefully we both can run next time!).


Ummm, the inability to run. It was still a good day, a great weekend with great people, and I was lacking some mental aspects at the beginning of the day. Not wearing a long sleeve suit may have helped too--or just swim in it more. Need to get used to that more.


I do like the Endorfun Sports events. Always set up great. I love having the racks numbered, they take care of you on the exit out of the water with carpeting in and out of the water. The food is good, the band is good, the announcing is awesome, the shirts, hat, towel, and water bottle are great. The AquaBike division was great for me cause I could still race. The awards and give aways were great. The only notes I have are that they should've run the Half before the Quarter as we have longer out there, and we were all over the run course for the 1/4 cause it goes through the swim start area. Also, leave the caps on the water bottles! Otherwise, well done.