Was very nervous, but felt good with so much Beach Patrol present. Entry and exit was problematic - cut my right foot on the exit - not deep, but it slowed me down. Also started in a different wave than the one assigned, so pretty sure my time will be different than my monitor.



Note to self - When you ask your girlfriend to get you lubricant, make sure it's not the KY WARMING GEL - YIKES! I was plenty warm before the start.

At the turn ran into a wad of people - had to breast stroke/pull myself through them. Should have stayed further out instead of trying to round the turn bouy tightly. Need to practice drafting to get comfortable.

Transition went well. Poured a jug of water over me to get the bayou off me, then struggled with socks briefly before foregoing them entirely (too wet). Noticed my bleeding foot then. Had my cycling glasses in my upside down helmet with my gloves and with my computer zeroed out. Ran with bike to the mounting line (of sorts) and clipped in right off the bat.

Next time, remember to put on aeropads before I leave the transition area. Should have done it as part of my pre-race ritual.

I feel I did well on the bike course. I passed a lot of MTB'ers. They should have made some announcement pre-race that you should stay right on the bike course - I passed up people paired up on Sunday Strolls. Also - isn't drafting illegal? I saw no race marshalls taking numbers or anything, but I tried to abide by the rules as much as possible.

Kind of disappointed with the turnaround - we were shepherded into a side street through a residential area with lots of traffic on the course still. I know you can't stop traffic, but maybe a longer course up and down Stuart Rd. would hav sufficed - or looped it up off seawall and back down Stuart Rd. One hill would not have hurt.

Remember my aerobar pads next time. Also should of huffed it harder on the way out as I had the tailwind out and crossing/quartering winds on the way back.

Also - passed a guy with only one foot clamped in- his right pedal had sheared completely off! Watching him still compete with one good pedal made me proud.

Dismounted and racked back Ok - noted right foot still a little bloody, but it had dried mostly. Slammed a gel and some water (only brought gatorade on the cycle) and proceeded to put my run shoes on without taking off my bike pants. DOH! Calmed down, got re-dressed and headed out.

Practice this transition more. 1st transition was easier. Maybe bring some gauze next time?

I only made about a short run before my foot slowed me down, got back up to speed and finished faster than I started, but the pain in my foot definitely slowed me down. Could have done better.

Stick it harder. I should have pushed through the pain, but I was afraid of making my foot worse.

Walked around - laughed - found my girlfriend - gave the big guy in the black jersey who was running it with his brother(#5??) an awkward hug as he spurred me on even though I was hurting. "Come on - push to the mailbox... walk, then push to the stop sign." Guy really helped me make it.


Nerves at the beginning - got my heart rate way too high to start.

Small Cut - right on the meaty part off my foot - bad news because I roll on the outside of my foot when running.

Little mistakes - no aeropads - could have stayed aero longer If I had them, instead used my drops and did OK.


I didn't get to stick around for post race fun. had to boogey back to Houston, but overall enjoyed My First Triathlon. I think the event organizers had a scale problem - heard one comment that this was the 2nd year they did it and it mushroomed from 200 people last year to 1200 people this year. Also, emailed [email protected] for my official times, and just now got a message back:
QUOTE
Dear Athletes,

Congratulations on a fine performance this past weekend at the Galveston International Triathlon Festival.

The reason for the delay in posting the official results is that we have had to revert to our manual backup system as the airline transporting the computer system has misplaced it.

We understand that the results are a crucial element and we are doing everything possible to ensure you receive accurate results.

Thank you for your patience.
END QUOTE
So, hopefully I'll get my times soon. It was a good primer and one I'd like to go back to next year. What a great location!