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LongHorn Triathlon Festival - Half Iron - Triathlon1/2 Ironman


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Austin, Texas
United States
EndorFUN SPORTS
Sunny
Total Time = 6h 23m 49s
Overall Rank = 1249/1929
Age Group = M35-39
Age Group Rank = 225/313
Pre-race routine:

Got up at 4:00 to make sure I had plenty of time to get dressed, eat a powerbar and get everything loaded. Checked out of the hotel about 4:50 and headed to the Expo center.
Event warmup:

Set up transition and did some light stretching. In hindsight, I probably should have spent a little more time stretching and less time walking around taking it all in.
Swim
  • 24m 57s
  • 2112 yards
  • 01m 11s / 100 yards
Comments:

I was in the fourth wave and got a good position in the front and just slightly off to the left of the center of the pack. When the horn sounded to start us, I sprinted to the first bouy and was able to spread myself out some from the pack. I didn't have too many issues with avoiding contact or swimming around people. My sighting was great and I was able to pick my swim lines really well. B the first buoy I had caught up to some of the swimmers in the wave in front of us so there was a little congestion but nothing too bad. I settled in to a comfortable pace between the first and second buoy and managed to pass some people in the second wave. By the time we rounded the second buoy and headed for home, the field had really thinned out. I swam until my stroke hit bottom then jumped up and made my way out of the lake.
What would you do differently?:

The swim portion went pretty well for me but if I could change anything, I might have held my sprint pace a little longer. I think I could have knocked another :30 to a minute off my time doing that.
Transition 1
  • 05m 14s
Comments:

Long run up a hill after the swim to get to T1, which was mostly dirt in the first few rows. Fortunately I had checked out the transition area the day before and saw all the dirt so I went out and bought a small basin at the Dollar Store and had water waiting at my bike to rinse my feet off. It worked out great since my feet were completely covered in sand and mud by that point.
The rest of transition went pretty well up until the bike mount line where I couldn't seem to get my shoes clipped in. I was off to the side but someone still hit my bike from behind. It seemed like it took forever to finally get clipped in but I am sure it was just a few seconds.
What would you do differently?:

Get clipped in faster! Very, very soon I need to buy some triathlon shoes that I can leave clipped on the bike. I'm still using road shoes and I think I can save some time there by eliminating the need to run with my shoes on and trying to clip in at the mount line.
Bike
  • 3h 09m 38s
  • 56 miles
  • 17.72 mile/hr
Comments:

I started out really well and was averaging 20.6MPH at the first aid station. I actually had the thought that I might be able to get in under 3 hours at that point. Unfortunately, as is usually the case, the rest of the course adjusted my average speed back to where it should be. I did a good job of passing when I needed to and staying out of the way when I didn't. I took Gatorade at the second and third aid stations with no issues (unlike BKarhu, read his report) and held a good pace. The last two hills were killer but I was ready for them and felt I did really well on my climbs. I finished the race at a 17.7 MPH average which is the fastest average I have had for anything over a 20 mile ride so no complaints.
What would you do differently?:

I need to put in more time on the bike. I am also looking to get a tri bike as well so hopefully that will help too. Right now I ride a road bike with clip on aero bars and I think the bike might be just a little small for me. Hopefully off season goes well and Santa pays me a visit.
Transition 2
  • 04m 37s
Comments:

Bike dismount went well and I ran to my rack fine. I got changed into my running shoes and hat pretty quick then detoured to a porto-can. After waiting in a short line for an available opening and then finding out it was pretty much a false alarm, I got off to the run. I probably could have saved a minute or so off my transition time if I didn't make that stop.
What would you do differently?:

Not have the urge to hit the can? I dunno, overall I think it went well.
Run
  • 2h 39m 19s
  • 13.1 miles
  • 12m 10s  min/mile
Comments:

Starting the run I had roughly 2hrs and 15 minutes to finish and get under 6hrs for the day. I hit my first mile at 7:45 and thought I was going to rock this run course. Then everything just seemed to go downhill from there. I dropped to a 9 minute pace by the second mile and then a 10:30 pace by the third. I was walking aid stations by the 4th mile. I was hot, dusty, pissed off at my running and thirsty. I shuffled on through the rest of the course doing a 4min run / 1 min walk.
What would you do differently?:

I did several bricks during my training but the longest was apparently not enough as I was unprepared for how quickly everything fell apart. I really thought going into this that I could do around a 2hr run and obviously that just didn't happen. Bricks, bricks, bricks.
Post race
Warm down:

Crossed the line and got my cold towel and finishers medal. After giving my timing chip back I was in some line for something but didn't know what it was. About that time, two medics came through carrying someone and moved everyone out of the way. I decided to just go out to the run chute fence and watch for my brother to finish. I later found out the line I had been in was for pictures with your finishers medal. Guess I won't have one of those.
After my brother came in we went to the BT tent for a little while and talked with Gaarryy, Zia Cyclist, DavidB and KSH then headed back to check things out at the finish. Talked with Chris (Livestrong) for a little bit then wound up going to the Med tent to get my brother an IV. He wasn't in real bad shape but he was getting pretty nauseous and needed it for sure.

What limited your ability to perform faster:

Everything pretty much went according to my plan or better for the swim and bike. My downfall came on the run. I really wanted to go under 6hrs and I still think I can, I just need to be better prepared headed into the run. I really was not ready for how badly that portion was going to kick my ass.

Event comments:

I didn't go under 6hrs but I did finish my first Half Ironman so I can't be too upset. The race was well organized and there were tons of nice people (spectators and athletes) that I met along the way. It was a great day and a great sense of accomplishment to finish out my season.




Last updated: 2008-05-17 12:00 AM
Swimming
00:24:57 | 2112 yards | 01m 11s / 100yards
Age Group: 20/313
Overall: 164/1929
Performance: Good
Suit:
Course: Wade start then a triangle pattern swim in Decker Lake. Everyone seems to think the swim course was a little short and based on my swim time I have to agree.
Start type: Wade Plus: Waves
Water temp: 78F / 25C Current: Low
200M Perf. Good Remainder: Good
Breathing: Good Drafting: Good
Waves: Good Navigation: Good
Rounding: Good
T1
Time: 05:14
Performance: Average
Cap removal: Good Helmet on/
Suit off:
Yes
Wetsuit stuck? No Run with bike: Yes
Jump on bike: No
Getting up to speed: Bad
Biking
03:09:38 | 56 miles | 17.72 mile/hr
Age Group: 238/313
Overall: 1225/1929
Performance: Good
Wind: Some
Course: 56 mile single loop. The roads were either somewhat rough or incredibly smooth - not much in between. Overall though, I think it was a good course. I can't imagine there being a much better route in that area with better roads. The race director provided the best route he could with the conditions he had. Any cracks or potholes were clearly marked as well.
Road: Rough Dry Cadence:
Turns: Average Cornering: Average
Gear changes: Good Hills: Good
Race pace: Comfortable Drinks: Just right
T2
Time: 04:37
Overall: Average
Riding w/ feet on shoes
Jumping off bike Average
Running with bike Average
Racking bike Good
Shoe and helmet removal Good
Running
02:39:19 | 13.1 miles | 12m 10s  min/mile
Age Group: 236/313
Overall: 1400/1929
Performance: Below average
Course: Two loop run course on the street and through the park. Portions of the run were hilly and of course Quadzilla was ridiculous.
Keeping cool Below average Drinking Not enough
Post race
Weight change: %
Overall: Average
Mental exertion [1-5] 4
Physical exertion [1-5] 5
Good race? Yes
Evaluation
Course challenge Just right
Organized? Yes
Events on-time? Yes
Lots of volunteers? Yes
Plenty of drinks? Yes
Post race activities: Good
Race evaluation [1-5] 5

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2008-10-07 9:30 AM

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Veteran
101
100
The Colony, TX
Subject: LongHorn Triathlon Festival - Half Iron


2008-10-07 2:18 PM
in reply to: #1723672

Veteran
193
100252525
The Colony, Texas, USA, Earth
Subject: RE: LongHorn Triathlon Festival - Half Iron
Congratulations 1/2 IRONMAN!  Dennis, great job on the swim (those Masters swim classes paid off big time, huh?!).  It was nice to see you on the bike course (PC - pre crash).  Have a great off-season working on your bike/run.  You'll definately see sub 6 next year. 
2008-10-07 3:59 PM
in reply to: #1723672

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Champion
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the colony texas
Subject: RE: LongHorn Triathlon Festival - Half Iron

Killer swim dude.. that is just a sick swim time.. crap,,, how much time to I have until you hit 40 my AG ??

you had a great race out there.. that is not an easy course,, especially for where we live and bike at..

Congrats on your first 70.3   so which one is going to be your 2nd??

2008-10-07 4:01 PM
in reply to: #1723672

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Champion
8766
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Evergreen, Colorado
Subject: RE: LongHorn Triathlon Festival - Half Iron
Woohoo!  Congrats!
2008-10-08 12:03 PM
in reply to: #1723672

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Regular
57
2525
Plano, Texas
Subject: RE: LongHorn Triathlon Festival - Half Iron
Congrats on finishing your first HIM. What a great accomplishment, regardless of final time.
2008-10-08 7:38 PM
in reply to: #1723672

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Master
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Frisco, Texas
Subject: RE: LongHorn Triathlon Festival - Half Iron
Wow, great swim.  Congrats on finishing your first HIM.  It really is all about the run.  You'll finish sub 6 at your next HIM.


2008-10-09 2:24 PM
in reply to: #1723672

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Expert
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Flower Mound, TX
Subject: RE: LongHorn Triathlon Festival - Half Iron

Congrats on an awesome accomplishment, Dennis.  Try to enjoy the post-race buzz for as long as possible!

Killer swim split even for the short course!

2008-10-09 10:01 PM
in reply to: #1723672

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Veteran
188
100252525
Subject: RE: LongHorn Triathlon Festival - Half Iron

Oh my - can you say fast???  Your swim was unbelievable.  You did not run into traffic because you were leading the pack.  (Please give me some hints)

Good job!!!

2008-10-10 9:00 AM
in reply to: #1723672

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Elite
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Fishers, Indiana
Subject: RE: LongHorn Triathlon Festival - Half Iron
GREAT JOB! Wow you are a fish in the water!! Congrats on the first HIM, they get easier from here cause you just get stronger!
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