The water was great. nice and warm. This was my first open water race. I felt great in the water, swam all freestyle, breathing to the right side. I started in the back and right of the wave. after a few mins i found myself in the middle of the pack. I swam at a fairly strong, consistant pace. About every 20 or so strokes, I looked up to make sure I was swimming in the correct direction. About 200 yrds in, I was kicked in the nose which made me stop for a few seconds. I became very determinded after that to get in front of the person that kicked me, and I did. I swam on the left close to the markers for the rest of the race. After the first buoy, I was kicked in the left ribs, and made a nice bruise. I almost swam into the last buoy before making the last turn. The swim was over very quikly to me. The shore was a welcome sight as my wife and kids were to the right of the exit cheering me on.

The only thing would be to start more in the middle and front of the pack. I am happy with my swim performance.

T1 took a little longer than I wanted. I found my bike with out any trouble. My rack location was in front of a tree and a guy on the next rack had a floating Homer Simpson balloon (good landmarks). I pulled my shirt on with ease. The grass was freshly cut and I had clipping stuck to my feet. I tried to wash my feet with water. I ended up just putting my socks on with the grass clipping still on my feet. This did not bother me at all during the rest of the race. I drank half a bottle of Poweraid and half a bottle of water. I put a HammerGel and a Power bar onder my shorts leg to have on the ride. My wife and kids ran over to the fence and took pictures and cheered me on while I was in T1, it made it very special.

The only thing differant would be to go faster.

The road was clear of most debris. There was a slight tail wind on the way out. I was really going fast on the bike. This was my first race on the Quintana Roo Caliente-I love this bike!!! It is fast, smooth and easy to ride. I stayed in the areobar the whole time. My cadance was in the 80-95 range for most of the ride. There was a down and up under a set of railroad tracks and two overpasses. The rest of the ride was flat. I was able to maintain a spead of 25-27 mph with a top speed of 32 mph on the way out. I was at 23 mph at the top of both overpasses! After the turnaround at Mason rd, the headwind was there, not bad, but there. It slowed me down some, but not much. I was still spinning 21-23 mph and 20 mph on the top of the overpasses! I have riden this route several times and I am farmiliar with it. It was kinda nice to have a "home field advantage". I probably worked too hard on the bike, but it felt good. I ate the Hammergel at mile 11. I upshifted and began to spin easy (over 100 rpms) for the last 3/4 mile or so.

I would like to learn to have my shoes on the bike and do the mount/dismount thing. I am very happy with my bike performance.

T2 was quik. I was abble to rack my bike and change shoes fast. I kept the same shirt and socks on. I finished the half bottle of Poweraid and the half bottle of water. Wife and kids were at the fence again to cheer me on and take pictures.

The only thing differant would be to go faster.

I felt good at the start of the run. My legs were fairly fresh. Wife and kids were at the 1 mile aid staion cheering and taking pictures. By the time I passed the 1 mile aid station (I didnt stop or get water), I felt like I was walking. at about 1 1/2 miles, I said outloud "come on now, what are you doing, this is a race, not a nieghborhood jog". That worked and I picked up the pace from there. I was passed by many and I passed a few. One man and I passed each other a few times back and forth, the last time I passed him he said "there goes my friend with the good pace". That comment made me feel great and I picked it up from there. At the next turn was the most talked about sign "aligators in park, DO NOT DISTURB". I got a good laugh. After we ran along the bayou, I could hear the cheers and the announcer, I was happy to see the finish line. I did not sprint to the finish, but did pick it up some. As I ran through the trees, I heard the announcer say "Here comes Joe Lechnar from Katy"!!! I sure did like hearing that. Wife and kids were at finish line waiting for me and cheering. They really made it special for me.

I would like to run faster and more consistant.

I walked around for a while after the finish. I got some water and watermellon. I had some good stretches and then went to the finish line to watch for the other BT'ers.


The only limiting factor was me.


This was my second triathlon. It was my first open water and the swim was almost 3 times as long (880 vs 300). I had a very good time doing this race, mostly due to my wife and kids being there and meeting the other BT'ers. You guy rock! I wish Phil would have stayed at the finish line. I liked waiting for you guys and watching you cross the finish. Michael, I hope you are recovering fast from your bike crash. Gomez, I hope the head has stopped ringing from the kick during the swim. Bill, Brant good race. It was a true pleasure meeting and raceing with you all. I hope we will train/race again soon!!

I also enjoyed talking to my friend Chad. I have known his family for a few years now and it is nice that we both do tri's. I was only 4 mins behind him this time.

I am very happy with this race! I feel I did a very good job and all the training payed off!!

Now on to Jeff & Brede's Intergalactic Triathlon July 17th.