Memorial Hermann Ironman Texas

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Memorial Hermann Ironman Texas - TriathlonFull Ironman

View Member's Race Log View other race reports

The Woodlands, Texas
United States
World Triathlon Corporation
92F / 33C
Overcast

Total Time = 13h 23m 21s
Overall Rank = 1028/2160
Age Group = M45-49
Age Group Rank = 87/140

Pre-race routine:

Arrived in Texas on Tuesday, hoping to settle in and get somewhat acclimated to the climate. Coming from Michigan I knew it was a bit crazy to attempt this race. I did get some time a month before in Vegas to train, other than that it was mostly indoors up to 1 1/2 months before the race. Drove part of the course (with Lisa from Florida) after check in on Weds. Began hydrating on Weds, drinking lots of perform and water. Ate lots of pasta and a good BBQ dinner at the banquet. Other than that took time to sight see. Practice Swim on Friday went well. Did 10 min out and 10 min back. Felt good.

Event warmup:

Awoke at 4:00 AM. Ate 3 granola bars, drank 2 cups of caffeinated coffee, and 1 liter of perform. At 5:00 I made my way to the transition area. No intention of wearing wetsuit but did decide to wear my swim skin over my 2XU tri shorts. Lubed up all friction ares with generou mounts of body glide. Met Lisa at the dock. We just exchanged small talk and went our way. I walked around meeting other athletes and talking to them, learning their stories (this helps me relax). Right after pro start I went into the water and treaded for about 6-7 minutes, checking my goggles, watch, range of motion in skin suit.

Swim

1h 33m 1s
4224 yards
02m 12s / 100 yards

Comments:

Being a BOP swimmer I paid the price as I felt like I was in a washing machine spin cycle with all the other swimmers. Lots of people cut me off but I'm sure I cut many people off as well.

What would you do differently?:

Stage myself more towards the front to hopefully better avoid mass chaos. I was hoping for sub 85 minutes. I felt the water temp was perfect for what I wore. I was also pleased that I did not tire at all during the swim. In the past I have done longer practice swims but will not do that anymore.

Transition 1

07m 34s

Comments:

Very slow transition. Was too anxious to get off skinsuit to save time that I think it actually took longer. Tri top was a b**% to put on. It was not completely dry from the swim the day before.

What would you do differently?:

Make sure DRY tri top available, or wear tri top during swim. I felt the tri top was just a bit too tight on the chest from comfort on the swim. Maybe get a larger top next time.

Bike

6h 14m 39s
112 miles
17.94 mile/hr

Comments:

I executed my bike plan perfectly. I ate 1 GU every 20-30 min and drnk at least 20 oz of fluid every 30 min. Fortunately I had lots of spare (5) GU's taped to my top tube as I could not always get one from the volunteers in transition. I used 3 water cages but never used the 2 bottles behind the seat. I still would carry them as even 1 ten mile stretch (if they ran short on water at aid stations) would have caused me to dehydrate. This was good insurance. The AID stations were very well stocked and it was not difficult getting what I needed without having to stop.
One time the intersection was closed for about 5 minutes while traffic was being directed. I flatted at mile 83 and it took 6-7 minutes to fix. I was happy to get it right on the first try. Filled tire with 16 gm CO2 and it worked perfect!

What would you do differently?:

I would not do much different. It was soooo tempting to push hard on the first 30-40 miles but I held back the urge and paced myself. Glad I did as I kept strong pace then entire ride.

Transition 2

05m 13s

Comments:

Happy to get off bike. Loved the 2XU tri shorts!!!!! Very comfortable the entire ride.
Very glad I did not push it on the beginning of the bike. Would always carry lots of extra fluids and keep pushing fluids. I had to pee about 5 times during the ride which told me I was hydrating well.

What would you do differently?:

Nothing, I had my best bike split ever. I felt I changed my flat pretty quickly but need to continue to practice changing tires in race-like conditions and not in the comfort of my garage. I was so sweaty that it was hard to grip the tools. I did note that my tire was easy to put on as the tire was hot and likely expanded a bit. I inflated my tires to 115 at the start of the race. I may consider 110. Not sure if the flat was due to heat or just bad luck.

Run

5h 22m 55s
26.2 miles
12m 20s min/mile

Comments:

Had to walk about 3-4 miles total. I ran slow for me but was pleased I was able to keep going as long as I did. Aid station support was excellent with ample supplies. Lots of people offering hoses to spray people. Started chicken broth and coke/potato chips on the final loop.

What would you do differently?:

Do more long runs in training!!!!!

Post race

Warm down:

Shower, picked up bike then went down to cheer all the finishers till midnight. Kept moving, continued to drink fluids (cola) and ate 2 chicken/rice burritos at the athlete finisher station.

What limited your ability to perform faster:

Swim- mass start. Very crowded. I started out back and to the right and as it turns out many others had the same idea. Not sure if swimming wide right would be better for a BOP swimmer so as to avoid the crowding.

Bike- One intersection we had to stop and wait for traffic, and one flat tire.

Run - Lack of overall run fitness. Need to do more long runs in training.

Event comments:

I loved the race!!! Having done IM Louisville, IM MOO. and Lake Placid I would rate the bike as flat and fast. The hills are all easy and never required me to change to small ring or get out of my saddle. The wind was variable and occasional gusts. The heat was difficult (coming from Michigan) but I stayed well hydrated.
Race support was awesome. The volunteers rocked!!!!!!!
Crowd support was very good. I loved the 3 loop run course as it gave me more motivation to keep going each time we passed thru the cheering people in town.

Last updated: 2011-05-23 12:00 AM

Swimming
01:33:01 \| 4224 yards \| 02m 12s / 100yards
Age Group:	0/140
Overall:	0/2160
Performance:	Below average
Suit:	Blue Seventy Skin Suit over 2XU Tri Shorts
Course:	Out 1400 yards and back then through a narrow canal to the finish.
Start type:	Deep Water	Plus:	Shot
Water temp:	79F / 26C	Current:	Low
200M Perf.	Bad	Remainder:	Below average
Breathing:	Good	Drafting:	Below average
Waves:	Below average	Navigation:	Average
Rounding:	Average

T1
Time:	07:34
Performance:	Below average
Cap removal:	Bad	Helmet on/ Suit off:	No
Wetsuit stuck?	Yes	Run with bike:	Yes
Jump on bike:	No
Getting up to speed:	Average

Biking
06:14:39 \| 112 miles \| 17.94 mile/hr
Age Group:	0/140
Overall:	0/2160
Performance:	Good
Wind:	Some
Course:	Flat for me. Never had to stand on any of the uphills (I would call them gentle rollers at best). Wind was mixed as course changed directions many times. Many of the road surrounded by trees probably blocked the wind on many portions. Vast Majority of the roads were fairly decent except for a few areas where it was very bumpy and incompletely paved.
Road:	Smooth Dry	Cadence:
Turns:	Average	Cornering:	Average
Gear changes:	Average	Hills:	Average
Race pace:	Comfortable	Drinks:	Just right

T2
Time:	05:13
Overall:	Good
Riding w/ feet on shoes		Average
Jumping off bike		Bad
Running with bike		Below average
Racking bike		Good
Shoe and helmet removal		Bad

Running
05:22:55 \| 26.2 miles \| 12m 20s min/mile
Age Group:	0/140
Overall:	0/2160
Performance:	Below average
Course:	3 loop course, very flat. Some areas were running directly into wind which helped cool things down a bit. Lots of crowd support on the run!
Keeping cool	Good	Drinking	Just right

Post race
Weight change:	%
Overall:	Good
Mental exertion [1-5]	5
Physical exertion [1-5]	4
Good race?	Yes

Evaluation
Course challenge	Too easy
Organized?	Yes
Events on-time?	Yes
Lots of volunteers?	Yes
Plenty of drinks?	Yes
Post race activities:	Good
Race evaluation [1-5]	4