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Memorial Hermann Ironman Texas - TriathlonFull Ironman


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The Woodlands, Texas
United States
World Triathlon Corporation
90F / 32C
Sunny
Total Time = 10h 53m 30s
Overall Rank = /
Age Group = 35-39
Age Group Rank = 7/
Swim
  • 1h 05m 50s
  • 4224 yards
  • 01m 34s / 100 yards
Transition 1
  • 05m 42s
Bike
  • 5h 35m 2s
  • 112 miles
  • 20.06 mile/hr
Transition 2
  • 03m 33s
Run
  • 4h 03m 23s
  • 26.2 miles
  • 09m 17s  min/mile
Post race
What limited your ability to perform faster:

Windy. Hot and humid.

Event comments:

Ironman Texas
May 19, 2012

The race weekend had a stressful start when I arrived in Houston and realized my bike had been broken. Tech support was able to fix it to work and my bike shop (BikeWise in Oxford, Ohio) had the part sent to me to allow for the bike to be correctly fixed.

I arrived at transition early. It was a long walk from transition to the swim start. I was full of nerves race morning. I hate crowds. I was happy Pater was there to calm me down and make sure I got in the water to start. The water temp was 81 degrees. Nice! We had about 15 minutes of treading water before the cannon signaled start of the race. I started toward the front, but off to the side a bit. It was a rough start. The man-made lake/canal was not that large. The water was dark, so it was not possible to see your hands or the feet in front of you. My stroke was short and choppy until I made the first turn. After the first turn, I was able to find some free water and open up my stroke. I spotted Pater and his cousin watching on the bank of the canal. There were not too many females around me, so they were able to see me. Of course I had to wave to them while swimming. :-) The canal was narrow and shallow. There were people standing on the banks of both sides of the canal cheering. I could tell it was not a fast swim for me (average). This was my first open water swim since Louisville last August. My Garmin buttons must have pushed during the swim as it was not in the correct mode and the timing was off when I exited the water. There were a few women in the changing tent, but not many. I had a volunteer help me and I was on my way to bike.

I quickly found my pace and settled in on the bike. My Garmin was still messed up, but I had the computer on my bike working. This is a one loop course and there is nothing exciting about it. The scenery is not that interesting and it is mostly flat with a few rollers. I stayed in the big ring the entire ride and only got out of aero position when turning corners. It was hot and humid. I noticed the wind shift about mile 60. It was WINDY! I kept a good pace and kept pushing. I didn't want to over bike and destroy my legs for the run. With this being such an early season race, most of my rides (including century rides) were on the trainer. I was not sure how this would impact my race. There were lots of race officials on the course and they were really watching for drafting. Due to the flat and windy course, it was an ideal situation for drafting. Sections of the course were next to a busy road that was not closed to traffic. We rode on the side of the road, but it did make passing a little difficult. It was so hot! I forced myself to stay up with nutrition and hydration. I was taking fresh bottles at every aid station (10 miles). I felt good the entire ride, but not overly powerful. It was a controlled strong. I passed lots of guys on the windy back half of the course that took the first half too fast. I picked up the pace and pushed the last 12 miles back to transition. Did I mention it was hot and windy?!?! There was only one female in the transition tent when I arrived. A volunteer helped me and I was ready to run.

The run was a three loop, flat course. I started the run feeling fantastic. Since the total race time had been deleted from the Garmin, I just put it in run mode so I could keep an eye on my pace. I also had the watch time up. I knew I wanted to finish before 6:00PM. Around mile 5 or 6 of the run I realized that I had not peed since in the water before the start of the race. I stopped at a port-a-potty, but couldn’t go. Not good. I kept running and taking in lots of water. I was also eating gels and chomp blocks. The first loop (almost 9 miles) was great. This is a nice run course for crowd support. I saw Pater, his cousin, and other friends. I started the second loop feeling good. Sections of this run course are on a run/bike path that is not very wide. The second and third loop did become somewhat crowded with people running really slow or walking 3 or 4 people across. This took up the entire path and it was not possible to pass. I needed to say, “on your left” or “stay to the right” a few times to pass. Around mile 12 I started feeling very hot. I was still drinking at every aid station and using the cold sponges. I kept moving forward, but my pace slowed. I couldn’t cool down. I finished the second loop. The crowd was amazing!!! I was tired and sore. Around mile 19 I noticed I had goose bumps and was feeling cold. I was watching the time and was getting concerned that I was not going to finish in under 11:00 hours. I wanted it bad! I talked to myself during the last 4 or 5 miles. I saw Pater again with 2 miles to go. At this point, I couldn’t look at my watch and I couldn’t go any faster. I have a lot of room for improvement with my run and would like to spend some time focusing on this. I finally made it to the finish line split. The finish line had a 90 degree turn, so I couldn’t see the clock until I made the turn. I saw 10:5X and then found a little bit more energy and picked up my step. I was so happy!!!

A volunteer and medical personnel talked with me. I told them I had not peed all day and I was freezing. They took me to medical and I was given two IV bags of fluid before finally needing to potty. My temp was also very low at 92.4. I warmed up and rehydrated before they released me. I felt much better after a shower and some sleep.

My goal for this race was sub 11:00 and Kona qualify. I didn’t KQ, but I am thrilled with my 10:53:30. This is was tough race day and I raced the best I possibly could. I am very happy with the result!

swim - 1:05
T1 - 5:42
bike - 5:35:02
T2 - 3:33
run - 4:03:23
Total = 10:53:30





Last updated: 2011-10-16 12:00 AM
Swimming
01:05:50 | 4224 yards | 01m 34s / 100yards
Age Group: 6/
Overall: 0/
Performance: Average
Suit: no
Course: 1 loop. Out and back and then turn into the canal.
Start type: Deep Water Plus: Shot
Water temp: 81F / 27C Current:
200M Perf. Good Remainder: Average
Breathing: Average Drafting:
Waves: Navigation: Below average
Rounding: Good
T1
Time: 05:42
Performance:
Cap removal: Good Helmet on/
Suit off:
Wetsuit stuck? Run with bike:
Jump on bike:
Getting up to speed:
Biking
05:35:02 | 112 miles | 20.06 mile/hr
Age Group: 7/
Overall: 0/
Performance:
Wind: Headwind with gusts
Course: 1 loop. flat with few rollers. WINDY!
Road:   Cadence:
Turns: Cornering:
Gear changes: Hills:
Race pace: Drinks:
T2
Time: 03:33
Overall:
Riding w/ feet on shoes
Jumping off bike
Running with bike
Racking bike
Shoe and helmet removal
Running
04:03:23 | 26.2 miles | 09m 17s  min/mile
Age Group: 7/
Overall: 0/
Performance: Good
Course: 3 loops. flat. great crowd support.
Keeping cool Drinking
Post race
Weight change: %
Overall:
Mental exertion [1-5]
Physical exertion [1-5]
Good race? Yes
Evaluation
Course challenge
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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2012-05-21 2:26 PM

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Extreme Veteran
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Subject: Memorial Hermann Ironman Texas


2012-05-21 3:02 PM
in reply to: #4221076

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Extreme Veteran
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Houston
Subject: RE: Memorial Hermann Ironman Texas

Very Solid Race! Congrats on going Sub 11:00...Very impressive!

Jb

2012-05-21 3:18 PM
in reply to: #4221076

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Expert
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Prattville Insane Asylum San Antonio
Subject: RE: Memorial Hermann Ironman Texas
Congrats on coming in under 11!  Great race!  
2012-05-21 3:44 PM
in reply to: #4221076

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Regular
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Subject: RE: Memorial Hermann Ironman Texas
Fantastic race Amy, well done!
2012-05-21 6:30 PM
in reply to: #4221076

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Veteran
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Harrison, Oh
Subject: RE: Memorial Hermann Ironman Texas
Congratulations on making your goal, Amy!  Awesome job
2012-05-21 6:51 PM
in reply to: #4221076

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Regular
477
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Washington, DC
Subject: RE: Memorial Hermann Ironman Texas

Congratulations on a wonderful race! 

I went to school in Oxford and love that bike shop!



2012-05-21 7:09 PM
in reply to: #4221633

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Extreme Veteran
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Subject: RE: Memorial Hermann Ironman Texas
meggfishy - 2012-05-21 7:51 PM

Congratulations on a wonderful race! 

I went to school in Oxford and love that bike shop!

BikeWise is the BEST!!!

2012-05-21 8:36 PM
in reply to: #4221076

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Queen BTich
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Subject: RE: Memorial Hermann Ironman Texas

Great job! Very impressive. 

My husband is from Hamilton, right up your road. 

2012-05-22 4:38 AM
in reply to: #4221076

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Expert
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Subject: RE: Memorial Hermann Ironman Texas
  Love love love that you made it under 11 hours on such a smokin' hot day!  Congrats Amy!  AWESOME!
2012-05-22 8:35 AM
in reply to: #4221076

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Champion
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Dallas, TX
Subject: RE: Memorial Hermann Ironman Texas
It was a tough day out there! Sub 11 is amazing... especially since you haven't been a heat training or riding outdoors. You are certainly gifted Amy.

Race officials? There were race officials? Never saw ONE the ENTIRE RACE. Seriously! I guess they didn't care about us BOPer's. Ha!

Great job out there! It was nice seeing you again!

2012-05-22 12:54 PM
in reply to: #4221810

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Subject: RE: Memorial Hermann Ironman Texas
Comet - 2012-05-21 9:36 PM

Great job! Very impressive. 

My husband is from Hamilton, right up your road. 

yes, right up the road.  :-)



2012-05-22 12:56 PM
in reply to: #4222362

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Extreme Veteran
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Subject: RE: Memorial Hermann Ironman Texas

KSH - 2012-05-22 9:35 AM It was a tough day out there! Sub 11 is amazing... especially since you haven't been a heat training or riding outdoors. You are certainly gifted Amy. Race officials? There were race officials? Never saw ONE the ENTIRE RACE. Seriously! I guess they didn't care about us BOPer's. Ha! Great job out there! It was nice seeing you again!

 

LOL.  There were tons of officals all around where I was.  LOL.  It was great seeing you again. COngrats on your finish!!!  You stayed tough out there and got it done!

2012-05-22 5:59 PM
in reply to: #4221076

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Veteran
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The Woodlands, Tx
Subject: RE: Memorial Hermann Ironman Texas
Awesome race
2012-05-23 5:05 PM
in reply to: #4221076

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Pro
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NorCal
Subject: RE: Memorial Hermann Ironman Texas
AWESOME job!!!!  I'm soooooo proud of you, but you knew that already
2012-05-24 12:58 PM
in reply to: #4226069

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Master
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Muskego, Wisconsin
Subject: RE: Memorial Hermann Ironman Texas
Fan-freaking-tastic.  You rocked it out there.  It was great to meet you and your boyfriend, I'm horrible at names.  Tell him thanks for chatting with me during the dinner.  Good luck.
2012-05-24 7:36 PM
in reply to: #4221076

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Master
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Granvile, Ohio
Subject: RE: Memorial Hermann Ironman Texas
Amazing job Amy!  Very proud of you!


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