Due to storms the previous two days, the wind was high (20 mph) and they cancelled the swim due to the chop.

Wind had sustained winds of 20mph from the NE, meaning the first half of the bike I felt like Lance Armstrong on steroids (or just Lance Armstrong) cruising along at 22 mph. Then we turned around, where it was even tough to maintain 14 mph.

I did hold back a little, trying to keep my legs fresh for the run.

I really just need to get more cycling in.

I had been battling achilles tendonitis since late July, so I've hardly ran since then trying to rest and recover

The first couple miles felt good and time was decent 8:44/mile and 8:54 mile (assuming the mile markers on the race were posted correctly) However, my legs and feet started getting very sore which continued to get worse. My achilles felt fine, it was my legs and feet that were hurting. I wasn't out of breath, but I just couldn't move my legs faster.

The lack of running over the last 8 weeks has shown. This was actually only my fourth time running over 6 miles. I had done some 40/2 bricks, but not anything with a longer run.

The best part about the run was that my wife and kids were out there cheering me on.

I'd like to be healthy and actually train more.

First I had to sit down on the grass and recover, while my kids fought over who could drink my Perform drink that I got.

Later that day I hadn't ever been so exhausted. Recovery is going to be longer than from a Sprint.


My achilles injury just impacted my ability to train more in the key weeks leading up to the race. I knew could finish the race, so I didn't want to drop down to the sprint. So finish is what I did. Given everything, I am okay with the result.


Good, but not great race from an organizational perspective. When I first rolled up to Moody Gardens, there were no signs as where to go. Given the storms, there was a lot of questions regarding what parts of the race were going to happen, but communication from the RD was lacking. The Expo and the after-party was very weak - I expected a little more for something associated with WTC. Race club tents were not allowed, leaving the after party looking barren.

On the plus side, the course was well marked and there was a lot of volunteers.The location at Moody Gardens makes for a nice destination race. It is nice to walk downstairs from your hotel room to the start.