SLOW, SLOW, SLOW! I could not find a rhythym at all! By the time we got in the water it was a little rough and I really had a hard time breathing and actually getting a good breath. As a result, I breaststroked and backstroked about 80% of the swim. I was not planning on this at all. I had been swimming great in the pool recently. I pretty much gave up trying to freestyle and just decided to get myself around the buoy's and back to the exit. Going off of Cinco Ranch Tri (500 meter OWS) I swam in a little under 14min, I should have been 20ish minutes. I was slow, it was still fun though! I also had to pee from the moment we jumped in the lake!

I don't really know. Train OWS more for sure. I just could not find a good stroke and it showed big time. I guess it just happens. Hopefully it NEVER happens again! It probably will though.

Right out of the water we had to run up a hill and then back down a freaking mountain just to get to transition. My time took a little longer because I tried to dry my feet some and get some of the grass and mud off. Didn't work. It really was a pretty long run from swim exit to transition.

Just dry feet a little and keep on rolling. Transition was also a little confusing but that is just because Kylie and I decided to walk up the hill to the port of cans instead of listening to the RD explain how things work. Oops.

Right out of transition you climb a hill, turn right, and climb another hill. This kinda stunk but not too bad. I was passing some people and having a good time. The other 3 sides to the square were great. Some uphills but some nice downhills too. Everyone did a good job staying to the right. Some people passing people who were passing other people but it wasnt too bad. The bad hill was a lot worse on the second lap. I got stuck behind a guy who was going slower than I wanted to go but it would have taken way too much energy to pass him so I had to sit back and wait to pass. This cost me some time. The down hills were great, think I hit 30 a time or 2. I could have and should have been faster. I am just not used to the hills! I still really had to pee and even contemplated stopping in T2 to go, but didn't.

Train more on hills. Spend more time in the saddle overall.

I completely forgot that transition was coming up. I only had time to get 1 foot out of my shoe. So I jumped off with one shoe still on the pedal and the other on my foot. Not the plan, cost some time, but was fine. I was happy with this transition. It felt fast.

Get both feet out before the dismount line!

The hills killed me. I have been averaging 10 min/miles on 3-5 mile runs. To go over 11 mins/mile was kinda frusterating but it was alright. I also had to walk a few times because of a side stitch. I decided that I could probably walk the uphills as fast or faster than I could run them with less energy so that is what I did. I saw Laurie, Derek, John and David on the run and that was fun!

Train on some hills. The run really wasn't what I am used to here in Houston at all and it showed.

Grabbed some water, found Kylie and the rest of the BT'ers and cheered finishers waiting on Derek to come in. We walked around and waited for the awards because Kylie thought she might have had the fastest female swim. She ended up being 2nd! I think she easily could have won it if she hadn't had the wave in front of her to fight through. The girl who won it only had the Elite wave in front of her and it was much smaller. After the awards, Kylie and Haley and I rode back to the house and packed up for the drive home. Stopped and had some Panda Express before leaving McKinney. We don't have a Panda near us so it was a grrreat treat.


Really just the hills and a craptastic swim. I had a great time though and we will be back for this race next season. Since I am just starting out, I really think that I have room to get a lot faster over time. I just need to get out there and train. Time to start getting ready for the Houston 1/2 and then probably the 1/2 IM at Lonestar.


It was a great race. A little challenging but a lot of fun. My only complaint would be the long run down the mountainous muddy hill from swim exit to T1. Also transition was really dark trying to set up in the morning. Was very well organized and we had a great time. We'll be back next year for it even though it is kina far from home.