Buffalo Springs 70.3

Best race EVER!

Okay, I'm partial...it was my first.

Inside scoop.  Depends on where you live.  I lived in TX when I first ran it so the hills looked big to me.  Now, they would look very very tiny because I live in the Black Hills.  It's all perspective.  The flats CAN and WILL get demoralizing because the wind can be brutal.  But if you live in TX it's ops normal--so again...perspective.  Also, the faster you go the less you deal with the winds (generally) since the wind picks up later in the morning.

The first three/last three miles of the run are flat as a pancake around the lake.  But it gets HOT HOT HOT so you'll be staring very longingly at that lake.  Once you climb the hill away from the Lake there isn't any shade so it gets even HOTTER.  They usually hang a sign up on this one road that says, "Energy Lab".   Anyway, the last few years have been relatively cool, so I think they are due for a scorcher.

The altitude of Lubbock is 3000 feet...that could be a factor if you are a sea-level type but if you come from ANY elevation (even 1000 feet) you won't notice.

Never mentioned the swim.  Nice and flat...into the sun for the first leg but then okay.  It's a rush start...starts wide and narrows FAST.

Well run/organized.  Zilch in the way of post-race food and shade.

If you want to get a taste for the course and you live nearby, run the Olympic Distance in May...GREAT prep race.

Personally, I LOVE this race.  The conditions and course make it a mental and physical challenge.  It is considered one of the hardest three HIM's in the US....

I didn't swim it last year so I don't know.  But my first two years the distance seemed okay.  Or as okay as any OWS gets...they're all too short anyway.

I know Wildflower and BSL are definitely ranked up there as "toughests" and I think Auburn is the other one.  So, Wildflower, BSL and Auburn are generally considered the three toughest HIM's (in no particular order).

Everyone always says it's a dry heat...but I still end up soaked.

Last year, we had a thunderstorm roll in just before the swim start.  As the swim started the winds changed so that we had a wind at our feet on the long back straight-away.  I mean we had waves pushing us because the wind was so strong.  So that's why I think the swim times were fast.  Last year I had my best swim pace in a HIM!

TJ

I loved this race. I'm going back this year for sure.

I'd call it a dry heat Jorge, but I'm used to >80% humidity that time of year.

I'm doing this one too this year. Being from the area, the humidity is kinda a crap shoot. One day it can be dry and the next 90% humidity.

Part of my training is spending some time in the sauna in a feable attempt to acclimate.

I've done parts of the course on my Computrainer. The CT course is much more difficult than the actual bike course. That's not to say the BSLT bike course is not challenging. But the CT course is harder, no question.