We had 117 guys in our wave; can you say crowded.

As usual I hang towards the back to start, but there was a bunch of us slow guys and we're all bumping and grinding to the same tune. The most contact I've had in a long time. Nothing really bad, just distracting.

Never got into a good rythym, so that, combined with my slow speed made for a long swim. I got off course about mid-way when the course took the dog-leg turn. A life guard in a canoe pointed out my error, and after getting back on track, I had guys all around me almost the entire time. Navigated pretty well after that.

The second half went a little smoother, but the damage had been done; I knew I was turning in a poor swim, even by my standards. Had to tell myself not to stress over it, stay calm, and just take care of business.

Finally, the exit appears and I'm done! I didn't even look at my watch, but I knew I had my work cut out for me to get back in the race.

How 'bout the concept of swim faster?

Missed my goal time by 4 minutes.

A bit of a run both ways, but it was all sidewalk and grass. It continues to fasinate me why people walk in transition. Don't they realize the clock is ticking?



Not too much, I always do pretty well in transitions; today was no different.

10th in AG, the fastest was 1:09.

I knew I had a chance to put out a good ride and I did just that. I needed to in order to make up for my lousy swim. I had already psych'd myself up the day before on a tune-up ride to just push and when I was temped to let up, just push harder.

This was the same course as last year and I was determined to bomb through the turns. I can go fast on the straights, but always slowed down for the turns and it would bring the average down. Today I took the turns as fast as I could.

Since I was in the second wave, the congestion on the course wasn't bad, and had no problems working with the other riders. The flat, smooth concrete roads were just heavenly.

Saw Luke (lukeTX04) on my second lap and was able to holler out to him as I went by.

I didn't want it to stop, but all too quickly it was over with, and it was time to run.

Nothing; rode as fast as I could.

The next step is full aero wheels. I'm considering renting some for BSLT.

For some reason, my chip didn't register when crossing the mat [maybe I was too fast? ;-)] and I had no T2 time on the official results. So I extrapolated the time from the bike and run, and averaged with my typical T2, I came up with something to put in here.

I was smooth and I knew I hadn't made any mistakes.

Additional comment about getting out of the shoes while on the bike: Some folks just don't do it well enough to matter and it actually hurts them.

I passed 2 guys on the bike who slowed down during the last half mile while they fumbled with their shoes. I passed a third guy at the dismount line jacking with his shoes.

I run well in bike shoes and it only takes me 2-3 seconds to take 'em off after I've racked the bike.

I don't feel like I'm missing too much by not beating this race aspect to death. IF I ever start contending for the podium, AND I become a great swimmer, AND I need to cut 3-4 seconds off my time, THEN I'll become an expert at this. Until "then", I ain't worrying about it.

Just my observation.

Nothing.

My theoretical time was good for 9th in AG, the fastest was 54s.

I looked at my watch for the first time and saw that making my overall time goal was still going to be tough even though I'd had a good bike segment.

I hit the run pretty hard coming out of T2 and both of my inner thigh groin muscles started feeling "crampy" and I was worried that something bad was fixin' to happen.

But the legs settled down after a half mile, and everything was cool. It had me a little nervous after coming off such a fast bike. Got into my breathing/striding rythym and everything was feeling good.

Had a close call with a car pulling into a driveway to the sports club. At first they stopped as if to let me pass, then sped up to beat me to the spot. I had to break stride and almost stop to let them pass. Felt like banging their trunk as I just missed the rear fender.

Started to fade just a little at about the 1-3/4 mile mark and had to concentrate on keeping the pace up. Two guys in my AG passed me with a mile to go. I had passed them on the bike, but I couldn't hang onto their their 6:26 & 6:48 paces. One beat me by a minute; the other by 20 seconds.

Pounded out the rest of the run and brought the Tejas to a close. Glanced at my watch after I crossed the finish line and they had snapped my pic, and I knew I was close to my overall time goal of 1:08.

Nothing; ran as fast as I could.

Walked around, drank some water, ate some fruit, 2 slices of pizza, and 2 cokes.

My wife was out of town, so I was alone. Looked for the BT'ers, but there were so many folks there, I just didn't find them. Bumped into a couple of other racers I know, so that was cool.

Found the race announcer who'd mentioned prior to the race about his son serving in Iraq, and so I told him about my son. We talked for a while and by then it was time to pack up and leave.


Swimming, and that's about all I've got to say about that.

I had a goal of 1:08, and really my time is actually closer to 1:09, but I'll consider this a successful race nonetheless.


This RD (he also does the IronStar) always put on a good race and everything is well organized. Plenty of food and drink, and a great venue, but it lacked the post-race music that creates the party atmosphere. But that's just me being a little picky.