Iron Star Triathlon - Triathlon1/2 Ironman

This was a decent swim for me. There was a little confusion on the course as we waded out and saw that the kayaks were diverting the previous wave from going through the "gate" as had been described in the announcement and sending them around the far bouy. The swim felt long to me and the additional distance around the bouy rather than through the gate (which would have resulted in a tangent) probably added 100 yards or more on the front and back of the swim.

nothing

Long run to transition. Took my time to get everything together before heading out on the bike.

The bike was a grind. The 12 miles of soul-sucking chip seal, the headwinds coming back and Johnson Road (I hate Johnson Road-why is it that you can look out in front of you and it appears that you should be going downhill, yet you're struggling to maintain 17 mph?) all combined to make this course a Clydesdale killer. I was mentally counting down miles to the end of the season from the turnaround on in... Also, my HR was a full 20 bpm higher than during the IMTX bike over much of the same course, yet slightly slower for the shorter distance. Go figure... One other note, it seems the results are calculating the mph on 59 miles-hard to say if that's accurate as my bike computer doesn't record data when it's rattling around a bunch on rough roads. With Clear Lake and this race both having long bike segments, maybe Greg is taking on WTC and we'll see a whole new series-"5650" and "73.3"?

Almost busted my butt making the sharp turn back into transition when my bike shoes hit the concrete... Otherwise, took my time and gathered myself for the run.

I hoped to finish this year off with a decent run. I started out under a 9 min/mile pace and held that into the second loop. Unfortunately, by about mile 7, I had to stroll a bit and give myself a little pep talk to grind it out. I just wanted it to be over so found a jog/walk the aid stations plan that kept me moving. Having overcooked the bike, that was about all I had left.

beer, pizza, nap


the race was better than I expected. unfortunately, I was pretty much burned out by the time it arrived. it's been a long season and I'm glad it's finished. time to rest and recover and get ready for 2012!