IronGirl Texas - TriathlonSprint

This was my first OWS Race experience. The two OWS I did in training did NOT prepare me for this. The first three quarters of the swim were not 'swimming' for me. I made all the mistakes: start in the middle, look up every time I got bumped, breathing crazy. I honestly looked up at the finish from the second bouy and thought 'there is no way I am going to make it that far.' I told myself I was NEVER doing an OWS again. I swallowed sooo much water (which would haunt my run).

About 150-200m to go I finally got a swim going. I put my head down and swam. When I did sight, I was amazed at how much closer it seemed. I relaxed and quit burning so much energy. I cant explain the elation at finishing this swim but I was burping up water the whole rest of the race.

Guess it wasn't too bad considering I just took up swimming 12 weeks ago though since I did finish 36/71 in my AG. Could have been worse.

De-fogger in goggles a must.
Stay to the outside to swim, not to the middle.
Swim harder in the first 100m for position then settle in.
Warm up duh.

I took my time in T1 since it was my first time. I was going to wipe my face but forgot to put my rag out of my bag during setup. No issues. This was a slow transition for me. Crowded at mount line and I couldn't even cross the timing mat until several girls moved out of the way. Probably lost 30 sec here.

Not pack things in odd pockets in my bag - made me forget to unpack things. Practice more.

I had some water here but I think I would have skipped it next time. I had too much lake water and I was feeling sloggy.

The overall bike split felt good and I stayed in my 18mph range here. I made up some time from the swim. Having never been in a bike race, it took me a few miles to get down the whole no drafting/passing thing and I was really slow here. I finally figured out this was a race and I needed to not stay behind people (yes I know how dumb this sounds). I drank water leaving, one bottle on bike, and a cup going in. Almost too much for my stomach to process.

I made a HUGE nutrition mistake here. I did not take any gels since feeling full from all the water I swallowed in the swim. I'm 1) not used to it and 2) I drank a gatorade and figured I could get enough cal from it rather than choke down a gel. Then at the end I was focusing on biking and kind of forgot. I might have down-geared and upped my cadence here at the end next time to feel fresher getting off. Overall not bad though and no seat pain (which I usually experience).

This was the part I was actually really worried about (dismount) but it was a non-issue.

Got everything off ok, gloves a bit sticking. Shoes slipped right on, put hair band, number on while running out. I went somewhat slow out the chute but I don't think it took that long really. Felt good about this.


I think I will pull gloves off right at end of bike instead of in T2.

Took water on way out. Should have dumped some on my shoulders.

Was I supposed to run here? I felt a little brick like coming out of the run but not bad body wise. Unfortunately my poor nutrition and all the lake water I swallowed were bad partners. This is where I blew up my race...I had severe stomach cramping by mile 1 and I could hardly run it hurt so much. I thought about trying a gel but wasn't sure if it would even help since I had so little time left. Looking back the answer was yes! I ended up alternate walking and running the whole way. I felt like I had already come so far that I didnt mind that I had to walk. Body felt good at the end. Next time I will shoot for actually running here.

Eat on the bike. Gel before starting the run. I would probably drink less on the bike since I felt so water heavy. I also need longer workouts to get to this level of fitness.

Walk around and try not to feel sick. ;) Found a shady spot and fluid intake. Loved getting my finisher medal and seeing my family and friends finally!


Nutrition and water intake was just not in the right balance for me. I need to practice this more.


This was a really well organized and fantastic race. I would love to do it again next year. The volunteers were great and the competitors cheered each other on really well.