Lonestar 70.3 Race Report

Triathlons are fun.  That really sums up April 1, 2012 for me.  I had a lot of fun.

I was in the second to last wave, starting at 8:30am.  As if I needed another challege for the day, I get to start in a later wave, when the sun is nice and high in the sky, without a cloud in sight.   Oh well, that is why we do these crazy events, right? 

My final times are as follows:

Swim - 55:40
T1 - 3:59
Bike - 2:52
T2 - 3:48
Run - 2:26
Final - 6:22

I thought I had put in enough laps to finish the swim for a race like this, but I was sadly mistaken.  I got in the water (wetsuit on), and started the first 400m fine.  Then something happend.  What was it? No idea, but it did.  I do not think it was a panic attack, but rather me not being comfortable in the suit and open water. I was left with having to swim what I could, then do backstroke, then swim, then backstroke, etc.  I practiced sighting in training, I had worn my suit a few times, but looking back now I think that I did not train 'smart'.  That will need to change starting next week once I am recovered.

My Dad was waiting for me at the stripping area and he could tell I was gassed.  To have that much energy depleted going into the bike was not part of my race plan.  To put it in simple terms, I felt as if I had just used half my tank of energy, leaving me only half a tank for the final two legs of the race. Endurance events have taught me a lot about race management and mental toughness, so I was up to the challenge.  

Once on the bike, I felt at home.  The bike is where I feel I am strongest/comfortable, so I just laid the hammer down the best I could and went with a comfortable pace.  My goal for the day was to average 20mph, even though my training had indicated I could handle a litte faster pace.  The wind was a factor by this time in the day, so I knew that reaching 20mph would be a challenge.  I averaged 19.4, which I am happy with despite a flat tire at the turn-around and being extremely tired from the swim on the first leg.  Once my flat was fixed, I set a new goal for the day and that was to make sure I kept enough in the tank to finish the run strong.  The sun was BLAZING by this time (along with a terrible crosswind), so I knew the heat would be another challenge during the run. 

At T2, I did a quick analysis on how I felt and I would have to say I had about 1/4 tank of gas left, so I was not really on my race plan.  Thankfully I had taken in nutrition well on the bike with Base Performance and Hammer Gel, so I wasnt concerned with having GI issues starting off on the run.  I got my socks and shoes on and away I went.  I knew from the start it was going to be a rough run, so I just stuck with whatever pace hurt the least.  I do not think I even looked at my watch until my third lap of the race because I wanted to just run by feel and not rush myself.  By the end of the first lap, I was having to walk a few yards, then run a mile, walk a few yards, run a mile, etc.  This continued to the finish. 

I finished in 6:22, 22 minutes over my goal time, but I finished!  My Dad and wife were cheering my name as I crossed and it felt amazing to have accomplished so much.  Triathlons and enduarance races really test yourself on what you are made of, how mentally strong you are and also deliver a sense of pride that is hard to match.

Lonestar was a well run event, with lots of volunteers that are willing to help in any way they can.  The aid stations were well stocked, post-race food was terrific and was held at a beautiful venue.  Thanks to all of my family and friends for the conitued support.  I could not have done this without you.