IRONMAN TEXAS 70.3

IM Texas 70.3 had a stacked field.  Two world champion athletes, the current world record holder at the IM distance, a seven time Tour de France winner, and many other athletes that have won 70.3 races.  My fitness is great right now and I anticipated surprising a few athletes.  If things went well, I thought I could have a top 10 showing.  The plan was to have a good swim and exit before the super cyclist, work with them for the ride, and then run as well as I could. 

SWIM -- 24:22

This was the roughest swim start I have ever participated in.  From the moment the gun went off, everyone was fighting for position.  I usually sprint out and settle into a nice position sitting in second or third position of the first group.  However, in this swim, I was simply beat up too much to make it out of the main pack and to the front.  The first 1000 meters of the swim consisted of three or four kicks to the face, a well place fist to my right eye, filling up my goggles, and lots of swimmers swimming into me and I swimming into them.  It was pretty miserable.  So much for my game plan.

After about 1000 meters, I decided to swim wide, find some open water and try to swim my way back to the first group.  The first group was about 75-100 meters ahead of me, and I went for it trying to catch back up.  I passed about 10 guys but exited the water in 16th place.  I led the second group of athletes and we found ourselves about 1:00 down on the first swimmer and 30 seconds off the tail end of the first group.  

BIKE -- 2:12:50

The bike is a tough one, you ride into a crosswind/headwind for 28 miles, turn around, and then ride with a crosswind/tailwind for 28 miles.  Getting onto the bike I felt great.  I've been riding really well of late and my confidence was high going into the race.  I'm also  sporting a new ride, an Argon 118.  The bike is super face and simply cuts through the wind.  I took the first 10 miles at a relatively easy pace, and then picked it up.  I caught a group of guys that had exited the water in the first group and kept riding pass a number of riders.  At the turn around, I found myself in 11th place, and right with the 10th place rider.  This was a great showing.  I was feeling great.  However, I had a mechanical problem at mile 35, my areo bar dislodge from the insert.  This changed my position on the bike and forced me to favor my left side.  I eventually slowed a bit over the last 15 miles of the ride, and jumped off the bike in 15th place. 

RUN --  DNF

Jumping off the bike, my left hamstring was completely cramped and I knew my day may be over.  I started the run and tried to get a smooth stride going, but my cramps would not subside.  Not wanting to injure myself, I decided to call it a day.

In all, I learned a bit more about racing today.  I had a blast competing against some of the greatest athletes in the world, and I am looking forward to getting back out there.

I'd like to thank my homestay in Houston, Matt and Megan, thanks so much, and my homestay in Galveston, John and Sherry.  Everyone in Texas seemed to be so friendly.  Thanks again!  

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