Lonestar 70.3 Race Report (Galveston)

[tbouso]

It's been a while since I've written up a race report, but here goes. Going in to this 70.3 I can honestly say I've never been less prepared. Guessing this is about my tenth half IM so that's saying alot about my expectations. At this distance, you get what you give. Starting in the 18th out of 20 waves was a real bummer.

The swim was uneventful, which is good for me. The fewer issues the better. I swam just under 40 minutes. Considering it was wetsuit in salthingyer that says a lot about my skills in the water. Good transition and I was off on the bike.

Windy going out, but passing people constantly for first few miles. Weaving in and out getting a lot of draft is not illegal. You have 20 seconds and I'll use it all if I have too. After 6 or 7 miles there was virtually no one in front of me! WTH! I guess maybe it was a bad combination of AG spacing and my pace kind of did me in. Pretty much 20 miles into the wind and I couldn't muster much more than 20 mph. Real bummer. At the turn a round it was like there was no wind, but I know from experience I shouldn't try to make it up. It was starting to get hot and running 13 miles in the heat is a recipe for disaster. bike split was about 2:45; was hoping for about 2:30. Disappointment number one in the books.

Stupid trick number one - on long races I will put on a standard pair of bike shorts for the extra padding. Good idea as long as you remember to take them off when you come into T2. I passed my bike rack which screwed up my thinking process and I'm off on the run with my bike short. I sweat a lot and I realized about mile 1 my butt weighs about 15#s more than normal. Crap! After running about 3 more miles, I have to do something fast. I find some bushes near a water stop, peal off the shorts and throw them in the bushes. Yes, several people saw me. OMG, what a relief! Not only do I feel laughter, but so much cooler!

I felt great for a couple of miles and then the heat starting taking effect. 8 minute miles turn into 9:30s. I'm thinking I want this over ASAP. I walk through every water stop and often in between. Both of my knees are straining even with two Cho pat knee straps. I have to walk up and down every little incline or decent. The three loop course was good and bad. You know where the water stops are but it gets boring, too many turns.

Towards the end I start checking my watch doing backwards math. Gotta break 5:30 cause I'm not gonna get that 5:10 I was hoping for. The last 1.1 has to be 9:30 or better or else. With about a half mile to go running with my head down like I usually do, I hear "Tony B you pass me without saying a word.". It's Calvin and he's walking. In my nicest voice I say "Man, I have to go! Gotta break 5:30. Sorry!". I finish in 5:29:29. Finally!

Stupid trick number two - when I'm taking off my compression calf socks, I realize you're never too experienced to do something stupid. They were on backwards! The contoured calf part was up front over my shins. Oh well, my calfs cramp a lot and they didn't so I guess they work either way.

I hung around for the awards. Hoping beyond hope that the roll down would go down to 12th, but of course it didn't. Another disappointment was Lance Armstrong not showing up to receive his 7th place overall award. The other 9 top 10 guys did. Hmmm, not sure what I think about that but it's not positive.

Even though my time or place wasn't what I'd hoped for, I love to race and I especially love the longer distances. I'll just have to train better. I just don't have the genetics to cheat this sport.

Thanks,
Tony

[eblyzes]

Loved reading your story! You are an amazing athlete and should be very proud of your time:) Maybe one day I'll do a half ironman. If I ever do, I'm going to come to you, Renee and others with tons of questions.

Looking forward to my first year as a triathlete with so many amazing athletes guiding me along the way! Everyone is so helpful and willing to share tips and pointers to us newbies. Any info I receive, I pay it forward to others and want everyone to have a positive experience while trying to accomplish their goals. The club heads have surely done that for me so far:)

See ya at the Duathlon on Sunday!

~elaine blyzes~

[tbouso]

I have to amend my race report for a couple of things. First, I neglected to mention one of the best pick me ups I've ever experienced at a race. Not long into the run, after realizing I still had my bike shorts on, I came up on a group of folks whose voices I recognized. It was Jeremy, Seth, Derik and Elodie. I was already withdrawing into myself worrying about running the next 12 miles on the heat and there they were. Don't ever doubt what you can give to someone in a race simply by cheering them on. It instantly brought a smile to my face and it really did turn my attitude around at a critical time. These guys drove all night to be there. Now I know they had other reasons to be there (like Lance and their personal reasons) but for awhile it was all about me. I also had my wife on the other side of the run course.

I also want to clear up any misunderstanding about my bike shorts. They were full of sweat not something else. And best of all, they were still there after the race! So were two volunteers who saw me peeling them off and throw them in the bushes. They told me they wondered if I was going to come back and get them. $100 pair of shorts; yes I was!

[jbrown]

Glad we could help you man! I know the little rush you get by seeing friends and hearing cheering! For the record, you owe us one because we will be needing it! Glad to know I was a little part of the solution. And for the record, seeing lance and the boys was awesome but doesn't hold a candle to seeing real, true, genuine friends of ours smile as they passed us and we were screaming! Made my trip! Lance who? I have brothers and sisters in this race!!