2009 Tall City Triathlon

Midland, TX - August 8, 2009

I started training for this triathlon about a month and a half ago with a plan to finish the race, and that is what I did. That is really all that I did. I was 78th out of 111 finishers with an overall time of 1:33:42.

For training I used a modified 13 week sprint triathlon training plan from BeginnerTriathlete.com. I modified it by adding strength training on top of the regular triathlon training. It really turned out to be too much but I think it is important to include strength training in my regular schedule.

I setup my transition area the night before in my living room.


Living Room
Transition Area

 

It's 5:00am and I'm ready to go...

PRE-RACE:
Up at 5:00am for breakfast and stretching. I went over my equipment list and made sure everything was in the truck. My parents were at the house by 6:00am so we could get to the event by 6:15. I wanted to be a little early so I did not get nervous about being late. I got my timing chip and markings and went to setup my transition area. I ran a few 100 yards to warm-up.

Sunrise in the
Transition area

SWIM: 13:49 (500 Yards) - New Personal Record
I did not get to warm-up for the swim so I planned to use the first few lengths as the warm-up. It is a staggered start so we got in line based on times that we turned in during registration. I turned in an 18 min 500 yard so they placed me toward the end of the first start group. That turned out to be a good place for me. The other swimmers around me were very courteous and allowed me to pass to few times I needed too. One person passed me and we entered the transition area at almost the same time. There was one swimmer that would not allow people to pass at the wall so we had to pass him in the lane with oncoming traffic. I finished the swim feeling winded but strong for the bike leg.

 


Waiting for my turn

Not Me

......


Still waiting...
Still not me...
...
...
Almost time

The wait is over!!
That's my arm


It's not pretty...
...but it gets the job done.
Just catching my breath
BIKE: 45:59 (13.4 miles)
I came out of the swim winded but my legs felt good. We started with a tail wind so I quickly got to speed and maintained it until the route turn back toward the wind and started climbing. I passed quit a few riders. Just before the turn around I was passing a rider while we here climbing into the wind and I gave a little encouragement."Looks like we're going to make it." Just then a guy on a really nice triathlon bike flew by us like we were sitting still."He'll make it" says the other rider. The last few mile were mostly into a strong wind and my speed dropped. At the transition my legs felt okay but I could feel my calves starting to cramp.

Entering the
bike transition
Bike mount line

Not me...
...
...
Thanking the Police
for stopping traffic.

My kids were
here to cheer for me		    
RUN: 29:38 (5k)
I did really bad on the run. I planned to walk at water stations only. As soon as I started running my calves cramped. I walked about 100 yards then ran to the first water station. I walked through the water station and stopped on the other side to stretch. After that I felt better and was able to run the rest. I did walk through the water stations to allow time to drink and rest a little. I passed a few people and only one passed me. At the end I was able to kick a little harder and finish strong. It was great to have my kids waiting at the finish line.

Run Transition
Waving to the kids
High school friend Tony
This is me
in the leg brace

Gun Time: 1:51:43
Chip (Official) Time: 1:33:42
I am now a
Triathlete!