Race Report: 2012 Texas Stampede Sprint Triathlon

Where: Benbrook Lake
PlayTri put this race on this year for the first time.  It was supposed to be a 500m open water swim, then a 13 mile ride along the lake, then a 5k run.

I signed up for this race because it's 7 min from my house and I have never raced an open water triathlon before.

The Good: I finished and I got 1st place out of 4 under 40 Clydesdales.
The Bad: I barely finished the swim alive...I didn't have to stop and hold a Kayak or Paddleboard....but I thought about it.

I had to doggie paddle at times, roll over to my back and catch my breath....it was rough.  The swim was officially changed to 700m...way too long if you ask me.  For open water, I'll only do wet suit legal races.

Masters Swim Practice

I went out to the Lockhead Recreation center at 7am to join Chuck Burr's Ridglea Masters Swim Team practice.  It's a 50m outdoor pool and I find the longer pool is much better than the short 25 yard pool at the Benbrook YMCA.

Chuck is great, he's my swim coach for private lessons and has helped me tremendously.

I ended up doing 1100m freestyle with no pull buoy. (PR)

Bike PR

This morning I rode my bike 34 miles, this is a distance PR for me.  It was a 2 hour bike ride and if I had more water I could have gone longer.  It was very encouraging for the half Ironman race I have in September.

Open Water Swim Lesson

Worked with my swim coach Chuck Burr again tonight, but this time at Lake Benbrook.  We spent an hour in the water practicing sighting, turning around buoys.  I wore my wetsuit and felt relaxed overall, but the wetsuit helps me float.  I'm more comfortable now with open water, but still nervous.

I have a 500m open water swim to start my next triathlon race.  It won't be wetsuit legal.  I believe I can do it, but am a little worried.

Great news = Chuck's Masters team is meeting at Lake Benbrook at 5pm each Tuesday for the next couple months.  You can bet I'll be at every practice I am in town for.

Race Report: 2012 Mansfield Sprint Triathlon

The good:
2nd place out of 10 in Clydesdales, easy swim, fun/flat race, well run race
The bad:
Hot, humid, no PR, slept bad last night

I woke up at 4:55 to the annoying sound of my alarm...which I never use.  I jumped up, showered and got ready in about 20 min.  Uneventful drive to race, easy check in.

Swim 8/10
300m swim was in a 50m pool, I got passed once.  Found my grove and didn't really have to stop and catch my breath much.  There was a 35 second walk from where I got out of the pool to where you hit the timing mats.  I still have so much room to improve my swim time.

Bike 7/10
I passed tons of folks on the bike.  It was windy, but mostly flat and fast.  Garmin shows 13.7 miles, was supposed to be 12.4...this helps explains the slow mph average.  Garmin has me at 20.2, still slower than the Benbrook tri.

Run 6/10
Took over a mile for my legs to get moving after the bike.  I drank too much on the bike too.  I ran a negative split, which is awesome!  Flat and fast run course.

Overall 8/10, well run race, reasonable entry fee, nice shirt and swag.  Got a 2nd place medal. Enjoyed the race and hope to do it again next year.

Official Results

Ready to Race

Mansfield Sprint Tri is tomorrow morning.  300m swim, 20k bike, and 5k run.

Last swim was Thursday: 5x100 + 350m straight (distance PR) = 850m total
Last bike and run were Friday morning: 30 min bike and 10 min run

Today I'll work around the yard and house and try to stay off my feet in the afternoon.  My legs are crazy sore from squats, leg press, and lunges on Wednesday.  I did light weights for high reps, I still can't believe that I'm this sore.  I've been foam rolling and using the massage stick to help.

Race is 7am start, transition closes at 6:30am.  I plan to leave the house by 5:30 and wake up by 5am.  Plan to hit a PR from my last sprint triathlon in Benbrook 5 weeks ago.

Cervelo P2 Ready to Race!