6.25.17
Just after 2016 Austin 70.3, I immediately began to look for upcoming HIM's, as I felt shorted by not getting to swim in Austin. Realizing that Galveston would present a scheduling challenge, I registered for BSL70.3 just a week after Austin.
This race has a reputation of being difficult, but, it was close, more than 40 members of FWTRI would be racing, and, it was cheap.
Coming off of TRI FW, I knew I could be better on the bike and run at BSL70.3. I'd purchased a new bike just a couple of weeks before this race, and only had 36 total miles on it prior to race day. That said, I was far more comfortable on the new bike than I had been the previous bike. I was eager to see what it could do in a race setting.
I booked 3 nights at the host hotel, which would be near the expo site. After a morning meeting in Hood County of Friday, I headed towards Lubbock. I arrived mid afternoon with no issues. I checked in, unloaded gear and headed to the Expo. This expo was much smaller than that in Austin. I'd heard that this race had a small race feel to it, and, if the expo was any indication, it would. I picked up my gear, bought a few items, visited with a few friends, and headed back to the hotel. A group was convening for dinner on Friday, so I tagged along. Good food and good company to get the weekend started.
Back to the hotel for what would prove to be a tough night of sleep. But, up and at em on Saturday for short swim, bike, run.
Back to the hotel to clean up and drop gear, and, the off to lunch and expo. I was able to catch a short nap after the day's activities, and, get cleaned up again before the club dinner on Saturday night.
After a great dinner with the club, it was time to get back to the hotel to prep my race gear. Unlike other IM events, BSL70.3 allows for Sunday bike check in and transition set up.
I got a solid night's sleep, and was out the door before 5. By 5:30, I was checked in and racked. The race was to begin at 6:30, with my swim wave entering the water at 6:42.
After the threat of storms all week, we'd arrived to incredibly mild temps and no rain...it would be a great day to race.
I visited with several friends before heading to the beach, and, when it was our time to enter the lake, I stayed towards the back and strolled in.
Swim: The swim has been my area of challenge and fear for the past several years. I've spent a fair amount of time in the water this year, and, felt comfortable as I entered the water. I found a good easy rhythm early, and, was surprised at how quickly I reached the 1st buoy. While there was a little traffic, I didn't have too much trouble finding space to swim. As we continued to make left turns, I realized at one point that I was drifting to the right. I would have to correct course a couple of times. In looking at Strava, I was as much as 150 yards longer than some others. Total swim time: 42:20. I'll get these down in the 30's soon.
T1: Uneventful. 3:19. Much faster than my 5:50 at TRI FW. After my cramping at TRI FW, I took a hot shot in transition and had another one ready for T2.
Bike: The total climbing on this route would be less than Austin or TRI FW...however, there were 8 significant climbs along the way, including 1 as we left T1. While I was eager to see what my new bike could do in the flats, I was equally interested to see how it would climb. I'd averaged 16.6 mph at TRI FW. I wanted BSL70.3 to be faster. My cycling training in 2017 has sucked...other than TRI FW, I had not completed any other rides of more than 30 miles. This would be a test. I hit the hill in my granny gear and cranked up it whilst staying in the saddle. The Cervelo is much lighter than my Specialized was, and will climb better. As expected, the bike felt great. While I wasn't moving as fast as I would have liked, much of that was due to under-training, hills, and headwinds. About 15 miles into the ride, with a pack of about 30 of us moving incredibly slow, the official hit me with a drafting penalty. It was truly a joke, as I was several bike lengths behind a small woman, and, was literally not pedaling at the time of the offense. I was instructed to pull into the next available penalty tent. For the next 35 miles, the hills continued, and, I noticed that my rear brake was rubbing a bit (while I heard the rubbing sound, I didn't realize what it was until post-race). I stopped briefly at the hairpin turns so as to avoid a tip over and to refill water bottles. (3 bottles of tail wind, 1 gel and 1 waffle on the bike - seemed to be plenty). The hills were tough, and, I didn't have the balls to fly down them as may of the other athletes were doing. I finally found the penalty tent at mile 50, and, sat out 5 minutes (ridiculous). I headed back to the park and finished up my ride with 2 killer hills. 16.6 overall average...same as TRI FW. Tough to compare the two, though, due to climbing and penalty.
T2: again, uneventful. I did sit briefly to get my shoes changed and took another hot shot.
Run: after the 2 hot shots, I was hopeful that I wouldn't struggle with the cramping I'd had in my other races. I felt good as I headed out, and booked a 10:03 mile 1. I settled in on the idea that I would try to keep all of my miles in the "10's". That went out the window when I reached the monster hill at mile 4. That hill, similar to the Taylor Street Hill, slowed me to a walk. I knew I'd have a few miles in the 11's. I felt pretty good though mile 8, and then I began to slow. I was tired and it was getting hot. I'd been walking water stops and hills, and the walks were increasing in distance. I kept up a bit of a run / walk until mile 11, when I experienced a bad calf cramp. Miles 11- 13 would be a walk, with me working to muster up enough energy to finish strong. I got big cheers from FWTRI as I crossed.
Overall time: 6:55:52. 14 minutes faster than TRI FW (19 including penalty). Not nearly where I want to be, but, an improvement. I'll push for 6:30ish in Austin in October.
The club hung out and waited for everyone else to come in. Mike Reilly, the voice of Ironman, joined the club for a photo post race - cool stuff!
The club was well represented with awards at the banquet that night, and, our club won the club award too. I'm so proud to be associated with this group that continues to motivate, support, and push.
