Houston Tri Race...

Houston Tri on Towne Lake. 400m open water swim, 13 mile bike and 3.1 mile run.  This one was the last tri of the season for me this year. I hadn't trained all that much for this one. With my wife being on the tail end of her pregnancy there hasn't been much time, or drive for that matter, to train as much I should've. My running had been getting better... faster. I hadn't really been swimming or biking all that much but I had been going to a spin class about once a week and trying to swim before the spin classes....
Mother Nature decided to flex her muscles the day before the race and the race officials ultimately decided to cancel the bike portion of the race due to high water on the course. I was a little disappointed because I feel that the bike is the best of the 3 disciplines. So the race turned into a Aquathon of a 400m Swim and a 5k.
Prior to this race I had a patient of mine give me a DVD of a swimming technique called "Total Immersion". It's not to improve speed but to improve technique which allows for a more efficient swim, allowing for more energy after the swim. I actually didn't get to watch the entire DVD but I did watch some of it and used the technique during the race. This swim was one of the most congested starts I've ever been apart of. The first 100 or so, I was kicked and punched... the technique I used was STAY ALIVE! After the first turn, about 100m, I actually was able to use the Total Immersion technique and it worked well. I finished the swim in 9:50, good for 9th out of 30 in my division.
This race actually had a transition of about a 1/3 mile from swim exit to transition area. Had about a 150 yard run out of water down a sandy path and onto a street. I had some shoes placed at end of the sandy path to finish the run on the concrete. Overall it took 6:10, 11th out of 30.

Me and coworkers. 

The run path circled around Lone Star Cy Fair campus and through the Towne Lake Subdivision. It felt pretty good running. I tried to start a good pace in the beginning and wanted to finish strong. I was able to finish the run in 28:09 which was 7th out of 30. I finished in 44:10 which put me in 6th place in my division.... UNTIL I was penalized 2:00 for using my headphones during the run. Yes, it's a USAT rule. Yes, it was a rookie mistake. Yes, I understand why the rule is in place (for biking). No, I wouldn't have used them under normal circumstances. I am completely happy with what I did on that day and have no regrets!... However, the 2 minute penalty put me back to 11th of 30.
Also would like to say thanks again for my dad going with me to the race. Waking up early to come support me and my coworkers so my pregnant wife didn't have too. He is a great dad and friend! I have a great blueprint for how I will try to be.....

.... To be continued!

Wade