Wednesday, October 10, 2007

Gettin' Deep...

... in the Heart of Texas.

It's been a month since racing Ironman Wisconsin and the post-race recovery has been going
well. So well I felt kindda like this guy...




With my wrestless feet and ready for more cowbell what do you think I did? Race a half Ironman in Texas, of course. Where? None other than deep in the heart of Texas.... Ausin, Texas that is.


Oddly enough, for as large as the triathlon scene is in Austin the city has never hosted a half-ironman. Famed race director, Keith Jordan, and his crew at EndorfunSports , brought their years of experience from producing the highly acclaimed Mooseman Triathlon and Timberman Triathlon Festivals to the suburban hills of Texas's capital. They promised a well-run, entertaining, and challenging race. And, did they ever deliver on all three counts... especially the challenging part.

No big. I entered the race for the fun of it. No pressure, no pressing goals, just have a good time, right? Well... that's the way it was until...


... while picking up my race packet, and minding my own business, a certain someone pulled the pin on a smacktalk grenade.

"Hey buddy, we're in the same wave," she said.

"So we are. Pretty cool, eh?"

"Ohhhh, don't 'Eh' me, mister. This race is SO on. You're going down... AGAIN... just like you did in Lubbock!"


"Who me? (looking around) Since when is this about me racing against you?"




"Since aboot two seconds ago when I found out we're in the same wave. The loser buys dinner and I'm feeling like steak and lobster."

Sigh... The smack continued up to race morning.

Feeling confident I waded into the water feeling like this guy:






... but when a certain TriDiva passed me with two whacks to the side and dropped me like a dirty diaper I felt more like this guy:















Out of the water I hopped on my bike determined to catch the Canuck and for the first 40 miles I felt like this guy:













But, the late season heat and constant rolling hills of the last 16 miles had me looking more like this guy:


















Still, with the TriDiva nowhere in sight, I dashed through transition and hit the road feeling like this guy:






















but, the blazing sun baked me like doomed lobster and I ran more like this:
















In the end the IronGoddess crossed the line 13 minutes ahead of my finishing time of 6:36.

Although no lobsters were harmed in the celebration of finishing this leetle race I did have my share of humble pie and post-race Yee Hawww!




Stay tuned...



12 comments:

Unknown said...

Great race report so far!

Brent Buckner said...

Ha! Sounds like a good time was had by all!

21stCenturyMom said...

Running in the heat is hard, by cracky!

Great race report. Sounds like a good time was had by all - especially Shelly :-)

Anonymous said...

congrats; hilarious pictures!

Rainmaker said...

Awesome pictures, and congrats on the job well done!

Bigun said...

a little smack amongst friends is always a good thing.

You gotta stop letting those canadians beat you though...I know you were just trying to make her feel good, and all, but next thing you know the price of Labats will skyrocket and the Canuks will get all cocky and stop exporting thier comedians.

Lance Notstrong said...

It's just because the weather wasn't as hot for her since she finished earlier :-)

Vickie said...

When are you going to learn not to take her on? LOL!

Michelle said...

I love the pics! You sound like you had a fun day. Then again, you always sound like your having fun when racing.

TRI TO BE FUNNY said...

Wish I would've known you were in Austin for the race. Would love to have met you (and drudged along the hills next to you!!) Congrats on the finish. It was definitely a challenge!!

Taconite Boy said...

Very funny boom man.... Good race.

the Dread Pirate Rackham said...

aww, did the canuck kick your hiney again?

geez. She's a tough cookie! You're a bigger man than me, boom-man.