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| A Review of the first Ironstar Half Ironman Triathlon | |||||||||
| Visit the Ironstar Tri Site (Conroe, TX) | |||||||||
| Author:� Brian Fontenot, Lake Charles Triathletes | |||||||||
| ����������� We'll start with the preview of the race course I took via car with Dean Ford, and the head Race Referee.� Can't remember her name but certainly remember her "fast forward" drive through the many curves and hills on average 15 mph over the speed limit.� She assured me on several occasions as we whipped around the turns that she was a good driver.�� There were numerous inclines and drops in the elevation which after about 20 miles gave me considerable pause concerning my capabilities in the next day's bike portion. | |||||||||
| ����������� The day before the race was a frenzy of activity on the part of volunteers, especially in the transition area.� Overall, the people were quite friendly.� The hotel was fantastic, with the bedroom being separate from the living area.� There was even a small kitchen and the bathroom opened either into the hall or bedroom.� A balcony gave you a good view of Lake Conroe.� | |||||||||
| ����������� We went for a walk after quickly picking up our packet to look at the swim area, and watched as a brave Patrick B(LCTriathlete) don his wet suit and swim in the cool beach area.� We could not figure out the swim course since the buoys had not all been placed out.� A rumor circulated that the course was being changed to hug the bank for safety reasons and that there might be some shallow areas. | |||||||||
| ����������� Finally, time for supper and it was by far the best triathlon pre-race meal I've ever indulged in.� There was spaghetti with real meatballs, salads, another meat dish, and the most expensive looking deserts(I had two).� | |||||||||
| ����������� The morning of the race was a little foggy.� There were about 7 waves with plenty of folk in each.� When my wave began, I started in the middle and to the right to avoid the kicking and the elbows.� About half way through, I caught out the corner of my eye, a strange sight.� It looked like people walking - it was, people, triathletes, wading on the other side of the buoys!�� When I rounded the bend, I discovered several points with less than two feet of water, so I too walked/ran.� Imagine, a walk break in the middle of a 1.2 mile run.� Fantastic! | |||||||||
| ����������� The bike course starts with a steep hill, then a no pass zone of several miles.� By the way, it was during this no pass zone that one of my local triathlete friends passed me. | |||||||||
| I figured it didn't matter, since the no pass was for his safety-much oncoming traffic. | |||||||||
| OK, for twenty miles I managed to move pretty fast up and down, up and down, and then there it was, a freight train.� Whether we wanted to or not, about 30 of us were trapped for about 3 minutes.�� Probably helped me in the end, since many of us stretched while waiting. | |||||||||
| ����������� About ten miles out, a rough stretch, which was not marked with red warning paint.� Also, the bike marshall looked at me as he passed, and I wanted to assure him that I couldn' be drafting since no one was within a half mile of me.� He did penalize a friend of mine instead. | |||||||||
| ����������� Finally I entered the last mile, and saw my friend Chris A.� running up that first hill.� The hill had about a 30 degree incline, and he didn?t look like a happy camper.� Later, when I ran up the hill, I asked if we only had to do it once, because it was so painful, I decided to quit if the volunteer had answered yes. | |||||||||
| ����������� The run was tough, even though it was still relatively cool, about 60 or so, and lower than Lake Charles humidity.� It was tough because there were numerous inclines, and because darn, it was a 13 mile run after about 4 hours of other exercise!� What kept me going was seeing Chris A., and Darren T, and Jonathan C.� Jonathon gave me the thumbs up on several occasions.� For a while I met a guy from Beaumont that seemed to be younger and faster than me, so I decided to run with him.� He finally stopped at a porta potty so I had to drop him.�� The run was partly a two loop course and it felt great to finally head home.�� As I approached the finish, I came upon Stephen D so I tried to look strong as I passed him.� Then at the curve was my friend, Benny, and his owner's, | |||||||||
| Earl and Wanda A.� Ran past them like it was about 100 yards to go.� Even got goosebumps!� | |||||||||
| Was glad to finish.� This race had free pizza, which unlike both of my Gulf States Triathlons was there when I finished and available until one became ill.� The serious triathlete should consider this race as an alternative to the 7 hour drive to Florida.� It is more convenient for the triathlete with a family, being much easier for them to watch the race, and in much more weather pleasant conditions.� | |||||||||
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