Earlier this year, I completed Ironman Texas in the Woodlands. I had a great time and wanted to share some insights on why I think this race is so appealing.

Saving Time and Money

I think that being able to drive to a local race instead of flying is really appealing for someone and here’s why. These races aren’t cheap and anyway you can find a way to save money is a plus. Having your own personal vehicle and not having to ship your bike makes all the difference in the world. I like that this is one of the few races that is still on Saturday than Sunday. It has been a while since I have done an Ironman race, but I do not remember having the ability to talking to the Pro’s during the Pro Panel (there wasn’t one in previous Ironman races) and having a “Free Banquet” for all the athlete’s.  The banquet had some good “Free” food too – beef tenderloin, multiple different salads, fruits, vegetables, all kinds of desserts, and drinks. Did I mention that you could return for seconds too. During the banquet all kinds of items were talked about like who are the youngest and oldest person that are participating in the race and why, who lost the most weight, do you remember when you sign up for an Ironman race 70.3 or 140.6 they ask you about your story. This is where these stories are told and some of them are just inspiring. Most everyone goes to the banquet to see new and old friends that are participating in the race, and did I mention that the food is free too. Any time, that you can save money is a plus and the last time I looked Ironman usually doesn’t give you anything for free.
 
Fan Support and Volunteers
 
There are some ironman races that are just OK, some that are good, and some that are excellent. This one I would have to put in the excellent category. The reason being is that the whole city gets behind it, the volunteers are just excellent, and the fan support from the swim, bike, and run were the best that I have seen anywhere from 70.3’s (have done 6 in the past all over the country) to 140.6. (done 2 before this one).  The fan support makes this one of the best Ironman race so much so that Ironman athletes stated so in 3 categories in 2017 – Best Overall Run, Best Host City Experience, and Best Post Race Celebration as I couldn’t agree more, and I will continue to do this race for as long as I can. I would also add because this is somewhat of a local race less than 3hrs from Austin that your loved ones and friends will be able to watch you in person at the race if they decide they want too.
 
The Courses
 
The swim is in Lake Woodlands can be wetsuit legal or non-wetsuit legal.  It’s a rolling start which means you start at approximately the time it takes you to swim 2.4 miles. The buoys are on the left throughout the course when you make the turn into the canal approx. half to three quarters of mile from the finish it gets crowded since it isn’t as wide as when you’re in the lake the plus side is that you are able to draft on other swimmers to go faster and use less energy. Another plus coming into the finish since this is a canal you will see fan support lining the sides of the canal cheering for everyone, in my book this pretty.
 
The Bike course is on Hardy Toll Road which is closed to traffic for this race and only medical staff, race officials, and race participates can be on this road.  The surface is very smooth on the toll road. The toll road is flat and fast. The aid/water/special needs stations are approx. 15 miles apart from each other. Approx. elevation gain 2,375ft. You will do 2 loops which will be 100 miles before heading back to the bike finish and transition area for the run.
 
The run course is 3 loops around the Lake Woodlands and through some neighborhoods. The aid stations are about a mile apart from the each other with all your favorites – water, Gatorade, cola, Red Bull, banana’s, pretzels, chips, soup broth at night, etc. The fan support for the run course is outstanding as people are lined up all around it and more around the restaurants and waterway path system area as you run by as the energy in these areas are party atmosphere and helps you get through the run easier. This is one of my favorite run courses for any of the Ironman races. The run up the shoot for the finish line is lined with many fans, family members and friends waiting for you to cross that finish line as it’s a party atmosphere and fun one at that too.
 
I hope to see everyone again next year. Good luck in your triathlon journey!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR - Mike is a veteran of multiple 140.6 races, 70.3s, olympics, and sprints. He joined Austin Tri Club in fall 2017, soon after its launch. Next up for Mike is Ironman Buffalo Springs 70.3, Ironman Chattanooga, and then Ironman Waco 70.3.

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Austin Triathlon Club is a non-profit social and training club that promotes triathlon across the Austin area. Our members include triathletes of all abilities, from beginners to experienced Ironman athletes. We are a welcoming and inclusive club, meaning that you can be a member of Austin Tri Club, and still be a part of another team or train with a personal coach. The Club is an all-volunteer, member-run community.  For more information and to join, please check out our membership page.

This Sunday is the 2018 Rookie Triathlon. We are so excited for those athletes who are about to become triathletes. To get you ready for race day, we asked Austin Tri Club members to share their tricks and tips. Welcome to the family, y'all!

• Don't drive yourself crazy with the small stuff. You have done your training and it will get you across the finish line. A little secret about myself I did all my triathlons up to my 1st full Ironman swimming breaststroke because I couldn't swim freestyle. Once you enter the water and get your barrings swim at your pace the stroke you want just keep moving forward and eventually it will be done. On the bike, make sure your hydrate frequently as needed. On the run, run your pace and make sure you hydrate at the aid stations. But the most important thing I can tell you above everything else make sure you have fun, enjoy the experience, thank the volunteers including the police officers that are blocking or holding up traffic so you don't have to stop at a stop light, and learn from it so in the future you can improve.
• We all have a tendency to fear the unknown. If you are racing in a place in which you already live, it is best to go to this site before the race and look at where you will be swimming including the route, drive the bike course and run course. Even better, if you can do a practice day race simulation before the race that will ease your mind. And then beginning a few days before the race every evening when you lay down and close your eyes, visualize the entire race from start to finish and every step you will take along the way until you are at the finish line. Visualize an amazing race with an amazing finish! There is some psychology that suggests you visualize worst case scenarios and how you can overcome them but that is not a strategy I use. What works for me is visualizing positive outcomes and happy faces! Good luck!
• Don't try anything new on race day! Clothes, shoes, nutrition, etc... Practice with everything first. If you use new googles at each race, make sure it's a make/model that you have used before.
• Did anyone say pass on the left when you're on the bike? I had forgotten this until recently.
• 1) Keep your head up on the ride and the run. 2). Smile. Enjoy all the smiling faces looking back at u. 3). Remember...We are all on the same race coarse, however our race experience is an individual expression of ourselves....Race Zen💕
• Walk from swim entrance to your bike 5 times before transition closes, counting racks, and the same from the bike entrance back to your transition spot - bonus you’re concentrating on remembering where your bike is instead of getting nervous for the swim. Whatever dumb thing you’re going to do or forget to do on race day has already been done before by a now-veteran triathlete. Dumb things make great HH stories.
• Be prepared for anything, since it seems something always does not go as planned. Body Glide is your BFF on race day ;) Be kind to the volunteers.
• Instead of a “race” I think of it as an obstacle course like the kind you would do at a school carnival. Know exactly which way you will enter and exit the transition area. I hear it’s embarrassing to exit the wrong way for the run and immediately cross the finish line (then later have the announcer note that you’re crossing the finish line for the second time🤣).
• Just have fun. Smile and enjoy the race. You're guaranteed a Personal Best time!!!
• Use some sort of defogger on your goggles. I’m partial to a baby shampoo rinse on the lenses.Look for non-moveable points of reference in the swim (ie a tall tree behind a buoy) & don’t just follow all the other swimmers (sight). Know how to change a tube. If you don’t want race stickers stuck to your bike frame, place electrical tape on your bike first, then put bike stickers on the tape. Works on your helmet too. Sleep well the week of your race (not just the night before). Eat food after racing and recover (don’t only drink beer). Have fun!
• I have a checklist for all my gear in the order of everything that will happen that day... What I will wear to the race site, what I will wear for the swim, the bike, etc...Having a glass of wine the night before sets my brain to not-taking-it too-seriously mode.  Then I remind myself to just swim a bit, bike a bit, then run a bit, and try to enjoy it. And to be grateful to the volunteers and sherpas who got out of bed at 4am on a Sunday morning for me.
• 1.) When swimming, think of your arms like canoe paddles (long, slow, and smooth strokes), not a kayaker (short and choppy). 2.) You will be less out of breathe if you exaggerate your exhale before each breath. Get all that air out of your lungs before you breathe in. 3.) They don't give out awards for grinding in the big ring on the bike. Shift into an easy gear to keep that up when necessary. 4.) Your first mile of the run should be so slow it seems like you are going way too slow. Better to walk the first mile than to walk across the finish line.
• If you do not have someone that isn’t also racing to hold your stuff, I recommend buying a cheap pair of flip-flops or other shoes you won’t mind never seeing again to wear after pre-race transition closes to get around until your swim start. Decker grass is covered with little stickers and the area between transition and Lake P-ville has numerous rocky parts. Your feet will thank you.  *I stock up when Old Navy flip-flops go on sale for a buck!
• Don't panic or get overwhelmed with all the advice you are getting right before your first tri! Remember that you've done the training and gotten to the start line, which is the biggest challenge. Believe in yourself and just keep moving forward. (Like Dorry in Finding Nemo: "just keep swimming, just keep swimming," also applies to pedaling and putting one foot in front of the other.)
• Smile, have fun, and thank the volunteers! Oh, and the grassy transition area at Decker Lake has little prickers in it, so I carry my bike into and out of transition rather than rolling it.
• 1. Once set-up in transition, visually and/or physically figure out what it takes to get from the swim to your spot and from bike-in to your spot. Once everyone is set up, transition turns into a sea of bikes that all look alike. 2. Most likely you won't be last, but even if you are, your fellow athletes make AMAZING cheerleaders. Plus, the first race gives you a good base to compete against yourself next time. And, technically, you're not last. There are a lot of people still in bed afraid to attempt to do what you're doing. 3. Have fun and trust your training! 😁
• Don't forget to take your helmet off after the bike. It is not as aero if you wear it on the run.
• Dont forget to site in the swim! If you pick your head up after ten strokes, you could be ten strokes off course already!
• My first triathlon I think I did seven different strokes including the Flail. My tip I learned the hard way: once your bike is in transition, check that your brake pads are not rubbing against your rims. With all of the commotion of transporting your bike from home to transition, it's easy to bump your bike and shift your brakes enough that they'll rub against the rim. Nobody wants to do the entire bike leg with their brakes on.
• Don't think a non tri-specific wetsuit will be faster than your tri suit. It acts more like a parachute.
• 1) Splash your neck, face, and back with cold water before the swim start. I've found that this gets out the nerves and lessens the adrenaline rush of the race start. 2) For those learning to swim as adults, you're not alone. I was terrified of open water for 30 years. My first 4 or 5 triathlons, I panicked each time I got into the water. My heart rate would skyrocket and I'd desperately want to turn around. If this happens to you, slow down and focus on calming down. If you need to do breaststroke or backstroke, do it. If you need to swim out of the pack a little, do it. The key is to keep moving forward. It will be worth it. Finishing the swim in my first triathlon was one of the best moments of my life. 3) Keep sunscreen and an extra pair of sunglasses and socks in transition. You won't regret it.

Have fun and good luck everyone! See you at the Rookie!

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Austin Triathlon Club is a non-profit social and training club that promotes triathlon across the Austin area. Our members include triathletes of all abilities, from beginners to experienced Ironman athletes. We are a welcoming and inclusive club, meaning that you can be a member of Austin Tri Club, and still be a part of another team or train with a personal coach. The Club is an all-volunteer, member-run community.  For more information and to join, please check out our membership page.