Introduction
This race was a late addition to my schedule this year. Other members of Team Zoot from Texas and elsewhere were doing the race so I signed up too. An Ironman 70.3 in Lubbock, TX in summer ... no problem! This would be my third IM70.3 of the year and my first since my DNF at New Orleans so my key focus was to finish. It's a tough course so not likely the place for any PRs.
Race Preparation
My race planning has now settled into a regular plan. Arrive two days prior to the race. Don't plan on doing anything other than eating, sleeping, picking up packet and driving the bike course. Hotel was well located for an easy drive out to Buffalo Springs Lake and near to all the restaurants and race HQ. Went to the movies for a relaxing change of scenery.
Packet pick-up was in hotel in Lubbock. I was surprise at the low key nature of the race compared to my other two Ironman 70.3 races this year. Very little in the way of Ironman branding, no big Ironman clothing store, etc. A lot of people like that about this race. I was surprised but in hindsight it lends to the appeal of the race. Small, old school and only those looking for a real challenge turn up.
Driving the bike course is so important at a new race and especially here. I got a look at the rather daunting climbs on the course. It would be very easy to try and attack this bike course and blow up spectacularly. My plan was to watch the power meter closely - stay around 300W on the long steep climbs. I could easily power up them at 500W but there would be nothing left of my legs for the run.
Race Day
As ever, nice early arrival. Avoided the traffic queue for parking that started soon after and got a nice close parking spot. Pre race organization was a little haphazard. Body markers got stuck in traffic too and there were too many non-racers wandering around transition despite requests from the announcer for them not too. It's disturbing for my race prep when this happens.
This is a wetsuit swim - only just. The water was definitely not cold.
Swim
The race start at IM70.3BSLT is awesome. Wide beach start. Huge amphitheater for supporters to watch the action. Amazing scenery with the sun just peeking over the canyon edge. The water was flat calm. The beach very gently shelves into the water so you can walk/run/stumble quite a long way. There were about 150 swimmers in my wave and we got off smoothly as you could expect in a wave start.
The swim has one right turn (into the just-rising sun! Tinted goggles a necessity!) then all left turns around a rectangular course taking you right across the lake. As promised the water was cooler on the opposite side near the springs that feed the lake.
My swim felt about average for me, though I just couldn't seem to get much open space. Half way around, several waves were merged together so there always seemed to be traffic. As it turned out this was my slowest 70.3 swim so far by about a minute.
Swim time: 44:44 (slowest of 3 70.3s this year, fastest 41:46 at New Orleans)
Division rank: 72nd of 118
T1
There was a concrete step just before swim exit that I managed to whack my shin on but otherwise got out easy enough and got wetsuit stripped. However, the "run" into transition was a narrow path in front of the portapotties and slow walkers backed everyone else up with little room to get around. I had a long run with my bike to the bike exit at the other end of transition.
T1: 3:36 (fastest 70.3)
Bike
Right out of transition is the first steep climb. Not a real problem as long as you've selected an easy gear to set off. I was amazed to see people trying to ride it in aero position (doing approx 5mph!). There's a steep downhill followed by another climb, longer but not quite so steep. Once up that climb it became clear the wind was going to be a challenge. A strong steady breeze out of the south (I think) blowing at around 20mph I would guess and gusting up to about 30mph.
I reality I didn't find the hills a great problem as I have good climbing legs from mountain biking and my power meter to keep me within my target limits. The wind was the real challenge with long segments directly into the wind meaning you were doing 14mph and pushing just over 200W. It drains. I'm so glad I have the power meter because it helps me realize I'm doing "enough" and it's the conditions defining my speed. I felt like I was steadily moving up through the field on the bike, especially at the top of the long climbs and on the downhills.
I touched 47mph on one downhill but got a shock with a sharp sidewind as I entered the canyon. I lost confidence and hit the brakes. Otherwise I would easily have topped 50mph.
One the last ten miles of the bike the cross wind was a real issue. Lots of people including myself were riding disks and/or deep section carbon wheels. Looking up the road seeing a line of triathletes with their bikes leaning into the sidewind told me everyone was suffering the same.
My bike split was slower than my New Orleans bike (where I blew up spectacularly) which just shows how tough this course is. I finished feeling good though. This was my first 70.3 with the Speedfil hydration system. Filling it with a bottle at each (10 mile) aid station kept it sufficiently full for me not to run out.
Bike: 3:04:28 (slowest 70.3)
T2
By the time I got back to transition, the temperature was rising significantly. Knowing what my bike split was it was clear this wasn't a day for records. So I resolved to take my time through transition and go out well-prepared for the run. I stopped for a nature break in transition, grabbed some water and set off.
T2: 3:58 (slowest)
Run
The two miles seemed ok. An easy-ish sub10:00/mile pace, flat, sheltered although instantly very warm. But quickly, the lack of wind in the canyon and the first of several steep climbs and it was clear this run was going to be a grind. Trying to run (or jog) up the hills was sending my heart rate through the roof. So I walked parts of them. The wind was little relief, starting to feel like a hairdryer. There was little in the way of shade either. It became a challenge of running between the aid stations. Drinking two or three drinks, ice cloths, ice down the trisuit and then off to the next. The long straight road past the power station (Energy Lab 2!) seemed to go forever - thankfully there was an extra aid station at the turnaround. Coming back through the mile 9 aid station the road felt sticky .. but it wasn't spilled Gatorade, the road surface was melting. Their thermometer over the road read 119F. No wonder it was a struggle. I had no thoughts of stopping - I kept hydrating and moving along. The last three miles around the lake were like running in a sauna. No wind down in the bottom of the canyon, baking hot temps. Finally I saw the finish line. No finish line sprint today - just enough strength to drag myself over the line.
As it turned out I was one of the ones who finished in reasonable condition. The medical tent was packed with triathletes on IVs - many of them clearly in a bad way. I'd stayed within my capabilities so recovered fast though tired. Free cold beer was a great idea but all I wanted was food and cold water.
Run: 2:42:25 (slowest 70.3)
Overall I was glad to complete this race. Definitely a "been there done that" achievement.
Post Race
For the first time, we stayed for the post race party. It was cool. Back at a Lubbock hotel. Drinks. Food. Conversation. I felt like part of the community. Chatting with pros, coaches and getting my picture taken with Jordan Rapp. Felt like a little kid again.
