As usual Ben Proko puts on a really great race event at Magnolia Hill Ranch. This is my 3rd year to do a race here, and my second year to do the triathlon. This years course had a few changes from later year. A bit longer swim at around 500m, a 9 mile "gravel" bike course and then around a 3 mile run.
I didn't have the chance to check out the course prior to race morning so I was sure to get there earlier and pre ride a few of the new sections. Transition was setup "open rack". You get to pick your spot, so I grabbed and end spot to make it easy in and out.
First I headed out on the bike and noticed the sandy course, I got just comfortable enough to feel mentally prepped. Then I pre-rode the new 1st mile of the run course and was immediately bogged down with sticky sand that was DEEP. I turned around and headed over to the lake to give the bike a bath and clear off the caked on sand.
Back in transition I double checked my set up, grabbed my swim gear and then head down to the lake. I decided to go with the wetsuit over a swim skin since the water felt cold. A quick out and back to the first buoy helped to loosen up.
Swim - A little bit cooler this year at a water temp around 74, so a lot more wetsuits used this year. Myself included, who am I to pass up free flotation? I felt like I needed a bit more navigation than usual so I had a pretty good amount of heads up swimming to be sure I was on course.
Bike - This years course cut out most of the technical single track, and added in a lot more wide open fire road that was pretty sandy from the dry season this year. By far this is my weak link in the race, but slowly getting better, but getting time to have Shama Cycles upgrade my ride.
Run - There was an added mile at the front of the course that took us out on some technical hilly tight turns which led to pretty slow times. the second half of the course was part of the old course from prior years. The run felt great to me. The first mile reminded me alot of the wooded section of the Ant Hills in West Houston, so I felt pretty much at home. Mile 2 is a long grinder uphill. Mile 3 has a short steep section and then a hard finish uphill as well. I had done a few hill repeat sessions so they all felt pretty strong race day.
Overall I was happy to finish 4th OA and 1st ol'man aka "Masters".
Great Photos provided by Digital Knight Productions
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