Ironman 70.3 Waco

Or...the Ironman 69.1 Waco, if we are getting technical!

This was the inaugural half Ironman held in Waco, and so much training and time went into the preparation. Then, all of the insane rain came through our area and started flooding the rivers. And the swim leg of the Waco race was scheduled to take place in the Brazos River. The river current was too swift and there was too much debris floating in the river...so the Ironman officials were forced to cancel the swim leg.

Removing the swim leg changed everything up...it became a bike/run race but more to come on that.

Our friends, Jordan and Lauren, drove down from Joplin, MO with their large racing club, and we were excited to see them for the weekend! We arrived in Waco on Saturday in time for lunch with them. We met at Twisted Root for gourmet burgers and enjoyed chatting and catching up with them. Then we went to the Expo so Chris could check in for the race and then all three of them were able to check their bikes into the transition area. Afterwards, we checked out the Energy Lab Apparel booth that they had set up -- they had a lot of great new designs! We bought a few goodies and then headed to our hotel to check in and freshen up before meeting Jordan, Lauren, and her parents for their team dinner at George's. It was a fun meal, and then we hung out in their hotel room for a few hours for more chatting!

The next morning was race day! Instead of an early swim start, the start was delayed a bit for a rolling time trial bike start. The pros lined up and left one per minute...that took about 30 minutes. Then the 2500 age groupers lined up and they took off two at a time, every 5 seconds. Lauren and Jordan were in the 900s, and Chris was in the 1600s. So, the take off took awhile. But, off they went!

Chris ended up having his best bike leg ever! The weather was great, the course was fairly flat, and he felt great! I saw him as he zoomed in to the end of the bike leg, and he had a swift transition time, too! Off he went on the run.

By this point, it had gotten pretty hot. There was a record high for that date in Waco - the record high was 86 and it turned out to be 87 that day. Whew! Not a cloud in the sky, and very little wind. It ended up being a hot run for Chris, and he was pretty spent from his bike PR. The course was two loops, and he looked strong -- he was just moving slower than he wanted. His half marathon time was one of his slower times, and that didn't thrill him. But, overall he was pleased with his whole race!

Jordan and Lauren both had great races too, and it was fun getting to cheer them both on, too!

Even better...QLefty, Andrea, Liam, Ruthie, and Lev drove down for the day and they were there to cheer on and support our racers!! It was so good to see them and get to spend a little time together. As spectators, I was able to enjoy them :) I got some good twin time in, filled with sweet questions and hand holding...love those two!!

After the race, Chris got a quick shower and then we drove home...it was a quick weekend but very fun filled! I'm so proud of my hubby and all that he continues to accomplish! He's a beast. And now, he's taking the rest of the year off from training in order to recoup and refocus, and to let him body rest a bit. It's been a long, intense year for him.