2006 Temple Triathlon:

I decided a few weeks back that I would like to do another couple of races out of town. It's a good chance to see some of the Texas landscape and fun to check other towns. The problem is much of Texas is not as flat as it is here in the Houston area. In fact as soon as you head north or west of here it gets hilly. It's beautiful Texas rolling hills and plains except when you are running or biking up them (and down). I left Saturday for Temple and enjoyed the beautiful drive out. I arrived in Temple close to dusk, got lost trying to find the race site, and missed my race packet pick up. I called the race contact and they said no problem come early in the morning. I found my hotel, checked in, scoped out a Denny's for dinner, made some minor adjustments to my bike and settled in for an early night. I got up early the next morning for the race, got my race packet, set up my transition area, and then just "chilled out" until the start. Actually, it was anything but chillin outside. I think it was like over a hundred degrees. It was hot. The race went well. The swim was 350 meter pool swim, a rough 9.1 mile bike ride, and a grueling 2.1 cross country with very difficult uphill section. I was very happy to finish, and grateful for the chance to practice some "hill work". All in all, I'm glad I did this tri and will try to run it next year if my schedule permits.