Compared to the last Olympic distance triathlon, this was a major victory. Although I set a personal record for Olympic Distance Triathlons, I could have done better if I did not have an incident during the swim. I was going pretty well until I came up on a slower swimmer and was kicked in the forehead. I immediately saw stars and I started to black out a little. It was pretty scary at the time, but that is the risk of racing in triathlons. Fortunately I was wearing a wetsuit which made me more buoyant in the water and I regained conscienceness pretty quickly and turned over on my back. It took me a minute or two to compose myself, but I did so and kept going. 
Getting out of the water and getting undressed by a stripper was an interesting experience as well. Don't get excited, it is not that kind of stripper. In triathlons, a stripper is volunteer that waits at the end of swim to help you get your wetsuit off during transition. It is always a pretty busy and exciting area. These strippers were top notch by not only being fast taking off my Profile Design Wahoo wetsuit, but they were also very encouraging. They made me forget my swimming experience pretty fast. I got to transition, and was slowed down a little because my race belt was pretty much stripped off too, so I had to fix it, but was soon on my way to the bike course.
This bike course event was much different from the last Olympic distance event, but only because I was more prepared for it. I was able to watch my cadence and keep it under the wind which was an issue much like the September race. My race speed was much faster (19.0 mph) than the last race (18.0 mph), but most importantly I was able to save my energy by watching my heart rate and saving myself for the run. Of course this was not your typical run... 
The run started by having a nice stroll around the Kemah neighborhoods, then under the Kemah Wooden Roller coaster, around the Kemah Boardwalk, and finally over and back THE MONSTER, the Kemah Bridge. It was quite an experience, and I have to admit, it took all my energy to get over it back and to the finish, but I did it, and I never had to stop running. Final Results: 
Age Group 64 Overall 316 Swim 56 34:46.2
T1 237 4:07.3 Very bad transition
Bike 27 1:18:35.6 19.0mph
T2 260 1:28.0
Run 63 1:00:54.5 9:49 min/mile
Total 2:59:51.7
I can't take any credit for setting my personal record. All I really did was put in the training time, but the credit goes to my coach, Dana Lyons, and I can't thank him enough. Although, the race was hard, and only half of what the Rhoto Ironman 70.3 Florida and 1/4 of the full Ironman, I gained a lot of confidence in Coach Dana, and know that he will prepare me for each of those races. I have a feeling that I will setting a lot more personal records and always able to "Finish Strong".
After the triathlon, Rachel, Shawn and I went home and took a nap, but we all woke up just in time to get ready to go to dinner with our new friend and pro/elite triathlete Jasmine Oeinck and her homestay to our favorite Tex-Mex restaurant in Houston, Ninfa's on Navigation. While setting up an interview with Jaz for the Shawn's Ironman Project, we found out that we were both foodies, so I knew while she was in town, I would invite her to Ninfa's. It was amazing food and conversation. I also have to congratulate her on her 4th place finish at Kemah today. Of course our family has now become JFFL's (Jaz Fans For Life) and wish her the best. Jaz, if I make it Kona, I hope that you will make it your first experience as well with Ironman, and you will come watch us complete the Shawn's Ironman Journey. So now the Kemah Triathlon is in the books and it is time to start preparing for the Rhoto Ironman 70.3 in Florida. This will be my first Ironman event, and I can't be more excited about it. We are going to be able to spend time with the Lathrops, Enjoy Walt Disney World and Orlando, and visit our friends and family in Jacksonville. It should be fun, exciting, and exhausting all at the same time.
For all those that I met at the triathlon, it was great talking to you (including another Murph), and I appreciate all your support that you are giving me and your commitment to donate Shawn's Ironman . It means a lot to me, but most importantly, it means a lot to Texas Children's Hospital Urological Research.
There is of course no time to relax. The Rhoto Ironman 70.3 Florida is only 6 weeks away. I take one day off and then it is back to training as usual.
