No Easy Miles – What It Took To Finish IRONMAN Texas

My real and personal recap of what it took to race the 140.6 mile IRONMAN TEXAS distance, from swim start to finish line.

IRONMAN Texas Race Recap

“Ramses Gonzalez, YOU. ARE. AN IRONMAN!” I heard the words for the second time, and it was just as epic as the first. I still get goosebumps, what a journey, and what a race it was this past weekend at The Woodlands.

I raced my second full-distance triathlon, IRONMAN Texas, on Saturday April 26th of 2025. I truthfully felt prepared and ready – at least mentally – for what I knew was going to be a challenging race. An IRONMAN triathlon consists of 140.6 total miles of fun. 2.4 miles of swimming, 112 miles of cycling, and 26.2 miles of running – all one after the other consecutively. You have 17 total hours to finish the race, with cutoffs for each discipline respectively. Some call it grueling, others call it an awesome, long day at the office. I call it both – I love racing the distance.

In the months leading up to the race I battled a dislocated bone in my right foot (just a couple of months before race day!), general sickness (flu and whatnot), and tried my best to balance the ups and downs of graduate school, work, and family life as a dad and husband. I am so proud that through all of this, I was able to hit one of my goals and knock off 56 minutes off my previous race time, crossing the finish line in sub-15 hours: 14 hours and 54 minutes total time.

I was able to come back from injury and illness, all while balancing everything life threw at me during training. I am incredibly grateful for simply having the opportunity to race this event and getting to the start line is already a huge W in my books. Completing it is the icing on the cake. The race was a celebration of all the hard work and sacrifice that led up to it.

Read on for the long and detailed recap of it below!

The Days Before IRONMAN Texas

Traveling can be hectic. Traveling with family, a bit more. Traveling with family to an IRONMAN – that was something else! I had been putting off packing for the race until the morning we were set to travel to The Woodlands (as I do when I’m nervous…). The pre-race anxiety was at an all-time high, and procrastination is one of the ways that my system uses to cope!

We arrived to athlete check-in to tons of excitement! Everyone was happy, giddy, and smiling – electric! We took a bunch of family pictures, enjoyed the expo, and then went to grab a carbloaded dinner to continue preparing for race day.

I woke up on Friday and got my gear ready to drop off at transition. This triathlon is different in that I received two gear bags – one for the bike, and one for the run. Instead of having all my gear at the same time in transition (under my bike, in my transition backpack), I was going to pick up my bike gear after the swim, and my run gear after the bike. This left me a bit uneasy thinking “what if I forget something?!” but was calmed down when told transition would open at 5:00AM the morning of the race.

I dropped off my gear and bicycle without an issue and decided to focus on my family and make it a day all about them. After all, they were going to be waiting 15+ hours for me to complete this race, so the least I could do was try to spoil them! We grabbed lunch, hopped on a merry-go-round, ate LOTS of ice cream, played at an indoor playground, then went to the hotel pool for a long afternoon swim and play session.

It was an awesome day and truthfully one that helped me too. I was able to let go of nerves and anxiety that had been creeping in since the day before. I didn’t realize how much I also needed that – as opposed to just getting off my feet – to prepare for Saturday.

I felt my right foot acting up throughout the day. For context, I had dislocated a bone in my foot a couple of months ago, and while it was feeling better, I also knew it was easy for it to be dislocated again (based on what I was told). I tried not to fixate on that – easier said than done though – and just continue enjoying the afternoon with my family. There would be enough time on Saturday to think of it and I decided I would cross that bridge if and when I got there.

Race Morning. It’s time.

I woke up 3.5 hours before race time to start my pre-race ritual. I enjoyed my coffee and visualized the entire race mile by mile until I felt comfortable with what I was about to do. I triple-reviewed my nutrition plan and pacing strategy, double checked I didn’t have any gear left behind, and suited up for the race.

I was almost on the way out when I got a notification saying the race would NOT be wetsuit required, but rather wetsuit optional! Uh-oh… I could swim 2.4 miles without a wetsuit, but I was definitely counting on the extra help! The message said that you could wear a wetsuit, but would not be eligible for IRONMAN World Championship slots or Age Group awards – neither of which were concerning to me as I know I’m not vying for either at this time! Nonetheless, I also know myself (and like a challenge), and having done one IRONMAN before I always had said I would race them as they come. If wetsuits are okay to be worn, then wetsuit it would be and I’d enjoy the benefits of it. If they were optional, then wetsuit would be a no-go. I decided it was time to ditch the wetsuit. I’m not going to lie – I was NERVOUS.

Swim start is when I’m the MOST anxious and this time was no different! We got to swim start a bit earlier than usual, with enough time to continue stretching and drinking fluids. Time flew by and before I knew it I was lined up to start my swim. I seeded myself in the 1:20-1:30 range, given last year I swam a 1:27 time. I hadn’t realized though that my time had been with a wetsuit…

Just Keep Swimming

I got to the start of the line and started hearing the metronome beep signaling each swimmer’s start – Beep, beep, beep, BEEP. Beep, beep, beep, BEEP. Goodness I was nervous! I was jumping up and down too though, clapping and cheering by myself! I waved to my family one last time and thought “This is it. It’s non-stop now until the finish line.”

Personally, I thought the water was cold! While 76.7f (might not be exact, it was just above the wetsuit cutoff) might seem warm to some, it was absolutely not to me. I remembered my pacing strategy and realized that in the excitement of the race I had again started off too fast. I dialed it back from 1 minute and 35 seconds per 100 meters to a much more sustainable and comfortable 2 minutes per 100 meters. This was my average pool swim pace and thought it would be a great pace to keep through the 2.4 miles. I never push it too much on the swim (unless it’s a sprint) as I don’t want to burn myself out before the bike, and I happily stayed that way through the first 2000 meters.

I kept looking at my watch every two minutes or so, and noticed I was pacing perfectly to plan! This was so encouraging, as I knew I could keep it up and would start the bike feeling fresh and energized. It was right at about 2100 meters that I got what I think has been the gnarliest straight kick to the face in a triathlon open water swim. Not sure how it happened. I just remember I was trying to find a bit of an open spot to cruise. I kept my pacing while singing “just keep swimming” to myself when:

BAMMM!

Everything was white and I was seeing stars. A heel had hit me square in the left eye socket and goggles. For a few seconds, I couldn’t see out of that eye. Everything remained white with flashing little pinpoints. It hurt quite a bit but I was honestly more afraid of losing my contact lens. Guys I’m as blind as a bat – losing a contact lens would have been TERRIBLE!

That kick left me rattled and scrambling to put my goggles back on for a minute or two. Afterwards I got back into rhythm, albeit much slower. I was honestly afraid of receiving another kick to the head that I decided I’d just hang back and swim a bit slower. Things happen in open water swims and I don’t blame anybody one bit! I simply told myself to slow down and take it easy as after all there were still 139 miles left to race!

I ended the swim MUCH slower than I expected, but was feeling grateful that it was over. After that gnarly kick, I received a couple more swipes to the face and also drank tons of lake water (yuck…). I clocked transition on my watch at 1:46ish and walked towards my gear bag. 112 miles on the bike were up next, and based on previous race experience, this would likely be the most difficult leg of the day.

112 Miles Through Heat And Humidity. Can’t Stop Now.

Transition was smooth. IRONMAN typically provides tents for athletes to change – one for women, and one for men, respectively – but I decided I’d just grab my gear and switch into it outside. While I really appreciate the tent, it was incredibly humid and the grass and dirt floor were super muddy. I realized I had forgotten a towel and so simply put on my socks and bike shoes on concrete with wet feet. They’d be dry soon enough.

I ate a huge Rice Krispies bar that brought me back to life and ran towards my bike. I grabbed it and drank some water to clear out the lake water taste, said hi to my amazing family, and sped off towards the 112 miles ahead.

The first 40 miles flew by. I faced some headwinds going south on Hardy Toll Road (which I totally expected as last year’s headwinds were ROUGH) but really enjoyed the tailwind as I pedaled back to The Woodlands. I started running into right foot pain right at around mile 50. I can remember screaming out loud “OH NO NOT TODAY!”. I made a mental note to stretch during my special needs stop on the bike, and pushed onwards (special needs bags are basically halfway-race pit stops where you stash personal fuel, gear, and/or moral support snacks!). While I saw athletes pack double-meat-double-cheese delicious-looking hamburgers with frozen sodas and other goodies, I just packed a peanut butter and jelly sandwich! It was exactly what my system needed to reboot!

I pushed south on Hardy Toll Road averaging 16 miles per hour – literally 6 miles per hour faster than the year before – and was totally ecstatic when I made the turnaround for the last 30 miles into The Woodlands way before the bike cutoff time! I pushed hard the last 20 miles, averaging 26 miles per hour with tailwinds helping me on the way back north. Throughout the ride I averaged about 1000mg of sodium (LMNT) and 65-75g of carbs per hour. I also mixed in regular water to make sure I was hydrating well all around as it was super hot and humid.

During the last three miles I switched to a much easier gear (higher cadence) to get the legs spinning and ready for the run. I also made sure to completely finish both my sodium/carb mix and regular water bottles, and ate another pack of carb gummies as I wanted to ensure I was as ready as possible for the run.

A quick side note – a HUGE advantage I had this year over last is that my awesome neighbor who’s also an amazing triathlete let me borrow a pair of power pedals for the race. When I say it made a difference… IT MADE A MASSIVE DIFFERENCE! Power pedals removed subjectivity from the equation and gave me an objective measure of output on the bike. Going into the race, I knew I typically averaged 135-140 watts on my indoor trainer long rides on Swift, so I figured this would be my target again. Power pedals are a game changer. Now I need to find a pair of pedals for myself!

Back to the ride. I saw my family at bike dismount – my kids, my parents, my brother, my wife – and my goodness, what an amazing feeling it was to give them all a hug. They were all smiles and cheers, yelling encouraging words and many “I’m proud of you!!!”’s. This is the kind of feeling I live for during IRONMAN. The feeling of having my family present as we face on an incredibly tough challenge together. It was so amazing!!

Just A Marathon Left To Go!

I started the marathon feeling fantastic. While it was exceptionally hot and humid with sun glaring down straight to my face, I was pumped that I was on the last leg (no pun intended! :D) with an hour (maybe an hour and a half if I pushed it!) ahead of both my previous year’s pace and my personal goal.

I ran miles 1-4 at a relaxed 12:30 pace. My goal was to try and stick an 11:30 for the entire run, but at mile 4 I truly began to feel the heat knocking me out.

Miles 4-6 were a very tough couple of miles. Everything began to hurt, my head began to spin a bit, and I started going into that dark mental place I sometimes go to during long endurance training and races. The place where I doubt my abilities and question what I’m even trying to accomplish by doing all this.

I saw my wife and kids at mile 6, and I vividly remember telling my wife “I seriously don’t think I’ll finish this race. I am absolutely exhausted.” She’s typically one to dismiss those thoughts and say “nah you got this!!” (she knows it’s what I need!) and while she did once again, it struck me that she was noticeably quieter too this time around. Was I really in that bad of a shape? She quietly told me that she could only imagine how I was feeling, and that regardless of the outcome, I was and already had made them (her, my kids, my family) immensely proud by simply trying this once again. We hugged, high-fived, and then she gave me her famous “YOU’VE GOT THIS!!”. Her words were fresh air! I now know I needed to hear that. Even if I did “quit”, it would be okay. I needed my wife’s blessing that it would all still be alright.

I saw my kids happily playing and remembered they, more than anything or anyone, are my why. I told my wife that momma didn’t raise a quitter, and that I was going to push through no matter what.

The IRONMAN handbook clearly states – athletes can run, walk, or crawl across the finish line, and if needed I would do just that. I had come too far to quit now, and would finish this race even if it was crawling. Many sacrifices had been made, not only by myself, but by my amazing, truly supportive family. I was not going to let all of that go without a fight.

I took my time to hug them all, told them I’d see them either next lap or at the finish, and carried on.

Miles 7-13 were brutal. I couldn’t find a pace. I couldn’t find my legs. I was walking more than running and the anxiety of seeing my average pace rise with every minute was monumentally impactful to my mindset. I started getting shaky – a sign of not intaking either the right amount, or the right type of carbs/food – and was really starting to get worried that I might not be able to finish this race again. This was a dark spot mentally. Every single step hurt. I tried to run and my heart rate would spike even at a slow pace. I was truthfully thinking it might be over. Step by step though I pushed onwards.

I saw one of my best friends at around mile 9. We ran the Berlin Marathon together last year, so he is someone I lean into for lots of support and encouragement when training and racing get tough. It was such a welcome sight to see him and I felt so thankful. I remember feeling the heat exhaustion when he said “man you look great!!”. If he said it, it must be true! I can’t overstate how much that alone helped me continue pushing forward.

I’m still not sure what happened at mile 13. Call it the sun finally starting to set a bit, some shadows creeping in and the temps starting to fall, eating more, and/or seeing my family and friends out at the run course, but at mile 14, I felt a rare and welcome surge of energy and motivation, and decided I would be running a 9 minute mile (my normal marathon pace) then stopping for a minute, then running again – all the way through to the finish line.

Surprisingly, this strategy worked amazingly well!

I began to pace at 9:00/mile for 2-3 minutes, then I would fast walk for a minute. Return to a 9:00/mile pace again for another 2-3 minutes, then walk for another one. I did this throughout miles 14-22 or so, and started to bring down my average pace from a 13:30 mile to a 12:40 mile. I would do quick math with every new mile to see what I’d need to average to be under 15 hours for the finish. At this pace, I would be just under 15 – too close for comfort! So I decided to keep pushing.

I finally found my legs at mile 23. Volunteers brought out chicken broth – which just like last year totally saved me. It was exactly what I didn’t know my system needed at the time. Mentally, a 5k isn’t too difficult. I’ve ran hundreds of them around my block in the past years, and I know exactly how long it should take and what the distance both looks and feels like on tired legs. I also knew these last miles were alongside the waterway at The Woodlands, where there was a lot more spectator support all around.

I envisioned the finish line again, and pushed onwards. I wasn’t stopping for anything now. I pushed hard and broke through a mental barrier I wasn’t expecting to encounter. I thought of all the times I had been here, at this point of the race, mentally – the last 5k – 3 miles to IRONMAN glory. I could see my wife, kids, my family, everyone at the finish line. The sounds of spectators yelling and cheering for everyone running down the red carpet. The feeling of joining the IRONMAN club once again.

I was blissfully daydreaming. I didn’t even realize I had a mile left to go.

The last mile was pure emotion. I rang the bell at the last turnaround signaling this was it, I was about to be an IRONMAN once more. Everyone was cheering for us, it was totally unreal. The feeling is one I will never forget. I glanced at my watch and noticed I was at a total of 14:50 activity time. I was going to break 15 hours. Unreal.

I had a quarter of a mile left to run, when I gave myself permission to slow walk for the last time in the race. I savored this last mile. 14:53 minutes so far of physical and mental grit. I reminisced on the months of training, hundreds of hours in the pool, on my bike, and on the trail that had led to this once again. I remembered my why: To teach my daughters that ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE. To let them know that where there is a will, there is a away, and to showcase how as a family supporting each other, we could do absolutely anything we set our minds to – individually or collectively.

I heard the music and the announcers, and began to run again. I couldn’t stop smiling! I couldn’t stop laughing! THIS IS IT! THIS IS THE RED CARPET!

I turned around the last bend running towards the floodlights of the finish line. This is all a blur… I just remember soaking in the moment. I ran past my brother screaming and cheering a few yards before the end. Then I heard it as I approached the finish line:

Ramses Gonzalez, YOU. ARE. AN IRONMAN!

I still get goosebumps. A week later, I’m still riding that adrenaline rush, and that feeling of conquering a once-impossible goal. Just a few years ago, an IRONMAN seemed like the absolute most unreal thing anyone could do. Now, I am an IRONMAN once more.

That Post Race High And The Day After

I gave my family the biggest most tightest hug ever. I was so thankful for them and told them that the medal I had received was not only mine, it was theirs too. Without their constant, unwavering, unconditional support this would have never ever been possible. I tried to also eat a bit but realized I couldn’t keep anything down. It was too soon after the race so I figured I’d just have a couple of bites of pizza, a cold soda, and a good long sit-down session to rest the legs. I took notice of the fact that I hadn’t once sit down since I had started the swim at 7:00AM that morning. 15 hours later, I was beat! Nonetheless, I was feeling ecstatic. I could not believe I had achieved my goal once more. 14:54, sub-15 hour Ironman. What?! Me?! Still feeling that rush!

I couldn’t really sleep that night. Excitement, fatigue, adrenaline, late-night caffeine intake through gels on the run, you name it. I woke up exhausted but incredibly happy and joyful. We did it again! Still riding that wave of emotions.

Physically, while I was a bit sore all around, I was feeling great. I had full range of motion, could go up and down stairs, carry luggage, etc. I was tired, but everything was doable. Testament to training, as I expected to not be able to move the next day!

This felt different than my first IRONMAN finish. I can’t pinpoint it exactly. I was incredibly proud of the accomplishment, but I was even more ecstatic knowing I had personally bested my time by almost an hour. It’s indescribable. I can see why endurance racing is addicting now too!

A Few Key Takeaways And Lots Of THANK YOUs!

I honestly think that having raced this course last year gave me a massive edge that I just can’t understate. I knew when I would be feeling those dark mental places, when I would need to push, and when I should slow down to keep myself going forward. I adapted to my foot pain well (last year I was cramping severely on the run), knowing that the race would be over soon.

I reflect on the training that led to this race, the hundreds of hours outside, training while traveling, on weekends, during holidays, you name it, and realize that this wasn’t just a physical victory for myself. It was a mental, emotional, and deeply personal one too. I had the most perfectly imperfect training plan leading up to IRONMAN Texas. I missed long runs, and long rides, and long swims, and nutrition training sessions, and strength training, and everything in between. But, I kept up my graduate school average to where I want it to be, I was present for my kids and my wife, and I showed up at work and delivered everything that was expected of me. All this and we were still able to complete an IRONMAN.

The final part of all this is that I would not have been able to train and once again complete this race without the incredible and unconditional support of all my family. They were there, present in all training races, cheering me on training sessions, adapting to my unconventional hours, supporting me through school, work, training, and just life in general. The biggest most largest shoutout goes to them. I love you all so much and am so thankful for all of you and all you do to support this sometimes chaotic and crazy endeavor. I will always strive to repay it back, and forward. Thank you.

A huge shoutout as well goes out to my friends, who cheered me on and encouraged me to not give up and keep pushing. Their words of advice, wisdom, and hope for the best race possible kept me going all throughout the race.

A final shoutout goes out to the triathlon community in general. Through Instagram, here on my blog, in real life, and really everywhere – everyone has been nothing but supportive and encouraging – lifting my mood when it was down due to injury, and keeping me in check when I was overreaching in training and racing.

To everyone who tracked, cheered, and encouraged – even when it felt a little crazy – thank you. It means more than you know, and I will truly be forever grateful.

My Final Thought

It doesn’t get easier, we just get stronger and adapt.

What’s your 140.6? A few years ago, the thought of doing an IRONMAN was the most surreal thing. “NO WAY I WOULD EVER DO THAT!” I remember exclaiming to family and friends. Here we are a few years later.

I learned that truly anything is possible. With determination and consistency, dreams turn to plans. Plans turn into goals. Goals turn into reality. And with every dream, forward is a pace, and every single step matters.

If you’re on the fence of trying a triathlon, let me tell you that you absolutely can do it. Dedication and consistency goes a very long way in this sport!

I’m by no means an expert, and am miles away (no pun intended 🙂 ) from being a professional, but I hope this recap helps you in your own triathlon journey, wherever it may be right now. Thank you so much for reading and being a part of my journey. I truly appreciate you.

Drop any comments, questions, or anything else in the comment below! I’d love to chat with you about triathlon and all its quirks and epicness!

Fortitudine Vincimus
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