I have done the race 4 times, last time in 2004. If you could preview the course it will be helpful. The bike has hills! Several short steep climbs and a couple of long climbs. I don't remember wind being a factor. The run has 3 tough hills, and if the sun is out it gets really hot. My advice is put in some hill training and be ready for the heat.

See you in Lubbock!

I did this race last year, and corroborate what the others have said about the hills. They start right out of transition and keep going. The great thing about all the uphills though is that they do lead to some nice downhills.

I would add that the road that you ride on for the bike is horrendously rough. It can be a serious bone rattler even with a carbon frame. There are also some doozy potholes on the course which can lead to dropped water bottles, air cartridges, tubes, etc. Not sure you can prepare for that kind of road surface, but it helps to at least know what to expect. I just remember being SO relieved to be off the bike because of that.

The run is hot and also a bit hilly, except for the "Energy Lab II" (I think that's what they called it) which is a flat out and back section in the middle of the run. Back to the heat...last year a light cloud cover helped on the bike course, but by the time we were running the sun was a blazin'! Nutrition and hydration will be important.

Oh, and if you don't usually bring a headlamp with you on race day for the AM darkness, this would be a race to start doing so. The parking is in a field that has some random animal holes and other hazards, and then once you reach the road that you take down to TA you have a fair chunk of walking to do in the dark. Just a little thing like that could help your pre-race stuff go more smoothly.

I enjoyed the race and would return to do it again, but this year IM CDA has my number....

Best of luck to you for smooth and healthy training and a solid race effort!

"My goal is to qualify for something in my age group (60-64) That should be easier for me than for most." Everyone thinks that: "Hey, I'll go to Texas to qualify!" Good luck. BSLT is a humbling course. Like many other posters, I have done this race several times, and will try not to reiterate their correct observations about hills, heat, wind, etc. One thing other posters did not comment on is the swim: Yes, it is wet-suit legal, BUT the water seems much warmer than would usually be expected in a wet-suit race. The reason (I have heard) is that "they" measure the water temp out in the lake, deeper toward the spring (ie, the spring water is cooler). So you don't really need a wetsuit per se, but EVERYONE wears one. I've found full suits there a bit much. It is still June in Texas. The water is rather murky; it is a 'shore' start;' and you can't see the entire swim course from shore, so there is a lot of sighting going on. The logistics are easy (I think). Lubbock is a great town, laid back, slow paced, with a college-town feel to it. The local community knows this is race weekend, so they are there to help. The race site is out-of-town so there is no traffic. (Disclaimer: I lived in Lubbock and am a Texas Tech grad.) I don't know if you are flying or driving in, but the Lubbock airport is tiny and you can get in and out to your hotel with no sweat. You can stay at the race hotel, but there are many other hotels that won't be booked. Don't feel like you MUST reserve a room and car right away, at any price. For pre-race dinner, I go to Orlando's, a local Italian chain (www.orlandos.com); for post-race grub, go down to the Depot District (http://interoz.com/lubbock/depodist.htm). Oh yeah, the race is sponsored (or has been) by Bud and the years I did it, they had beer. So, grab a beer and walk over the lake and relax!

No, and no. Of course there are a few at the start/finish and massing around the T1/T2, but for the most part, it is nearly impossible to get out to any of race portions because much of it is either inside the park (ie, not easy to drive in) or way out in the middle of nowhere and much of the traffic is blocked. I recall very few people (and I mean 'people,' not groups, as in one or two here on this corner, and two or so on that corner, and that's about it). Plus, if a spectator leaves the park it is likely they would have to pay to get back in; plus they would be sharing the road with the racers, and not likely to happen at an IM-branded event. And finally, forget walking to get anything. This is a very rural race site. Anyone who comes to see you needs to be SURE to bring a cooler with 'stuff' to eat/drink; a folding chair; an umbrella; an ipod; and a book. They may enjoy swimming while you are on the bike/run. Apologize for making them get out there at 5:30 am and sit there all day in the baking sun. Take them to dinner afterwards.