I have 2 friends doing it together. They are heading up from Florida. I am looking forward to hearing all about it.

Going to check out your videos now and send them this link.

Thanks for posting!

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http://www.sfuelsgolonger.com

If they have any questions give a shout! I'm sure Aaron might jump in if he sees this...

Race specific things I will do different:

-On the swim I stayed hard left of everyone thinking we were going to be corralled by guide boats on the right. I ended up on my own way left while the boats did not keep left as much as anticipated. Most the crowd punched straighter line then me, I probably swam 10 more minutes then needed.

-I was not too rushed in T1, just happy to have not drowned.

-I've never had a HR monitor or power meter so I did everything by 'feel'. Not aware watts or power zones at the time and therefore not aware of general bike tactic of staying in 75% +/- of FTP. I was punchy on the climbs and probably all over the place power wise. I still don't have power meter BUT have been on Zwift all winter riding power that way at least. Gonna try and get something in the next month...

- I do have a Garmin Forerunner 35 as of 2 months ago so I have been learning HR zones and all that. Only managed 5 week block in Kona this winter and I really worked on keeping zone 2 on the flats. But on any hill (and there are lots of them!) the HR was through the roof. Made some weekly hard efforts but it is amazing how high end stuff is naturally stifled by the heat.

- My support crew dropped the ball on meeting me at first designated spot. I wasted time calling them. Oh this was after I got a flat tire and messed with that for good 15 min.

-I think I took too many breaks on bike. 6 counting flat tire. At conservative 5min avg a break that is still 30 min!

-I started the run around 8 hours in. Felt good first 3 miles then bonk central! Then bonk , hit a wall, bonk again, stay strong, bonk. I made habit of drinking from every stream I come across. Beaver Fever be damned. (I been drinking from these streams for 30 years so I could get away with it) You should have seen the look on some of the guys as I slurping the most refreshing water ever!

-On the mountain the heat was oppressive. Luckily up high there was snow to pack in my hat and shorts and arm pits. Heat stroke was real threat.

Any way, I'm babbling

Babble away. I sent them to link so I am sure they will take any advice you have. They have been trying to find cold water to swim in but it's hard here in Florida. They did get the hood, gloves, etc.. since the water temp can be brutal there. How was the bike temps? Did they fluctuate depending on elevation? You said the run was hot. Good to know.

Thanks,

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http://www.sfuelsgolonger.com

Great video. Thanks for posting. I've done IMs and I live in Kenai...but nah. That looks ridiculous. I think hardest thing would be coming down the mountain at Alyeska. 2 times. I was sore just from hiking up and down that last fall. Hats off to you - that is a heck of a first triathlon.

The start of the bike was cooler temps down in the fog but then we climbed up and out of it and it was just about perfect T-shirt weather. We really lucked out on weather in general with a clear stretch. I recall the year before being optimal overall with high overcast, not too hot.

You locals know what it can be like around here if Mother Nature decides to throw a curve ball!

A race like this is funny because it throws everyones calibrations out the window. You might know your IM full or half times or 5k or 10k times for that matter but as soon as you start throwing in vertical in the mountains, the race and its history becomes its own entity.

And on that note it is kind of a bummer they keep making course modifications because the history and times are not set in stone yet. I'm not complaining as I understand the staggering logistics involved in pulling this off and in the long run the event will be as streamlined as possible.

Question for Aaron, the Map section of web site shows new swim route at 1.7 miles with new T1 but in the Bike Map section the small inlay still shows last years T1 configuration...

I did this race in 2017 and it was definitely an amazing experience! I never want to suffer like that again though...

I'm going on the theory that if I get my mind and body wrapped around a beast of a race like this, than a regular full IM should be easy right?!

I am excited to hear reports from this year. I am looking at doing this in 2020 with the spots to Noorsman,

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2024: Bevoman, Galveston, Alcatraz, Marble Falls, Santa Cruz

A regular IM will probably be no problem for you to finish after a first race like Alaskaman. But you will want to go fast, which will still make it really hard.

I feel like the crux of the whole course was the double loop on the 5k nordic trail. Perpetual up, down, left, right left the runners feeling disoriented with the section having a 'never ending' sort of feel. I've been forcing myself to do long lead-ins to the section from my house so I hit it with tired legs. As of the 31st we can start getting up on the mountain and be able to throw in some nordic loop/mountain loop combos.

There is gonna be a lot of snow up there this year. With cool, slow start to summer temps and month earlier race, should be interesting.

5 weeks out now. Planning on sustaining volume around 12-15 hours a week next 3 weeks then taper last 2...

OMG Three weeks out! It is getting real...

Nice 15 miler out through the Nordic loop and up Alyeska the other night. Encountered a guy out on the loop who was 'lost'. He was so glad I was there to tell him to just keep going even though it feels like you are going in circles.

I pointed at the sun that was mostly obscured behind clouds and said that is south, head that way at each intersection. I hope he made it.

I'm really hoping for some cooler weather this year. And I'm thinking of using hiking poles on the mountain section. Sounds like the euros are all about it.

Time to start organizing gear and printing waivers for support crew etc. I have an old friend who gonna run the required mountain section with me and also recruited another guy to pace in the 20 mile 'flat section' of the run.

Getting close...

Omg this last week I was planning on squeezing solid 12-15 hours as max out week then lead to slow taper over next 2 weeks. On Sunday or Monday was 8miles in on a run and took weird step that insta tweaked my lower back and hip region.

Next day felt a little off then day after was all bunged up . 3 rd day after constant stretching/ self chiropractics finally got a couple ‘pops’ and everything fell back into place .

Slowed my roll this week otherwise sitting at 6 hours as of Friday night. I hear zwift calling...

Then again part of me really wants to do the mayor’s half next weekend and chalk it up to ‘long interval’ training. Yay or nay?

Yay. Just remember it’s training and not racing and you’ll be fine.

Sent you a PM on Cirque Series Alyeska.

There is about 1% chance I won't race pace it and blow out legs for a couple days. But that is what final rest weeks are for right?!

Yup!

“No...no! Do not chase that guy. Let him go. This is just a training run.”

“No! NO! Training run.”

“Fuck it, let’s go get that guy!!”

Decided not to do the HM tomorrow , going to Hope instead for Clinton Fearon. Then Saturday gonna bike from Hope to Moose Pass and get a feel for the course.

1 week count down!

Much to my dismay it looks like its gonna be stinking hot this week. Low 80's on race day with nice smokey haze from big fires in Kenai.

Around 3:30 pm today I did Nordic Loop up North Face combo in the heat of the day. I can manage a decent run speed while keeping my heart rate under control in high Z2/low Z3 in these higher temps but as soon as the going gets steep, my HR was sitting in mid Z4. I felt comfortable enough, it is just the nature of the beast, though unsustainable for long period of time.

I still don't have a power meter so my overall pacing tactic has to rely on monitoring HR. Going to chug through the swim, watch HR on the bike and run and then let it rip on the final climbs and hope there is enough in the tank to finish on two feet.

Saturday in Kona calling for 88f at 80% humidity.

Saturday in Girdwood calling for 88f at 90% humidity.

That is all .

Just curious what kind of wetsuits people that are doing this race are using? I used to do triathlons when I lived in Florida, Tennessee, and North Carolina. I recently moved to Alaska and am enjoying the trail running and fat tire bikes but swimming is a challenge. While I don't think am interested in anything this extreme, I wouldn't mind some smaller ones a few times a year. Also wouldn't mine trying to organize a small one here at some point. Any suggestions for wetsuits for temps this low? I am quiet a bit north of this area by the way.

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http://timeoutdoors.blogspot.com/
Photo Blog - App Trail Thru Hike March - Sept 2009

I just did the North Pole triathlon in regular Zoot wetsuit. Swim in Alaska lakes with that too. Did not do Alaska man and I think that’s quite a bit colder than the lakes. Swim at North Pole was not really all that cold. Took 30 seconds to adjust to temp.

Most use standard full sleeve triathlon wetsuits once the lakes warm up a bit. If challenged by colder temps there are options like the B70 Helix Themal which adds some features for helping with colder temps.

If you’re near Anchorage there are regularly scheduled AK Tri Club swims at Little Campbell Lake in Kincaid Park. Sometimes wetsuit demos available too. This lake is also the venue for the local Xterra Hammerman Triathlon.

I have a 3 mil old wetsuit I bought at Play- It-Again sports back in 2002ish with 1mil shirt/hood combo on inside of that with 2 mil farmer john on top of everything. 5mil gloves and booties. Oh and I and regular long underwear base layer. I think water was 55 deg. Cold on face but good temp otherwise with layers.

I've been meaning to update race report from last week, here it goes...

2:15 am at T1 warm air. Heavy smoke in air from huge forest fire in Sterling.

I have been calm and relaxed in the last few weeks knowing the pain that is about to come. Right up until the start blast at 4:30am then reality struck.

Cold water, struggling for rhythm, gasp for breath, dig deep, remain calm.

Sighting to the flood lights 2 miles up the coast. Swimming and swimming for ever. Can taste smoke on each in breath. Can see it in then trees. Ignoring it.

Out of the water in 1:10. Hoping for an hour but no dice. It was a challenge.

Out of the water and fast T1 I was on the road . Warm air , can't see the sun until 10 miles later when it appeared as red orb in brown skies. My head hurts...

I was conscious of maintaining low HR but I couldn't. wanted to be in 130-140 range but was up in 160-170 range and I couldn't bring it down, though I wasn't going 'that hard' . Whatever that means. No power meter.

Head ache felt like slight dehydration and was subtle but I couldn't kick it even though was pounding fluids. Nuun and salt tablets in water.

By Moose Pass at mile 40 I was having doubts about this pursuit. I stayed positive up through Summit Pass and into Turnagain Pass, the air cleared a bit with elevation.

Holy smoke last year at this time I was feeling great and now I feel bogged down...

Fast descent to the flats and around Portage Road I was really reconsidering my ambitions. I was in 10th place or so and getting setup for good jump on run but my head was killing me. I told support crew to run up to Girdwood and get me some Advil for when I came by at mile 90 (5:15 on bike so far). The smoke was thick and brown and the air was in high 80's. Traffic was increasing and there were construction cut out in the roads. I was in better shape then last year but going slower.

I though about how I had an hour of biking left to be followed by 7 hours of mountain running. I thought about my house that sits right off the highway at Mile 90 and the cold beer in the fridge.

I thought about the year of training and planning leading into this race and my support crew cheering me on. I looked at the smoke and my eyes were itchy and runny nose.

Abort Mission..., Buddy ran out to highway with advil in hand . I said I was done and 1 minute later I pulled into my driveway and sat down.

Surreal rush of relief and what can be described as 'joy' in not being held hostage by my ego to complete the task at hand. I felt thankful for having the time to train and support from family to juggle my self imposed training schedule.

I though about how nice it would be just to take the kids fishing... what am I doing out here? wasting my time? Felt like a 2 year spell had been broken with predominance of long course on my mind.

No AlaskaMan for next year for me. Shifting gears back to shorter events... until next week when I get stoked and sign up for AK man again... lol

Cirque Race 3 weeks out , nice change of pace...

Sometimes you just gotta say “that’s enough for today”. No shame in that at all.

I’ll see you down there at cirque, but I’m 50/50 if I’ll do it. I have no problem with a “running race” but if it’s a “cliff climbing race”...that might change. I’m no mountain goat. Lol