Just got back from the king of all roadtrips. 18days, 7500 miles, 16 states, 2 countries and did my first Ironman. My wife and I loaded up the vanagon and headed out to Idaho. Met some great people, saw some awesome sights and even got a race in. It was definitely epic.
First off CdA was a great venue. The course was beautiful, the people were great and it was all run smooth as butta. I was planning to do LP for my next IM but now I am not sure, a return to CdA is not out of the question.
Thoughts on the Race:
The Swim. The start was more spread out then last year (at least it looked it from the pictures) But since I lack a little confidence on the swim I started back a tad (with the majority of the people starting out far right.) The cannon goes off most of those racers out to the right start swimming to left, towards the bouys. I got caught in the middle. A lot of jostling, moving slow, and a little hand to hand combat … it sucked. I pulled over, inside the bouys and let it clear out. After that I swam GREAT, for a rock that is, which is my swim category. I was never out of breath and even drafted a few people. Not sure on my splits but the second half was faster and easier. Next time I am lining up left and heading out hard, if I need to slow up I will just move a little inside of the buoys. The whole start up cost me some time, how much time I am not sure, it always seems longer during the race, but I know I can cut some serious minutes of my next swim.
T1. Being my first IM I wasn’t going to rush it. Took my time getting ready, lubed up good! It was longer than any other transition I have done but I was soaking it up and having a blast!! I even took out a disposable camera and got some shots (no NOT those kind of shots!)
Bike: I wanted to start out a little slow and warm up (not go full tilt from the beginning) so I brought the camera out with me and took some pictures for the first few miles. Don’t get me wrong I wasn’t going slow (maybe 19 mph) and I was passing some people. Then someone passed me! Well that doesn’t happen so the camera was gone and I was riding. I didn’t have my bike computer on (an oversight on my part as the magnet did not go on the tri-spoke.) So I was just going by my HR and RPE, which was fine with me. I guess I passed about 900 people (the spoils of a slow swim) and had a tremendous ride. Could I have gone faster, without a doubt, but kept HR about 15 below LT. Hey this was my first IM, I wanted to be sure I would finish. Crowds were great, yacked it up with everyone I rode with (some people didn’t mind other well too bad for them). Started to spin with about 6 miles to go (except for one time when some guy passed me as I said that doesn’t happen). Got off the bike feeling great!
T2 Similar to T1 just looking to get it right and enjoy. I can make up time here.
Run: Started out great! In fact first two miles 7 min. miles. But thought I better settle it done some. Felt great for first loop, did it around 1:44 or so, my watch had shut off but my wife gave me the estimated time. I guess I was having too much fun and not paying attention to the times all that much. Second half of the run really fell off. But a little background first. On the Weds. before the race I was doing a training ride with my wife and after 7 EASY miles I got a stitch in my side. It got worse and actually felt like a bad cramp. Barely finished the ride, it was an out and back, and had trouble even standing up straight. I hadn’t changed my diet or eaten anything new or different. Well the pain remained (and is actually still there now) It isn’t always bad, but its always there. Just under my liver, Right upper quadrant of my abdomen, and its annoying. Since my wife and I both work at the hospital we called back home but no one had any good answers. I am having it looked into further but if anyone has any ideas let me know. Anyway back to the run, well the pain in my side started to get a little worse. I noticed myself hunching a little. Needless to say my second half was slower than my first half. But I finished anyways. It was tremendous, fabulous, spectacular and anything else you could think of! I loved it and I thought for 7 months out from major knee surgery I did pretty damn good!
Swim:1:25:55 Ride:5:32:58 Run:4:24:41 11:33:23 which was 15 minutes slower than my number 1118! Damn I was close though.
For future IM’s I think I can make up some serious time on the swim and run. I also can trim some time from the transitions and ride (I may actually get a tri bike for my next one!) As far as the pain, well something always happens, from a flat to some pain, and something will happen on the next one. I guess its how you deal with it that counts. Nutrition wise things went well.
I am ready to commit to another IM, just not sure which one. I am also signed up for the Marine Corps Marathon and our friends want me to do the LOTOJA 206 mi bike race so I am thinking about that.
Now about the roadtrip. One of the reasons we did it is we are looking to relocate out west. Jackson WY too expensive! Madison too cold! But we loved Mizzoula, MT and Lyons, CO!! They are definitley # 1 & 1A on our list. Anyone live in either spot?? Any comments?? Let me know. Sorry if I rambled a bit.
Ironman Rover