First off, I’m now an Ironman. The whole event was very good, I’m amazed they can pull it all off. Hats off to the volunteers and the crowds. So sad to read some of the recent posts on what times make an Ironman and the drafting thread.
The swim went well, I had no way to pace myself, and my time was 20min slower than anticipated. The water was calm and very nice. I started next to the shore so I had a little extra ground to cover. Took 1hr 36 min. I noticed most of the DNF’s had near 1hr swim times, too much time in the pool?
The bike was tough, the hills never ending, and bottles, eqipment whatever littered the course near every bump. I now hate back seat bottle launchers, as bottles were comming off everywhere. I chose not to bring most of my goodies I planned and it turned out to be a good choice as it was easy to get enough to eat at each aid station. They did a great job and you could go through quickly.
This part turned out to be a battle of the stomach. The heat had turned up and my high energy gut bombs caused cramps in my gut and a trip to a field with the shits. I didn’t know what did it at this time, but it was near immposible to eat and drink, at mile 40 I thought I was done. I came to the event with 6500 miles in my legs and I’m now MN masters 35+ Rider of the year, and at mile 40 I thought I wouldn’t make it. I switched to goo and water and did 2 bottles an 2 goo’s at every aid station and at mile 80 I was a rocket again. I danced over the hills and finished with a 6hr 12 min, which was 45min off my goal, (I did stop and talk to the wife and kids and fertilizing the fields didn’t help). I felt very good at the end. The pictures and the hills may show drafting, but I thought most people did a great job not doing it. The course was very crowded and the hills turned into a parking lot, but at those speeds there was no drafting. Many even had to push their bikes to the top of hills and I saw alot of people overloaded with bottles and not drinking. If you look at your shorts and they’re white with salt, your way underhydrated.
The run became the nightmare, I had another gut bomb (I didn’t know this was my enemy until now) right at the start and paid for it for about two hours. I couldn’t run, I could barely walk, so I threw the bottle away (it was Extran, and I’m thinking it was too strong). So back to goo and water, two goos and a full glass of water every stop. Things came around at the half way point but I was now to gone to run much. I felt ok and my stomach was on track but the legs just wouldn’t respond. It got dark and the ambulances were taking people in all over the place. I like this part of the race as it so hard to keep going and those you are with, become your supporters. I peed every mile on the mile and couldn’t hold it for two miles. I had endurolytes all day and the gu has salt, so I’m not sure why I peed so much. I crossed the line at 14hr 50min. Blisters here and there on the feet and legs like lead, but I felt ok. I began to shiver for a 1/2 hour, and felt like I had a fever. (Was I having a hard time with temp regulation?) I kept drinking and even had some more gu. So I go to bed and pee every hour until 2am. I wake up bonked, room spinning gonna puke if I don’t do something. So I cram down 4 bowls of Cap’n Crunch cereal and by the time I’m done I feel great. Went back to sleep and woke up feeling pretty good.
Next morning I had the “walk” and the next hardest thing occured. I had to pass by the sign up for next year table. I want to do this again so bad it makes me sick. Hats off to all who pressed on, those who didn’t make the time and finnished may not get to officially wear the corporate logo, but in the spirit of the event you are “Ironman” as well. It’s hell to do this slow.
Now it’s post partum depression, as what do I do now. I think I might get fired this afternoon, so I guess it’s back to life.
While leaving down the freeway with all the fun behind I ask my 3yr old son. “Back to the Hotel or home?” He wanted to go back to the hotel and so do I.
