IMSG Race Report (Nice and Late)

My internet access has been limited so I’m a bit late to the show, but I thought I’d share some of my race report thoughts. I always enjoy searching and reading race reports once I sign up for a race, so maybe something here will be of use for a future St George participant. Feel free to message or post if you are interested in anything else.

At least I finished this time! After a disappointing DNF at Ironman Wisconsin in September (due to a tibia stress fracture), I was eager to get some sort of redemption. My run training never really progressed into anything substantial as I was always trying to be smarter and err on the side of being undertrained. I only built up to a 35 mile week and took the last two weeks completely off from running in order to silence a few nagging sore spots.

We arrived in St. George on Tuesday and the heat was immediate. Coming from Michigan, this was my first exposure to heat of the year. It might not have helped my time during the race, but the heat sure felt good all the other time.

SWIM: 1:02:something. I had a new wetsuit and forgot to bodyglide my neck. Needless to say, my worst post race injury was a severe neck-burn along the back and sides of my neck. I don’t think anyone into erotic asphyxiation would even take it this far. I liked the one loop format of the swim (fewer congested turns). I started in the middle a few rows back and tried to hang onto some feet while using the mass of people as my directional guide. I chipped another few minutes off my best swim. I’m getting closer to that hour mark.

BIKE: 5:08:something. I tried to be decently quick in the transition but I did stop for some suntan lotion. However no one got my lower back (which was obvioiusly covered by my shirt at the time). When I was in my aero position, a nice large section of my lower back was exposed to the sun. My second-worst post race injury is what feels like a severe burn and looks like the world’s largest and most hideous tramp stamp. The hills weren’t very brutal. Only a few miles from the transition I was climbing a hill and passing some people when a woman yelled over to some spectators “look at the hero” (not said in a positive manner). I used that as some nice mental fuel. I didn’t ride the course beforehand so I only had a mental image of the course profile in my head. I was expecting more debilitating hills, and was pleasantly surprised when they never materialized. I don’t own a power meter or hrm, so I’ve become accustomed to gauging my perceived effort. I dialed into the upper end of my comfortable limit and just focused on getting the fluids in. The roads were a bit harsh on my underside (rocking an old disc wheel on my aluminum bike was not the best shock absorber) but it wasn’t unbearable. I was drinking consistently but knew the heat was getting the best of me as I still hadn’t peed by the end of the bike.

RUN:3:40:something. A few more mistakes: looking at my socks in my transition bag and then not wanting to spend the two seconds to put them on. Then not pulling my laces tight on my shoes. I obviously wasn’t thinking the best. I started the run and didn’t get any relief. I finished the first loop just under 1:40. I headed back out for the second loop but was mentally and physically broken. As I slowly trudged back up and out of town I saw my family. I stopped running and walked over to them. I then spent some time explaining to them that I was completely toasted and this race was done. I was disappointed I wasn’t going to finish the race how I wanted, but more bummed that I was going to be out on that course for so long. I told them to be prepared to not see me again for a few hours as I was going to have to walk a lot. I then walked off into the distance. I walked for about 10 more minutes and then hit another nice incline. As I was walking, I passed a guy who was slowly jogging. That slightly inspired me and I resolved myself to walk fastly for the inclines and then attempt to jog the downhills. My stomach was just sloshing liquids. I saw a dude retching in the middle of the road and I had to look to the side before I followed suit. I tried to drink a bunch at every aid station but I just couldn’t consume enough liquids. I stopped sweating during the return back into town. I was knowledgable enough to know I was either developing some heat stroke or some severe dehydration signs, so I was glad to know it was almost over. By walking fast and doing a decent job of running the downhills, I managed to finish the second loop in 2 hours and break the 10 hr mark for the course, finishing in 9:58:something. My eyes had enormous dark circles around them and my face was ghostly pale. It took 5 bottles of water before my color returned and my body returned to normal….

Other than massive foot blisters, a sun burned tramp stamp, and severe neck burns, my body was great. Luckily the heat exhaustion didn’t allow me to abuse my legs during the run, so I was able to hike around Zion the next day and then the Grand Canyon. All in all, it was a good trip out west.

I didn’t take my Kona slot as I want some time to focus on my run again. Hopefully that made someone happy in the 25-29 age group who will get a chance to appreciate Hawaii. Until then, I’ll save up my money and become a runner again before toeing the line at another Ironman and hopefully get a chance to “race” Kona.

Great report! For a race as long as an Ironman, it is the little things like socks and suntan lotion that can have lasting effects. Wonderful effort in the face of the heat.

J

Great report. Can’t believe all these reports I’m reading from people at IMSG who KQ’ed who don’t own a PM or HRM. Check the classifieds shortly for my PM and HRM.

I enjoyed reading your RR. Solid effort across all disciplines - you must feel a great sense of accomplishment. Enjoy!

Great race and comeback. I’d say you got your redemption. I got the tramp stamp sunburn at IM CdA last year and still have the mark. Plan on getting the suntan lotion next week at IM TX.

I do think having power in training is awesome. I use a computrainer almost exclusively for biking (I probably make it outdoors only once a month in the summer). Luckily I love the feeling of accomplishment when I achieve a new PR on my trainer and I’ve spent a summer in the past where I biked outdoors exclusively everyday (solo cross country tour after college) so I don’t think my handling is compromised. But I don’t think I’d like to race with one since I like to try and push the limit — and with the exception of this race I’ve never blown up on the run. If I had the money, I’d probably use one. But since I have a wife and we both have nice college debt still, I can only make so many financial choices based on triathlon.

Good work to get under the 10 on a very tough day. I’m on the lookout for a PM bargain to stick on my TT bike after blowing up as well… about 5hrs before you whilst on the bike. thankfully I had time to get it back together on the run. (triathlon is a small world! I just ducked under 9h58).
I usually keep an eye on HR but on hot days like that it can drift quite drastically.

That was a great report. Sounds like had a tough time of it on the run, but your s-b-r splits were still nicely balanced. Good job!

IMSG was my first triathlon…great race report!! Also from MI, so I can relate to “the heat sure felt good all the other time” and the tan lines…

You rocked it!