Hola triathlete amigos,
I have to say right off the bat. This was my third inaugral race. I have had the good the bad and the ugly. I have been in M DOT and INDY iron races. This was the most organized event I have ever seen. The volunteers made the race, as they do in most, but these guys were the most “educated” volunteers I have seen. I liked the walk through with my person. She was knowledgable and helpful. Not only that, but on race day they were awesome, helpful and some quite speedy. I saw a lady run down a pro on the run course to get him coke that he missed. So OK here is my 2 cents.
Loved the swim-Since I have grown up near the river and live fairly close now, I hold real awe at its beauty and raw power. Swimming an IM without a wetsuit well…not many can say that. I was a little antsy after the practice Saturday, but once at the race Sun. I felt very calm and swam hard. Finished the swim in 1:10. Current was not that much of an advantage on the return compared to Saturday. I tried to avoid folks who looked like it was a hard day or worse. I noticed some people panic from the moment they hit the water. KUDOS KUDOS to the race director who had a viable plan B for the swim and the confidence to implement it. I thought it was a smart, intuitive fix for an almost no win situation. Maybe folks did learn something after Utah…twice.
Hated the swim-The Ohio ranges from calm to white caps depending on the wind. I saw people during warm up doing the endless pool deal. Some real panic was noted, especially in my own mind when I flashed back to IM Utah. Eventhough I had a good swim there at least I had a wetsuit in Utah. The taste of the river was a little “nutty mixed with boating fuel”. My googles had some of the fuel in it and man did it sting. The walking distance from the original start made it about a mile and a half walk from the hotel. I felt like we should have had an additional time for this leg of the race! Also waiting in line with not enough port-a-johns spaced out by the line was an issue for people not wanting to lose their place in line. Floating crap/debris/cows/bodies/ insert your debris choice here…not that bad but it is the stuff you can’t see that will get you, not the nine foot catfish. Jury is still out since I am waiting to see if I grow an extra appendage over the next few days. Maybe I will end up like a platypus? Think about it! I did have a rash the next day after practice however, and a few of us did have stomach issues.
Loved the Transitions- All were smooth and the help was spot on. They were flawless.
Hated the transitions- I got nothing…q.v. above.
**Loved the bike-**Anything in KY by the river will have similar terrain. This was actually a lot flatter than many spots along the Ohio, especially the greater Cincy area. Some of the views were in beautiful horse country, not as pretty as Lexington/Paris though. The course was tough but not crazy. This course is a lot like Wisconsin but the rollers are not as steep as IM Moo. Bike 6:09, a little slower than I would have liked but within reason. I saw some farmers actually getting into the road to remove debris and dropped gear. Very cool! Hopefully this community will not become tired of IM and have farmers blocking cyclists with tractors or folks dropping tacks…dare to dream.
Hated the bike- The two bridges were a pothole mess, especially since one was at the bottom of a 40 mph descent…twice. US 42 return was also a little bumpy but nothing major. Saw folks who did not know the course almost take out folks on the descents only to then block them on the climb…bastards. Ha. Playing in traffic for some folks was an issue I saw pros blocked by cars that were just trying to get into LaGrange. Nothing purposeful. The scenery is a little bland at times. Seen one horse…seen you get the point. Although not as many horse farms as I would have thought along the course like the horsey hundred in central KY.
Loved T2 - Above still applies!
Loved the run- It was flat. I still managed to do it slowly though. Maybe I should run more? Volunteers were extremely helpful. Police were great. Even heard one of them talking about doing Placid last year.
Hated the run- At time the scenery was soooo boring. We did not run past the cool stuff like I had thought. Churchill? We saw some stables, Papa John stadium was way the heck over there. 4:58…geez. I used to be able to run. Maybe it’s that whole need to run more thing?
Loved the Finish-As far as finishing venues go this one was the coolest next to Canada. Canada has the atmosphere though. This was a great way to frame the finish at Louisville!
Hated the finish-OK I scoped out a cool Mexican restaurant “Tengo Sed=I have thirst” which was wholly appropriate for me. I was planning to perch myself there to watch the last finishers come in. The upstairs places were not open…talk about lost opportunity for $$$$.
Just Plain Hated-Picking up the bike after. What a walk after an ironman. Fortunately my wonderful wife and two teenage boys did it for me. I was feeling for those at the race by themselves. Been there and know that special kind of suffering post race trying to coherently gather your gear in a physical and mental funk.
If you would pay to have someone bring your bike and gear back to your hotel e-mail me here ralenkotpar@hotmail.com
I would do this race again in a heartbeat since my chances of getting back to Canada are nil. I would not do this race if you can’t deal with the heat, rollers, or can’t swim without a wetsuit.
Cheers!
Peraldo
