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IM Texas Race Report

<p>IM Texas and First IM</p>
<p>Swim:  1:00.   Most people, like the pros, seemed to be lining up next to the right yellow start marker. This was probably the shortest distance between the start and the red turn around marker.  I decided to start close to the left yellow marker to avoid most of the swim mosh pit.  I was able to avoid the craziness at the start but still found myself running into and having to go around people throughout the entire race.  due to poor visibility you didn't know you were about to run into someone until you hit them.  Try to go around and you would run into someone else.  About 1/2 way through the return portion, I found myself zoning out.  Thought the canal would never come.</p>
<p>T1:  3:38, uneventful.  Had to have one of the volunteers unzip my speed suit.</p>
<p>Bike:  5:39.  I only have lap average watts, speed and time as my Garmin 500 disc is in my TBT bag.  So unfortunately, i am unable to download data.  figured it would use the same software as my Garmin 310xt.  Each lap is 5 miles auto stop is off.  Wanted real time data.</p>
<p>Lap 1:  Watts:  190   Speed:  22.4   Time:  13:23</p>
<p>Lap 2:  Watts:  185  Speed:  22.5  Time:  13:20</p>
<p>Lap 3:  Watts:  187  Speed:  23.0  Time:  13:00</p>
<p>Lap 4:  Watts:  185  Speed:  22.0  time:  13:37</p>
<p>Lap 5:  Watts:  176:  Speed: 21.4  time:  14:0</p>
<p>Lap 6:  Watts:  171:  Speed:  23  Time:  13:04</p>
<p>Lap7:  Watts:  185:  Speed:  21.3  Time:  14:07</p>
<p>Lap 8:  Watts:  170   Speed:  21.4  Time:  14:00</p>
<p>Lap 9:  Watts:  160  Speed:  20.8  Time:  14:26</p>
<p>Lap 10:  Watts:  176  Speed:  19.2  Time:  15:39</p>
<p>Lap 11:  Watts:  175  Speed:  20.3  Time:  14:46</p>
<p>Lap 12:  Watts:  174  Speed:  17.8  Time:  16:52  </p>
<p>Lap 13:  Watts:  159  Speed:  22  Time:  13:36</p>
<p>Lap 14:  Watts  132  Speed:  13.1  Time:  22:50       *had to get on and off bike twice to attempt to diagnose and fix mechanical problem. At first thought brakes were rubbing, so adjusted them.  Spun wheels and every thing seemed okay.  Got back on bike and could still hear something rubbing.  Unable to tell by holding bike and spinning wheel, I was forced to turn bike over.  Rear tire was rubbing the frame.  Not sure how that happened or for how long it was going on.</p>
<p>Lap 15:  Watts:  170  Speed:  18.4  Time:  16:16</p>
<p>Lap 16  Watts:  160  Speed:  18.4  Time:  16:22</p>
<p>Lap 17:  Watts:  156  Speed:  19.7  Time:  15:14</p>
<p>Lap 18:  Watts:  162  Speed:  18.3  Time:  16:21</p>
<p>Lap  19:  Watts:  136  Speed:  19.8  Time:  15:10</p>
<p>Lap  20:  Watts:  139  Speed:  18.4  Time:  16:17</p>
<p>Lap 21:  Watts:  135  Speed:  19.1  Time:  15:42</p>
<p>Lap 22:  Watts:  134  Speed:  18.5  Time:  16:12</p>
<p>Over the course of the bike could feel my left knee tightening up.  By about the 16 lap, pain began to surface on the down stroke and by Lap 19 it was done.  In stead of bailing, I decided to keep the power low and not push it.  I was beginning to wonder and worry how it was going to hold up during the run.  </p>
<p>got off the bike two additional times to pee and to get a water bottle.  Evidently the person in front of me was unable to grab them as I watched the bottles fall to the ground.  Consequently, I had to stop and grab or go without.  Figured hydration was more important so I stopped.</p>
<p>T2:  6:01.  Uneventful.  Just took longer because i had to massage out the side of knee.</p>
<p>Run:  4:14  Garmin 310 xt doesn't seem to have any of my data.  Will investigate that later.  Any ways.  Started out on the run kind of conservative until I could test the knee.  fortunately the knee felt a little tight but no pain.  Given that I had 24-25 miles ahead of me, I decided not to push it to hard.  I didn't want the knee to act up, it was fricking hot, and I really wanted to finish.  Didn't want to have to wait another year before I could call myself an Ironman.  </p>
<p>Walked every aid station.  Yes, sometimes longer then 30 steps and yes even took the time on one occassion to stretch the hammies and hip flexors.</p>
<p>Had to stop and pee twice.  Really wasn't in the mood to pee myself.  Stopped to try to go poop once.  turned out to be a false alarm but really annoying because the port a johns are hot and it really sucks trying to get a one piece tri suit on and off when your hot and sweaty   Had to walk about 1/2 mile due to side stitch.</p>
<p>All in all a really hard but fun day because in the end I got to cross that finish line and hear those famous words.</p>

Comments

  • My big take away for first timers. It's okay to set goals ( time etc) but don't get upset if something goes wrong and causes you to deviate from that plan. I set goals and I didn't reach any of them but when I crossed the finish nothing else mattered. Let your first be about the race and the IM experience
  • JK.... repost your RR over here in Race Executions... http://members.endurancenation.us/Forums/tabid/57/aff/34/Default.aspx

    Way to stay in your box , deal with a mechanical , possible injury , ridiculous conditions , and finishing your first Ironman ! Nice meeting you... And it looks like we might both be stupid enough to do it again next year????
  • Great race John and nice job getting the first IM completed. 
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