Chris Love's IMMT Race Report
Last year IMLP was about doing it with my daughter Bridget, holding hands crossing the finish line, kumbaya! This year I intended to race and see what I had. I thought I had more than it turns out I did.
Swim 1:30 (79)
Bike 6:55 (76)
Run 5:10 (72)
Transitions 34
Total 14:08:56
Pre-Race
Arrived MT on Thursday, got checked in and enjoyed the Team Dinner. Friday morning swam in the lake and attended the 4 Keys Talk, strolled the Village some, rested at the condo and attended the Athlete’s Dinner that evening.
Saturday got the bike checked in early afternoon, and started to notice I didn’t feel great, a bit headachy. Got back to the condo afternoon and had to go to bed, slept from 3’ish to 7’ish, appetite was off. Had some vegetable soup around 7:30 and didn’t really want anything else, didn’t really have the usual late afternoon pasta based meal.
Predictably had trouble getting to sleep and was aware at some point in the night I had a stomach ache.
Race Day
Woke up without the alarm at 3:45 and immediately used the bathroom which I thought was a good sign although my stomach was definitely off.
Left the condo and arrived at transition without drama, racked the bottles, and walked with Bridget to the swim area to meet the team. Was aware I could probably use a trip to the toilet but by then the lines were too long and it wasn’t urgent so I passed and lined up for the swim
Swim
I had been to camp, and swam Friday morning of race week and did not give the water temperature or my sleeveless wetsuit much thought although in retrospect I remember being cold after the swim Friday morning.
I did not swim before the start or even touch the water before entering. Entered with my wave and was shocked how cold the water felt, and how much trouble I was in by the second buoy. Got my breathing under control after experiencing that panic, and settled into what felt like my normal stroke. I was aware I was cold while swimming, that I was not warming up via the exertion. Noticed I was having trouble keeping my fingers cupped and had weird vibrating feelings in my arms. Also that my bowels were becoming a real problem. I expected to exit the water in 1:20 actually exited in 1:29:46. 10 minutes late, damn.
By the time I exited the water I was in distress. Cold to the bone and gave it even odds I would crap myself before making it to the toilet outside T1.
Thankfully made it to the toilet and sat there shaking uncontrollably while everything in me exited. Made my way to my T1 bag just wanting to get some warm clothes on. Discovered that everything in the bottom of my T1 was soaking wet – not damp, drenched. My jacket, shoes/socks were soaked. Long sleeve shirt, soaked. Arm warmers, calf sleeves were in my helmet and dry. I was shocked and at a loss for what to do as I was still shivering uncontrollably while looking at a pile of wet clothes.
Mentally I was in a bad place, I was 10 minutes off what I expected for a swim time, and who knew how long this transition was taking between the toilet stop and T1 bag issues, but I knew it was taking forever. And I was cold to the bone. Finished getting ready and made it to the bike.
Bike
Miraculously after a short while on the bike I stopped shivering and began the business of eating and drinking. Unfortunately the food/drink went right through me prompting emergency stops at the first 2 toilets I came to. The first loop was not going well physically or from a pace standpoint. Again mentally I was in a bad place as I knew if I couldn’t eat/drink I was screwed for the run, and everything was taking too long.
All I could do was focus on the here and now. Pedal. Made it to special needs, grabbed pbj’s and continued. Fortunately the pbj’s stayed in so I started to drink again and it too stayed in.
I knew any time aspirations I had were long gone at this point so all that was left was to just move forward, finish the ride and get running. I ended up drinking less than 3 bottles (less than 1/2 the normal amount) and 1/2 my food was uneaten when the ride ended.
My training suggested a 6:20 bike, faster would have been great, 6:30 would have been disappointing but not shocking. 6:55 was beyond disappointing. Double damn was my frame of mind starting the run.
Run
Started the run overdressed as I came into T2 cold again because it rained toward the end of my ride. Surprisingly felt ok running and pretty much immediately settled into the familiar pace. Like a lot of long time runners I can pretty much tell how fast I’m going without a GPS so all I was really glancing at was heart rate, which was up but not disastrously so. I was fairly sure it would settle as I started hitting aid stations.
For 31k the run went smoothly and at the time I expected. Perform, cola, broth, pretzels. Repeat. I am at a loss to explain why the run was ok given the cold/bowel/nutrition problems I had going on through the first loop of the bike. 31k-36k were tough but I was still running. At 37k I no longer had the mental toughness to make my body run and I walked some ran some. Finished the run in 5:09:53 which was 10 mins off my goal. All in all not bad relative to my expectations.
Recap
I am trying to put this race in perspective. I was aiming for the low 13’s and did a low 14. I want to come around to seeing it in a positive light. It was only my second IM. I knocked off an hour from last years’ IMLP. The run was basically on target. The Finish Line experience fantastic. Team support was great. And having Bridget as sherpa was wonderful. Much to be grateful for.
I’m not sure what happened Saturday when I started feeling poorly. I don’t think it was nerves.
I bought a full sleeve wetsuit today. I will at least feel the water in future races. In the past 27 months I’ve done 5 70.3’s and IMLP without panic in the water, although that did happen in an oly some years ago. Next time I’ll be extra vigilant about calming self-talk pre-swim.
The transitions were a disaster, have to simplify that process.
No mechanical issues on the bike, there’s a positive. The run was fine. And a week later I am physically unscathed.
I think next year I’ll limit racing to 70.3’s and shorter and hit it again in 2016.
Comments
Hey Chris, We always want to go faster no matter what, but sometimes it is about gutting it out and dealing with the hand you are dealt that day. It sounds like you certainly did that. Cold on the swim, bad stomach issues, multiple trips to the Porta johns and still an hour PR? All things considered you should be damn proud of that effort!! Sounds to me like there is at least another hour or more in the tank! Well done!!
Good to hear you bought a full wetsuit - it can really make a difference….
Was great to have you and Bridget there - sure wish I could get my sons interested in racing or even being a Sherpa - great stuff that you'll always share together…
Keep smiling and look forward to seeing you at a race in the future…. (and yes - you win best haircut before an IM)
I had no idea the struggles race day gave you until Monday when you gave me the low down. THANK YOU for being a such a positive force out there for all of us when you were struggling!
As for the day, you really never know what you'll get. I've cried on my bike, quit on the run and had really bad swims in long course and IM. You WILL be better for this race at your next IM. I guarantee it!
((((HUGS))))