Josiah Garrison IMAZ 2014 Race Report
Joe Garrison 2014 IMAZ Race Report
Background: this was my first IM, coming on the heels of my first half IM in June. Goal time: 12:00 to 12:30 depending on the elements.
I arrived on Thursday, assembled the bike, checked in and met the team at dinner. It was very motivating to put faces to name and hang as a group.
Friday went to 4 keys talk, which was awesome, and went for a group ride. I was buddied up with Joe Schmitt and he unfortunately crashed ending his race hopes and almost taking me out in the process. I was gutted for him but grateful to be ok so I decided to lay low until the race.
Fast-forward to Sunday. Woke up at 2AM and drank 500 calories, back to sleep until 4AM, drank 500 more calories and had some coffee and was at transition by 5:15.
Swim – I jumped in at 6:30, swam to the start and floated around looking for a group aiming for a similar pace. No luck there, people were all over the board but figured it would sort itself out in the first 1000 yards. I took the chance to really look around and soak in the atmosphere and the moment. It was awesome to realize; “I am finally here starting an Ironman!” My pump-it -up playlist included “Top of the World” by Imagine Dragons and that song was running through my head as the cannon went off.
Just like in practice, I went hard for the first 400, then focused on swimming strong in straight lines, giving some ground and staying relaxed when the bumping and jostling started. The entire swim felt crowded but time passed quickly.
Swim Time: 1:08 Goal: 1:10
T1 The minute I exited the water my lower back cramped up but figured it would resolve itself on the bike, this would not be the case. Ran to the bags and dumped everything on the grass. It looked to be a cold morning so I took the time to put on socks, otherwise routine transition.
T1 Time 6:32 Goal: 5:00
Bike - "One Thing" Really?!
My back was killing me only 20 miles in and I just could not stay Aero no matter what I tried. I had to frequently sit or stand to stretch out which kept exposing me to that ridiculous headwind and slowing me down even more. By lap 2 I knew it was going to be a long day in the saddle, plus my Garmin quit, things were looking bleak. I was prepared with my “one thing” but never thought I would need it so soon, that was a shock. I told myself to suck it up and just grind out that third endless climb up Beeline. I tried to stay positive and focused on; getting aero when possible, staying steady on the climb and keeping the power up on the descents. Miles 50- 90 were agonizing but I got through it by reminding myself that this was a freaking Ironman!
I overhydrated and ended up stopping 3x, costing me even more time after already spending half the day perched up like an America's Cup yacht mast. Anyway, it was wonderful to finally climb off my torture device when that epic bike leg ended.
Bike Time 6:19 Goal: 6:00
T2 – no problems in and out, left bike shoes clipped in to that stupid machine
. JK
T2 Time 2:07 Goal 5:00
Run – Back on top!
According to one study, smiling reduces pain and I have found that to be true so I spent 26 miles smiling, getting my mojo back, soaking in the atmosphere and embracing the exhaustion. I followed the EN blue-print as best I could staying steady through mile 18, walking at each aid station. As I came past the EN tent for the last time, “Top of the World”, was blaring from the loudspeakers – just awesome!
Besides the planned walking, I took one natural break and stopped once to adjust both shoes, which I had yanked way to tight. The middle of the course is kind of a blur but I felt ok and just kept moving. I ran a strong final 5k to finish with a 9:54 average pace.
Run 4:20
Finishing Time: 11:56:07
Patience and discipline definitely paid off. I went from 800/3200 overall off the bike to 596 after the run. I made of game of counting the walking M-Dot tattoo's I passed, but lost count after 12. It was highly satisfying to break 12 hours after that brutal ride, not bad for a 42 year-old rookie. There’s no doubt training and racing with EN made all the difference and I cannot wait to do it again. A huge thank you to coach P & coach R, the EN staff and all the teammates at IMAZ '14. Best day ever!
Comments
Congratulations again!
Great first race. Nothing ever goes to plan and staying aero is the hardest thing about IMAZ. I am sure that you raced conservatively given that there was lots of unknowns. The smile on the course is infectious and helped others of us out.
Looking forward to seeing what is next now that you have a little knowledge.
"I spent 26 miles smiling"....."I made of game of counting the walking M-Dot tattoo's I passed..."
Josiah - great report bro! So glad I got to meet you Monday at the awards ceremony. Outstanding job fighting to the end with that back pain on the bike in the wind - just amazing!
Welcome to the IM family! You earned it!
Stay in touch!
SS
It was great chatting with you at the EN dinner -- hope to see you at races in the future!
Joe - I remember well talking with you - what, the end of August? - about your training and the race. To see you come out the other end smiling and raring to go for another one really made my day. With your can-do attitude and swim skill, you can keep improving significantly over the next few years if you keep this up.
Have you got a plan to help with riding aero in the future, like daily stretching, and training aero for hours up those Sierra foothills?