Turby"s IM KONA RACE REPORT
Overall 11:36, 9/66 AG (60-64)
This was my first time racing IM Kona and it pretty much was on my mind from the minute I qualified last September at IM Maryland! My thoughts going in were, this is the absolute pinnacle of our sport, there are so many great athletes that have raced this special place before me that I owe it myself and the race itself to get in the best shape I could, race as hard as I could under the conditions and not do anything stupid. I also had the great resource of our Kona veterans there (Coach Patrick, Al T., Tim C. and my girl Carol) to learn from as well.
Swim: 1:36 I know!! I stink, suck, am awful in a non wetsuit swim (not so great with one either). Swimming will be my winter project. The swim was fine with the usual contact. It's the hardest but most beautiful swim you will ever do so I just tried to enjoy it.
Bike: 5:57, NP 179, IF .74, VI 1.04 HR 113 1st half NP 175, IF .72 HR 113, 2nd half NP 182, IF .75, HR 112 TSS 323
When I did my season plan in Jan I asked coach Rich about doing some big bike volume sometime during the summer to get stronger for Kona. He said to focus on weeks 15-17 as that would have a much bigger impact on my Kona race. He suggested doing 3 consecutive weeks of basically "camp week" if I could could handle it (I think he thought "if this doesn't kill the old guy it might really work"). He was right on! Long swim followed by 112 miles plus 1 hour run, 112 miles again, long run all over 4 days all at race IF or higher. I got through it surprisingly well and it paid off big time on race day. I never felt so strong on an Ironman bike, both physically and mentally. Conditions on the way out were pretty good and the climb to Hawi as well. Rode through a full on rain storm near the top which felt great. The winds on the way down weren't too bad and thanks to switching to a 30 mm front wheel I was in aero the way down (thanks again Tim!). Back on the Queen K at about 80 miles I saw Doug and he said "pretty good conditions huh?", about a minute later the famous headwind arrived for the next 25-30 miles! After the airport it got better and it was great to roll into T2.
Run: 3:49 (8:44 AVG) HR 122, 1st half 1:53 HR 121, 2nd half 1:56 HR 123
I came out of T2 to see my beautiful wife screaming like a crazy woman (normal) and stopped for a kiss (awesome). I do pretty well in the heat and had gotten some good hot long runs in at home using only heart rate which is totally the way to go!! In the race I hardly looked at pace at all until the last 7-8 miles when I just tried to run as hard as I could and try not to slow down using pace as a whip. I felt really good for an Ironman run and didn't start to really hurt until about 19-20 miles. Then heading back on the Queen K we had a headwind which felt great! I started the Coke at about 17 miles in the Energy Lab and that worked out great as well. No nutrition/stomach issues all day! My legs were really hurting the last 5-6 miles and the run down Palani finished them off into what felt like ground beef. I can't describe the feeling turning on to Ali'i Dr. after seeing it for so long on TV and dreaming about it! I've never experienced anything like it. Crossed the finish line and looked up to thank my mother and grandmother for all they did for me my whole life, then broke down.
One of the best parts of the whole week was spending time with my friends on this amazing EN team and finally meeting some new ones who are now friends also. To a person they really are awesome people that it is a pleasure to know. Last but certainly not least to the love of my life Carol, thank you for your support and all you do!
Comments
It was great to meet you and your bride in Choo!
That was a perfect example of staying patient all day and sticking with your plans. Enjoy some recovery time.
Turby...Wow what a fantastic race. You looked so strong when you passed me on the way back from Hawi. It was a pleasure to race with you and I'm so happy that your toe healed up in time to race..Looking forward to racing with you again.
Story - So I'm in the energy lab doing my run/walk chugging my mountain dew from special needs , observing Turby work his magical 3:49 marathon, he finally catches me and stops.... Turby: you OK .... Me: No I'm not, but I'll finish .... Turby: Can I get you anything?...Me : No keep moving....Turby: Can I do anything for you?.... Me: No get moving I'm good.... What a great team we have... the guy just couldn't stand it that he couldn't do anything for me ... I practically had to boot him in the ass to get him going again!
Turby - Having already talked with you about your race, all I need to say is, way to rock, brother, Stay smart and don't enter the burnout zone.