Alan's IMMOO Race Report
Summary
Swim 1:07:49 T1 12:12 Bike 7:3:32 T2 8:40 Run 5:051:10 Total 14:17:23
This was IM #7 and IMWI #6. I really like this place in case you are wondering! Like usual, shooting for a PR.
Swim: 1:07:49 (Goal sub 1:10) AG13 and IMWI PR (by just over 1 min)
Lined up to left side of ski jump. Usual congestion at start, but after 5-10 min's, hardly any substantial contact. Garmin was stopped by contact at some point and I missed the clock as I exited swim, thought I was slower. Happy with time!
T1 12:12 What can I say, I change into bike shorts and want to be comfortable for the long bike!
Bike: 7:43:32 (Goal 6:30-6:45) 101 AG
Was JRA for about 18 minutes, when I heard a metal sound and the pop of my rear tire! Pulled over to side and started to change tire/tube. Got the first tube on, added air (smooth is fast) and tire back on bike. Spun wheel and something was wrong, part of the tire was outside the rim and before I could let the air out it popped again! Ok, I have another tube. 2nd tube loaded and aired, attached to bike and, pop again! Sh.t! Waited for bike support, waited some more and kept waiting. Bike support arrives and saves the day, off I go! Keep hearing something rubbing toward rear tire. Off bike, keep looking, finally find a nail, about 2 inches, caught in the frame! Pull it off and get going. Hopefully no more tire problems until after bike SN, had another tube there. At this point, I knew there would be no PR, but I could still enjoy the venue/day/team!
Next up was the Barlow challenge. I drove it on Friday, but due to rain, couldn't ride it, so you never know. I would say over 1/2 of the riders, when I was arrived, choose to walk the steepest section. Somewhat to my surprise, I was able to ride the beast!
Saw Rich and Mariah, good mojo, thanks! Great fan support on this bike as others have said!
T2 8:40 Ok, I change from bike shorts to running shorts, its a long run!
Run 5:05:10 (Goal sub 5 hr) AG 61
Remember thinking how my legs felt after the bike, I think this was the hardest IMWI bike I have done, and wondering how they would feel for the run. They felt fine. Might have gone out a bit fast, but ran the aid stations for the first several miles before adjusting and walking future aid stations. Ran about 20 miles that way, before things got tough and started walking a bit more each time. Team mojo was great, both giving and getting mojo. Saw my co-worker, Heidi (also EN) at mi 6 or so, and we had a good, brief chat. She looked strong. Ed and SS, positive as usual and kicking a.s. Bill, smiling and asking how I was doing! {Suggestion, try and go to team dinner. I missed it and missed out on meeting many of the great folks from the forums and who I saw on the course). Saw Mariah at miles 12 1/2 and 25, she is sooo positive, thanks for that Mariah. Saw this great Giraffe along the way too, who was giving big mojo! Ran the last mile nonstop and hit the finish line. This was the slowest of all my IM races, and I still had the best time running down that great, Madison, finishing line. High fives all the way down, didn't even hear Mike O, and had the biggest smile on my face. Saw Coach Rich at finish, positive and supportive as usual!
Summary Some day's things don't go as planned and EN tries to prep us for that. Yes, IMWI was my A race and I didn't PR, BUT, I am signed up for IMLou in a few weeks and I will get my revenge!
Thanks to all the team and coaching staff for all the support! And, yes, I will be back at IMWI next year!
Comments
Alan, You looked great out there on the course. I was great to meet you in person and uplifting to see you during the race. Great job Ironman!
Alan,
It was great to meet you. Way to stick with it. I can not believe that you and a few others will be back at IM in a few weeks. Make sure to recover and have fun. See you at the pool.
Now go kick some butt on Lou!
AB, first I am really glad I got to meet you and chat a little bit. During our chat, when you told me this would be the 6th time at IMWI I was damn impressed. Anybody that comes back 6 times for this monster has Ironman written all over them!
I know your pain of having multiple flats brotha. I flatted twice at AZ due to the winds blowing thorns all over the rode. Can't post here the words I used during that moment......
You did what a seasoned veteran does, sucked it up got it fixed and moved forward all the way to the finish line!
Strong work Ironman!
SS