IMAZ 2010 Race Report - IM #3 in the bag!
I'm still here in Tempe recuperating and thought I would send in my race report before packing my bags. Admin stuff first: I arrived late Thursday afternoon and made the informal gathering at Rula Bulas. Friday morning I checked in and picked up my bike from TBD. Had lunch and a nap, then set the bike up for racing and did a 14 mile check out ride followed by a brief 2.5 mile run. I checked out the FCA prayer meeting at 4pm then the EN dinner at 5pm...another great social. Saturday morning was the only time athletes were allowed to do a pre-race swim in the lake. I didn't see any value in swimming the day before (or biking or running) so I passed. My wife and daughter flew in Saturday afternoon as well so there wasn't much more to do. Went to bed at 10pm, woke up a few times, but generally slept until 4:30am. I knew it was going to hurt, but was not feeling nervous.
Race Summary: 10:36:36, 11th overall, M50-54.
Swim - (1:11:25) I jumped in the water about 12 mins before the start...61 degrees and damn cold. I swam a little bit then hung onto a kayaker for a few minutes before moving into position. I lined up a little right of center following Al Truscott's suggestion. Then WTC played the first few chords of I Am Ironman...that got everyone pumped up big time. They did this twice more before playing a full snippet of the song. That was followed by the Nat'l Anthem, then "I've Got a Feeling" and boom...the cannon went off without a countdown. After my panic attack at IMCDA (1hr 23 mins) I had something to prove to myself. I had a clean start for about 200 yards before the contact began in earnest. I had several moments where I felt some fear but kept telling myself to relax. About 600 yards out, I was fairly clear and able to just swim. I got smacked in the face a couple of time and ingested the Recommended Daily Allowance of silt, but otherwise kept reasonably calm. I counted strokes several times but never made it to more than 50. On the return trip I knew I was out of the woods when I started thinking about the bike leg, then reminded myself to stay in the box. I would have liked to swim under 70mins but was pleased to come out in 71 mins. All-in-all, I thought the IMAZ swim experience was better than IMFL and IMCDA...my other two fnishes.
T1 - (4:48) Nothing remarkable here. It was a huge step out of the water, straight to the strippers, then a slow jog to pick up my bike bag. I saw guys dressing outside so I figured the tent was pretty full. So I stayed outside and took care of T1 myself...then ran straight through the changing tent to my bike.
Bike - (5:18:18) - I had wanted to ride sub 5:10 on this course but had no idea what were going to be up against. I took it easy riding out the first turn-around and was surprised by the wind on the way back. But I was able to push 23-24mph going downhill at the same RPE. My second loop was 1 min faster than the first - very even pacing in the wind and the brief rain that fell during this time -- but enough to get soaked and to get the roads all wet. The surprise came on the final turn back when I found myself pushing only 19 to 20 mph downhill at the same RPE...I lost 3 minutes on the final leg. With a steady high wind and gusts up to 25mph, my memory of this ride is mostly the constant rush of wind in the ears. I went through 7 Gu Roctane gels on the bike leg and continually swapped drinking water and Perform. Drank less than normal because it was so cool out.
T2 - (5:04). I got off the bike and could barely walk due to my bad left hamstring which bothered me the entire ride. Plus, my toes were frozen (I rode without socks, but did have toe covers on the shoes). I walked to the back side of the tent and handled my own transition same as T1. The wind had ripped off one corner of my race number so I lost a little time taking it off and putting back on my belt upside down on fresh holes. I also hit the port-o-potty in T2 to pee...my only pit stop in the race, same as my other IMs. It seems that no matter what I drink, I just sweat out. I had no idea how I was going to run with my left leg feeling so bad, but it worked out in past races so off to hit the marathon course.
Run (3:57:01). I started off with my left knee hurting and my left hammy so tight I was limping. And yet, despite trying to take it very easy, I was running about 45 seconds faster than I should, so as I saw the mile mark and my time, I started walking to get the pace down to "stupid slow". I did this every mile up to 6 before I started running the entire distance except for the water stops. By 6 miles, my left hamstring was starting to feel normal...or as normal as can be when you feel like crap, I truly questioned my own sanity before I completed the first loop because this just plain hurt. I knew I had the endurance to run the entire course (except for water stops), but did I have the guts?! On the second loop, I was already thinking of my list of "one things" As I was coming off the Mill Avenue bridge midway throught loop 2, I saw Chrissie all smiles as she was heading towards the finish. Wow! Once I got past the 1/2M point, I knew it was going to happen but there was a lot more hurtin' ahead. I started my count at mile 18 and picked off about 250 people to the end. The count really helped me because I found the 2nd loop on this course to be a greater mental struggle than the 3rd. Taking the final left to the finish was an incredible relief. As I crossed the line, the first person I see and shake hands with is Chrissie handing out mylar blankets ... looking like she never even raced. What a class act. I've always been impressed by her, but now I'm a fan. My nutrition on the run consisted of 5 gels and a handful of grapes, plus water and/or Perform.
Although I missed my IM PR by 3 mins, I did get my first sub 4 hr IM marathon. The conditions were not easy and I felt like I gave the day everything I had. Besides my wife and daughter who cheered me on every loop of the bike and run, I want to thank Al, Rich, John and David for their support in particular. When I am deep in hurt city, I tend not to show much emotion, but I HEAR and greatly appreciate the EN support on the course. It means a lot. Finally, congrats to entire EN IMAZ team for showing how it's done...and especially to Greg for earning his Kona spot! See you guys in the Jan OS.
Post race: Karen, Paula and I went to the Tempe Desert Botanical Garden today. If you aren't from the southwest, this was well worth the time to see. We also tromped around Arizona Mills Outlet Mall, and I had a chance to get off my feet while we watched the latest Harry Potter installment. Finally, we went to "My Big Fat Greek Restaurant" on Mill Avenue for dinner. If you go next year, know that the "Big Fat" part also refers to the portion sizes!
Comments
2X Al’s comment on the power meter!!
Great Job and Congrats
I only have 3 words for you . . . ."sub-four, baby!"
(or is the 2 words?) You did it. Well executed!
Hi to the family for me.
John
All - I intend to join the "Power Rangers" when Garmin gets their pedal to the market.
@ David - I forgot to mention that I lived in Thousand Oaks long ago...back when I was only running.
Three photos below just to make sure everyone knows, YES - IT DID HAPPEN! Nice shot of transition as the last swimmers head to the lake. Photo of me with my daughter Paula before I walked down to the boat ramp; and a photo of me on the run. Look at the flags in the background.
@ Paul, Great job and RR! It was great meeting you and look forward to the future with you as a team member. Great job pulling yourself through the line. Awesome on the sub 4 hour marathon! I started to count at mile 20 and lost count after 3........just didn't have the mental capacity at that point; I did try though...........
Well done! Greg
great job, paul! pushing thru the leg pain and running the sub 4hrs is hard core.
GH