IMTX and mall walkers
First off big thanks to the coaches and Daniel. Secondly, I recorded a thank you video to previously mentioned and I was planning on trashing it as it got long and rambly. If you care to see it you can find it here:
Post race video of my blistered feet are here:
Swim
Longest race up to this point was a sprint if I don't count the olympic race I did back in 1994.
Super nervous come race day. My swims had been in the 1:50 range during training and that was what I was expecting. I was trying to hang towards the back. I heard several people talking about how they had the same plan, but they swam in the 1:30 range. I knew that wasn't good.
The gun went off and I was right at the water entrance. I flopped in and realized that at this point that hanging back anymore was a waste so I just went with it. I'm a slow swimmer but I extend my reach a lot, so this helps fend off the attackers. The swim was more violent than I thought, and I was surprised when I twice got "dunked" by swimmers going over me on my sides. Pretty soon I was at the turn around and I was shocked. That didn't seem to take long at all, and I started to think I was having the swim of my life. The trip back I still had people running up on me, but at least the numbers thinned out a bit. I saw the turn into the canal and I started to get excited. I couldn't stop thinking how I was swimming all time fast versus anything in the past, and how once I hit the stairs I thought the time would be close to 1:40.
Once I got into the canal, my swim cap starting killing me. I expected this but I didn't like it. I also did not like having someone beside me that refused to sight and would keep crashing into me. At least it was humorous. I felt like the canal was super slow. It was choppy and seemed to grind a long way. I eventually got to the end of the swim and felt full of energy. I'm a slow swimmer but I don't expel a lot of energy on the swim so I had that going for me. I looked up at the clock as I got out and was crushed. The swim hadn't been fast, and in fact was right at my time goal. Oh well. Off to the tent.
I wasn't sure of the changing rules in T1. I needed to get butt naked to put on my comfy bike shorts. I brought a beach towel so I could hold it up while I changed. I'm comfortable with going butt naked like I do at the gym, but was worried about the rules. Turns out the guy in front of me didn't share my concerns. When he asked if he could "change" in the tent, I don't think they knew what he meant.
Bike
I started the bike and felt calm but my heart rate was a bit high. I was shooting for ride around the block numbers and was showing start of spin class numbers.
I kept backing my speed down to get my heart rate down. The fitness level I had a month ago was gone and the numbers were punching me in the face. First rest stop arrived quickly and I hit my salt pill, and water on my body and some to drink. Two minutes or so at the aid station and I was off again. I did this at every rest stop, even if I only stopped for two minutes it helped. I kept this easy pace up the entire time. It was a grind. I had ridden faster with a lower heart rate and I was jealous of my old self. I would stand up on my pedals for a break and my knee would hurt. My knee braces were rubbing me the wrong way and annoying me. Once the sun came out and the wind picked up, the lack of ice at the rest stops was a punch in the stomach. My Craft Kona shirt with the ice pocket doesn't work near as well when you don't have any ice.
I saw people dropping like flies. Just like as mentioned in the 4 keys.
More fit than me - Check
Nicer bike - Check
Faster wheels - Check
Even though I felt like I was on the slowest ride of my life I kept grinding a long.
At this point I'm watching the clock for how much time I'll have for the marathon. I'm also trying to not freak out over the fact that I haven't taken a whizz since T1. This isn't normal for me.
I always knew I would end up walking some of the marathon but I wanted plenty of time in the bag to ensure success. 15 minutes here and there and I'm starting to freak out. The math isn't looking good. I wanted seven hours for the marathon and it was looking like that might not happen. I stepped up my effort on the bike past what I wanted to give myself a shot for the marathon. I rode in about 5pm and was not happy. I could feel the day slipping away.
Mall Walk
I changed as fast as I could and started a slow jog. I laughed when I saw Coach Patrick at mile 18 which was my mile 1. I'm feeling hot and the sun is kicking my rear. I'm watching my heart rate and it is climbing faster than the swiss dude on the price is right mountain game. Normally the highest my HR gets during a work out is 165, I freaked out on the first mile when I hit 180. I shut it down to a walk and I know I'm screwed. I know this isn't going to happen and that my family, friends and co-workers are going to ask me about it and I'm going to have to tell them about the one that got away. I tried to jog once more and my HR hits 200 and I start walking.
At this point I've mentally lost it. The last time I cried was at the birth of my kids and now I'm tearing up on the course. I can't believe it. I remember that I promised myself I wouldn't quit and had even told my wife I would exit through the finish line or on a stretcher. I was now reduced to planning for my trip the stretcher. I was hoping it would happen. Something that would save me from walking for six plus hours and then still not making it. To pass out was to fall on my sword with honor. All this time I'm walking, and watching my avg pace on my watch stabilize. I'm running the numbers and they aren't good, but they aren't bad either. My avg pace normalizes at 15:40. Hmmmm.
At this point I'm swinging my arms like a lunatic trying to walk as fast as I can. I cheer up and tell me myself if I'm not going to pass out then lets just walk as fast as I can and see what happens. I start to think about mile 18 and how ludicrous it is to think about walking that far, and then trying to pick up the pace at the end. I had a lot of conversations with myself and the question kept coming back to me - Nothing matters until mile 18 right? I didn't argue. I push on and I keep trying to keep cool. Two sponges in my shirt and one in my hat, ice in my Craft shirt, ice water on my neck the entire time. My feet were getting wet which worried me but I didn't feel like I had a choice.
So now I'm finishing my first lap and the person that I had picked up dropped back. I'm doing all I can to get close to 15 minute miles and it is tough. My legs and hips just don't move that way. But I'm trying. Keeping this up is putting strain on my body that I don't have when I'm jogging. My elbows start hurting from the exaggerated movement. Rinse and repeat. The blisters started near the end of the first lap and I'm pretty sure my biggest one popped at the start of the second lap. I kept hoping they would numb but they never did. I loved seeing the people on the run course, but I didn't like the parts that went top side of the canal or the out and back. For me those sections seemed to drag out a lot. My knee braces are starting to rub me raw. I'm feeling fussy.
I keep at it and see Daniel near the end of the second loop. He tells me that I'm doing great, but that it isn't enough. That I need to start running so I can shorten the pace down. This was a wake-up call and at the end of the finish line chute I start running. Walking, then more running. Mostly walking but I was "banking" time. I'm watching my watch like a hawk. Trying to figure out if I have enough time. I thought I might have made up enough time to cover the 26 miles, but I thought I was short the .2. Near the end I would jog as much as I could while feeling dizzy and like I was going to puke. I hit the last aid station and splashed two more cups of ice water on face to make sure I wasn't out of it.
Hearing the finish line was crazy. I didn't have anybody around me going into the finish line. Once I turned the final corner I couldn't tell if the clock said 16:59 or 16:54. When I saw it said 54 it was like a dream. I couldn't run fast and I starting getting emotional near the line. The lights were in my eyes and for the first time I couldn't feel the pain in my feet. After I got my medal I yelled out that I needed assistance. My final finish line photo looks like I'm hanging with my two best buds. In fact they are volunteers holding me up.
The day didn't go like I wanted, but I got it done. It was a huge stress to me along with my friends and family. Not to mention it was too close for comfort. The volunteers were amazing and I had the time of my life.
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Comments
You get my vote for race report of the year! Being a pro and finishing in 8 hours is so much easier than your epic day. Looking forward to next years' 14 hour journey!
Congratulations.
Tom
PS - Wicked blisters.
Michael,
Amazing race and race report. Welcome to the club and enjoy the rest.
Paul
Update on my feet - they are healing up quite nicely. The risk of infection is pretty much over, which is very good news.
I'm not a tattoo person but I went out and got the biggest most obnoxious mdot tattoo possible and you can see it at: www.ironmanweightloss.com
What I realized after the ink, is I can't really plan to participate in sprint triathlons unless I'm planning on going really fast. Ooops on that.
I'm planning on retiring for the year, saving up for a power meter, losing the rest of the weight I need to lose (60lbs) and then returning with a vengeance.