Dave Campbell IMLP Race Report
Kate and I arrived in Lake Placid on Wednesday evening and checked in at the Marriot Courtyard. We met some of the EN team at a local Mexican restaurant for dinner, and then settled in for the week. On Thursday morning, we drove the bike course and got in a 1 lap swim around the swim course. The winds were high with rain during the morning. The swim was nice, but the wind made for some rough water. Later that evening, Team EN had a meet and greet at the Dancing Bear Lodge. After a couple beers, we went upstairs to the restaurant and had dinner.
Friday morning, Kate and I met up with Atif and rode the bike course backwards to Jay where 86 meets 9N. We turned around here and rode back in to Lake Placid. From driving this route in the car the day before, I wanted to ride this section and see what it was like. It was fun, but no big deal! We made it back just in time for the 4 keys talk by the lake. After the 4 keys, I went and checked in. That night was the Team EN dinner at “The Cellar” We had approximately 100 athletes and family show up for the dinner. Kate volunteered to be Race Director and along with the assistance of Gordon Cherwoniak, they put on a great dinner for all Team EN. After the dinner, we went to the “Mandatory Athletes Meeting” it was entertaining enough, but glad we skipped their free meal.
Saturday morning, we rested up and went to check my bike and bags in after lunch. I had a big lunch around 2:00 at an Italian restaurant in town. I spent the afternoon resting and putting together special needs bags. I went to bed around 10. I awoke every couple hours and drank a Boost. At 4:00am I was up for the day. Kate had made a Crockpot batch of Barley. I drank a Boost, a Naked Juice Blueberry/Pom drink and had a bowl of barley. I took 2 Immodium’s to ward off any of my normal pre race nervous issues. About 5, we headed into town in the truck, parking close to the oval. We headed over to transition to get body marked, pump bike tires, add fluids, and add last minute stuff to Bike/Run bags. Then to the swim beach for a final team pic.
The lake was 77 degrees so it was wetsuit optional. There was no option for me, I was wearing it. Kona or the podium was far from my goals, so no decision to make.
Time seemed to fly by and soon after I had put on my wetsuit they were calling us to the lake. I walked into the lake and ran in to Fernando again just as the pros were starting. That meant 10 minutes to go. We discussed swim start strategies, but came up with no great plan. I waded into the water near the pier and just found a soft spot in the crowd about 15 yards behind the start line and about 10 yards off the end of the pier. It all seemed like a blur with the announcements, music, National Anthem, etc. Then they were counting down 5,4,3,2, BOOM, the cannon roared the 2011 IMLP to life. I swam maybe 15 yards to where the start line was and there was just one big jam of people. Nobody was swimming, just treading water. There was nowhere to go for a minute or so. Finally, I broke free and headed left to the inside of the buoy line. There was relatively clear swimming there. All went well until I got to the first turn, then I had to get in there and fight my way around the turn buoy. This process continued for each straight and turn. Inside the cable on the straights, fight through the turns. I exited lap 1 in 37 minutes and headed back in. Pretty much a repeat of lap 1. I was just cruising along and exited in 1:16, so a 39 minute lap 2. I hit the wetsuit stripping and got on with the jog to T1
T1 was very crowded and chaotic. But the volunteers were great and helped us get going. I ran out the back of the tent and got my bike. Jogged it to the mount line. There was a huge jam up there. I lost a couple minutes while we worked our way through about an 8’ wide exit chute to the mount line. The first ½ mile of the bike course is very technical and a wreck waiting to happen. Upon good advice, I proceeded with caution until we were out by the Marriot.
Bike: I settled in to my goal wattage and rolled out by the ski jumps. As we went down the descent and started up the other side, a rider in front of me dropped his chain, slowing to nearly a stop before turning sharply left and taking out 3 other riders who had come up on him from behind. I thought that was a crazy way to start their race. Decided there was much need to be cautious. We started the climb out of town. I was passed by many that were racing like it was a sprint. The descent into Keene was fast, rough and crazy with people all over the road. I rolled along pretty well, hitting 45mph max. After turning left at Keene, I settled in to my goal watts and just rolled along admiring the scenery. Up until now, it had been water only on the bike. I started mixing in some Infinit now as this would be the plan for the day. At each aid station, I picked up water and mixed it with my 3x concentration of Infinit. I was able to ride at the pace I wanted, but was passed by many. The climb back into Lake Placid was pretty nice with a tailwind. I rolled back into town in 3:15 for a 17.3 mph average. At Bike special needs, I took the opportunity to hit a much needed porta john break. Not having a good stomach day!! Lap 2 was identical except it thinned out some and the rest of the field was going backwards. Those that went out too hard were dying out there. It was ugly for them. I saw a couple more crashes, 1 at a tight turnaround when people thought taking a 180 degree turn at 20 mph was the way to win the race. The other was nasty as some guy hit the guardrail climbing up by Whiteface ski resort. Evidently, he zoned out and just ran into the guard rail. He was on the deck with a dazed look and a nasty gash on his shoulder about 5” long and 3/8” deep. He said he was OK and others were responding to help him. I rolled back into town for a loop 2 time of 3:17 and 16.8mph. Total for the 112 was 6:36 and 17.1mph.
T2 went uneventful. I put on my Garmin, hit the trough and got a volunteer to apply some sunscreen. It was getting hot and sunny.
Run- I was to start the run with 1st 6 mile pace of 10:30. This was long run pace, +30 seconds, and then another 15 seconds due to temps. I felt like I was a bit dehydrated at this point. I was going to alternate between Perform, water, and Coke at the aid stations, but could not stand the taste of Mango Perform. I found it very difficult to run slower than about 9:45, so I slowed the per mile pace by walking a bit at the ½ mile and aid stations. This was successful until I hit the two hills coming back into town. I walked those. First 13.1 done in 2:30 which was a bit off what I wanted, but I was starting to bloat and stiffen up. Then the cramps jumped on both calves at the same time. I had to walk, drink water, and take in salt, pretzels, coke, and chicken broth for the next 10 miles. I finally was able to get back to jogging and running again around the 23 mile mark. After I made it up the last hill, I felt pretty certain I could run in and did. The last ½ mile is a bit downhill and into the oval. I was at sub 8:00 pace when I came into the oval. The crowd was un-real and I barely remember coming into the finish. I remember hearing Mile Reilly call me in and I crossed in 14:14.
The volunteers were all over me with the medal, Mylar blanket, water, etc. I was tired, but in good shape overall. I soon found Kate and Fernando. I grabbed a slice of pizza, collected my bike and bags and Kate and I headed to the truck. I had planned to go shower and return, but that never happened. I was looking for a sub 13 day and had the fitness to do it. I botched up the nutrition/hydration plan and didn’t ride the bike as steadily as I should have. But as a good friend told me, “never beat yourself up over finishing an Ironman.” I’ll get it right some day. The road to the finish line for this race was a great journey from coming up last year to volunteer, the EN Off-Season plan, to putting together the Blue Ridge Parkway Camp. It’s been a blast all the way. I’m especially grateful for the support of my family and friends who have shared in this event. I’ll be taking some time off to recover and return to a bit more “normal” life that is not so dictated by today’s workouts.
Comments
I like that! Congrats on finishing (and enjoy your "normal" time, you've earned it!!)
Dave: "I'm hungry for another shot at one." That's the best way to feel after an IM! Thanks for the report, and the pictures, too.
Nice job, Dave! I'm still surprised at all the reports I read about the floating bar room brawl at Placid. Last year, I was lined up right in the middle, but didn't get jostled at all.
So... where to for the next Ironman?
The swim was quiet different. Challenging, as IM should be, but nothing too bad. I'm thankful to be VERY comfortable in the water, as I can easily see where that much crowding would be frightening for a marginal swimmer. I was on the fraternity water polo team, so the contact was nothing too unusual.
As for next IM, maybe Couer d'alene or Wisconsin. What about you, you going long soon?
I think not. My wife made it clear that IM training is really hard on her with the twins being so young. Maybe in a few years I'll get back to it. I've set a long term goal to qualify for Kona by the time I'm 50 (I have 9 years, so hopefully I can make it). I'm planning to go short course for a couple of years and see how close to the podium I can get. Once I've improved my fast, I'm going to try again to go long.
Dave,
It was great to meet you in LP. Talking with you the day after I'm sure you will be back to IM soon. Build up the SAU's for CDA or Wisconsin.
Gordon