IM Louisville 2011
SWIM: 1:46:24 (Goal<1:35:00)<br />
We got down to the transition around 4:30 because it was first come first serve for the time trial start. We were maybe 200/300 people back in the line. We were in the water in the first couple of minutes. The water was very warm and I felt like I got beat up more than in Florida. So I was swimming I look up to ensure I was going in the right direction, then put my head down and started counting strokes. All the sudden I ran into something head first, it was a Kayak that wasn’t there when I was sighting. They were pulling someone out of the water, I swam around it and then I had to stop at another Kayak to fix my now leaking goggles (I had to do this a couple of times). I would drain them, tighten them, and then start swimming again. I got out of the water I felt stronger than any other swim of any distance, but I did have a head ache (and yes I still have a sore spot on my head).
This was the first time I ran all the way through transition, and once I was out of the tent I started running again.
BIKE: 7:56:14 (Goal < 7:00:00)
When I left transition I started slow as planned, I was maintaining a high cadence and trying to get some fluid in. It wasn't too hot to start on the bike, but a head wind. Because of the wind it made the flats feel like a hill. When I pulled into Le Grange the first time, my right hamstring and left quad started to cramp up. The cramps continue to get worst so I abandon my nutrition plan and started drink a perform at every rest stop, and taking one with me. I kept taking my salt tabs, I needed to get my electrolytes up. I ended up have to stop at the last 5 rest stop to use the restroom, so I was hydrated enough. Just before the 86 mile rest stop the cramps went away, I was just very sore from riding through them. So I just kept going.
RUN: 6:29:45 (Goal < 6:00:00)
Then I started the run, or I should say the walk. I was in too much pain to run. I wasn’t happy because I knew if I didn't pick it up I wouldn't make midnight, but I knew I was pushing as hard as I could. I started jogging slowly, then walking, and repeating. I continued to run a cone/walk a cone, sometimes walking a couple cones. I kept setting goals like mile 16 by 9pm which I missed by 9 minutes. Then it was mile 20 by 10pm, and I missed that one by 6 minutes. My final goal was mile 24 by 11pm and I was only missed it by 5 minutes. I was telling myself if I make up enough time I could still make midnight. My heart rate was very low, I couldn’t run because of the pain from the bike cramps (even though the cramps were gone, the damage was done). I did feel stronger the longer I ran(if you want to call it running), my run splits just got faster as I went.
OVERALL: 16:30:48 (Goal < 15:30:00)
The best part was the jog to the finish line. I slowed down and took it all in, when you turn the last corner the lights hit you (they were very bright), you see the crowd, and the music hits you (it was loud) it was just amazing finish line!!!
With all the things that went wrong, all the things I'm unhappy about, and all the pain. My time was better than my last IM in Florida(16:57). I had a goal of less than 15:30, but it’s an Ironman so you take what the day gives up. When it was done my time was 16:30(even though the picture shows 16:34 because of TT start) and I am real happy with the time. I will meet my goal next time.
Thanks EN for a great training plan!!
Oh, I found out where I made the nutrition mistake. The electrolyte tablets changed their formula, so I wasn’t taking enough. I knew they changed their label but I didn’t think about the chance of a content change.
Comments
John way to tough it out on a rough day!
I learned for from a bad day than a good one. One on my "BEST" IM learning lessons was when I walked the entire marathon. I learned alot about my toughness that day. Nice job about just keeping going. Dont ever DNF