IM WI - Adam Weeks (and taking a break soon...)
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Age: 30
Weight: 63.2 kg
FTP: 270ish
Vdot: 60ish
Overall: 10:22:01
Swim: 1:04:52
T1: 5:34
Bike: 5:32:00
T2: 3:54 (most of which was peeing!)
Run: 3:35:41
Background:
I've told a few others this already, but I was dealing with a lot of what RnP call "friction" going into this race. Had to try to deal with an apartment move, and then simultaneously pack and prepare for a 9-week trip that started 2 days later. My trip was taking me from Denmark to (in order) Toronto, Cincinnati, Indianapolis, Madison, Houston, Hot Springs AR (where I am now), Boston, Amsterdam, back to Boston, Washington, and finally back to Denmark...all with a wife and 4 month old child. My last big week of training and taper were a bit compromised, being out of any routine whatsoever. I think I actually lost a little too much weight during the taper, but I could write a whole other post on that...
Race:
Lined up near the ski ramp, on the buoy side, about 2 people back. Pleasantly surprised at the space there. Started ok, about as much contact as I expected. After a while the contact died down and I would just hit "swim jams" every few minutes where people bunch up. Kicked harder in the jams to get through and maintain space, but leg started cramping. Fought off one huge cramp 40 min in that had me worried, so I played it conservatively for the remainder. Came out of the water right about on target, a bonus given the effort the last 25 min.
Had a good T1, executing Coach R's plan. Bike seemed to be okay for the first few miles, but once I got to some of the bigger hills something started rubbing everytime I switched to my easier gears. It got worse and eventually I had to stop. Couldn't figure it out. Stopped again 3-4 times trying to resolve it. Almost gave in to a nearby race marshall offering to call official bike support for me at one point, but decided to ride there (about 10 mi away). Avoided the easier gears on the way and had to grind up some hills. Eventually hit the official bike support tent and had them readjust the set screws in my dropouts, which did the trick. I'm probably making a bigger deal out of this than it was, but am interest to see how much time I spent stopping the first 50 mi (am without WKO for 2 months). Still felt rough for miles 50-80 despite the fix, probably due to heat, but nailed miles 80-112 of the bike trying to make up time.
Run was too hot (85 deg) for an albino who trains in Denmark, and the grinding on the bike came back to haunt me. Wasn't able to punish 'em on the run as planned. Really wish I had played around with that heat app some. Still a respectable finish, right ahead of aging pro and former winner Heather Gollnick, who comes in right after me:
I can't complain about the season I've had and my fitness level. Normally I would be a bit down because I really think this should have been the race to get me to Kona, but having my entire family (wife, baby, parents, sisters, their boyfriends) there for support totally made up for all of it. Wasn't able to hookup with EN folks like I had hoped, but tried to give shot outs every time I saw one on the course.
Taking a break from the Haus for a bit. Not sure what my plans are for next year, but don't think another Ironman is in the works. Need a year break to focus on some career-related goals, but trust me, I'll be back with a bang in 2013. Hit me up by email if you are ever racing in or near Denmark!
-Adam
adam.r.weeks@gmail.com
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Comments
Wishing you all the best in your coming year of focus on career-related goals. I’m sure you will excel at those also.
Matt
Great race. Good to see you 2X this year. Stay well!
Venkatesh
Between this, your 4:3x HIM earlier this year, and the pull you gave to the Non-US side of the FTP Challenge, it's been great to see your successes this year. Hope you'll continue w EN longer-term, and let'sl keep in touch by email in case you're back in Toronto visiting your sister.
Congrats.
Dave