Kurt Andersen's Not so Excellent Adventure
Joined EN after IMLOU, my first. Jan and I pretty much self coached following the usuall far then farther training plan. The EN model of fast B4 far made a lot os sense and I dislike not much more than long slow slogs, especially running. I had a great out season ending in a great result for a half marathon. Jan did the marathon hack for her OS and finished with a marathon I broke the season into two peaks, the first being the Boulder 5430 HIM. PR'ed that one. Actually PR'd most of the tris and dus leading up to the half. The second peak was IMAZ and I think I jumped into the 20 week IM plan at week 18. Jan did most of the EN training with me with another marathon in the middle. I have to say she was more consistant with her training, although I did hit the 2 long runs, the first RR went well as well as the Big Days. The last month was not so consistant as I look back on it. The last RR was short on bike time. Swimming was going well. I felt good at the EPIC Aspen Bike Camp and got a lot of encouragement from everyone. I was absolutely wonderful to meet a number of the people I "knew" online! I had a vision when I started training for IMAZ of where I wanted to be fitness and weight wise and I wasn't there, but I felt ok. Plus this was my second Ironman, so I knew what to expect.
At AZ..Jan and I rode Beeline witht he group to check out our bikes and recon the road. Riding my planned power with my brother from another mother, Scott D, was easy and we had a good conversations. We did the practise swim the next day. I'm really glad I did. That first jump into the cold lake was a shock but after swimming out to the Ford sign, I knew I'd be ok in just a wet suit.
I got up at 4:00am had coffee, a bagel, banana, red vines, sports drink. Went to transition, got everything set up. Suited up, had a gel and water waiting for the swim to open. I was towards the back of the line and heard "one minute to start" as I was going under the banner. So I pretty much jumped in and started swimming. In a bit I was in the mix and there was a lot more contact than I've ever had before. Swimmers shouldn't be allowed to breast stroke in a crowded IM swim! Overall I like the swim. I'm working on being faster, but overall the swim is a non event, I just enjoy it. I got out in about 1:20, hoping for ~ 1:15. Maybe would have done it if I started better.
I did put on bike shorts in T1 and started the bike. I was just HAPPY and THRILLED to be doing another IM and the crowds were amazing! I took it easy for a while and found my planned power felt really easy. On the first return it was great to be going over 30 mph at about 100 W! Yeah it was windy at times, but I rode my power and really tried ro ride conservatively, not push the hills, not push into the wind and don't try to make things happen. I did have a flat and stopped a few times to pee. Pedal time was 6:08, but bike timewith the breaks was ~ 6:30.
Duration: 6:08:10 (6:31:10)
Work: 2987 kJ
TSS: 328.1 (intensity factor 0.736)
Norm Power: 152
VI: 1.13
Distance: 110.722 m
Run: I don't have to worry about taking a run out too fast. It usually takes me a couple miles to get my legs and this was no different. I saw my bro and John Stark early on, both looked good. I was still crushing rocks but feeling a little smoother. The first loop was ok and I started into the second one. My left foot was startign to blister and I found vasilene at an aid station. That helped, but I really need to figure out the IM blister thing. The second loop was getting pretty rough by mile 10. A lot of self talk, unicorns and gum drop thoughts were going through my head but not making it to my feet. Food, water, salt, calories, walking...trying to figure out how to fix this. Jan passed my at mile 13 as I was holding onto the railing walking down the bridge to the underpass. She asked if I was ok, I told her to go and have a great race. She was moving and looked really good. I was really happy for her and felt very proud of her. By mile 15 I wasn;'t running anymore. I walked for a while but every time I tried to run my legs would just lock up. After a couple miles of this I was done. I decided to quit and not start the 3rd loop. I could have walked it in for another 2 hours but the IM deserves better than I was able to give that day, plus now I wanted to see Jan finish. She came across the line with a huge smile and a PR ov over 2 hours. Her execution and race went perfectly, beyond anything she imagined.
My reflections on my performance: bottom line is I went into this race overconfident and under prepared. I didn't respect the enormity of the Ironman. This isn't a Colorado Fourteener, it is an 8000 meter peak. I felt like I was taking it easy on the bike, but the numbers tell me I screwed the pooch and didn't have enough reserve fitness left to make the run. Classic! Sorry R&P.
So...IMCDL is next and I want revenge..I want to show up in peak fitness, optimum weight, execution, and have a race deserving of the Ironman name. I'll gladly accept any input and criticism you want to give me. Thanks for reading. I hjope your tears are of laughter.
Comments
Hope to see you soon at another event! or this winter when i make it out to Colorado!
This is the year we redeem ourselves!
Long view, Kurt, long view. While it takes maybe a year or two to learn how to train and race properly, converting your body from a power lifter to an endurance athlete is a life long project. I believe IM success is a multi-year project, and one should be willing to commit at least 5 years to the effort before getting near one's true potential, whatever it may be. Running strength and endurance should be your key focus over the winter and into the next IM training block. You are a strong and steady biker, and can rely on that with "routine" maintenance. You need to get more at ease, both physcially and mentally, with the demands of long-distance running. As you note, your next IM will go much better with a better balance between bike and run effort, but I think you also need to develop more confidence in your running. Maybe some 5 and 10 K races and a half marathon this winter/spring?
Huge congrats to Jan - she had an awesome performance, and I hope her self-confidence has risen commensurately. I hope to get to ride with you guys again in CO next summer - July and Sept is when I'll be there.
Jan had a great race, she thanks you for your comment. It would be great to ride with you again!
Thanks for the read Kurt. Sorry the day didnt turn out the way you wanted, but like Al said, there was no doubt a lot gained from this experience. Keep it up and you'll be rocking this thing no time. Happy training!