Ironman Arizona Race Report - Kantor

AMA168 · November 26, 2011 12:10PM

Executive Summary for my 1st IM:

Swim: 1:13:56

Bike: 6:04:03

Run: 5:03:36

Total: 12:31:55 212 overall in the M40-44 AG

Pre-Race: Up at 2:30 and hammered 600 calories of Mango smoothie. Back up at 4:00am eating another 300 calories of applesauce. Arrived at race at 5am and quickly got my bike ready for the IM journey. My wife and I found a small park west of the T1 bags which was a nice place to relax and get ready for the day. Took in a Mocha Gel with caffeine at 6:30 and headed to the start.

Swim: Got in line early to make sure I had time to get into the water on time. As I was entering the Red TYR tunnel...saw one of my buddies from ATL. I thought that was great Karma...and we ended up seeding right next to each other at the start. I was approx 20 yards from the right side and 10 feet from the front. I figured that since I am a bigger guy, I would rather have people swim over me than have to swim over them!! Good swim with some minor calf cramps at around mile 2 but good swim altogether for me. Was planning for 1:15 so I was slightly better than plan.

T1 (6:54): Quickly made it to my bag and quickly changed outside the tent. Told the volunteer to pack my wet suit Ran to my bike and put on my Athlete tracker belt and my watch. Grabbed my bike and off to the exit. Cautious mount at the line and headed off for the bike. (6:54)

Bike: Started off conservatively and was able to ride consistently for the first lap (1:57:34) with no issues. Needed to take two bathroom stops on the 2nd lap (not able to pee on the bike) and finished with a 2:08 2nd lap. Was able to finish strong on the 3rd lap with a 1:58:14 lap. I took in 1300 calories of Carbopro, 140 calories of EFS drink, and 400 calories of EFS gel.

T2 (3:26): Quick transition, changed socks (with aquaphor in the socks) and again told the volunteer to pack my Aero helmet in the bag. Thanks Volunteers!!! I had another volunteer put on sun screen as I left for run exit.

Run: Although I did everything per my race rehearsals, I had some pain in my right side. I noticed my watch had lost the satellite when I went to the bathroom in T2 so it was hard to tell my pace for 1st mile. Saw my wife at 1/2 mile marker and gave her a big sunscreen kiss but I was hurting. I kept thinking of Rich telling us about the suck..and here I had the suck at mile 1. I figured i had too many carbs so I decided to keep drinking water at the aid stations. My plan was to run 10:07 min/mile for the 1st 6 and then try to pick it up to my EP. My right side continued to hurt and after my 2nd section I really started to hurt. I decided to hit the coke which helped me immensely. My right side pain subsided and was able to kick it in for the last 6 mile section. I was able to make up huge ground during the last section and was so excited to make it to the finisher chute. In the end, I only lost one place on the run which is normally where I lose many more places.

Section 1 (2.5 mile) - 9.44/mile

Section 2 (9mile) - 11:01/mile

Section 3 (8.5 mile) - 13:16/mile (ugh)

Section 4 (6.2m) - 10:51/mile (yah!!!!)

Summary: I joined EN in April and was very happy with the training plans and the feedback from the coaches and the team. I really wanted to see a "12" on my finishing time and accomplished this goal along with finishing in the top 50th percentile of my AG. No IM for me next year although I am wondering what it would take to put an "11" on my finishing time next time. I think I will focus on 1/2 IM for next year and try to do more fun races....only raced twice this year which was not enough!!!

Thanks EN!!!!!!