AT IM Boulder RR
Background: Ironman # 34. In this, my age-up year, I'm trying to re-create the success I had 2005-2015 (7 AG wins, 3 course records, 9 KQs). That plan has always been risky, given the physical and mental ravages of so many races and a full life of sports over the previous 6 decades. I did manage a 2nd place finish this May 4 at the ITU LD WC in Spain. Which left about 3 weeks of real training time between Big Races, during which I anxiously awaited the birth of our first grandchild, who finally popped out May 25. After which I left for my annual Bad Ass camp in CO.
Goal: Simply KQ. One other competitor already had a slot, and 3 others were DNS. which left 2 real competitors in my AG.
Admin: Arrived in Boulder Friday after noon. Lodging fortuitously one block from finish line and buses to start, T1 & T2 20' away @ Boulder Reservoir. Spent the next 24 hours registering, meeting EN teammates for dinner, sleeping, prepping bags, transporting to the Rez, returning to watch Rocketman, followed by traditional Jamba Juice dinner. Weather was warm (80s), with afternoon showers in the days leading up to the race. Race day promised wake-up temp of 46, cloudy in the low 50s until 2 PM, the sunny in the low 60s for the run.
Swim: Despite only ~ 1300 entering the water, it took over 45' to single file us into the 67F water for the one loop swim. I lined up near front of 1:20-1:30. I swam steady with very little contact and almost no one slower or faster than me around. I was hoping to go 1:24; went 1:26 by the mats, more like 1:25 of swimming. Garmin shows 4500 yds. T1 a fairly long trip, made longer by putting on socks, sleeves, and vest needed for the cold. I was 3/4 in T1, 11 compared to 10 and 8'. Out of T1 in 2nd place.
Bike: Goal, 6:30; actual 6:34:30, which includes about 6' of stoppage time for porta-potti x 2 and SN stop for moving time of 6:28:30. My plan was for an NP of 127, KJ 2700, a VI of 1.05, with no spikes over 180, and very little time above 150 watts. Actual numbers: NP 123, VI 1.08, KJ 2665, 1' power of 211 (4 x 10-12% grade), 3' of 172, 5' of 165, 10' of 146, 20' of 134... The two-loop course had very good pavement, and was mostly 1-2% up or down, with 2 hills of 4-6% for 5-10', with those short, steep kickers. The biggest negative during the ride was my pedaling balance: 58L/42R for the first three hours, 57/43 for the next 3, and 56/44 for the last 30' This reflects my increasingly damaged Right knee with osteoarthritis and concomitant R quad weakness. T2=6:30. This was actually fastest in my AG. I was in 2nd Pl @ this point.
Run: The first 14 miles went perfectly to my plan of 11-12' miles - all were between 10:50 and 12:20. Then, just as in Spain @ the same distance, my Right knee swelling became prominent enough that I entered a forced march to the end: I averaged 14-15' miles to the end. I had not run more than 12 miles during training, and that distance only once. So, I guess I got what I paid for. I ended up a bit over 14 hours, but still able to walk, unlike the race in Spain when I was pretty crippled for 24 hours after the race, which was "only" 18.6 miles.
Finish: The highlight of my day came at the finish line. EN co-founder and erstwhile Coach Rich Strauss, who moved to Boulder a few months ago and who had come to dinner with us Friday night (and who rode his moto hauling head referee Jimmy Ricotello around the course) was there at the finish to greet me. Not only did he offer congratulations, but he stayed with me all the way back to my motel, carrying bags and bike for which I am forever grateful.
My motel was close enough to the finish line that I listened to Mike Reilly hollering "You Are An Ironman" until 11:55 PM. I checked the results, and discovered I was 3rd, and thus had lost the Kona slot. I found I was actually relieved with the news, rather than upset. I admitted to myself that I had been fearful of both t and ski. I'm @ peace with retiring from IM, satisfied with my career and palmares there."You Never Know Your Limits Until You Go Past Them" <
Next morning, at the urging of my wife, I made sure to attend the awards ceremony - in my mind, to honor and respect the race and my competitors. I sat with Steph Stevens and Patti Rosen (who won her AG), and stayed for the Roll-Down, as it is usually entertaining and sometimes heart-warming seeing the re-actions of those who get the slots.
Little did I know...
In all previous years, the roll-down has started, like the awards, with youngest first. This year, the oldest AG - 70-74 men - was called first. I was dumbfounded no one responded when Mike called the 2nd place finisher's name three times. I had just become the entertainment I stayed to see.
Running up to the stage again, Mike asked me how many times I'd qualified. I answered, this was the 10th. AND THE LAST. I have been given a wonderful gift, the chance to "go out on top" and one last opportunity to get it right, whatever that means in my condition.
Comments
Was Rocketman good?
Im surprised the water was 67 with all the Colorado Snow melt going on this year. Freaking water in NH is still trying to break 60 wtf!
Congrats on your 10th KQ and the shortest Ironman retirement in history!
I chuckled at your comment, “I checked the results, discovered I was third and lost a slot to Kona, I was actually relieved with the news.”
i felt the same way at Victoria!!
It was so fun to watch the tracker that day @Al Truscott. It was clear you were patiently racing a good race. It was also cathartic to read your post regarding your retirement from the IM distance. The subsequent report of the shortest retirement ever was the final statement that you and Ironman were meant to be. Once again pushing through until the finish paid off. Nice race, Nice Ironman career, and I'm sure there will many great stories yet to come.
Congrats Al! Always amazed by your performances and grace throughout them. So many IM races, but only 2 as a Grandpa...one a KQ, the other THE World Championship. Epic way to finish your amazing IM career and will be wonderful storybook ending to share with your granbaby ('s) some day!
34th IM is so amazing! It still surprised me when I read that. Along with the 10 Konas, you've had an amazing IM career!
Thanks for sharing!
"You Never Know Your Limits Until You Go Past Them"
@Al Truscott I am writing this quote all over my bike and gear when I race again. Your inspiration to all of us coming right behind you is so valuable. Thank you for continuing to be an example of no excuses.
@Al Truscott you are a legend (and a gentleman). I was crushed when I read about your retirement in the GroupMe and I didn't have the heart to tell you how awesome you "were" and how great your IM career "was"... but literally a couple hours later I was ecstatic when I learned that you actually had the shortest retirement in Ironman history. Add "un-retiring" to the very long list of things that you are fastest at!
But miles above your 34 IM races and your 10x Kona Qualifiers (crazy to even contemplate that 10x number) is your willingness to share your knowledge and gifts and your home with all of us mere mortals. I'm not sure there's a computer powerful enough to get an accurate count of the massive number of people (not only triathletes) that you have helped over the years.
And for those of you EN'ers who don't know what Al meant by his annual Bad Ass Camp... Al literally spent his entire taper week "serving" a large group of us that he had opened his home to. He biked with, sagged, cowbelled for, taxi'ed, fed, mechanic'ed, cleaned up after, guided, taught, and inspired all of us instead of relaxing before his important race. He's one of the most self-less people I have ever met on this planet...
So the reward of getting the roll down slot to end your career on the Big Island was simply Karma paying you back a tiny fraction of what you have given out. Hopefully, I can get the benefit of Madame Pele being nice to you during your next "last race" on the Big Island.
But If I'm being totally honest, I'm secretly hoping your knee miraculously heals itself and you have a pain free race in Hawaii and follow that up with the 2nd shortest retirement in IM history to go back to IMAZ and do it all again next yr. It could happen... just sayin'
way to go. again.
thanks for all you do for us.
i am moving to Steilacoom proper. right on road from Steilacoom to Dupont. powell and union. so i can jump right on the bike route. let me know when you are passing by.
i too selfishly wish to see you in Arizona.
i know you have a knee rehab plan. but from my more limited experience: i personally would do all pool running until 1.5 months out from kona. no outside running during that period. that knee is not going to settle down to the necessary amounts if you keep doing any outside running.
@robin sarner Last Sunday I turned around in Dupont about 7:45 AM. When I plan another shot down there (it's one of my go-to routes), I'll let you know
Re: water running: I;d rather get an above-the-knee amputation than run in the pool. Things are doing fine so far with my new PT program and the addition of blood flow restriction weight training on that side. No increase in pain or swelling, currently at 5x/week running, 5 mile max distance 18 mi last week aiming for 22+ this week, all flat roads or track. Knee stood up to a sprint tri last Saturday, will try an Olympic this weekend.
If I do Arizona, it will be a swan song for sure as I switch over to the "shorter" ITU CHampionship races...
Simply amazing @Al Truscott ! Congratulations! Thanks for leading from the front, setting the example and raising the bar for us mortals to follow. It was exciting tracking you and I'm very happy for your last (so you say) KQ!