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 Swim
Comments: The wait to start the swim, seemed to take forever. But soon enough the pros had gone and it was the age-groupers turn. I seeded myself in the sub 1hr group. The swim start seemed chaotic. We were shuffled out to the end of the pier where we took the plunge in the warm caribbean waters. As I made the plunge I expected the water to be deep, but instead, I hit the bottom of the rocky ocean, and the sting of the corral below pierced my toe and I came up to the top with a bloody toe and a loud yelp. I couldn't imagine that I was the only one that had this happen. This huge oversight on Ironman's part had me all pissed off, but I couldn't do anything about it now. My toe was throbbing, my back was sore, but all I could think of was; to start swimming. The swim at Cozumel is pretty spectacular. At the start there were a handful of scuba divers getting a 'fish-eye' view of the race. The water was clear enough to see the bottom the entire way. The swim is a point to point and while it was not wet-suit legal, we were swimming with the current so my 1 hour time that I had hoped for is what I got.  Transition 1
Comments: Long run to transition.  Bike
Comments: Coming out of the water, my back had started to bother me a bit more. BUt, once out onto the road, I soon forgot about the back and toe and I was clipping along at a very good pace. My goal was to keep my heart rate below 130 on the first loop. With controlled effort I was maintaining about a 24 mph average. This was setting up to be a PR for my bike segment..... I spent about 45 minutes out there battling the headwinds, but soon enough I made the turn inland and was able to pick up speed once again. While it was nice to be flying once again, the thought of hitting that brick wind-wall on the east side, haunted me, even while riding the calm North and West sides.... and then... I was there again. The second time through was definitely the hardest. I fought the tough fight.... knowing I still had to do it, again. I kept my head tucked and body streamlined as possible and just gutted through it. During the second loop I was standing up to stretch my back and my knee must have hit one of my aeropads and knocked it off so as I went back to aeroposition, my elbow was resting directly on the metal. Fortunately I wear wrist sweat bands so I pulled one off and looped it around the aero bar to act as make-shift pad. It wasn't the greatest, but it worked. Going back into the wind for the third round was kinda like anticipating a punch in the gut. The only silver lining, and my mantra the third time through wind-hell, was 'last-time, last-time'. Coming into T2 and dismounting I felt that familiar electric buzz of a cramp in the making. Rather than running through T2, I decided to slow up a bit and let it work it's way out. I knew if I went into full Charlie-horse mode.... my day was over. Transition 2
 Run
Comments: Starting into the run I was spent. My watch hadn't grabbed a hold of the satellite signal so I had no idea what my pace was, but I was pretty sure it was pathetic. I was hoping to do a 3:45 marathon but by mile 2 I realized I just didn't have it in me. The first loop was kind of just getting to know where the different landmarks were, as well as the turn-around. Loop two, I got onto the heels of a couple of runners and used them to pace me to the far turn-around. It was there that I started to implode. Coming back into town the second time was a sufferfest. I had accidentally dropped my salt tablets some where on loop 1, and I had gone through all my gu. The aid stations did not have a lot to offer, so I got most of my calories from pepsi along the course. They didn't have gu as I had anticipated so my nutrition for the run was totally off. The third time out I locked onto a runner that was from my same age group. The plan was to sit in behind him and then with a mile to go to the finish I would lay down the hammer and at least pick up one more spot (The kona dream had faded way back on the last loop of the bike so I needed any motivation I could get). At times he would pull away and I would dig deep and reel him back in. This went on from mile 18ish to 23. I had intended to wait to mile 25 to make my move, but I was on the home-stretch and just wanted to be done so I took a deep breath and with every bit of energy I had remaining I flew by him, as though I had just started the race.... but deep down I was dying. Coming to the finish I had the chute all to myself so I took some time to enjoy it and played to the crowd a bit. I looked back to see where my rabbit was that I had been following and apparently he still had another loop to go. I had been following someone who wasn't even on their last loop. Oh well.... If he hadn't motivated me to go faster, I would have missed the a sub 11hr race for sure. What would you do differently?: I just need to dial in this run-thing. I quite enjoy running but on the back side of an ironman I just haven't gotten it to where I know it can be. Post race
Warm down: My body started to shut down straight away. I started to get nauseous. Our hotel was right at the finish line so I went up to lay down and just get my bearings straight..... and it was lights out for the night. I was hoping to go back down later to see the last finishers..... but my body had other ideas. Profile Album Last updated: 2015-11-01 12:00 AM
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Mexico
Ironman Mexico
80F / 27C
Sunny
Overall Rank = 124/1800
Age Group = M45-49
Age Group Rank = 15/240
Getting to Cozumel proved to be more of an Ironman than the Ironman. I was able to get a direct flight on the return flight, but flying to Cancun took us first through Mexico City. Hauling the bike and helping the girls with their stuff took it's toll, and I arrived in Cancun with a sore lower back. Not a good start to the week.
To make matters worse, as I stood waiting at the baggage claim in Cancun a man approached me and asked if I was Senor Reeder. After I replied in the affirmative a little taken a-back that this stranger called me out by name, he informed me that my bike hadn't made it to Cancun. He assured me it would be here on the next flight, about an hour out, and they would bring it to my hotel.
I told him we were staying in Playa Del Carmen, about an hour away. Sin problema, he assured me. So we headed out in the Super Shuttle to Playa del Carmen. We arrived at our hotel, grabbed a bite to eat and settled in for the night.
While everyone slept I stirred and stewed. No sign of my bike. I called the number that the guy had given me, and got no answer. It was going to be very difficult to make the bike cut-off..... without the bike.
I finally got a hold of someone at about 2AM. They assured me the bike would be delivered, but I couldn't sleep. About 2 hours later it arrived. Whew..... that was a stressful night.
Next day we walked (with all of our luggage, including the bike) to the ferry, about 4 blocks, and boarded about noon for the 45 minute boat ride to Cozumel.
By the time we arrived in Cozumel I was exhausted. The travel, hauling luggage and moving around had taken it's toll on my body.
Once in Cozumel we took a van-taxi to our hotel (Cozumel Palace). Once we got to the hotel we were treated like royalty. The Cozumel Palace is next to the race finish and the convention center (Ironman check-in and vendors). I would definitely stay there again.
We had an ocean-front room complete with hot-tub and a view to die for. To see the sun set into the ocean each night was unreal.
The hotel offered a special Thanksgiving dinner to the athletes, but after seeing it at some other guests table, we opted for Chinese.
I woke up Friday with a debilitating lower back pain. I'm sure from lugging baggage from Salt Lake City, to what felt like was 1/2 way around the globe.
On Friday I spent the day building my bike, getting checked in and taking care of Ironman business.
I usually try and get a swim/bike/run in, but because of my back pain I decided to forgo any bike and run, but I did want to do a practice swim, since I've never swam in the ocean.
The practice swim went well. Saturday I spent the day just relaxing. I did hot-tub jets, Ice-pack intervals to see if I could get some back relief.
I woke up Sunday, race morning, and the back was still tight.
The Cozumel Palace put on a special 4AM breakfast for the athletes, so I sat in the lobby, ate and prepared myself mentally for the day ahead.
I opted for a taxi to the race start instead of a bus. I seem to always be rushed so I wanted to get to the start with plenty of time to spare.... and that I did.
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