Ironman 70.3 Rhode Island - Triathlon1/2 Ironman

If you've ever watched Point Break, the final few minutes when Bodhi is standing on the beach in Australia getting ready to surf the waves of the 'hundred year storm,' and the water is just pummeling the shoreline... that's totally what it was like. (not really, but whatever). I was the fifth wave to start. Running beach start. Hard to get through the chop. Really hard to find a rhythm. Took me probably five minutes to get far enough away from shore where the waves were so much up-and-down that I was able to get into a good rhythm. After that I felt really good.

Got tangled up at the red turn around buoy with people from the waves in front of me. Lots of people breast-stroking and just hanging out. Really chaotic out there. Kind of funny in a way. I heard of people completely swimming in the wrong direction at times because every time they'd try to sight they were staring down the back of a wave and couldn't see.

The water got really shallow approaching the beach, mostly because you'd come down into the trough of a wave and drag your hands, so it turned about to be about a 25-30 yard run, maybe more, out of the knee to waist deep water (and undertow). My right leg got a massive cramp and I couldn't bend it, so I'm practically dragging myself out of the water. Neva and Shelly later told me that they were ready to go hide because they thought I was hurt and wouldn't be able to finish. Saw them on the run out, tried to cheese it up for the camera a bit, then on to the wetsuite strippers.

For some reason I didn't clean my goggles out like I normally do before a swim, so they got foggy during the first 200 meters. I stopped to rinse them out and they were fine after that and I could see very well. Not sure why I didn't do it before the start. Maybe since it was a beach start I was thinking sand and stuff getting in them if I just rinsed them in a wave. I don't know. Whatever. No biggie.

Long run out of the water, then long run to the wetsuit strippers, then a long run to my bike. I ran down the wrong row because I forgot that there was a short rack to the far right side for pros. Was one rack too far but found a place with no bikes where I was able to dip under the rack to cut back over. Once I got the bike it was pretty fast, just a long T2 time because of the distance I had to go.

Nothing. Well, actually, not drop my tums on the way out of T1. Heartburn on run a bit later on.

Flat, then rollers, then some climbs, then some descent into town and some seriously bad road conditions, railroad track crossings at <45 degrees, and wicked sharp turns. Fun, but insane.

There is a very steep hill right near the end as you go under (I think I-95), and then come out the other side, turn right, and kind of circle around to the bike-in. Saw Shelly and Neva again here. So cool when you have friends out on the course in unexpected places. I still felt really strong and was eager to start the run.

I'd have been under 2:35 flat if not for having to pee twice on the bike, but seriously, how does one not pee?

As soon as I saw the Ironman fencing I took my feet out of the shoes. Apparently there are some really dumb people. Shelly saw people going up that hill on top of there shoes. Really? That was a good 1/2 before we finished. Kind of tough to find my spot on the rack, just because everything looks EXACTLY the same, and you aren't allowed to do anything on the rack, ground, or otherwise to designate you spot. Helmet and glasses were off before I got the rack. Dried my feet off and got the socks on quickly, luckily they stayed dry during the overnight rain. Grabbed gels and visor and that was it. Good clean T2, and I put socks on. Happy with it.

Two-lap OAB course. Big hill, some flat but mostly false-flat sections. Very spectator friendly course.

Opted to wear my T6s due to all the foot problems I've been having in trainers over the last six weeks. That probably contributed to how much my legs hurt late in the run, but that was tolerable, whereas if that pain in my right foot had surfaced, I would have had to stop running all together. Felt great out of T2. The first big hill comes about 1/2 mile in. I passed the first mile marker at about 6:45, (which included the big climb) and knew that was too fast. I wasn't pushing, but still tried to make myself scale back a bit. Mile 2 was 13:30. Settled it down a bit and really cut back the third mile, was cruising at a good 7:15-7:20 clip at that point.

Going down that big hill really lit my quads up heading back in to the run turnaround. Saw Neva and Shelly again. Asked them how my race beard looked, heard Shelly say that I looked fast but I knew that I didn't have that pace for another 6.5 miles. Figured I'd hold on as long as I could. You have to go up hill to get to the turn around. It is such a tease because you are practically going through the finish shoot and everyone is cheering but you're only halfway there.

Back down the hill across the bridge, left turn and then saw Shelly and Neva again. Tried to hand off some 'sugar' but it was 'intercepted.' I think maybe Shelly was still intrigued by that awkward hug before the race... Then into the hill. Ran the first 2/3rds, walked a bit, ran again, walked a bit, then ran to reach the top of it. Friggin ridiculous how much it was burning me up. Awesome to have crowds of people lining the hill cheering you on, but my GOd did it hurt. Settled into my own little world of hurt for the next mile or so.

Matias went by and grabbed my butt. Actually it was more like a pinch on my hamstring, but I know he's got a man crush. He looked insanely strong and comfortable. (And to put up a 4:04 on that course, you have to be both insanely strong and comfortable) About 1/2 mile before the turnaround some guy passed me and I decided that would be my pacer. I stuck right on his heels for the next 1.5 - 2 miles, thanked him at one point for saving me (I think he knew it too), but then I lost him at an aid station when he slowed for gatorade and go tangled in the clusterfuck of sponges and paper cups.

At this point I just wanted to break 5 hours, and know that I could. I was back to running in the high 7:30ish range. Nate passed me about 1 mile before we went down that big hill. He was running strong. On the way down the hill I got a massive cramp in my right foot. Took a moment to work it out, and then run somewhat awkwardly down the rest of the way to try and have my foot strike across the road as to not put so much pressure on the arch again. This time I think bombs were going off in my quads. Either that or little tiny midgets with lead basketballs were having a dribbling competition inside my legs. Weird, I know, right?

Down the hill, crossing the first bridge, still knew I'd hit sub-5:00 but it was going to hurt like a motherfcuker that last 1/2 mile. Saw Neva. Wanted to smile but it was going to take way too much energy. Heard Shelly but have no idea where she was. Then saw Neva again, which confused me because I'd just seen her (the idea that she could run along the outside of the course was escaping me at the time). Finally heard my name being announced as I neared the finish. Gnarly day.

I really don't think those first two miles burned me up at all, it's just that I'm so used to shorted distance races where I just blow it out when I come off the bike. I did miss some of my longer mileage because of the foot, but since I'm confident the problem is solved, I'm ready to crush Timberman.

Felt weird. I needed salt and fluids. And shade. Why was there no shade anywhere! Found Matias and Katie and Nate. Got some food in me. Laid down in the shade. Munched on some mike and ikes. Started to feel better so finally got my shit together and we walked the entire one block up to the Renaissance to get everything into the hotel. That's right, I take care of my J/S'ers. Only the best accomodations on race weekends.


This is only my second HIM, and the first was 3 years ago when, quite honestly, I still had no idea what this whole triathlon thing was about. I mean, I'm STILL learning. I've got a few good ideas heading into Timberman, and even though this was going to be my A race for 2009, that has changed with my crash at Montclair and the foot problems. My wounds have healed and the T6s have solved the foot problem, so now I've got 6 weeks to get ready for the real A race.