Ironman Louisville - TriathlonFull Ironman

The swim at IMKY is in the Ohio river. Very murky and dark. I liked the time trial start, as there was really no chaos at the start. I encountered very little fighting for position, getting hit, etc. About 20 minutes into the swim, I notice that my hands are touching the bottom of the river as it was only a couple of feet deep at that point. Some people were actually walking. After we rounded Towhead Island, the swim seemed to last forever. My sighting was going OK, but I was getting pretty tired. The chop in the river was noticeable, but not too bad (until a wave from a barge crashed over me). Finally, I hit the stairs, was helped up by a great volunteer and headed towards T1.

swam a little faster

Transition set up was nice - had a volunteer hand me my bag. Once inside the tent, there were lots of spaces to change (given my slow swim). I had a volunteer help me with my bag, but he didn't really do much other than take my stuff out and put it on the ground. Got changed and headed out for some sunscreen. Took first bathroom break of the day, then headed out. Overall, slow transition, but I expected it to be.

The first 10 miles or so are pancake flat. I took my time, ate a Clif bar and just did some spinning some. Pushed up the first hill and then took off into the meat of the course. When I hit the turn-off section, I purposefully slowed down a little, knowing that the hills would be big. I zoomed down the first hill, but climbing up was tougher. On the loop part of the course, the rollers were endless. I was either going 40mph or 10mph based on if I was going up or down. The last 20 miles back into town were slightly down to flat, but had a head wind. By the time I made it back into T2, I was totally gassed. Cut-off time was 5:30; I made it in at 5:05

Train more for the hills. This is hard to do given where I live, but I needed more training. The hills really took it out of me.

Similar experience as to T1. Took my time changing (full wardrobe change). Walked/jogged out of transition and onto the run course.

Coming out of T2, I had very little energy. My plan at that point was to run/walk the entire marathon. I ran the first mile and couldn't get my legs to shake the really heavy feeling. I run/walked the next 2 miles, and by the time I finished the 3rd mile, I knew that I could not run any further. I decided I could walk the rest of the marathon and potentially make the time cut-off at midnight. I saw my friend Jeff at the first turn-around...he was headed home for the finish (he ultimately finished in 12:53 - his first IM!). I made the turn at the half-marathon and tried to do the math to see if I would be able to finish. Still thinking I would, I pushed on. At 10:45p, I was at 18 miles and knew that I wouldn't make it. The race director and I talked, and we agreed that I should abandon the race. So, at mile 18 in the marathon, I DNF'd.

cycle better so I could actually run the marathon

Enjoyed a lovely ride back to the finish line in the run-course director's van.


Overall the race was fantastic. The volunteers were spectacular, the setting was beautiful, the finish line was awesome. Based upon my lack of hill training, the course was too hard for me. Otherwise, I had a great time in Louisville.