The Great White North Triathlon - Triathlon1/2 Ironman

Great swim. Found lots of legs to draft off. Was only cut off once. Stupidly thought that drafting of relay swimmmers would be faster...nope. they were slower. Lots of fast women that I followed.
Start was a real mess of bodies, kicking, punching, screaming...well, no screaming really. Didn't bug me at all. Just felt like I was swimming in a pod of whales, well, athletic, svelte ones.
First Buoy was at 400m and it was a traffic jam...looked like a bunch of seals bouncing up and down in the water...waiting...what the hell were they waiting for, took a slightly wider turn and avoided the whole mess.
Solid stroke throughout.
Finishing first lap, it felt like I must have been a little zombie like. Walking carefully, over the silt, then the beach, then back into the silt then plopping my body back to horizontal.
Checked my watch first...I was at 21 minutes.

The side of my hand smacked someone's cranium really hard...I should have looked back, but I didn't. My hand hurt. Ooops. Kept going pretty strong. Didn't draft as well this lap...fewer people and I didn't like the lines they were taking. My sighting was the best ever - or my steering was. Can't be sure. Around the last buoy I changed the angle of my wrist, focused on long strokes and kicks and started motoring. Not as fast as last year - didn't feel like I had the extra energy, but strong nonetheless. Started passing lots of people. Good swim!


Swim faster, if I can. This was a good swim. Draft with some faster people and don't be such a suck - push (or rather pull) it a little more.

Came out of the water strong. Goggles and cap off, Then my hamstring cramped....walked it out, struggle a bit with my zipper, but never stopped walking (not running) to the timing mat. Got the top of the suit off, found my stripper...never a good pole when you need it - I actually looked for a guy with big hands - little kink of mine.
Carefully lay down (I cramped bad in this position last year).
It was chilly. thought about jacket...didn't bother. tri top only. (and shorts)
Sat down to put on socks and shoes. dried toes and nothing else.
Hamstring was on the verge of cramping again WTF?
Helmet on, put wetsuit on rack (transition moved to run transition) and goggles and cap in designated bag. Grabbed bike walded bike in tight transition zone.
Had to keep saying "excuse me" as other athletes and volunteers were lallygagging around. Saw FW and waved.
Leg over bike. One foot clipped in and I had to push with the other foot for maybe 6 bike lengths. 3 or four guys either were in the wrong gear or were doing the julie andrews both feet on the same side start, which doesn't work on a 6 percent uphill grade...doh!
Got going finally.

Not much. Will myself not to cramp. Was very efficient in transition, maybe run a bit more? Be more aggressive - Get the F@#! out of the way?! - naw, I don't need that stress.

I thought my ride was fast...but the time doesn't look as fast as last year. But still MOP, so can't complain too much.

I steadily passed lots of people. Used the drafting rule carefully. I would pass someone, tuck in behind the next draft zone and pull out of it and be past within 15 seconds. Felt good.
It was a little tricky on uphills - there were drafting cops everywhere!
I had to decide whether I wanted to commit to passing uphill, or slowing down and waiting before I passed. I usually passed for the first half. Second half as I faded a little, usually waited.
Stayed with the same basic group for the last 30k. Lots of fast women on fancy bikes. Weren't too many people to pass at that point - only pass and repass those I was riding near. The fast cyclists had all gone by.


I felt a lot of wind...others didn't - after talking with them post race..but there was a healthy tail wind at parts and I was doing about 40k on that.
For the first 2k I stayed in small chain ring...got myself together, then ramped it up. Stayed in big chain ring for all but one hill.
Nutrition 4 hour bottle of perpetuum, one gel when that ran out. 1.5 bottle of water - probably not enough. 2 bananas. and 4 endurolite salt pills. Two advil near end. No hammer bars. First time without solid food.
Felt a little listless at times.
I had only done 3 or 4 3+hour training rides...I think this had something to do with it.
It was cold too, so I didn't drink as much as I probably should have and my hands were a little cold.

Lst 20k I was kinda listless, Even in the last 5k, felt strong, but unmotivated and a little distracted.

Forced myself to spin high cadence low gear for the last K or so.
I was really looking forward to the run.
Dirty Girl was trouble free. Shifted well and tracked perfectly.

Train more long rides. Push myself a little harder? That always effects my run though.
Think about race wheels. I love Dirty Girl, but I think I've reached a plateaus...And more training - probably weights...I have to squeeze out another 2k/hr from somewhere.

Cramped as soon as I parked the bike. Shit.
Helmet off racebelt/pouch thing I bought in Fargo on, hat on. grabbed three gels and tucked them into short's pouch.
Tried something new this year. No speed laces. Just the old fangled kind. Sat down to do them up...Lost a little time doing that - but they felt super comfortable for the whole run.
And the time on my bum gave me a few seconds to let the cramps subside.

FW was just over the fence taking pictures. There are a few with some interesting grimaces on my face.
Started running no problem. Passe the Drafter's "lap of shame" area and stopped for a pee. Still no problem.
Then Cramp. Like not regular cramp...but both quads locked up exactly like last year - just a little further away this time. At the 1k mark. I wonder if stopping to pee so soon after the ride has something to do with it...or maybe the lack of Bricks? I never cramp like this at ironman!

These were not run of the mill cramps. These were "decide if I can finish the race cramps!" at 1k of a 21k run, I had to pull some special magic out of my ass to continue.
Last year, when this happened, I walked. And cried. And walked backwards. And limped and walked and finished in 6:04 something.
This year. I decided run...run and don't stop until the aid station. Don't walk except on the two or three slight hills (they cause my quads to cramp more.)
Both quads were locked up. I tried a strech and my hamstring cramped. Stopped that in a hurry!
So I ran. Not at the 5:50 pace I was hoping for


Started

Not cramp!
I was one minute slower than I should have been here. But I took my time with the laces and I think that lack of hassle was good considering what I had to go through for the rest of the race.
Pretty efficient transition, all things considered.

Started running no problem. Passed the Drafter's "lap of shame" area and stopped for a pee. Still no problem.
Then Cramp. Like not regular cramp...but both quads locked up exactly like last year - just a little further away this time. At the 1k mark. I wonder if stopping to pee so soon after the ride has something to do with it...or maybe the lack of Bricks? I never cramp like this at ironman!

These were not run of the mill cramps. These were "decide if I can finish the race cramps!" at 1k of a 21k run, I had to pull some special magic out of my ass to continue.
Last year, when this happened, I walked. And cried. And walked backwards. And limped and walked and finished in 6:04 something.
This year. I decided run...run and don't stop until the aid station. Don't walk except on the two or three slight hills (they cause my quads to cramp more.)
Both quads were locked up. I tried a stretch and my hamstring cramped. Stopped that in a hurry!
So I ran. Not at the 5:50 pace I was hoping for, but much slower. But just kept running. Everyone passed me. I would pass the walk/runners, then they would pass me.
But I kept going.
Walked all the aid stations and a couple of "hills" stopped three times to massage the top of both needs at the quad insertion. Owwwie! I bet my legs looked really hard and buff!
At the beginning of the race First Wife said she would abandon me and drive away if I didn't finish in under 6 hours...This was in my mind a lot during that long long long run.
At aid stations I took Hammer Heed and Coke and water when I had 2 of my three gels. Took 2 Enduralite pills. 4 more regular advils. Total of 6 regular strength during a 6 hour race...

My quads really hurt. Then my mind started doing the mind game thing..."come on...you are not going to make it...just walk. You always walk. No shame in that..." I fought that urge for 5k. And fought off wave after wave of cramps. Just make it to the aid station....just keep running.
For the last 2 or 3k I had about 15 minutes to finish..but this is a guess. I just dug in. Thought of what my friends and training partners and First Wife told (and threatened) me with.
Turned the corner into town, last couple of blocks. Didn't think I could make it (just pain - not winded at all!) But it was closer than I remembered.
Now I have a great final kick. I can summon energy to finish at a 3minute pace at the end.
I tried that now.
Left leg locked up.
Right hip seized.
Nothing there.
I felt like an old man.
I was conscious of gritting my teeth and closing my eyes.
I saw the race clock. 5:59:20...21...22...
I passed a guy.
I was conscious of limping. And how sad I must look.
I heard Steve King the announcer call my name.
I crossed that finish line.
First Wife came to me and helped with the timing chip. I was afraid to move.
Yeah Boy! Personal Best...who cares about the time, though. I didn't let the "walk talk" get me!




Not cramp.
I did everything perfectly. I minimized my losses and maximized what I could do. Used all the mental toughness I had and punched through the 6 hour barrier - just.
If my quads worked, I could have run faster.
Under the circumstances, things were not too bad.
As I write this, three days after the race. My quads are still tight and sore.

Walked around. Some self massage. Looked for decent food...nothing but pretzels and water...Very strange for this otherwise very well supplied race.
Had one of the legendary virgin strawberry daiquiri.
Talked to friends.
Thanked the announcer-he did a stellar job. Thanked the RD. Went back to the hotel and went from hot tub to pool and back several times.

Felt sick for 3 or four hours. Serious intestinal cramping - first time ever. Must have gone to the bathroom 11 times. Totally empty.
Feeling faint and clammy. Should have had recovery meal...
Bought some Kaopectate. Guzzled some of that. It helped.
Started to feel better after eating at the awards reception.
Wore my compression socks for 36 hours - including while sleeping and for the 9 hour drive home.


Don't know.
This is the big mystery. I've never had cramps like these. Never felt pain like this - except at this very same race last year.
Could it be that it is because the race is before I have my foundational training done? I haven't cramped at Ironman?
It wasn't hot. I drank enough. Had enough salt.
It could be that I just push too hard on the bike ride....I'm open to comments!


Did it. Broke 6. Broke my mental block. Now I have to run it faster without the pain.

This is a fantastic race that rivals any 70.3 race (from what I've heard) in terms of volunteer support. The whole race is focused on Age Groupers - although some pros and semi-pros come out to this.
There is great prize money, awards, super door prizes (I won a $500 gift certificate for a tri store) and two meals includes with registration.
Do this race!
Race videos are here:
http://www.beginnertriathlete.com/discussion/photos/photo-thumbnail...