Ironman Louisville - TriathlonFull Ironman


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Louisville, Kentucky
United States
World Triathlon Corporation
85F / 29C
Sunny
Total Time = 13h 08m 26s
Overall Rank = 1145/2500
Age Group =
Age Group Rank = 197/
Pre-race routine:

Alarm at 3:50...at race site by 4:50-ish. Transition routines.
Event warmup:

I walked roughly a mile from transition to the swim start. I was body marked, found my place in line, reached in my "Morning Clothes Bag" to get my iPod out to listen to a podcast, and discovered my nutrition that was supposed to be on my bike. After a quick and abrupt, yet whispered curse word, I asked the friendly competitors around me to hold my spot. I walked all the way back to transition, put my food in my food bag on my bike, and walked all the way back. That was roughly two more miles than I expected to walk.
Swim
  • 00m
  • 4000 yards
  • / 100 yards
Comments:

I swam what I consider to be a smart race. I started out conservatively, settled in, and picked it up toward the end.
The first 3/4 of a mile were a bit congested, and though I had to do some weaving around people, I felt like I always had space.
The middle portion of the race went well. I was steady and confident. At the last bridge, with .4 of a mile left, I was able to remain strong.
My ability to bilateral breathe paid of many times throughout the swim. It helped when I was relaxed, and helped when I needed to single-side breathe on either side, depending on where people were swimming around me.
What would you do differently?:

I wouldn't have changed how I swam. I believe I swam a smart race for me and had a P.R. by about seven minutes. However, I attribute much of this to the current of the river, because I heard several others who had substantial P.R.'s. It only makes sense.
Transition 1
  • 06m
Comments:

I was able to jog gingerly to get my Bike Bag and make my way to the changing tent. This was an unexpected surprise because I didn't know if my Achilles would be up for that type of movement.
The changing tent volunteer was very helpful in pulling my singlet down for me. By myself...it probably wouldn't have happened. The dry garment over my wet body simply would not have agreed.
I hit the bathroom before heading out to my bike.
When I went to go get my bike I thought I was in the wrong isle, so I ducked under the rack and started looking at the rack next to mine. I realized I was in the right place the first time and had to duck back under to remove my bike from the rack.
I got on my bike after the dismount line and was on my way.
What would you do differently?:

I usually do a walk though of the transition from the direction in which I will be traveling, but for whatever reason, I didn't do this. As a result, I had the misunderstanding with the racks once I was ready to ride.
Bike
  • 5h 39m 1s
  • 112 miles
  • 19.82 mile/hr
Comments:

I had a solid ride. In fact, it was a P.R. for me. I think I was smart in my execution for the most part. I don't think I did any portions to fast or too hard. I believe I allocated my energies fairly well. Having said that, I believe I lost some energy in the last 12 miles because I didn't have enough agreeable nutrition. I could have used another bag of GU Chomps. Furthermore, in the fist half of the ride I am confident that I didn't take in enough fluids.
What would you do differently?:

Pack a little bit more of my favorite nutrition for the last miles.
Transition 2
  • 06m 43s
Comments:

Having the volunteers take my bike at the end of the ride is always a cool arrangement. It has me feeling like a pro.
I took my cycling shoes and helmet off after giving my bike away, and I walked to get my run bag. I didn't want to jog because my Achilles had moments of soreness on the bike.
Again, I hit the bathroom before heading out.
What would you do differently?:

I think I had a reasonable transition and I did what I had to do, so no complaints here.
Run
  • 6h 09m 22s
  • 26.2 miles
  • 14m 06s  min/mile
Comments:

I knew going in there was a good chance I would have to walk the entire run segment of the race. I walked 19 miles of it before attempting to jog. I first jogged from mile 19 to 20. At this point I realized I was asking my Achilles too much. I set the timer on my watch for 4 minutes/2 minutes. This way I would run 4 minutes and walk 2 minutes, and keep repeating this interval format.
Around 24 miles or so my Achilles was a bit tight, and I had blisters on the bottoms of my feet (on the pads;forefoot) that were about the size of a quarter. I wasn't used to these type of blisters because I don't get this type of blister from running. Anyway, these variables had me hobbling pretty good toward the end, so I decided to wait until the last turn to start jogging again. Ultimately I was able to jog down the 4th Street Live corridor. It was nice to be able to at least jog along the lines of cheering fans and into the line, and across the finish line!
What would you do differently?:

I don't think I could have done much more on the run during this race. I believe I did what I could do. When you see the "Good" qualifier, it is because I did my best given what I was dealt. This is not a fast run for me by any stretch if I am healthy, but it was good on the day.
Post race
Warm down:

Walked with my family to our van, and then walked to get my morning clothes bag from the designated area.

What limited your ability to perform faster:

My Achilles tendon injury limited my ability to run. Otherwise I would have been shooting for a sub-12-hour effort.
However, on the day, nothing limited my ability to perform. I couldn't have asked for better conditions.

Event comments:

I am thrilled that I was able to participate in and complete Ironman Louisville for a second time. It was a rewarding experience from beginning to end.
I am thankful for a lot of things, but particularly my family and friends who supported me from at the race and at home, and BT crew that was on hand at the race. I was inspired by all them.
This was a very bare bones version of my race, I intend to provide a much more detail account for my blog and then in my book, The Road to Ironman Louisville 2011, A Man, a Journey, and 140.6 Miles of Swim, Bike, Run. I hope to have it out in the next month or so.




Last updated: 2010-10-06 12:00 AM
Swimming
00:00:00 | 4000 yards | / 100yards
Age Group: 475/
Overall: 83/2500
Performance: Good
Suit: Tri Shorts
Course: River swim. Upriver for about 3/4 of a mile, then down river for the remaining distance.
Start type: Dive Plus: Time Trial
Water temp: 84F / 29C Current: Low
200M Perf. Good Remainder: Good
Breathing: Good Drafting: Average
Waves: Navigation: Good
Rounding: Good
T1
Time: 06:00
Performance: Below average
Cap removal: Good Helmet on/
Suit off:
Wetsuit stuck? Run with bike:
Jump on bike:
Getting up to speed: Good
Biking
05:39:01 | 112 miles | 19.82 mile/hr
Age Group: 64/
Overall: 328/2500
Performance: Good
Wind: Some
Course: The course started and ended with a long flat section. There is an out and back that has a valley which provides for two screaming downhills and two pretty good climbs, with the second climb being the more challenging. The rest of the course is a series of rolling hills. It is a beautiful course that is a nice mix to keep your mind occupied and different muscle groups active.
Road: Smooth Dry Cadence:
Turns: Good Cornering: Good
Gear changes: Good Hills: Good
Race pace: Comfortable Drinks: Not enough
T2
Time: 06:43
Overall: Good
Riding w/ feet on shoes
Jumping off bike
Running with bike
Racking bike
Shoe and helmet removal Average
Running
06:09:22 | 26.2 miles | 14m 06s  min/mile
Age Group: 197/
Overall: 0/2500
Performance: Good
Course: The run course is primarily flat with a couple minor inclines. It is a double out and back. When you come in on your first out and back, you get a good look at the finish line which is both cruel and inspiring.
Keeping cool Good Drinking Just right
Post race
Weight change: %
Overall: Good
Mental exertion [1-5] 4
Physical exertion [1-5] 4
Good race? Yes
Evaluation
Course challenge Just right
Organized? Yes
Events on-time? Yes
Lots of volunteers? Yes
Plenty of drinks? Yes
Post race activities:
Race evaluation [1-5] 4