Ironman Louisville - Triathlon

I thought I was in the first 1/3 of the line, but after hearing how long the line ended up being as well as seeing what time I got in the water 6:35 after the start, and hearing it took something like 40 minutes to get the last athlete in it looks like I was way up front.

I jumped in and began swimming, just kept telling myself to keep calm and enjoy the day. As it was going to be a long day. Just finish!!! I wasn't worried about the swim as I was completely comfortable covering the distance.

I knew based on training and previous HIM that my time would be in the 1:10 range without any current and was looking forward to getting some extra free minutes. I made the turn and didn't feel the boost I was expecting. After getting to transition it was clear that no one felt the current.

Typical swim, couple instances of full body contact, couple times had to sprint through a group. I would say it was a very comfortable swim. Due to the threat of the toxic algae, I kept trying to keep my mouth closed as much as possible.

Overall, happy with my performance on the swim.


Nothing

Once I got out of the water, I just walked to transition. A volunteer unzipped my and I pulled off my wet suit top. Moved over to the strippers and had them rip off my wet suit bottoms. Carried everything over to transition. Grabbed my bag and made my way to transition tent.

Performed a full change. Nothing exciting here, took my time.

Thanks to someone on here or on FB for the suggestion of packing mouth wash, really freshened things up for the first few miles on the bike. Also put my mind at easy, with the thought of the toxic algae.

On way out of transition ran to sunscreen station and they lathered me up.

Grabbed my bike and walked my way to bike mount.

Maybe pick up the pace for next IM but today was just about finishing.

Started out just thinking just finish. Slow and steady will get me to the finish. I didn't drive the course ahead of time but knew it was constant rolling hills. I was mentally prepared to just spin up the hills.

Settled into a comfortable pace at the start and just wanted to maintain it. Couldn't get over how many people were on the course.

Somehow I end up riding by myself quite a lot. I couldn't believe how many groups of riders there were.

The out and back was a awesome to ride, outside of the crazy people trying to do 100 mph. I went fast but not out of control. I'm one of those people that thinks of other people first and would rather go a little slower personally that bother others. If I was passing due to my weight carrying me down the hill I would pass and get over because I knew someone else would be coming by even faster.

After the out and back settled back in.

Was looking forward to seeing my wife in La Grange, but missed her on the first loop. But something else happened that I couldn't believe. As we rode through, I heard the announcer say and here comes Jeff Mitchell from Lake Orion a first timer. I almost broke down in tears, this was something that had been happening on/off for the last couple days leading up to the race. Guess I just couldn't believe I was going to take on a IM and the thought of becoming an Ironman.

On the second loop, again started looking for wife and saw her this time, gave huge wave and smile. She yelled some very encouraging words and off I went.

I tried to stick to my nutrition plan as I had trained and did very well. Stomach stayed in check, might want to take in some additional calories next time around. Also re-arrange nutrition on bike to make it easier to access, might make me stay on track better.

I was looking forward to the decent back into town for the last 30 miles as everyone kept saying but boy did that change as it turned into a headwind. I just kept telling myself keep it steady and grind it out.

The last several miles of road where terrible, bouncing all over the place. I couldn't even get around some of the rough patches because there were all these lead out trains passing me like it was a team time trial. Couldn't believe the wheel to wheel riding at this stage. Oh well, they know who they are and have to deal with knowing their time is benefited from drafting.


Longer training rides. Longest ride was 92 miles during training. Couldn't manage family/work/long training and chose to for go the really long days for family obligations.

Walked bike in to transition. I wasn't in a hurry, just finish.

Racked bike, grabbed transition bag and headed to the tent again. I planned full clothes change (including socks), used wet wipes to wipe down my body to get road grim off.

On exit saw wife and got some encouragement.

Maybe pick up the pace for next IM but today was just about finishing.

Going in planned walk/run, knowing that it would be more walk than run. This past two years been dealing with some leg issues so running was limited.

I came out of transition saw my wife, got lots of encouragement. Asked a volunteer what time it was to calculate how long I had to finish. It was 3:38, at this point I knew I could do an 8 hour marathon walking the whole thing.

I started out walking about half mile. Then started light run/walk, did that for a few miles. Then I just settled into a walk. Was feeling like I need more calories, so hit the next couple aid stations to get some food and salt.

Kept the walking up for a little while then decided to run from intersection to intersection. Started heading back towards the second loop, the energy started building and I started to running again. I got a hug and more encouragement from my wife and said see you at the finish. Was running at a good clip until the fans started to die down again, then all the energy left me and I settled back into a steady walk.

Kept asking what time it was and doing the math knew I was good to go, just stay steady and just finish!!!

Then it hit me I could finish in 14 hours. When I started thinking of IM all I wanted was to finish then I started planning on a 16 hour race. And now I'm looking at 14 hours, lets do this. But at this point I had huge blister on my foot and could hardly walk.

When the last mile hit I was beyond excited. I started to hit the finishers shoot and the volunteer was directing people to second loop and I was like no way I'm done with this. He said congratulations your an Ironman. Then all the crowd, started saying it and I couldn't believe this was happening. I walked all the way to the last 100 feet or so to really soak up the feeling. Then I started running through the finish, raised my arms and the volunteer grabbed me and started the finish chute experience.

She kept asking me if I was OK, and I was. Got medal, had volunteer remove timing chip. Got picture taken and meet wife at the end. The volunteer was super, I just kept thanking her and telling her she was great. She kept answering with you did all the work. She handed me of to my wife and we headed back to the hotel.

Longer runs to condition legs/feet for the pounding.

Once I left the finisher area, the leg/foot pain really kicked in. All I wanted to do was get back to the hotel and relax.

Wife helped me out of my race gear, I jumped in a hot shower then turned it cold and on my legs. Climbed in bed and couldn't see at all. Got up 4 times during the night to pee, and boy did it hurt my foot to walk.

Monday morning, hit the buffet to replenish. Packed up and waited 1/2 hour trying to get an elevator. Ended up riding up all the floors just to be able to get in an elevator. When I checked in I was asked do you want a high or low floor. I said low and we ended up on the 4th floor. I remembered hearing about the elevator wait times but hadn't had an issue until check out. Packed up the car and hit the road. Coming from Michigan it was a 6 hour drive down. Unfortunately it took 8 1/2 hours to get home due to 2 road closures on I-75/I-71. Boy did that suck.

Got home and was swarmed by my daughters. Now the celebration begins.



Today was just about finishing. Next time more training, more bricks, longer bricks.


First Ironman organized race I've competed in. I have to say it was very well organized. They really pushed through the 3k athletes very well. Even though there were lines at every stage of the process the lines went very fast. Very pleased with the amount and frequency of aid stations. Anything I needed they had, I planned to live off the course and had to issues with that.