Ironman Chattanooga - Triathlon

River swim but the reduced the flow so didn't really noticed any help from it. My first river swim so was hoping to get a little. You ran across the timing mat then jumped not dive into the river off a temporary dock. Not crowded and Ken and head for the end to hopefully catch the current. Only instruction Ken give me is buoys left island right. Off we go. I just use a nice steady stroke. Farther down the river I concentrate on form and long easy strokes. I am steadily catching people Lots if room and comfortable swim. Catch the steps out and catch Y and Connie in the VIP tent. Nice.

Good swim but hoping to break an hour oh well.

Took my time changed to into bibs and jersey and settle HR. Put on my stinky bike shoes and head out to the bike. Temp is ok at this time.

This is where the carnage begins. Its an out to a loop 2x then return. Very nice course. Would be fun on a average day of 72 degrees. My first lap is going well. My goal is to pee twice. Didn't happen. Even on the first lap there at people resting at stops. Through Chickamauga I hit special needs. Pick up some cookies and take off to see Y and Connie cheering us on. Ken had passed my at mile 47 while I was just hanging out in the porta potty and putting my chain back on. Ugh. By then the heat is starting in earnest and the sun is brutal. First lap is a slow ride past aid station to get water. Second lap I and having a hard time Staying cool. We are getting some head wind. Reststops are full of bikers some down some looking to cool and get fluids. Volunteers are doing an outstanding job. They probably didn't think they would have to catch some bikers that were to far gone to get off without help. Ambulances are going all over the place. One young lady is down cramps won't let her bend her legs at all. I didn't come across anyone in dire need of help that wasn't being helped by med or vol. At one stop there is like 20 riders off their bikes lying in the grass. Few here and there standing in shady areas. I did this for about 10 minutes after I got both loops down. That helped a lot to help me finish. Soon headed back to transition. Where Y waits.

Not much. I made it back. with 15% of bikers not making back I am happy with the effort. Ken is better than an hour ahead.

Yeah 22 minutes. Need to cool and hydrate. Slowest transition tent I have ever seen. Sit and get some electrolytes down and a cookie. At least 6 guys are waiting to be released by med or volunteers and not arguing.

Did what was need to be done.

The carnage continues. The heat index at 120 my wife said. More like 105 but what is the difference. I have already planned to walk first mile of this sweat bath. I throw Y the cookies I thought I might need. LOL, I get a little jog in here and there. I taking base salts every half hour and continue drink ice water and coke at every other station. skip the gatorade and red bull. Ice in the hat, cooling buff and in my pockets. Water down the back. There are people puking, people down in fetal, sitting and prone positions. Guys on carts, full carts responding to these people. I am amazed they seemed to keeping up with it. Its a two different loops course you do twice. I was able to run jog the first double loop. We are all encouraging every one. The sun is starting to drop but not much change in temp yet. I can't run very far without tummy starting to turn over. I catch Y and Connie on the way out of the second loop the first time. Up over the hill I go. i figure walk uphills and run down. On the way back I was running some. Catch some illegal rolaids from Y and head down tot he turn around and special needs to get my cookies made with extra salt. although its great to have something in my belly still not settling. Spend and extra ten minutes in special needs. I decide that I can walk as fast as I can walk/run. So head down and head out to finish first loop of the second round. Figured I's worry about finishing in time after that. the didn't cut me off so should be good. I am taking ice water and drinking it in little sips for quarter mile or some ice in various places. I and doing OK. I catch up with walk/runners and pass them. THE CARNAGE CONTINUES. Y met me at the finish of the first loop second lap. But stops to help one guy bent over and then one girl on the fetal position on the side of the road. She catches me on the bridge. She is needing to jog a little to stay up with my pace. I here a few call out of time and one young man is displaying time on his phone. 10:18 with 5 miles to go. Fuzzy math in head says very doable. Up the hill and then fine the energy to run down. Put the pace setting on my watch. keep it close to 15 minute miles and soon I'm in the final bridge with Y meeting up with me. Around the corner and the finish line. Ken and his tri team is there cheering me on. Sweet.
Dudley Hallstead from Canandaigua you are am Ironman.

Canada IM.

Little confused when they stopped me dead and ask me if I need medical. No thanks need to walk. Ok here is a bottle of water. Yumm warm. can I walk. No let me pour water over your head, OK do it. Can I walk? no here is your medal and need the tag off your bib. Here is your cap and t-shirt. What? Shirt and hat. Oh. Can I walk now. No need a picture. Ok sure you don't need medical. No OK you can walk now. Too late already seizing up. Walk out for five minutes. Meet up with Connie and Ken congrates around. Hit the pizza tent and get stuff.


heat


Hot is hot.
Thank you Connie and Ken for a great week away from reality.
Thank you Y for all you help and support. i love you.