Ironman Louisville - TriathlonFull Ironman

Had a very good swim. My estimated time was around 1:20, so I was very pleased with a 1:14. Did a cannonball into the water and took off. It was very calm swim start, I've been bumped more in sprint races. My goggles started fogging up once I pasted the island and sighting was getting difficult so I had to stop and wipe the insides. That was the only bump in the swim. Rounded the orange bouy by myself and the rest was breath, stroke, breath, stroke, breath/sight, stroke......

Nothing

This transition was quicker than I expected. Ran from the swim exit to the changing tent. I grabbed my bag before a volunteer, saw the family and headed into the tent. Once in the tent all I had to do was put on my bike jersey and sunscreen. Forgot to put my HR monitor in the T1 bag, and had to put it on at the bike.

Put HR monitor in T1 bag.

This was going to be the most difficult part of the race for me. In training the most I climbed in a 112 mile ride was around 3000 ft, Louisville My goal was to bike around 6:50 and keep average HR under 140 bpm. I rode steady keeping my heart rate closer to 130 bpm than 140 bpm until I hit the out and back leg my max HR happened on this stretch and It was 159 bpm. This stretch of the race was dangerous, I hit 47 mph going into the canyon?? and was being passed every cople of seconds, as I hit the bottom and made the turn you could see a female rider in the ditch, not good. On the climb back out of the canyon/valley I sat up and stayed in the saddle and focused on my breathing. Now to the loop, I stopped both loops just pass special needs to use the porta potty and reapply sunscreen. This side of the loop also had a bit of a headwind. So I stayed aero and just rode. Just before you make the turn onto the east sided of the loop there is a downhill section where I hit 38 mph and had a cross wind. This is the first time I've every felt wind grab my H3 wheel and it was scary as hell. Overall, I felt I rode within myself and I didn't end up in the ambulance or on the side of the road like ALOT of people.

Not ride in an aero helmet and not ride on my flat land wheels(Disc and H3).

Slow transition. The tent was empty when I came through, found a chair. Had to wipe the mud off my feet before I put my shoes and socks on, reapply sunscreen, hit the porta potty and out.

Nothing

The run/walk was fun. My goal was to keep it under 0:15/mile and this would get me home in 14:XX. I got to talk and cut up with several BTer's and random strangers. My feet started hurting at mile 10 and I switch socks at special needs(good idea). Paced myself well and saved up for the home stretch. Hit the carpet, all I could see was bright lights, and it was so loud I didn't hear my name.

Nothing

Got my medal, bag and picture. Volunteer asked if I needed anything and I replied unless you have a cheese burger in you shirt I'm good.( or something like that) Walked back to the Galt house with my dad shower ate half a hamburger and out


My Base. This is really my first organized year of training. I 06 I did two races, 07 I didn't race at all and 08 4 races. I plan on doing Louisville again in 2010, but I feel I could benefit from a few years of training and more racing.


This was a very good race. I plan on doing it again in 2010. If you want an experience do an M-Dot race.