MightyMan Montauk - Triathlon1/2 Ironman

I had no worries about the swim. I knew even though it was my first time at this distance straight, I'd be fine. I knew I was slow, but I've only swam three times since July, so I didn't want tired arms. Came out smiling and fresh. I figured it would be about 45 minutes, so I was right on.

See later

REALLY took my time here. Trouble getting the wetsuit off, took the time to throw on a long sleeved shirt (smart move).

I really didn't care this time around, just wanted to not forget anything.

The plan was to keep my HR around 155, which I did for all but the hills, where I was up to the 170s, spiking at 180. Used the descents to build speed and drop HR right back down. Felt great until about mile 50, when I noticed my legs were losing strength. Went through 1 2/3 bottles of 3 scoop perpetuem and about 3-4 gels. Everything flowed nicely unless I drank with HR over 165, then I would feel it backing up until HR was back down for a minute or two. Tough and hilly, but I really enjoyed the ride. Even in the rain.

At the time, absolutely nothing. A quick look at my logs will show my limited saddle time. This was my first attempt at the distance, and I've only had three rides over thirty miles (32,35,50).

Came in slow, and took my time again. Changed my socks. It seemed like a good idea because they were soaked, but I was about to step out in to torrential downpours. Made no difference. Grabbing a gel flask was key.

My legs were dead. The lack of mileage in my training was patently obvious at this point. I felt like Herman Munster trudging along, they were just wooden.

Lap one messed with my head a bit. I never though of quitting, but I began questioning whether I would try IM or even another HIM. Stupid thoughts out there in the rain. Took in water at the aid stations and hit the gel flask occasionally. I laid off the coke because I didn't know how I would react.

Lap two didn't start well. I walked my longest stretch, about two minutes, then began the 10:30 shuffle. At the first aid station, I started with Coke. Five minutes later, I felt awesome, and took a cup every chance I could get. My legs still said no to the steepest climbs, so I walked them. Other than that I was on autopilot. Me and another guy in my AG kept swapping a lead, but on mile 11 the hills were gone and it was flat or downhill to the finish. I said F it and kicked up the pace, dropped him and never saw him again. Last two miles were around 9:30. I felt better and looser running faster (that's my pace for long runs in training) though I couldn't have done it for very long.

Finished strong, running past my cheering ladies (and mscotthall and his cheering ladies) in to the chute with my arms raised for the finishing photo.

Did I mention it rained?

See later

Walked around Montauk and ate pizza. Packed up and headed home.


Training. My logs show this clearly. Long runs and bikes were very few an far between, and the race was about 8% of my total volume for the year. I signed up for this race later in the season and had little time to build up volume. I should have looked more closely at my schedule and noticed that time would be scarce in the last six weeks before the race. I beat myself up about it in the weeks leading up to the race, all for no reason.

I did the absolute best I could with my training volume. For the first time I ran my own race, not paying attention to what others were doing, and paid all the attention to ME. It worked out great. I finished about where I thought I would should my body hold up on race day. I never pushed myself, just swam, rode, and ran to finish. Keeping my head and racing my race was crucial and I'm VERY happy with the way I did that. Going out fast and chasing faster racers would have doomed me in the end. I didn't and it didn't. It wasn't a fast race, but it was a smart race.






I was very happy with the location, the way the race was run, and the number of volunteers for such a large course.

I can't forget a very special thank you to my three ladies, Kim, Reilly, and Kelsey, who stood out in the downpour to cheer me on.

I will do it again next year. I pushed myself a little too far for my first season, but I'm glad I did. Twelve months (hell, six months ago) I'd have called you crazy if you said I'd be writing this report. With adequate training volume over the next year, I don't think a 5:45 is out of my reach for 2009. Time to get some miles in these legs...