Oklahoma City Redman Triathlon - Full Redman - TriathlonFull Ironman

For how few swimmers there were the start sure seemed crowded and I was bumped quite a bit. That was no biggie though, I fell into my rhythm and drafted a bit on the first lap. After I came back around I stood up for a few seconds got my bearings again, realized I swam the first lap pretty fast (attributed to drafting and adrenalin) and then began my second lap. Halfway through the second lap I started to get a little cold. Other than that I grinded out the last little bit and was happy to get out of the water and get my wetsuit stripped.

This went smooth, I realized that I had a bit of chafing near the armpit, must have missed a spot with the BodyGlide. Got my socks and shoes on, sprayed down with sunscreen (awesome volunteers with personal service) ran over to my bike. Slung my helmet on, had a bit of trouble with bike gloves because my hands were wet, shivvering quite a bit at this point (not warm outside yet). Got onto the bike and away I went.

If I got picky it could have been a minute faster or so, but for my first iron-distance I had to make sure I was doing everything before I left.

I went out with a low heartrate and ver cold for the first 4 miles or so. The course is mostly rolling hills, there is seldom a flat spot. I stuck to my plan on the bike eating a gel or drinking gatorade every 20 mins. With the gel I tried to take 8oz. water. I stopped at the first aid station to go to the bathroom. Hopped on the bike and was off again. Made the first lap faster than anticipated(mistake) and paid for it on the second lap with dead legs. I got the the same aid station I stopped at the first time and a nice young lady grabbed my bottles off my bike and refilled them while I was in the portapotty. ALL volunteers went out of their way for the athletes. Once I made the last turnaround with 28 miles to go the wind picked up, I already had dead legs, and everything seemed uphill. Anyways I managed to struggle through the end of the bike and get into transition with a respectable time.

Space out my efforts on the hills, I felt so good at the beginning I got wreckless, I also let my heartrate get over 150 at least once that I noticed. I didnt really keep the heartrate in check like I should have, I wanted to keep it below 140, but it was above most of the time.

A bit of a blur but I racked my bike, ran into the tent changed socks, threw on my visor, sunglasses, race belt, shoes and sunscreen then off.

Nothing

My run was decent until the halfway turnaround. I had a great time ont he first half. It was hotter than I was used to outside and I was tired and the water and gatorade tasted so good, I think I drank way too much. This caught up with my after the start of my second lap and I began to walk. I faced dark times during the walk, but once I came to terms with the fact that I was sick and I was not quitting, my spirits came around and I began to run short distances and walk long ones. I was encouraged by a young boy who made his own aid station at Louie's on the Lake (i think the name was). He had sponges and water and was very encouraging. He saw me walking and told me that "this is not easy its and ironman" He then went on to explain to me that I in fact could run, he began running alongside me and I felt like I had to run and he began saying "I think I can, I think I can, I think I can". This boy will go far in life with that attitude which his parents taught him. Every little eighth of a mile I could run I would try to. I made it to the halfway point of the second lap right around the time it was getting dark. Ok last 6.5 miles in the dark. The friendly crew came around in golf carts and gave us glowsticks. They didnt serve much of a purpose other than to let the aid station see that there was a person coming. The aid stations got even more enthusiastic after dark. They were like half tailgate half aid station. After going through the long walking period with little running and lots of stomach sickness, I began to feel a little better. I got to the football aid station that had a football field made from sidewalk chalk and decided to have a hot dog and a coke (yes during a race!!). The gal in the Tennessee shirt was awesome getting me whatever I wanted, She saw me fumble a few steps away with a napkin she gave me for the hot dog and told me "just drop it" knowing I was exhausted and could ill afford to turn back around and hand it to her. Small things like that at the aid stations they were just really encouraging. AFter the hot dog and coke, a few good belches signified my stomach was back in the race. As I ate my hot dog a man jogged past me and asked how I was doing, I said great, but I can't believe I'm eating a hot dog. I managed to pull my body together and run decent miles in the last 4-5 miles actually moving pretty fast for the end of the race. I could see and hear the finish and I began to run at what felt like the speed of light. I was running to fast down the carpet my family didnt get a chance to get a picture. I later feltbad about that and wished I could have slowed down to savor the moment. First Iron-distance race, but my goal had become to finish under 14 hours. At some point in the race I had stopped my watch on accident and lost 4 or so minutes so I didnt know exactly where I was timewise. I was focused on finishing and didnt realize that it wasn't as close as I thought. I blew through the finish and felt great.

Drink much less, but I'll chalk that mistake up to the first-timer syndrome and learn from it. I was just tired and confused by how hot it was and the fact that I couldnt get my heartrate down so I drank a lot.

I came across the finish line and my family was there. It was great to see them, My mom was amazed that I finished and was still alive and walking. The gentleman who passed me while I was eating the hot dog (whom I later passed before the finish when I was feeling better) came over and congratulated me and told me how much fun he had and we shared some small talk. I had some grapes and water and moved on to the massage tent. I had Rocky give me a massage and learned that he was sort of an ironman massage specialist, he had done massage tent at 7 or 8 this year, and the same for years passed. I got his card and vowed to keep an eye out for him at future events.


My overzealousness with the drinks on the run. I was taking water and gatorade at each station and drinking the whole glass of each.


This was a great race that I would recommend to anybody, especially first time iron-distance athletes, and those who are looking for a smaller more intimate iron-distance race. There was a lot of personal attention at aid stations, many stations had 15-20 people there to help while only one or 2 runners were going by. This translated into at least 4 people at each aid station to help gather things for you. The workers walked out 50 yards to ask what you want, then yell back to the aid station and they would gather it by the time you got there. Everybody was really nice and I look forward to coming back to this race in the future!!