Ironman Arizona - TriathlonFull Ironman

Started towards the front and just left of center. Used tried-and-true anti-fog (saliva), but somehow goggles fogged up instantly -- maybe the cold? Crowded for the first half-mile, impossible to get into a rhythm. Lots of bumping, mostly polite. It didn't help that I couldn't see hardly at all. Started to have some leg cramping early on. After the first half mile, was able to actually swim, but only for maybe a minute at a time. I was swimming pretty hard, often breathing every two strokes. After rounding the corner, ended up to the right and it was not crowded. I was able to really stretch out and get into a rhythm. Then full-on calf and hamstring cramp making me stop and stretch while trying not to drown. That, plus not being able to see was frustrating. Actually raised my goggles to make sure I was where I thought I was (I've never done that before). Was still able to swim strong for a good part of the return -- felt strong, and like my stroke was stretched out well. Also, bothersome sloshing in my right ear -- suspected I lost my earplug, which I did.

Definitely need to try more electrolytes before the race. And must figure out what the deal is with the goggles fogging up. Starting more to the left (like my coach suggested) may have been better although there were a lot of folks over there too, and kayaks, etc. Make sure ear plugs are well covered by swim cap. Rating the swim Good because my improved swimming in general paid off and the time was in my target range (barely). Although with this insight, could have taken off 5 to 10 minutes.

COLD! Saw two guys rip a wetsuit off of a guy and went straight over to them -- they were awesome -- wetsuit off in 1 second flat! Too excited to walk -- jogged to bag area. Put my shoes on outside the tent -- plenty of light. Shivering made it hard to get my shoes on. After putting my wetsuit and towel back in the bag, realized I didn't have my sun glasses and dumped it all back out -- no glasses! Thought I would have to ride without. Then when I got to the bike, saw the glasses fall off the handlebars -- I sat them there and forgot! Never saw the sunscreen.

Wasted time stuffing my wet suit all the way back in the bag. If I ever forget my driving sun glasses, then just do without the day before -- i.e. put the race glasses in T1 bag the previous day! Bypassing the tent is why I didn't see the sun screen -- wasted a little time looking for it.

Stuck to nutrition and pace plan. Two bottles of triple strength Gu2O and two Odwallas. Made up for a little lost time on the first lap and was back on schedule. Sandbagged in general, especially lap 2. Was happy the winds were not cross -- made for a little slower gradual climb, but a very fun, and fast (31 mph) ride for the first 15 or so minutes of the ride back. And for-fear-of-marathon, pretty much held back on lap 3 also. Held the urge to pee until I stopped for the special needs bag. Here, I took the first endurolytes. Was still feeling some twinging in my hamstrings. Endurolytes helped as usual. Took more on the 3rd lap. Overall uneventful, solid bike. The volunteers doing water handups were awesome -- barely had to slow down.

Spilled some endurolytes. Need better dispensing than the plastic baggies -- had one squirley moment on the bike going 30 mph and trying to take them -- dangerous combo.

Tent was steamy. Used albuterol inhaler -- good call. Felt some chaffing on my right shoulder, went back to find vaseline. Got some sun screen. Then... the first signs of trouble... had to go to the bathroom, and not just pee -- stomach melt down.

Not too bad for first IM transitions -- a little more complex than the regular garden-variety tri.

Well, the moment of truth, did I have legs for the marathon. After a couple of hundred yards I was encouraged. Holding back on the bike made a difference. I felt at least as strong as any half, maybe stronger. Settled into a conservative pace. Walking the rest stops and the hills. Had to keep taking endurolytes -- probably 25 in all -- as I could feel some cramping lurking. I ate oranges mostly. But my stomach was having problems -- for the first 18 miles, I had to make a "full" bathroom stop four more times -- my pace took a hit. But I was happy to still be running (i.e. not walking). I decided to stop eating solid food. Switched to chicken broth and water and some clif-bloks with caffeine about mile 15, then coke and water, then two-fisted coke from mile 21 to the end. The last 9 miles, I had no trouble with my stomach. And felt strong -- the sun going down, calm stomach, coke, and not going too hard earlier really paid off. The pace for the last 10k was 10:15/mi. I think I had a negative split on the marathon -- I would have never predicted that. The biggest challenge for the last 6 miles was that my quads progressively hurt more and more -- like they were ripping. Getting myself back to running again after each stop for coke hurt more and more. But it was much preferred to the general feeling of just not being able to keep going that we've all felt before. Other than the pain, I felt strong to the finish.

I was determined not to get into a calorie deficit, and was eating solid food (odwallas) and other calories as I did in training. It paid off in that I never bonked, but my stomach was another story. I think this is the catch-22 so many IM athletes struggle with. That said, I think I could change what I eat -- and get fewer calories from solid food, and do better. Also, there's no guarantee that my fueling approach was the cause of the bathroom problem -- it is the first time it's ever happened.

Went to the med tent to talk about possible dehydration. But I was fine and was able to go straight to the IM store and buy the stuff I had picked out the day before. But after about an hour, felt flu-like symptoms. Was finally able to eat something about 10:30. I felt like a patient post-surgery until the next morning. Amazing.


Cramping in the water and fear of cramping later. And the stomach problems. Those are the biggies.


Awesome experience. Finished (primary goal). Didn't walk on the marathon except water stops and hills (secondary goal). And beat 13 hours (tertiary goal). Probably would have met my stretch goal of 12:30 if not for the cramp and stomach problems. For my first -- and probably only -- full Ironman, I couldn't be happier.