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Ironman Arizona - TriathlonFull Ironman


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Tempe, Arizona
United States
Ironman North America
95F / 35C
Sunny
Total Time = 13h 46m 58s
Overall Rank = 917/2037
Age Group = 35-39
Age Group Rank = 184/353
Pre-race routine:

I've been doing sprints for a few years. I think most sprinters fantasize about the Ironman. I used to go to IM sites and click Entry just for fun. I always got the "Race Full" page. Last April, I got the "Enter you Name" page. Realizing that it was open I freaked out and exited the site. I though about it for a few minutes and figured This might be my only chance, so I went back and signed up. I had never done anything longer than a sprint figuring that if I had done a 1/2 IM. I might hurt so much, I'd never try a full IM..... To the morning of...

Up at 3:30! I had done a pretty good job of being ready so I was able to relax a bit. My Brothers and I drove down to the site, Got my bottles on my bike, got numbered, said some prayers and set out to find my training buddies. I find Brandon and his girlfriend. We chat a bit, then zip up and head to the water
Event warmup:

I jump in and swim along the edge thinking that most of the people will be in the middle and by the bouys. Then I noticed all the people sitting on the wall. I guess it will be busy on the edge. I stay there though because It will help me stay straight.
Swim
  • 1h 16m 22s
  • 4224 yards
  • 01m 49s / 100 yards
Comments:

Pretty Crazy for a while. Caught a bad elbow in my calf (Charlie Horse) and kicked in the nose, but it stopped bleeding by the end of the swim. Went out at an easy pace and maintained that pace, trying to conserve for the rest of it.
What would you do differently?:

Be better mentally prepared for being climbed over, I stopped and tried to find clear areas too much, it slowed me down
Transition 1
  • 06m 40s
Comments:

Great Volunteers! Felt Pretty good, wish there was less grass, but other wise things went well
What would you do differently?:

I have a 3" stip of thigh that got missed with the suntan lotion ( 2nd degree burn) - I would have made sure I got covered better. Oh well
That and worn my bike jersey under my wet suit probably
Bike
  • 6h 08m 44s
  • 112 miles
  • 18.22 mile/hr
Comments:

Felt ready to go! Had to pull back a few times in fear of going to hard. Wind in the face going up hill (not terribly steep) Flew downhill with the wind. Hit 32mpr. Felt Pretty good all day, escept for the last 10 miles, My feet really started to hurt. Passed about 400 people. I think Bolton and I passed each other 100 times, We joked that we have the record for most times passing each other. Aide stations were great. Wish the water was colder at some of them, but the people were awesome.
I dumped water/gatorade going up hill (tried to get light) and loaded up at the top.
What would you do differently?:

Wiun the Lottery and buy a better bike???
Not much really, except carry less water/gatorade to start. I had 4 bottles. With the aide stations, really ony needed maybe 2.
Transition 2
  • 06m 40s
Comments:

Sopped to use the facilities.
Great Volunteer, helping me with my bag/clothes.
If not the bathroom stop, I would have had a pretty good time
What would you do differently?:

Peed once more on the bike before T2...maybe
Run
  • 6h 08m 32s
  • 26.2 miles
  • 14m 04s  min/mile
Comments:

Found out 3 weeks before the race I have a torn ACL, so I knew I would walk a bunch. Got my first blister at mile 2. I was prepared with safety pins in my hat. Popped it and went on. Speed walked/shuffled/ran. Stopped 2 more times to pop blisters. By the beginning of the 3rd lap, I had too many to count and thought if I sat down to pop more, I might not get back up. I had run about 1/2 way to this point and looking at the time, figured if I hurried, I could break 14 hours (my 2nd goal, after finishing)
Ran the last lap, other than the blisters, felt pretty good.
The last 70 yards was amazing!!! All the people, the lights! Awesome
What would you do differently?:

Figure out how to not get blisters!
Post race
Warm down:

Pictures, hugs, Awesome!
Signed up for a massage, grabbed a piece of pizza (big mistake - almost lost it)
A great Volunteer walked me to the shirt/medal person, then to pictures - more awesome volunteers!]

Lost about 12 pounds

What limited your ability to perform faster:

Blisters was the biggest problem. Otherwise, just experience in an Ironman. If (When) I run the next one, I will be better prepared experience wise.

Event comments:

Great Volunteers - Have I mentioned that???
Over all an Incredible experience! Life changing!
I think anyone can do this if they prepare and believe!
I think I'll come back in Nov and Volunteer.





Last updated: 2008-04-18 12:00 AM
Swimming
01:16:22 | 4224 yards | 01m 49s / 100yards
Age Group: 204/353
Overall: 1049/2037
Performance: Average
Suit: QR Full
Course: Dammed off river. 1 loop. Pretty much a long out and back.
Start type: Deep Water Plus:
Water temp: 65F / 18C Current: Low
200M Perf. Below average Remainder: Average
Breathing: Average Drafting: Below average
Waves: Navigation: Below average
Rounding: Good
T1
Time: 06:40
Performance: Good
Cap removal: Average Helmet on/
Suit off:
Wetsuit stuck? Run with bike: Yes
Jump on bike: Yes
Getting up to speed: Good
Biking
06:08:44 | 112 miles | 18.22 mile/hr
Age Group: 143/353
Overall: 609/2037
Performance: Good
Wind: Headwind with gusts
Course: 3 Loops, Head wind going up hill, tailwind going down
Road: Smooth Dry Cadence:
Turns: Good Cornering: Good
Gear changes: Hills: Good
Race pace: Comfortable Drinks: Just right
T2
Time: 06:40
Overall: Average
Riding w/ feet on shoes
Jumping off bike
Running with bike
Racking bike
Shoe and helmet removal
Running
06:08:32 | 26.2 miles | 14m 04s  min/mile
Age Group: 239/353
Overall: 1273/2037
Performance: Bad
Course: 3 loops, a little confusing distance wise.
Keeping cool Good Drinking Just right
Post race
Weight change: %6
Overall: Good
Mental exertion [1-5] 5
Physical exertion [1-5] 3
Good race? Yes
Evaluation
Course challenge Just right
Organized? Yes
Events on-time? Yes
Lots of volunteers? Yes
Plenty of drinks? Yes
Post race activities: Average
Race evaluation [1-5] 5

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2008-04-18 10:34 AM

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New user
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Subject: Ironman Arizona


2008-04-18 10:37 AM
in reply to: #1346985

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Champion
10471
500050001001001001002525
Dallas, TX
Subject: RE: Ironman Arizona
WOW! Amazing time even with an injury! Great job!

Congratulations on becoming and Ironman!
2008-04-18 10:53 AM
in reply to: #1346985

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Expert
927
50010010010010025
Longview, TX
Subject: RE: Ironman Arizona

Steve!  Of course I remember you!  How could I not?  We only set the record for the most passes in an Ironman!

Everytime you passed me, I thought to myself that I'm going to pass him again and the next time it's for good.  I'd make the pass.  And it wouldn't be long before you would cruise right along again!  Good times!

Great race!  I can't believe you did that with a torn ACL.  Man, you're superhuman!  Congrats, and it was a pleasure racing with you.

2008-04-18 10:59 AM
in reply to: #1346985

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Champion
7546
5000200050025
Santa Cruz, California
Subject: RE: Ironman Arizona

Nice job Steve....I was there as support...and can only say...you are a triple IRONMAN! how you all were able to finish in those conditions is besides me! my goodness...I was exhausted from cheering in the shade! CONGRATS!!!!

as for blisters...I saw all the athletes taking thier shoes off and applying glide...my brother did this and had not one blister....not sure if that is why...but I know that if I do a long endurance race I will be using that tactic!

Congrats again...Ironman Steve!!!

2008-04-18 11:26 AM
in reply to: #1346985

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Master
2314
2000100100100
Gulf Shores, AL
Subject: RE: Ironman Arizona
Very solid well executed race and a good report to boot. Congrats Ironman.
2008-04-18 11:30 AM
in reply to: #1346985

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Elite
3519
20001000500
San Jose, CA
Subject: RE: Ironman Arizona
great job!


2008-04-18 11:57 AM
in reply to: #1346985

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Expert
839
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Portland, OR
Subject: RE: Ironman Arizona
Awesome job and what a great story about how you signed up
2008-04-18 2:54 PM
in reply to: #1346985

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Regular
73
2525
Raleigh, NC
Subject: RE: Ironman Arizona
Nice job out there - injury too...(Crazy! )
Congrats Ironman!!!
2008-04-18 10:46 PM
in reply to: #1346985

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Veteran
114
100
Toronto
Subject: RE: Ironman Arizona
Great job!!!! Congradulations! As for the blister solution.....I caked the inside of my socks with body glide because my feet usually get pretty torn up too, but with body glide, I had absolutely no problems. Not 1 blister. Amazing stuff!
2008-04-20 6:56 AM
in reply to: #1346985

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Member
48
25
Prosper, TX
Subject: RE: Ironman Arizona
Great race and thanks for a great report. Congrats!!
2008-04-20 8:11 PM
in reply to: #1346985

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Master
2381
2000100100100252525
Frisco, Texas
Subject: RE: Ironman Arizona

Congratulations, Ironman.

TJ



2008-04-22 9:37 AM
in reply to: #1346985

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Expert
919
500100100100100
Subject: RE: Ironman Arizona
way to go ironman
2008-04-24 12:26 PM
in reply to: #1346985

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Expert
902
500100100100100
Wylie, TX
Subject: RE: Ironman Arizona
Holy Smokes! You did an Ironman while a torn ACL. Nobody deserves the IRONMAN title more than you.
2008-04-25 8:35 AM
in reply to: #1346985

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Expert
919
500100100100100
Subject: RE: Ironman Arizona
congrats ironman
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