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Ironman Florida - TriathlonFull Ironman


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Panama City Beach, FL
United States
IMNA
82F / 28C
Sunny
Total Time = 13h 38m 45s
Overall Rank = 1402/2058
Age Group = M25-29
Age Group Rank = 89/122
Pre-race routine:

Woke at 3:45am, immediately took some 1 1/2 doses of Tylenol Allergy and Sinus to kill my fever and runny nose. Downed a double espresso shot, banana, bagel, and an Ensure. Got dressed, packed up my bags, and left for the race site.
Event warmup:

None... I'm going out to exercise for 13+ hours!
Swim
  • 1h 07m 20s
  • 3862 meters
  • 01m 44s / 100 meters
Comments:

WOW! It was like being in some hellish scene from a ship sinking. The cannon sounded and 2000+ people bolted for the water. It was impossible not to draft because there was nothing but people everywhere. The chop and waves were way up from the previous two days I went swimming. I was surprised at how many of the people in the water couldn't swim a straight line! First loop was chaotic until 1/2 way down the back stretch when all the slower swimmers had been passed and pace groups formed. Hit the beach, swigged some fresh water to wash out my mouth, and then took off for lap two. Kept an easy pace and was ready for the bike.
What would you do differently?:

Get closer to the front and not have to swim over so many people, and be more aggressive to make some space.
Transition 1
  • 06m 3s
Comments:

Easiest transition ever. People strip off your wetsuit for you, someone helps you change clothes, and direct you to your rack point. It felt like I was in the change tent forever, but only 6min ain't bad.
What would you do differently?:

Nothing.
Bike
  • 5h 48m 32s
  • 112 miles
  • 19.28 mile/hr
What would you do differently?:

Not eat that GU
Transition 2
  • 05m 29s
Comments:

Someone takes the bike for you and racks it. Again someone helped me change and off I went.
Run
  • 6h 31m 23s
  • 26.2 miles
  • 14m 56s  min/mile
Comments:

Eating that GU finally came to full fruition on the run. I couldn't digest anything I had eaten or drank in the last 20mi of the bike. I had terrible stomach cramps and lots of gas. Everytime I started to run I could hear everything sloshing around in my stomach and upper intestine. I could only manage 3min running and 2min walking on the first loop. I stopped at every bathroom on the first loop and drank barely enough to keep me upright. Luis caught me at the turnaround for loop two and my stomach finally began to settle enough where I could handle cola, water, gatorade, and chicken broth. Luis got me going at 5min on 2min off. We hit the turnaround with 6.2mi left and all the meds I had been taking wore-off and the pain was too much, I had to walk. So Luis took-off and I was back to walking. I ran the last 2mi just to feel like I did some running of the marathon. Of the 26.2mi, I ran maybe 8 of them and walked the rest. This was grueling and awful.
What would you do differently?:

Not down that GU on the bike and take another dose of the Tylenol Allergy and Sinus that kept me going all day.
Post race
Warm down:

I immediately hit the med tent because I was in bad shape. They didn't give me an IV because I hadn't been running and wasn't dehydrated. They did give me some darvoset for the pain though and I felt MUCH BETTER! Escorted off for a massage to work on my left hamstring which is pulled.

What limited your ability to perform faster:

That FU*KING chocolate/orange GU which should have been a banana! Damn.

Event comments:

This is probably my first and last Ironman. The feeling of accomplishment just doesn't match-up with all the money, stress, and pain that goes into finishing. I'd rather focus on getting faster at Olys.




Last updated: 2004-12-09 12:00 AM
Swimming
01:07:20 | 3862 meters | 01m 44s / 100meters
Age Group: 53/122
Overall: 514/2058
Performance: Good
Suit: Xterra sleeveless
Course: two loop swim: out of the water onto the beach, then back for loop two
Start type: Run Plus: Shot
Water temp: 70F / 21C Current: High
200M Perf. Good Remainder: Good
Breathing: Good Drafting: Good
Waves: Good Navigation: Good
Rounding: Good
T1
Time: 06:03
Performance: Good
Cap removal: Good Helmet on/
Suit off:
Yes
Wetsuit stuck? No Run with bike: Yes
Jump on bike: Yes
Getting up to speed: Good
Biking
05:48:32 | 112 miles | 19.28 mile/hr
Age Group: 57/122
Overall: 789/2058
Performance: Good
The bike went great. I didn't chase all the jackrabbits in the first 40mi and I did see all of them again later in the bike. The heavy wind didn't bother me one bit. The entire stretch of the bike course heading east and south had a headwind. I kept myself at the exertion level needed to finish strong and kept getting in calories every 5min. The last 12mi took me 45min! The wind was so strong the group I was with could only manage 16mph tops. On Beach Front Rd. the wind was pushing me out into the road. I made one fatal mistake though... At mile 60 I took a GU by accident from a volunteer (I wanted a banana) and downed it anyway. Oops. GU doesn't mix well with infinIT and my gut seized up and I got gasy at mile 90. More on this in the run section.
Wind: Strong with gusts
Course: check the webpage
Road: Rough Dry Cadence: 92
Turns: Good Cornering: Good
Gear changes: Good Hills: Good
Race pace: Comfortable Drinks: Just right
T2
Time: 05:29
Overall: Good
Riding w/ feet on shoes
Jumping off bike
Running with bike
Racking bike
Shoe and helmet removal
Running
06:31:23 | 26.2 miles | 14m 56s  min/mile
Age Group: 105/122
Overall: 1774/2058
Performance: Bad
Course: two loop run
Keeping cool Average Drinking Not enough
Post race
Weight change: %?
Overall: Good
Mental exertion [1-5] 5
Physical exertion [1-5] 5
Good race? No
Evaluation
Course challenge Just right
Organized? Yes
Events on-time? Yes
Lots of volunteers? Yes
Plenty of drinks? Yes
Post race activities: Good
Race evaluation [1-5] 5

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2005-11-06 8:24 AM

Subject: ...
This user's post has been ignored.


2005-11-06 8:55 AM
in reply to: #279021

Champion
7704
50002000500100100
Williamston, Michigan
Subject: RE: Ironman Florida
CONGRATULATIONS!!!! You are an ironman!!  You totally rocked the swim and bike a perserved thru bad probalems on the run.....orange and chocoalte gu does suck....I hope you are feeling better today!!! 
2005-11-06 9:52 AM
in reply to: #279021

Master
1397
1000100100100252525
Granvile, Ohio
Subject: RE: Ironman Florida
Way to hang tough and get through the race.  May not have been the best of days, but you persevered and made it through.  Great job Ironman!
2005-11-06 2:00 PM
in reply to: #279021

Champion
8903
500020001000500100100100100
Subject: RE: Ironman Florida
Congrats on becoming an Ironman! The race is a combination of all the training and nutrition and hydration you do all year long, but something on race day can still come up and grab you. The true champions are the ones that get through that and finish anyway. There is no BAD finish to an Ironman race. Call yourself an Ironman for the rest of your life...you deserve it!

2005-11-06 3:08 PM
in reply to: #279021

Extreme Veteran
402
100100100100
CT
Subject: RE: Ironman Florida
Congrats on becoming an Ironman. You rocked that bike. Enjoy!

Edited by hdhtri 2005-11-06 3:08 PM
2005-11-06 3:24 PM
in reply to: #279021

Champion
5850
50005001001001002525
Michigan
Subject: RE: Ironman Florida
nice, very nice.


2005-11-06 4:19 PM
in reply to: #279021

Champion
19812
50005000500020002000500100100100
MA
Subject: RE: Ironman Florida

Congrats Ironman!

You were smoking in the swim and bike. Bummer about the gu that did your gut in. Way to stick with it and finish!

2005-11-06 6:06 PM
in reply to: #279021

Expert
615
500100
Littleton, CO
Subject: RE: Ironman Florida

Ken,
Great to hang with you this weekend!  That was a long freakin run - and I can only imagine how much harder it was for you!  Great job IRONMAN
BTW you have to admit, it was fun to hook up with the BT crew!

2005-11-06 7:28 PM
in reply to: #279021

Master
1901
1000500100100100100
Central, IL
Subject: RE: Ironman Florida
Great job Ironman!  Thanks for the report!  Just AWESOME!!!!
2005-11-06 9:02 PM
in reply to: #279021

Extreme Veteran
557
5002525
Subject: RE: Ironman Florida
Ken, great job!!  It was so nice to meet you!  I'm sure that it was that great job the body markers did that got you through the race not all those hours of training!   Really, I know that you started the race feeling bad...great way to hang tough and finish strong!
2005-11-07 9:04 AM
in reply to: #279021

Buttercup
14334
500050002000200010010010025
Subject: RE: Ironman Florida

Ken, it was great to meet you. Congrats on persevering despite your GI issues!

IiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiroooooooooooooooooonMaaaaaaaaaaaan!



2005-11-07 10:32 AM
in reply to: #279021

Expert
1180
1000100252525
Iowa
Subject: RE: Ironman Florida
Congratulations Ironman!
2005-11-07 12:30 PM
in reply to: #279021

Expert
798
500100100252525
Potomac, Maryland
Subject: RE: Ironman Florida
Congratulations Ironman.  That was quite a race, and that you overcame so much in the marathon shows real determination.  Whether you do another Ironman or not, it's a unique feather to have in your cap. 
2005-11-07 2:07 PM
in reply to: #279021

Member
17

Pensacola, FL
Subject: RE: Ironman Florida

Congrats! I feel your pain... or felt something like it. (see race report).

I also share your sentiments about working on shorter distances.

But ya gotta admit, it does feel good to be an IRONMAN!

2005-11-07 3:36 PM
in reply to: #279021

Kodiak, Alaska
Subject: RE: Ironman Florida
All the comments are correct--you are an IRONMAN now--way to go... Hanging in there when it is tough is hard but, wow, think of your accomplishment! AWESOME.
2005-11-07 9:01 PM
in reply to: #279021

Pro
3705
20001000500100100
Vestavia Hills
Subject: RE: Ironman Florida
Someday soon they will invent goo that will not give you the runs on the run ... and we will all look back and say "I cannot believe I ate that fortified cod liver oil ."

Congrats on working through the GI issues to earn your Ironman!



2005-11-07 10:12 PM
in reply to: #279021

Master
2447
200010010010010025
Marietta, Ga
Subject: RE: Ironman Florida

I switched away from GU a few months ago when another BT'r turned me onto Crank e-gels.  They're awesome and didn't make me sick.  Only problem is you have to carry your supply with you on the bike and run.

Congrats on finishing the race.  I hope that, over time, you'll realize just what an incredible accomplishment it was to finish this race.  The bike was tough with all the wind.  You perservered and finished.

Again, congratulations on your achievement of Ironman status!

2005-11-08 9:58 AM
in reply to: #279021

Expert
916
500100100100100
San mateo California
Subject: RE: Ironman Florida
Hey Ken...  hope you made home all right....   my plane sat on the runway for 45 minutes or so....  but I made it home.... 

Thanks for a wonderfull weekend my friend...   It was awsome, my ironman experience was better cuz we hanged out together...   Great stuff..

I am still hungry....  are you?

cheers
2005-11-09 9:44 AM
in reply to: #279021

Pro
4228
2000200010010025
Broomfield, Colorado
Subject: RE: Ironman Florida
Damn Gu's.....still, you had an awesome race!  That was one speedy 112 mile bike!
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