General Discussion Race Reports! » Ironman Arizona Rss Feed  
Moderators: k9car363, alicefoeller Reply

Ironman Arizona - TriathlonFull Ironman


View Member's Race Log View other race reports
Tempe, Arizona
United States
World Triathlon Corporation
50F / 10C
Sunny
Total Time = 10h 40m 57s
Overall Rank = 284/2700
Age Group =
Age Group Rank = 0/
Pre-race routine:

After the practice swim we got our feet up for most of the rest of the day, venturing out only to drop-off our bikes and locate a pasta buffet. Then it was time for bed, lulled to sleep by the sound of the fireworks and play-by-play announcers at the Arizona-Arizona State American football game across the street from our room. Ambien, you can’t beat it.
The alarm went off at 4:15 and it was time for brekkie. Two Ensures, a Danish that might have pre-dated Hamlet, some trail mix and some goldfish. All washed down with Gatorade. About 1,500 calories. I was quite surprised that I managed to squeeze it all in alongside the flight of butterflies that was already cavorting about in my stomach.
After letting it settle for a bit we wandered over to the transition area to load up our bikes with drinks, drop off our “special needs” bags, get our race number written on our arms, suit up and then stand around nervously, looking like penguins on the first day of school. Doubtless some people look good in neoprene, I just didn’t happen to see them.
The pros get a ten minute head start on the rest of us so after the cannon went for them I jumped in, got my face and goggles wet to try to minimise any fogging and gently doggy-paddled under the bridges and towards the start line. I found a nice little spot right in the middle with no one within striking distance and rolled on my back to take in the crowds already forming on the bridge. The National Anthem played and then, just as we were enjoying the relaxing sounds of AC/DC’s “Back in Black”, the cannon sounded for us.
Event warmup:

None, this is an Ironman.
Swim
  • 1h 25m 25s
  • 4224 yards
  • 02m 01s / 100 yards
Comments:

2,700 people swimming in a confined space. The stuff of my nightmares. The first ten or fifteen minutes were a brutal mix of being grabbed and dunked while trying to maintain forward progress and not panic. There wasn’t any point in stopping - there were still literally a thousand people behind me. At one point I noticed that the swimmer next to me had a very unusual action, with his left arm swinging forward very low and wide over the water. “He’s going to hit me in the eye with that if he’s not careful”, I thought, about three strokes before he did. Luckily my goggles stayed on and I veered away, laughing to myself about Mike Tyson’s quote: Everyone’s got a plan until they get punched in the face. Certainly applies to back of the pack Ironman swimmers. All the plans about picking lines and drafting off faster people’s feet and all that goes away and is replaced by simply: keep moving your arms and try to breathe when your mouth is above the water. For some part of the swim I was helped by a lady who was swimming much faster than me but who kept stopping completely every three strokes to sight. This let me catch up and meant that as long as I kept her close by I didn’t need to look into the rising sun at all and could just keep stroking along. I lost her in the pandelerium of one of the turn buoys but kept on course by sighting every six strokes. I inhaled some water, I drank some water and I continued to churn away. I had no idea of time, but it wouldn’t have made a difference if I did, I was just doing what I could. Eventually I made it to the stairs out and as I crossed the timing mat and heard the announcer call my name I did allow myself to think, for the first time, I know I will finish this. Although I still hadn’t seen a clock and didn’t know it at that moment, my swim was five minutes faster than my own best estimate and twenty minutes faster than what I would have accepted. I’m slow by anyone’s standards except my own!
What would you do differently?:

Use flippers. Kidding.
Transition 1
  • 05m 29s
Comments:

I found a stripper to take off my wetsuit, jogged to where my swim-to-bike bag was sitting with its little green ribbon tied to the drawstring, sat on a patch of grass and got to work. Helmet, sunglasses and race number on, socks and shoes on, Gu flask in the back pocket, shove the wetsuit and goggles in the bag, jog to a person applying sunscreen, grab the bike and go. I went nowhere near the dark, sweaty mess of the changing tent.
What would you do differently?:

Give better directions to the sunscreen volunteers perhaps. Otherwise it could hardly have gone smoother.
Bike
  • 5h 32m 26s
  • 112 miles
  • 20.21 mile/hr
Comments:

The weather was cool, rising from about 50 degrees, but some people were dressed as though they were expecting snow. I’ve seen deckhands wearing less on “Deadliest Catch”. Anyway, the route was crowded for the first ten miles or so, which gave me a chance to take in this collection of two-wheeled multi-coloured, multi-layered hobos as well as to settle down, take stock and spin away. My right hip was hurting for some reason, but that’s never happened before, so I ignored it. I let my heart rate fall a bit before I got started on the nutrition. 1,000 calories of perpetuum/accelerade carbohydrate powder in one bottle, water with electrolytes in another and the Gus in my pocket. There was a headwind on the Beeline which had me down to about 14 mph at one point but I kept an eye on my heart rate and used that to limit my effort. Not much point in leaving it all out on the course in the first hour. After I made the turnaround I hit 28 mph with barely any effort as the gradient and wind worked in my favour. The road surface was a dream, like riding on someone’s marble kitchen countertop. I hardly saw any flat tires and no accidents. When the first loop passed in 1:47 I was concerned. My expectation was between 6:00 and 6:30 for the whole thing and I was on track for 5:20-something. And there was still the whole marathon thing to come. But I trusted in my heart rate and hoped that if I kept within 10 or so of my training level then I’d probably be ok. The second lap brought the interesting phenomenon of a headwind in both directions. We had been warned that the prevailing winds in Tempe change direction at some point in the day and indeed they do. I also stopped to get my special needs bag at mile 60: another 1,000 calories of powdery goodness and the chance to lube up the undercarriage, mine rather than the bikes. So lap two was 1:53 and the third, happily with a headwind only in one direction, passed uneventfully in 1:52. I didn’t finish my second bottle so with the Gus I had about 2,100 calories.
What would you do differently?:

Maybe push harder? It was my first Ironman though and was already an hour ahead of expectations...
Transition 2
  • 01m 12s
Comments:

11th overall - my strongest event!
What would you do differently?:

Not much, went very smoothly
Run
  • 3h 36m 26s
  • 26.2 miles
  • 08m 16s  min/mile
Comments:

As I started the run I knew that it was very close to 2pm. My rough goal for the race had been 12 hours, or 7pm, but a four hour marathon now would give me a shot at 11 hours. However the plan for the whole day had been to focus on the next ten or fifteen minutes and to not get caught up in what lay further ahead. The course wasn’t going anywhere, it would wait for me, I didn’t need to send my head off by itself. So I did what I had planned to do, ran to each aid station and walked through them. I felt much better off the bike than I had feared. Riding almost an hour faster than anticipated didn’t appear to have left me crippled, at least at the start. I never looked at my watch during the run, but looking back at the splits I can see that I did the first 10k in about 8 minute pace. Around that point I passed someone who said, “You’re messing with my counting”. What? Turns out Jason was counting the people he was passing and while he kept passing me when I walked the aid stations he then had to uncount me as I passed him back while running. He was a friendly high school maths teacher from Georgia who also coached the cross-country team. For a running partner it doesn’t get much better. He’d also finished a previous Ironman in 12 hours, so he knew his business. Running and chatting with him as he performed complex calculations in base 60 and base 10 the miles ticked off easily. I passed one of my teammates, Brittany, on one of the bridges on my second lap which gave me a huge lift. She was looking strong and executing her plan and on track to an amazing finish. Jason and I continued to walk each aid station where whatever they were selling, I was buying. Coke, Gatorade, pretzels, crisps, ice sponges, water, even a chocolate-chip cookie. I probably put on weight during the run! When it was apparent that barring disaster we would come in well under 11 hours we decided to avoid any such disaster and eased back to mid-8 minute pace before finishing up the last couple of miles in mid-7s with a last quarter-mile dash to the line at 6:45 pace. The stretch to the line was a blur. The sun had set about 15 minutes earlier so the finish line area was a Las Vegas of noise and light amidst the desert darkness. I was in complete disbelief at my time and overwhelmed by reaching the end of a 12 month journey. The volunteers seemed concerned that I was literally speechless as they handed me a medal, wrapped me in a blanket and photographed me. I was totally numb. Even my feet didn’t hurt at that point. I shook hands with Jason, we got a photo together and then I went to find my friends
What would you do differently?:

Perhaps I could have pushed harder, but then perhaps I could have blown up. Again, the fact that it was my first Ironman meant the no.1 priority was to get it done.
Post race
Warm down:

Wandered about in a daze, grinning like an idiot. Felt remarkably good, probably the endorphins, so went and collected my bike and bags. Made it back to the finish to see my team-mate come in. Then a quick nap and then back for the 17 hour Finish Line party. Amazing to see the heroes coming in just under the wire. So dramatic! Linsey, Leander and a few other pros welcoming the finishers home. What a sport!

What limited your ability to perform faster:

My lack of swimming skills, my respect for the distance and for the unknown.

Event comments:

The volunteers were amazing. The 1970s aid station, the cops-and-robbers, the pirates, I actually looked forward to the next lap each time and having my spirits lifted. Brilliant. It all added up to make a dream day.




Last updated: 2011-11-29 12:00 AM
Swimming
01:25:25 | 4224 yards | 02m 01s / 100yards
Age Group: 0/
Overall: 1530/2700
Performance: Good
Suit: Orca
Course: Out and back under two bridges
Start type: Deep Water Plus:
Water temp: 62F / 17C Current: Low
200M Perf. Average Remainder: Average
Breathing: Good Drafting: Average
Waves: Average Navigation: Good
Rounding: Average
T1
Time: 05:29
Performance: Good
Cap removal: Good Helmet on/
Suit off:
Yes
Wetsuit stuck? No Run with bike: Yes
Jump on bike: No
Getting up to speed: Good
Biking
05:32:26 | 112 miles | 20.21 mile/hr
Age Group: 0/
Overall: 516/2700
Performance: Good
Lap 1 - 1:47 Lap 2 - 1:53 Lap 3 - 1:52 Avg HR 160 bpm
Wind: Some
Course: 8 or 9 miles in town, followed by 10 miles up the Beeline Highway, then all the way back same way for one of three loops.
Road: Smooth Dry Cadence: 90
Turns: Good Cornering: Good
Gear changes: Good Hills: Good
Race pace: Comfortable Drinks: Just right
T2
Time: 01:12
Overall: Good
Riding w/ feet on shoes Good
Jumping off bike Good
Running with bike Good
Racking bike Good
Shoe and helmet removal Good
Running
03:36:26 | 26.2 miles | 08m 16s  min/mile
Age Group: 0/
Overall: 158/2700
Performance: Good
Avg HR 161 bpm
Course: 3 loops of a figure of 8. Crossing the lake 12 times. One meaningful hill.
Keeping cool Good Drinking Just right
Post race
Weight change: %
Overall: Good
Mental exertion [1-5] 4
Physical exertion [1-5] 4
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: Good
Race evaluation [1-5] 5

{postbutton}
2011-11-29 7:53 AM

Member
51
2525
Subject: Ironman Arizona


2011-11-29 11:06 AM
in reply to: #3918601

User image

Master
2404
2000100100100100
Redlands, CA
Subject: RE: Ironman Arizona
Very great race and impressive time.  You went sub 11 and there really is no need to second guess yourself.  Great job!
2011-11-29 12:58 PM
in reply to: #3918601

User image

Veteran
784
500100100252525
Subject: RE: Ironman Arizona
Great work. You have to tell me your secret of your T2 time.....1:12 now thats efficent
2011-11-29 1:36 PM
in reply to: #3918960

Member
51
2525
Subject: RE: Ironman Arizona
Thank you! Was so much fun. If I'd known Ironman was so enjoyable I would have started on them a few years earlier!
2011-11-29 1:39 PM
in reply to: #3919128

Member
51
2525
Subject: RE: Ironman Arizona
Jorgito22 - 2011-11-29 1:58 PM

Great work. You have to tell me your secret of your T2 time.....1:12 now thats efficent


Lol, thank you. Was shocked to see I beat most of the pros in T2!
Haha.
No secret really, except don't do anything in transition that you can do while running - strapping on the running watch, putting on the visor, turning the race belt around, putting gus in a pocket etc. I do it all while already shuffling along the run course.
2011-11-29 3:59 PM
in reply to: #3918601

User image

Veteran
259
1001002525
SoCal
Subject: RE: Ironman Arizona
high 10s...that's awesome..great job out there..


2011-11-30 2:04 PM
in reply to: #3918601

User image

Veteran
165
1002525
Parker, CO
Subject: RE: Ironman Arizona
Nice work! Love the Mike Tyson quote!
2011-11-30 4:41 PM
in reply to: #3918601

User image

Master
1529
100050025
Living in the past
Subject: RE: Ironman Arizona

A 'ho hum' 10:4x first shot IM...impressive. Congratulations.

 

2011-11-30 5:33 PM
in reply to: #3918601

User image

Master
2621
2000500100
Almaden Valley, San Jose, California
Subject: RE: Ironman Arizona
Great job!  You are an Ironman!  Loved the rr, too!
2011-12-01 9:53 AM
in reply to: #3920843

Member
51
2525
Subject: RE: Ironman Arizona
3sportthing - 2011-11-30 3:04 PM

Nice work! Love the Mike Tyson quote!


Cheers! It's funny what comes into my brain when I'm racing (and much of the rest of the time too)!
2011-12-01 9:55 AM
in reply to: #3921127

Member
51
2525
Subject: RE: Ironman Arizona
velcromom - 2011-11-30 6:33 PM

Great job!  You are an Ironman!  Loved the rr, too!


Thank you, was such an exciting experience I wanted to get everything down before I start forgetting! Good luck in Boston...


2011-12-09 9:03 AM
in reply to: #3918601

User image

Extreme Veteran
648
50010025
Scottsdale
Subject: RE: Ironman Arizona
Awesome job and great RR!  You must have been on an all-day high every time you noticed your pace was destroying your planned finish time.  Well done!
General Discussion-> Race Reports!
{postbutton}
General Discussion Race Reports! » Ironman Arizona Rss Feed