This was my first Ironman after many years of Olympic and sprint distances, a couple of half’s and more recently 2 marathons a year.
Pre-Race
We arrived in Louisville late on the Tuesday after spending 4 extra hours on a detour through rural Ohio after the flooding had shut down a 20 mile section of I75. All in all from Toronto is made for a 10 hour trip into a 14 hour ordeal. We arrived in the middle of a blistering heat wave, it was over 100 the day we arrived and the temperature would rise each afternoon to the same level, as well it was very humid. On Wednesday morning we did a tour of the bike route, I didn’t think it was too bad and was expecting bigger hills after reading all the postings from people that had ridden the course. There didn’t seem to e anything steeper that 6% or so although there were a couple of longer climbs, like on the Highway 1694 out and back. Lot’s of rollers and it would definitely be a bit of a grind on the second loop through LaGrange. Wednesday afternoon I went for a 30 minute run and the word that described the condition best is steamy. It was hot and I was sweating plenty. It took me a good hour in the air con to get cooled off.
Thursday morning we went down to the practice swim and watched as the first 50 or so people entered the water and immediately began to float with the current down the river! It seemed to be quite an effort for many of them just to swim back to where they had entered the water. The river was warm, 84 degrees about and not as polluted as I thought it would be, although there was lot’s of wood of various shapes and sizes floating along. I heard one guy say that he thought he saw a telephone pole! Most people were swimming without wetsuits as it was almost certain to be a non wetsuit race. I got in the water and decided to swim up to the buoy they had placed near the first bridge. The current was there, but the closer we got to the buoy, the stronger the current. I was swimming with 2 other guys and the closer we got to the buoy the stronger the current. It was a real effort to get around it from 10 feet away. We sailed back in literally 5 minutes after taking 20 minutes to get up there. I overshot the exit and had to swim against the current to get back to the stairs.
I registered early, on Thursday, it was very organized and the volunteer explained everything in detail. I was out of there in 15 minutes. Thursday afternoon I went out and ride the 1694 out and back section. Again it was hot, hot, hot. It is a flat followed by a long downhill and then a long climb to the turnaround. There was a few other riders out as well. On Friday I did another 30 minute run, trying to get accustomed to being in the oven like conditions.
Saturday I packed up all the transition bags and took the bike down to check in. Again the volunteers were great and each entering athlete was paired up with a volunteer to assist them in getting the bike racked and the bags stowed away properly. Had a good look at the transition layout.
Race Morning
Sunday morning I woke up at 4:30 and had a breakfast of Vector cereal, a couple of bananas and a bottle of Gatorade. We left for the race at 5:15 and it was already bustling when we arrived. Quickly filled the water bottles on the bike and installed the gels, checked the tires and off to the swim start.
Swim (1:1:46) Position 860
We had to walk down to the revised swim start after the swim was changed due to the current. It took about 20 mins to walk down. It was very quiet and dark and there was a long line of people making their way down. Quickly checked all remaining clothes, made sure I had my goggles and ear plugs and joined the line up for the swim start. As you can imagine it was a long line of approx 2000 people. I was in line by about 5:50am and soon everyone started sitting down to wait for the start. About 6:50 the pro’s stated and soon the lime began to move. Eventually, by about 7:20 we got up to the front. The start was in a marina and one of the local boat owners was shaking everyone’s hand and wishing us good luck, he told us that if we decide to pack it in right away, his boat was the 5th one down and to swim over for a beer! I crossed over the timing mat and heard, go, go, go. I jumped in the water and started swimming. We swam initially in the channel between Towhead Island and the mainland. The water felt warm and there didn’t seem to be much of a current. I was assuming that we were going to just round the top of the island before heading home, but I was wrong on that one. Should have paid more attention to the course layout, we had to swim quite a way further up river before finally turning for home. It took me 30 minutes to make it to the turn. The swim back was good, the current was there, but nowhere near the strength it was on Thursday. I felt good on the swim, body roll from side to side was good, breathing was under control and I felt I stayed very aerobic throughout. It was a beautiful site to finally see the exit and then the waiting volunteers with outstretched hands to help us up the stairs and out of the water.
T1
It was a bit of a hike to the transition, but a volunteer was already waiting for me with my T1 bag when I arrived. Quickly changed into tri shorts and top for the bike and headed off.
Bike (6:58:32) Position 1204
They bike went well for me. I was slowed down by over-hydrating and having to stop and pee 4 times! I find it difficult to stay in the aero position with a full tank and so paid the time price. Volunteers were great, each time I stopped someone was there in a second asking how they could help, they actually held my bike and re-fuelled me with fresh water and Gatorade bottles while I was in the porta. Talk about valet service, outstanding! The next challenge came along just pat the 100mi marker. The hills were done and I was really looking forward to the downhill/flat last stretch back to the transition area. About a minute after coming onto fresh black pavement my rear tire blew out, Problem #1. The pavement was clear and brand new so I can only attribute it to the increase in pressure due to the increase in temperature in the fresh pavement? OK, no problem, I can change a flat with the best. Had the wheel off, tube out and new one in in no time. I used a CO2 cartridge to re-inflate it and I decided to just top it off a bit more and blew the new tube. Problem #2. Now I’m screwed, I only had one spare tube. The friendly police officer that was watching all this now suggested that he call for a support vehicle. Knowing that could take 15 mins or more I turned and asked the first guy that past us if he could spare a tube. My fellow competitor came to the rescue and immediately stopped and offered me one of his tubes. What a life saver, couldn’t thank him enough. I promise you all, the first time I get to return the favour, I will. Put in the 2nd tube and finally got going. Time wasted 12 minutes at least.
T2
Got back to transition without anything else happening. Bike catchers grabbed the bike and again a volunteer was waiting with my transition bag. I had descried to change both top and shorts, afterwards thought it was a waste of time and will bike/run in the same gear next time.
Run (4:27:43) Position 699
I felt like burned toast after that ride and didn’t think I was going to have a good run. I was well hydrated, but the hills had taken a toll on the legs and I’m sure that 3:30pm was the hottest part of the day. We did a short out and back along the river road before getting a bit of shade as we ran under the highway before turning up 3rd Street. Again the volunteers and aid stations well awesome. Lot’s of people and lot’s of drink/food, plus sponges, ice and water sprays. My goal was to make it to half way by 6:00pm and I just ran from one aid station to the next. I was making sure that I got at least a full cup of water and a full cup of Gatorade down at each one. At the special needs I picked up my special foods bag and took out film canister I had with 3 Tylenol and 3 Vivarin. Took the Tylenol and one of the Vivarin. It was definitely a bit of a mind bender having to go up and down the course and wow what a treat to see the finish line at the halfway point, do you think we could have gotten any closer!? I actually asked a guy I was running beside if I missed the turn for the 2nd lap! I started eating some pretzels and fig newtons at mile 15 and switched to coke for the final leg home. All the time I was doing the mental math and trying to figure out if I could get in under 13:00. The final turn and 100 yard dash to the finish was indescribable. I was so happy to be finished, for the entire run I had been waiting for the cramps to start or my stomach to shut down and I just couldn’t believe it that I was finished and was able to run as well as I did. I know my name was called out, but I didn’t hear it, the crowd noise was amazing. Finish time was 13:02:24 Position 699.
All in all, it was an amazing and incredible experience for me and my family. I think Steve Meckfessel and his crew did a first class job and I will be there again next year at the start line with a goal of 12:30!
