My co-conspirator in this adventure was the great Chris Peaslee, aka EB, aka the Tri-Scientist, aka #2817.
I was pretty happy with my training coming into the last week of taper. Felt solid about my swim prep, thanks to working out with DFW Tri Club this year, great about the bike, as I heeded the advice of a great triathlete who had raced the course last year and I geared my training based on his tips and pretty good about the run. Due to the weather staying warm until, well, until training ended, I had cut a couple long runs from my plan, since my sweat rate wouldn't allow me to do much over 11-12 miles, since I have a sweat rate equal to that of a Polar bear playing the 5th set of a Wimbledon final in August in Qatar vs Boris Becker. On the flip side, I came in lighter and leaner than any previous IMs, plus the heat training would help. Then, I woke up on the Monday before the race with mild turf toe. No biggie, it just hurt when I pushed off, which only happens 25-30,000 times over 26.2 miles. I tried to stay calm about it, lots of drugs and ice and it improved during the week, but wouldn't really know until the marathon.
The original plan was to make a road trip out of IML16, but cooler heads prevailed and we decided to enlist the services of Tri-Bike Transport and AA instead of 1700 miles of show tunes, sketchy rest stops and delicious roadside food offerings. While this had some logistical benefits, that ride home would have succcccccccckkkkkkkkkkkkkkeeeeeeeeeeeddddddddddddddd! No travel issues, so the stress level stayed at stayed low and we arrived safely at my Aunt's house on Thursday evening.
Had a nice relaxing stay at their palatial estate on a nice, tucked away private lake. We avoided a day of extreme pre-race anxiety when you see what other athletes are doing exercise, food, apparel-wise, or whatever and wonder if you should try it, QUICK, now, it will help me on Sunday! Friday morning was breakfast in Borden, named for either Lizzie or the milk. I wouldn't say Borden was a small, hick town, well, yea, I would. Life centered around overalls, the US and its Armed Forces and the next contestant kicked off of Dancing w the Stars. The place we ate offered it all - pizza, ice cream, $5 omelettes, where the eggs are rolled in bacon bits and side pancakes that stick to the plate. Every character in the place was straight out of Green Acres or the Shiner commercial. After a nice cruise around the lake, it was time to head to Louisville, the epicenter of this weekend's drama.
The afternoon entailed a full slate - athlete check-in, driving the course, hotel check-in and bike/gear pick up. All presenting ample opportunities for stomach churning issues and energy drains. Check-in was smooth and quick, great group of volunteers. During the driving of the bike course, we remembered we forgot to eat, so around mile 24, we spotted a car wash that had been converted to a BBQ joint with a GAS (giant ass smoker) parked in the bay. Place was great and Kentucky cheap. $3 sands and an order of fries which was equal to the 1917 potato crop of Idaho for $1.50.
We finished off the lunch and driving of the course (more details in the race portion of today's program) and headed back to town and checked into the host hotel. After that, went down and got the bikes, always a slightly nervous moment when until you find your baby and its accompanying gear bag. Unlike my parents, who got me from the nursery only because I was the last one left without a large birthmark in the shape of a tuba across their face. Wonder what ever happened to that guy??
Dropped off the bikes, rested for a few minutes, did dinner with the family and came back to finally get some rest. Its always amazing how hectic the couple days are before Ironman. So many things to do and you spend a ton of time on your feet or walking from place to place.
(Isnt' this exciting, only 24 hours until race start!) Got up early Saturday to get a little adjusted to the time zone, then do a bike and swim recon on course. Chris decided he didn't like the valve on his front wheel, then he didn't like his tire, then he didn't like both tires, then the back tire didn't fit. So, over the course of 20 minutes, he changed both, went back to the original back tire/tube and was finally satisfied. During this I did something equally useful, like checking my horoscope or setting my fantasy football line-up.
We awoke to chilly, breezy conditions. Would have made for a rough race day obstacle. Rode for a bit, then headed to swim practice site. I wouldn't say the water was choppy, but the wives of the deep sea fisherman going out had tears in their eyes as they begged them not to go, but they had lobsters to net, food to put on the table. Water temp was good though, so we got what we needed and called it a wrap. After that is was a great breakfast, pick-up of last minute provisions and back for a little rest. More walking.........and more walking.
Last minute prep showed my power meters weren't functioning properly. So, headed down to the bike techs to get them checked. Once again stayed calm, as long as it isn't mechanical, I can deal with it. Prefer to have my effort governed by the power output, but not end of the world. It turned out to be a battery. Great, except the entire Ironman village was sold out. Wasn't trekking to CVS. But, who had an extra battery on their bike just in case??? Yes, EB to the rescue. He carries an extra battery on his bike. Really makes me wonder what else he carries. Passport? High school locker key? XL Trojan (ribbed for her pleasure)? Wouldn't rule any of those out. Now I am set, we deposit the bikes and gear bags and head back to base camp for the afternoon/evening. Grabbed some food, watched some football and called it a night. Twas the night before Ironman and Santa 140.6 was heading our way with presents or a big lump of coal.
Race Day Arrives!
Pregame - 4:45 wake-up call. Cute bottle of flat coke and a waffle with peanut butter is digested as we dress for the elements and the two hour swim line. When I go to put something in one of my bags, I say out loud, but calmly, "crap, one of my bike shoes is gone". Suddenly, everything stops. Guys are asking me if I looked in both bags. "REALLY?? Dude, no way, that's sucks". One guy starts to grab my bag to dump it out and look for it. "Sorry, just kidding...........". I remember what a great figure in the DFW tri scene told me via text on Saturday, have fun! So I was planning on it. We then walk about 3/4 of a mile to the line for the swim. Its 5:40 and the race starts at 7:30. Swim start is two at a time in a narrow area, very safe, but tough logistics due to the line. Studs showed up at 4AM. We nap, meet our fellow racers, etc. Since the port-o's are 1/4 mile away, the trees are our friends. Luckily, there is no "Something about Mary" sting operation going on. I tell a line mate I haven't gotten up this early to stand in line since high school for concert tickets. Throwaway remark. They ask who. Really?? Don't do that to a throwaway line, you bastard. Uh, The Cars, Ozzy Osborne, Yanni.....
Swim - As Noah welcomed his animals, the race officials dismissed us, two-by-two. I jumped in and sank, after a second I was like, man, better go back up and get doing. Chris said he almost tried to save me. Sorry. Swim went smooth, vs the light current for 1500, then out in the open Ohio with the current and barges for the remainder. Good sighting, decent water. I lose track of time in the swim like no other leg of a tri. I could have been in for 1:30 and not questioned it. Swim was 1:07, ahead of goal! Day is off to a good start. T1 wasn't smooth, put my glasses on right away and was blinded by the fog. Had to reverse course and start again. Decided to brave the 50 degree start temp and go singlet only. Off we go.........
Bike - First 6-8 miles is the only flat section of the course. Good opp to get your legs, take in some nutrition and download some shows to binge watch on your Garmin during the ride. I decide to try and knock out the whole season of Stranger Things. Unfortunately, my bowels were a little Gassious Clay during the swim, but I think the extra air helped my buoyancy, however, I have to pull over at the first aid station for a blue booth stop. That adds a nice 78 seconds to my time. But, I'm lighter! The rolling hills kick in, and I am out of the shade and warming up. The middle 96 miles is nothing but rolling hills, some with a little punch, but no one hill that hammers you. Around mile 24, I pass the BBQ place, man it smells great, torture. I remember the fun mantra and start interacting with volunteers, spectators and fellow riders (of course not while drafting).
Once you reach the 45/80 mark the course starts to get pretty favorable, so started to pick up some speed and notch up the mph, always fun. Unfortunately, I dropped one of my waffles somewhere in the 45 mile mark area when pulling out some bloks, leaving me a little short of my caloric intake goal (CIG if you're cool). Decided to grab a gel at the next aid station. Mocha!!! I hate coffee, throw it back, grab the next one offered, Mocha, again!!! Oh well, nothing like eating something you don't like during an Ironman. Oh, wait, not bad, alright, can do this. Made me want to stop at the next Starbucks. But, I rolled on. Second loop of the lollipop course was pretty much like the first, only later. BBQ place, special needs bag, same scenery, waving at the crowd, trying to get some noise through town, etc. Did get asked how my taint felt. Awesome, of course! Hit the fast stretch and hammer toward town. Bike was going well, exceeding expectations, despite the blue hut stop. Off the bike well under goal time, but the toe test awaited...........
T2 was uneventful, except that dismount snuck up on me like a rabid porcupine and I forgot to get out of my shoes before I unclipped. Now I faced a hundred meter run in bike shoes, kind of like when I was always late for my tap dance recitals, except I wasn't wearing make-up and a spandex tuxedo, well, guess I kinda was. Once I handed off the bike I got out of the shoes and socks and headed to the tent. Quick change and off to check my fate for the remainder of the race.
Run - Early signs were good, no discomfort at all from my toe. Time to find a rhythm and start clipping off the miles. My body had issued a severe quad pain watch for the area below my waist, so I better enjoy things while I can. Having your name on the front of you is a mixed blessing. Great to get all the personalized support, but you also have to deal with the Hangover Doug references. I stopped counting at 7. Course was pretty nondescript, but flat. Kind of like your middle school girlfriends. About mile six I started feeling a presence approaching (not my bowels, that was at mile 3). At mile 8 it happened, EB passed me up, the presence, all 130 lbs of him, was now moving into the distance like a ghost into the fog, on a clear sunny day. My goal on the marathon is always to get through the first half keeping the mind clear of doubt, body clear of pain. I was almost there.
Its always tortuous on a double loop course when you get a glimpse of finish line nirvana, only to be sent out for another 13 miles. But, that's when the Germans bomb Pearl Harbor and you figure out what you have on this particular day. The toe was still inane, but the quad pain watch had been upgraded to warning. I gutted it out to mile 15, then gave myself a one minute walk, alternating a minute off with 14 minutes of running. That's also when its safe to start doing finish time math. But, after 9+ hours, subtracting 1:45 from 11 hours, then dividing it by 10.2 then multiplying by pi and running a regression over the square root of 35,695 isn't easy. But, the end result told me sub-11 was within reach, so I kept with the plan. But, wait, what is that on the horizon?? A mirage or EB in the flesh? I was less then two minutes behind him at 20 miles out. "Hey, quads, let's go try to run him down." "Uh, negatory on that one buddy, unless a clown with a machete and food from Olive Garden is chasing us, we're good right here, in fact, F you straight to hell........". OK, I stuck to the plan. But, 14 minutes of running became 9, then 6. The aid station cocktail combos of water, gatorade (lime), chicken soup, cola and red bull were keeping me rolling through quad hell. a 40 minute 5K to clear 11 hours, doable. Two miles in 30 minutes, yep. The finish line starts pulling you in like a moth to a flame at about a 1/2 mile out. The pain disappears and the joy of your accomplishment washes over you like 10 quarts of top shelf gin and tonic. Boom! Done! Let's party.
Post Mortem - Chris finished in a fantastic 10:43, six minutes ahead. Was great to have my Indiana clan cheering down the finishing chute. Changed out of our battle gear into much more comfortable clothes, grabbed some food and met the gang. Another in the books, it was a great day. Among the maladies I will be dealing with in the next few days:
ITS Syndrome
Small of the back 1st degree burns (my tramp stamp survived)
San Andreas Quads
TIT bands
Singlet contusions
Was a great scene as the Ironman window closed at 12:20AM. So much energy and emotion. Sleep was hard to come by, due to lack of a comfortable position and caffeine overload. Monday we got our stuff in order and joined a few of our combatants on the flight back to the DFW.
As always, want to thank all of my various training partners/fellow DFW tri clubbers that challenged me along the way and gave me a reason not to slow down or sleep in. Thanks to Doctor and Peter Gabriel for the help with the toe and years of great tunage. Thanks to all of you that gave great guidance, race strategy tips and support leading up to the race. Can't do this alone, no way. Great race EB always fun to race with you and be challenged outside of my comfort zone. Of course thanks to Pam for putting up with all that goes with an Ironman. Its far from easy on the spouse, but you have supported me through seven of these with little or no complaints.
Until the next one, thanks for listening and never give up on yourself, no matter what common sense and traditional thinking wants to dictate.
No comments:
Post a Comment