Louisville Ironman!

Got into Louisville on Thursday and went for an easy run. Found out that 90 degree heat is pretty oppressive but still felt good. Friday I started with an easy 20 ride and was feeling confident and fast. I got in touch with Mark about meeting up for the pre race swim on Saturday and found out we were staying in the same hotel. Apparently that was the hotel for Clevelanders with many of us staying there. Saturday swim came and forgot my goggles, luckily one of those nice Clevelanders could spare an extra. Mark and I went out for an easy 15 min swim then talked about race strategy.

Race day.

Got to transition early, got stuff set up and left for the swim start. Apparently I showed up late to the start line and fclt like I had to walk a half mile to my place in line. 6:50, pro cannon goes off, 7:00 amateur cannon and the line starts moving. Right around 7:30 in tell Beth and my mom I’ll see them later and jog down to the docks and jump in, thus starting my day. I felt strong in the swim but being in the back of the line hurt since I had to swim over a lot of people. I follow Mark’s and my plan to get out from shore a little to catch more current after the turn. 67 min later I run out of the water and grab my bag. Decent time considering no wetsuit and getting slowed by other swimmers. I put on my bike gear outside of the tent since it was packed. I run through transition, grab the bike and go. While starting the ride I kept thinking about what Mark said, spin on the hills and stay relaxed on the rest of the course. I stick to this plan and stay within myself and still fly by many riders. We start hitting the more major hills and I spin easy like Mark said. Sure enough, loads of energy saved and watched many other rides fall apart after the hill while I went flying down the road. Sticking to my plan of drinking about 2 bottles of fluid per hour I feel great. Little did I know the tri gods had a challenge up their sleeve for me. Mile 75, drop a chain going up a small hill and bend the chain. I begin to panic a bit because I have been feeling great on the bike. I try getting the chain back on and fixed. I begin to ride a bit and drop the chain again. This time the chain and bike fights back. The bike slips and I cut my leg and hand on my crank. Still panicking a bit I get the chain back on and ride. Every pedal stroke the chain slips a bit. Fortunately the tri gods had enough fun with me and a tech guy was only another half mile down the road. Just when I thought it would be a long last 40 miles back I had some relief. Tech support replaced the chain and I was back on the road. What felt like an hour was about 10-15 min. I could tell I was panicking to make up time as I saw my heart rate climb. Fortunately I relaxed about 10 miles down the road and got settled in. Finished the bike in just under 6 hours but knew it would have been better if not for an unfortunate mechanical. Thanks, to Marks race strategy talk and staying calm I get off the bike feeling awesome and very fresh. I toss on my run shoes and get on my way. I didn’t think my legs could feel that good after that ride but I started running awesome. All I can think is how good this run will be. Then the heat caught up with me at mile 3. Shortly after seeing Lisa on course I had to begin walking. The heat started giving me a headache and sickness to my stomach. I thought I could keep running but if did I may get so sick I couldn’t finish so the walk, jog started. I attempted to do everything I could to keep cool with sponges, water, ice, you name it, but with little help. Finally I start to cool off a bit shortly before the turn and I begin running well again. I make the turn running well and see my support crew there cheering me on. I kept running for a bit more before the stomach issues came back so the walk and jog continued. Finally, I see the 25 mile mark and tell myself to try and run this last mile no matter what. Despite a bunch of pain, sickness, and a slight hamstring twitch I make it to the finish area where the crowds were awesome. I can feel the energy and almost go into a full sprint and run over the line knowing I made it through a tough day with a time of 12:15:30.

The days not over.

Tired from the run I grab my finisher swag and sit down. This is when it hits, nausea and shakes, the day has taken its toll. I am taken to the med tent where I was given a bag of fluids which was apparently just what I needed, of course they screwed up the first IV and had to place a second. It jus so happened the nice lady who helped my with goggles on Saturday was on the cot next to me. The day and heat were taking its toll on everyone.

Reflection.

While not happy with my time I still crossed the line. The race is meant to push you to the limits and it did just that. Knowing I have much more, thanks to all the winter bike and run training with Mark, makes me want to get back out there rock the next one.

588 male

658 OV

70 AG

Thanks all,

Chris