Ironman 2009

Ironman Louisville
08-30-09


It seemed like everything just kinda fell right into place for this race. After my surgery the heeling process took forever. Through 3 threrapy sessions a week, and continuous training I just kept getting stronger every week. The doc told me I could start pulling with my left arm about 40 days out. That was also right about the time the second incident happened. Another crash, and I wont bore you with the details. It did hurt a little....

With this slight set back I inquired and found out there is no refund on Ironman races even with surgury and a doctors note. I decided to put my best effort into just getting through the race. Mindset was probably what was going to have to be the strongest to get through the day.

After arriving in Loiusville and getting checked in I wanted again get the feel for Ironman by getting charged up at the expo. This expo was totally boring, dull and not exciting at all. Usually there is an energy that grabs you while just walking around but this one was disappointing.

Friday and Saturday morning the swim course opened up and I had had to go check out the current. Just an easy up river and down river swim, but both ways felt like I was swimming into the current.

The rest of Saturday was relaxing in the room, checking in the bike and gear bags and then off to sleep early. The alarm never had a chance to wake me up, I was up early making coffee and getting my nutrition plan working. It was off to check the bike at 5 when Transition opened. Tires check, water check, Infinit Nutrition check, special needs bags check. Then it was a short walk to the swim start, body marking and when I arrived the line was already a mile long. I walked to the end and stood for a minute and decided that I know I could find someone to stand by closer to the front. After searching a while I found the other sharks closer to the front. This spot was actually closer to the front than I thought.

The pros went off at 0650 hours and the gun sounded for the rest of us at 0700 hours. After diving in and finding a rhythm it seemed like the swim went fast to the first turn. I had open water, and started to believe that this swim could be my fastest IM swim yet. I stayed out from the bouys 20 yards and sighting was extremely easy. I was in the clear for the entire swim. I traded stokes with someone for a while, but pulled ahead after the second bridge. I got clogged up a little getting out of the water, and ascending the stairs I glanced at my watch and I was shocked to see 1:11 It only took a second to realize that this time wasn't bad for training with one arm.

In T-1 pretty smooth thanks to the volunteers.

Out to the bike and a new course, a hilly course and what a beautiful course. I got out easy and wanted to take the first 20 miles easy since it was pretty much rolling except for one climb. Reaching the out and back portion I knew this was the stretch that had the largest hill. Decending the hill lots of speed, and fun 40+mph hanging on. Going down the hill I kept thinking and looking at the riders going the other way. Everyone one standing up and cranking hard. I hit the turn around and started back up. I am glad this was the biggest hill on the course. I then started pushing to get to the town of La Grange in my projected time. The town was packed with people cheering and having a blast not competing. I needed the crowds energy and I would see them again at mile 68-70. Again the course was rolling and beautiful. I know I could have pushed harder but I was controlled and jst kept telling myself that it was a long day. Passing the town the second time I told myself it was time to pick it up and the crown made it easy to really hammer through the next few miles. The first climb out of town I must have been spacing out cause I missed a shift and my chain came off. I was off the bike for maybe 60 seconds, which felt great on my legs. On the way back along the river I stretched and began to get my mind on what was next.

My nutrition was dead on for this race. I have give props to Infinit Nutrition. I rocked out 2 and 1/2 bottles on the bike. I also had 5 gels and all the water I could drink. No problems at all. I did take solids with me but never felt like I needed anything other than Infinit.

I'll take that 5:50 bike with hills. I know I will train for this race again and I will definately prepare differently.

T-2 uneventfull nice, smooth and was happy again with the volunteers.

I grabbed my gels, Buzzerk and was off. I ran the first two miles without tightening my shoes, and these first miles were the fastest of the day. I was running next to a guy who had a garmin and he said the mileage was on. My watch said 13:58, WHAT that was way too fast. I was supposed to be at 8:30's. Setteling in what a great day to run a marathon. I really never had any problems through out the run. I was comfortable, I just wish it would have been hotter so I could have passed more people. I did get to see some of the pros out on the course. The first loop felt like it took forever, but it was a pick up running down 4th street to the cheers of the crowd. The finishing video showed us running by Churchhill Downs. I still don't remember that portion of the course. The second loop I saw alot of people walking and moving slow. I walked through a couple of aid stations becuase of crowding, and starting back up was really never a problem. It just seemed that when I got back up to speed I was entering a another aid station.

What a great finish line, 4th street, lights, people music I even heard Mike say my name. Finishing time on the clock really through me off at first, 11:20 it was almost a let down. I then remembered it was a time trail start. I looked at my watch and it said 11:08, which made more sense. Metal, photo and then a quick sit in a chair near the porto pots for a while before I headed back to the hotel.

For my third Ironman it seemed like the initial stiffness and involuntary muscles tremors were the worst. It took a few minutes to gather myself and make it back to the hotel. There I got cleaned up, ate some pretzels, a bannana and drank some coffee.

Making it back to the finishline, drinking bloody mary's and watching other's finish was the bomb. All in all for what I went through this year during the training phase I will take this finish and hope for better next year. .