I try to be brief in my race reports because I frankly have
a short attention span and expect that you do too. You really want to give
everyone a shout out but it's impossible. I literally had hundreds of little
efforts on my behalf and messages in various forms and formats and each one
meant a lot to me. That is not BS. I was moved to tears several times (yes,
Slayer has feelings) by little notes, the poster some of the TCGa team made,
I kind of want to start by saying thanks to everyone that
played a role in getting me there and through the day from my family, friends,
teammates and athletes, sponsors, shops, triathlon community, etc. Some did
more like my sherpas
My race was a solid one, but not my best. I know I am
capable of close to an hour less time on that course. However, I did make the
most of what I had to deal with so for that I am pleased. I learned a bit more
about the distance and the front group of racers and will make some tweaks
before taking Ironman on again in hopes that I get the elusive perfect race.
Pre-Race:
Everything about Tempe, Az rocks. It's a scenic, warm
college town and there was an ASU game so it was buzzing more than usual. We
ate and drank well and the hotel was close and perfect with a rooftop pool and
hard pressure hot tub. There even was a lady that came in wearing a SLAYER
shirt who lifted it up so I could click a photo of her completely covered
SLAYER tattooed back! Coach Spartacus of TCGa and DocSlay and I had top floor rooms
with full kitchenettes.
Several bike issues pre-race took my time up but we got it
all sorted, except one detail that came back to bite me. Even though we checked
the green light a few times, I did not fully charge my di2 shifters, which died
50 miles into the 112 mile bike. User error! The poster the team made imploring
me to DYJ was just stellar as I walked out the door to do battle.
Swim:
Into the water Spartacus and I marched, arms
locked
after saying hey to Peak's Coach Tony and Beatriz
My PR was
1:18 at IMFL in 2010 and I hoped to beat that with a long winter of swimming
lessons and masters, which tapered off as the race approached so I could focus
on my run and bike. I seeded myself way up front and that was the best call I
could make. Ultimately, I PR'd the swim due to getting a draft from the better
swimmers and avoided the normal melee much better this year. My spirit was high
when I looked down at my watch (2 mins PR at 1:16) yanking myself up the hard
to climb stairs. I was off in a flash and T1 was very quick without going into
the changing tent or changing.
The one thing that was off was bloating post-swim that I
never had to deal with in training. I think it was the bloating that led to my
ultimate problems on the run in that my stomach never really settled until very
late in the bike so I got way behind on hydration. This was compounded by a mechanical/electrical
issue (see below) on the bike that caused me to force things on the back half.
Overworking a body that is dehydrated in the increasingly hot and windy
unshaded desert is unwise.
Bike:
Even with a few problems I rode the course in about 5 hours
flat barring the 4 mins in the penalty box (see below). That probably could've
been 15-20 mins faster. The plan was to ride a controlled bike for the 3 x 37
mile loops of the 112 mile bike course. My watts were supposed to be 230-245ish
tops which would leave me ready for a strong run, which was the goal for the
day. My watts ended up being only 205ish. However, I rode the course about a
half hour faster than in 2009. This means I theoretically worked less to travel
much faster. I attribute the improvement to a lighter weight and more aero
position from the wind tunnel trip. But the average watts don't tell the story.
The reason the average watts don't tell the story is because
of the aforementioned user error.
Around mile 50 or so, my electrical shifters lost power and I was stuck
in the big ring and middle of the back cog. This was great for the flats but no
bueno for the slight climb and descent on the 8 miles or so of Beeline. Working
too hard with wrong gearing on an Ironman is like dancing with the devil.
Working too hard when you are dehydrated is just plain stupid and I was stupid
for not dialing it back and catching up on my hydration when my stomach settled
later in the ride.
Other things of note were my first penalty ever at around
mile 88 for either drafting or blocking. I own it if the referee says I did it.
However, anybody that rides with me will tell you I never draft so in my view
it was not drafting per se on this very crowded course, where I basically
pulled upwards of 20 riders for the entire race. Some folks
should rejoice because they saved a shit ton of energy riding
my wheel all day allowing them top 10 performances.
Also, it was great seeing my sherpas (DocSlay,
IronHorse, Terminator), Mary Ann (TCGa
Team Mom), Coach Tony of Peak, Brent Pease (all3sports.com) and Betty (Dynamo) on course along with my racing amigos, Lester, Spartacus and
BAMF . T2 was another breeze but as I emerged I knew I was not
myself.
Run:
You are doing 2 x 13.1 mile laps on an unshaded hot cement
course with lots of long stretches lake side at IMAZ. My goal was to get as
close to 3:30 as possible. The lower the better obviously. My legs and feet had
come back from a season of challenges and long training runs were phenomenal so
I was ready. However, that was not meant to be.
The first lap was relatively easy but I was unraveling.
Things were starting to get painful and I was dizzy and lightheaded seeing wavy
lines. The coke at mile 8 didn't help much. Around mile 14 I slowed to a slog
and hoped that I would get some kind of respite but it never came. Everyone
hollered at me to keep pushing, and I am glad I did even though I was still
dizzy and wobbling a bit.
I would walk so many steps and run so many steps never
stopping but never getting very far running. A few women checked to see if I
was ok, but most of my AG just ran past smiling to themselves. However, I did
keep moving forward with everything I had left at the moment taking cokes on
board every aid station. By mile 22 I figured it was time to look at my watch
again and I saw that I had about 40 minutes to finish off before the race clock
moved to 11 hours. I decided to see if I could hack running again to grab the
10 hour finish. It was pretty amazing that my legs starting turning back over
and I made it in at 10:55 on a sub par 4:26 marathon.
I got my medal, roared at the catchers, and smashed a water
bottle much to the chagrin on the finish line photographers who I soaked. Then
I headed for the VIP tent to get some brews by twos and to cheer everyone else
in and lick my wounds. 14 hours or so
after the swim I had my next pee. I think it was brown haha.
IMAZ 2013
Result 10:55 (50 AG, 382 OA) -2nd fastest IM of 4
Swim - 1:16 (PR)
t1 - 4:46 (PR)
Bike - 5:05 (PR and blocking penalty of 4 mins)
t2 - 2:37 (PR)
Run - 4:26
Post-Race:
Normally I would feel like crap. This time I felt bad but
ok. My fitness was better. Mike Reilly, voice of Ironman, and the DJ there got
everyone so whooped up that it turned out to be a special night unlike any
other. Lester, BAMF then Spartacus made
their way in and we all hobbled and celebrated like we were Kings. The sherpas
all ensured our every need was met. What a wonderful way to end the year.
I had an extra day in Tempe, where we ate PF Changs and did
a pub crawl.
The flight home on Tuesday was quick and we stopped at my favorite shop to get
my Sherpa some gifts. I was so glad to be home and see and hug my kids. Special
shout out to DocSlay's parents for caring for them while we were away. Now onto
Panama 70.3 in February!
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