Ironman Arizona - Race Day

First time I woke up it was about 2.am, then I halfway went back to sleep, ready to get up at 4.30. After my mental meltdown the day before, I actually had a relatively untroubled night. I do remember a strange dream about getting to the race start late and forgetting my timing chip at the hotel. But in my dreams I actually felt strong, not weak and timid. Race morning my nerves were fairly well in check, some trepidation, not too bad. I still was not sure what to put in my special needs bags. So I ended up putting in very little. Dried apricots and crackers I had not planned on eating for the bike along with some extra chamois butter, and a long sleeved shirt for the run (hey, it might be cold come late evening). After a few bites of breakfast cake and a protein smoothie it was off to the race site. Arriving at 5.45 it was still pitch dark and I had plenty of time to get going. I said my goodbye to my friend Sigrid and dropped off the special needs bags; Bodymarking at transition and into the porter potty line. Just before I put on my wetsuit I called home, last words of encouragement from Roy and then my daughter Kiera made my day: “Good Luck Papa”.

I knew then I’ll be just fine.
Into the water. Tempe Town Lake was perfect at 64 F. and swimming towards the starting line I was calm. As I listened to the national anthem, over 2100 athletes waited for the deep water mass start. Plenty of smiling faces, I guess these were the last smiles for most of us until later that evening. Then we are off. Immediately kicking, shoving, dragging ensued. The swim start was not for the timid and my history of open water swims paid off. I stayed calm, my stroke feeling easy and relaxed. The sun came up on the horizon as I looked ahead towards the turn around. Around me were lots of good solid swimmers. Every so often someone kicked me in my face or hitting my head, it was busy out there for sure. My whole swim though felt good. I knew I did not push too hard and approaching the swim finish I had no idea if I went slowly or fast. At swim exit the first good news. 1.04 and out of the water, perfect as I was hoping for a 1.05. Then the wet suit strippers. I swear, one should have one at disposal during any race. Within a split second I was on my back and then the suit flew off, swoosh. On to T 1. Why was everyone running? “My god we have all day”, I thought, running along. My first Ironman transition went without a hitch, under 8 minutes. No time lost there.

“On the left, on the left, on the left”, the first fifteen minutes that’s all I heard on the bike. Obviously these guys (and gals) had other plans than me, for the bike portion that is. I knew I had to resist temptation and even try to speed along. 112 miles, almost 30 miles longer than my longest training ride. I was not about to kill my legs right then and there. The Arizona IM bike course is a fairly straight forward course. Three loops out and back into the Arizona desert. Fairly flat, with a modest steady incline the last few miles before the turnaround. Pretty soon we
rode into a gusty head wind on the way out, but nothing like the wind gusts I heard about from the spring race. My legs felt tight early on, but not too bad. I started to eat immediately: Odwalla Bars, Power Gels, Endurance Gatorade, Water and every so often a couple of Endurolyte Tablets, yummm.

The most fun part was after the first turn around, with the wind in the back and a slight downhill. All of a sudden, the legs felt fresh, my Cervelo was speeding right along. I was even enjoying the beauty of the desert landscape. “This is fun” I thought (briefly). With the first loop over at under 2h10 I was pleased. The second loop went even better. The wind calmed down a bit and I managed to hold a steadier pace on the way out. I was able to actually drop a few minutes on the second loop, but slowly began to tire. With 79 miles done it was starting to get warm, quite warm in fact (low 80’s). At about 20 miles to the bike finish fatigue really set in and I slowed down, riding now mostly out of aero position. I did not feel like eating anything anymore. Riders started to pass me again constantly. But so what, I decided it would be better to loose a couple of minutes here then to keep pushing too hard and pay a price later. 6h22m, more than ready to get off the bike I came into T2.

Quick change into new running clothes and OMG, my legs actually were able to run. The running course in Tempe, though not really scenic, is entertaining and varied. It was full of motivational signs and messages. “Be Patient” read one around mile 3. “Good Idea” I thought, this is going to take a while. Less than half an hour later I was spent, done, phew. My tummy hurts! Maybe I should not have tried that chicken broth at the last aid station. My run turned into a walk. It was still very warm, for the first time I began to have doubts. “How long does it take to walk 20 miles” I half jokingly asked a fellow sufferer. “You are doing a 16 minutes/mile pace” he replied looking at his watch. These guys have better gadgets than James Bond, I swear!

Eventually, with the sun going down and temperatures cooling, I was able to regain some strength. I began to run again, walking now mostly just the aid stations and any inclines. Water, Cola, Water Gatorade, some grapes, no more chicken broth. Two out of three loops done. Now I knew that I will finish, well under 13 hours and clearly over 12. At around mile 23 I began calculating my time again, “lets beat 12.30 for sure” I decided. 200 yards before the finish line I spot a 45 year old runner ahead of me. “He’s in my age group” I figured and sped up. “Hah, smoked him”, I am evil!

It is 7.22pm, race time 12.21.28 That’s it. I am an Ironman!