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| AWARD CEREMONY |
RACE REPORT
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| BALLROOM CHANGING ROOM |
SWIM: Less than 1300 (no pro's, 290 first timers) of us lined up for the swim which had a rolling start based on your volunteered estimate of swim time. Consequently the race clock would show a different time than your actual race time based on how long it took to get to and cross the swim start timing mat. Clear and smooth water. Very non-chaotic swim start but I still took a minor kick to the jaw. At about the 2.5 km point I noticed a woman swimmer slowly passing me using a much slower cadence than I. At that point I remembered that sometimes "slower is faster" and slowed my cadence accordingly and was able to swim faster. Good learning there. The wetsuit strippers stumbled with wetsuit removal but it was still faster than I could have done by myself. It was a long run around the 18th green of the golf course and up the hill to the resort lodge to the changing room which was in the ballroom of the resort. In the ballroom you had your own numbered chair with both the bike and run transition bags there for you and assistance if you needed it. Then out the front door and to the bike corral and you're on your way. PS: swim time 72 minutes, very good for me.
BIKE: This being Canada everything was in metric. I had not driven or ridden a kilometer of the course but the talk and information clearly identified that it was hilly. At about 2 km I threw my chain into the rear wheel spokes part way up the first 10%+ grade hill on the course. dismounted and pulled the bike over to the side of the road and was able to free the chain and re-thread it on the rear cog. Starting on an uphill 10% grade is tough but I got it going. Now the adrenalin was rushing and it was at about 15 km when I scrolled through my garmin display and saw that I was averaging about 220 watts, way more than my plan. My plan was to take the first of the two loop course in tourist mode as I had no experience with the course. Then I would push the second loop a bit more only if I felt really fresh. So I throttled myself back, coasted the downhills (coasting sometimes at 45 mph) as I saw that I was in the 250-350 watt range based on the steepness of the uphills. At about 40 km I threw my chain into the spokes again on another steep uphill. I quickly dragged the bike to the side and reattached the chain again. Took me a while but I got clipped in and back in the saddle yet again. Now I was nervous, as it appeared the rear derailleur stop was slightly incorrect so I tried to avoid the largest "bailout" gear on all future hills. Shortly after that the next two largest gears started to chatter with the chain skipping between them uncontrollably. I continued to fumble along and finally realized that both my front derailleur levers (return to center SRAM) had loosened up. The only way I could now shift was to put sideways pressure on the levers as I shifted.That was the end of any aggressive shifting and riding for the rest of the day. At about 95 km my power meter (SRM -- just recently returned from tuneup and new battery -- but they didn't fix the intermittent failure issue) crapped out. Now power blind on a hilly course with mechanical issues with the rear derailleur and both shifter levers. OK, just nurse this baby to the bike finish. At approximately 150 km I no longer trusted my front derailleur lever. I decided to leave it in the small front ring which meant I had maxed out my speed on flats and downhills well below optimal. Then at 170 km, in spite of all my precautions, my rear ring derailed yet a third time. Pull to side of road, dismount, pull chain free and re-thread, try to restart uphill, re-try to restart uphill and finally got going. Pulled into transition where they took my bike from me. I had to wonder if it just wasn't meant to be my day. PS: Garmin read 6,800 ft elevation climbing. Some of the relatively short but steep hills dropped my speed to under 5mph even in my sketchy "bailout" gear. First loop was overcast and relatively mild. Second loop the sun came out and the heat and humidity appeared. Bike split 5:52.
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| KNEE SUPPORT |
RUN: I had experimented with knee compression (both the neoprene and compression fabric varieties) the three weeks prior to the race to help manage my knee pains. I decided to use the fabric compression knee wraps as I thought they were more breathable and less likely to create rash areas. I believe they helped. I intend to utilize them in my future run training so that I can try to regain better run fitness. The run course is a two loop course that traverses from the Deerhurst Resort into the town of Huntsville and back, repeat. My run plan was to immediately start a jog/walk routine of 2min/1min duration and lengthen the jog portion as I loosened up. I found in my training that a 1 minute walk is adequate recovery and that longer walks create stiffness issues upon restarting to jog. I also planned to try to schedule the walk portions through the aid stations and the uphills. Didn't go as planned. The course is literally half uphill and half downhill with some sections that might have less than a 1% grade either way, so I ended up walking more than I had planned. Still, I was able to maintain an 11min/mile pace for most of the run. I was surprised that not that many racers were passing me. There is usually some part on the run where sanity and the will to finish is internally debated, that's what differentiates the full Ironman from other shorter races. My hurdle was to get past this debate and reach the 30km mark, where I figured I could finish even if I had to walk my way in. This day I didn't have to revert to a full walk-in finish, but I was counting 30 jog steps followed by 20 walk steps, repeat, repeat, repeat. PS: Elevation gain 2000ft. Run split 4:39. Total Race Time with transitions 11:56. |
| DOWNTOWN HUNTSVILLE |
TEXTS (me in black, wife in red, son in blue, daughter in green)
Friday: Flew in to Toronto from Minneapolis and drove to race site in Muskoka region of Canada
In very basic hotel but does have wifi. Taking short nap and then out for supper and meeting. Very convoluted course (ie, large hill to climb from swim to transition) so need to go to meeting. The terrain reminds me of Wisconsin Dells area so I expect very few flat areas on the bike or run.
Oh No
I'm not excessively worried
OK
Saturday: Picked up bike from Tri Bike Transport, put bike in transition, and turned in bike and run bags
Sounds like WI IM - take first bike lap easy and don't attack the short hills - use small ring on bike. I think a hilly run plays into your strength as u have practiced walking on your long runs
they have streaming video footage at finish - we will be looking for u - so smile
good luck Papa
just hate the day before. Nana talked me into bringing a trashy spy novel so I'm sitting inside drinking Gatorade eating mac n cheese n reading. Cool damp and overcast here. Don't have much excitement for this race, probably cause I'm a bit nervous about it. It doesn't get any easier for these long ones no matter how prepared. Just one small chink in the armour gets magnified.
Sunday: Race Day
Right now projected to be off bike in 7:20, 2nd place projected in 8:18 - but only splits through 64k of bike - 40 miles
I can't seem to get any info other than total bike. Whose in front of him?
Or is he in first? I'm a nervous wreck. Please keep me filled in.
Looks like Dad is in first. Is he trying to qualify for Kona?
Yes for next year when he is 70
He is in first. Kona slot for 2016 is what he's after
OK, got it
Benj u seem to know what's going on. I can only get total bike split which is showing nothing. Just text when u get info. Bike should be OK but issue is run. If he can get a huge lead on 2nd then he should be able to hold if no cramps injuries etc. thanks Mom
I am headed out for a bike ride but I have site on my phone - will check for updates
Thanks its going to be a long day
Nana, if you click on papas name, it showed you the bike splits. Looks like he has made it through 39 km (2nd split) and averaging about 30 km/hr
OK let me try hate being blind. I got it. How did u know that? Thanks!!!!
I just started clicking on stuff
Wow that is so much better!!!! Otherwise it was going to be a stressful long day. I would have never figured that out
3rd bile split looks good. Putting 1-1.5 mph into 2nd place guy
He needs as much time as he can get bc of run. Assuming the guy is good runner bc Dad beat him is swim and looks like the bike. Thanks for update!!!
They are all slow runners at that age!!
I know. Should I worry that dad's speed on bike has slowed to 26k. Is it the course?
He did say that it would be hilly and curvy in sections. Maybe that's why?
Need to wait for 2nd place guy and see - that is slow -
Top 45-49 male slowed down 1kph from 3rd split to 4th. Dad slowed .8 kph - guessing it is course.
OK that makes sense thanks for checking
FYI they have live video of run out and finish
Where do I get that I'm on the site Live coverage?
I don't see it on mobile device - look on top left menu for video
OK
2nd place guy holding strong. I am guessing dad starts run with 40-50 min lead. He just would need to average 11 on run even if guy is a strong runner
Nana, did u find the live coverage of the run out? I see it.
Yes thanks
5:52 for bike! great time. His transitions R fast
Go Papa Ben
He started run 35 min ahead. Just needs 11 min miles
First 5 miles he was doing 10, hope he slows a bit down - just needs 11. We can see how 2nd place guy does in 1st 5 miles
he is on 11:40ish pace. anything under 12 hrs would almost guarantee 1st. Even 12:30 most likely would qualify
I am back in land of coverage - anyone see dad leave T2?
No I was making lunch
I think u can scroll back on the video dad put additional 15 min into 2nd place in first 5 miles of run. now ~ 50 min ahead. Could walk last 18 miles and win! hope he realizes that!
I don't think he realizes that bc the numbering system so squirrelly hope he doesn't blow up
Because there isn't a lot of racers he might figure it out
Ur right. He said it was like a Mn race in terms of number of participants. Hope so
He put another 10 min into 2nd place! All he has to do is walk in!!
Oh I hope he knows that. I thought 2nd place guy was going to be a stellar runner
3rd run split in. Dad is crushing it - super consistent! 1/2 way done with run
Yea. Hope he can hold it
Not slowing down much! 1 more hour! I think he is going to beat all the 60-64 group too.
U think he's going to make it ok. He seems to be going strong
Should finish around 11:45 - finish like video has clock time. Start time looking at 11:40
Ok thanks. Wow he's actually going to do this.
He would win 60-64 and been 2nd in 55-59 age groups
Wow hope he can finish with no injuries. Benja does he have just 6 miles left?
Yes. should finish in 10-20 min!! Look at finish camera video. It shows race time, he should be finishing when that says 11:45-11:55
Ok I'm going to try to turn it on
He could roll on his side the last miles and qualify!
Ur funny! Where is the live feed on the site
Upper left where it says video. Then scroll down to finish line video and click Look for the hobbling old man
Ok I got it. Ur funny. Do you think next 20 min? Hey it's all young guys
Earliest will be 11:45 If he keeps last few miles pace it will be 11:48 I am guessing he slows down on purpose but tries to go under 12.
This feed is cool. Will it stay on
Should stay on - u can set it to full screen - helps a bit
Oh they all look young How do u get full screen Ok just got it much better This is even hard to wait
If he walked last 6 miles he would come in 12:10 What is he wearing?
White shirt or One team kit. Was it sunny, looks overcast What's the latest Should I worry
No - after 12:15 worry
Could he have crashed
No
I'm officially worried
Well he could be walking in
Ok then when would he get in
12:20
Oh will other guy catch him It would be so hard to lose. Over 900 still on course. Wow
No - the other guy is over an hour behind
He's in!!!!! Thanks Benj I was worried. Did u hear that they said Dad was 65-69 and anything was possible. Kinda cool. Could u tell how he looked?
Did u see him? U can scroll back and watch again. He looked fine - must have walked a lot the last 6!!
I thought he looked good at least didn't collapse. Yea
The race clock was off - his time was 11:56 not 12:07 That was the difference. He didn't slow down that much the last 6
How do u know I can't rewind but it's ok Just looked up his results 11:56:34. That's good isn't it?
Super good Very tough course
Thanks for all the help. It's stressful even if u r not there! I guess he's going to Hawaii in 2016!
