Ironman Arizona RR- Playing Poker

Arizona was a lot of fun, but I wouldn't do that course again. Yes it's flat, but it was such a cluster on the bike 2nd/3rd lap and same for the run. The run is on 98% cement and it pounded my body like nothing I've ever ran before. It was a lot of fun being out on the bike the first lap and being in draft legal lines (at least for the first loop).

Weeks leading into the race, I felt good with where my fitness was at with the swim and run, but doubted my bike fitness, so with Tim's training plans and some late advice from M.Lovato, I was able to put in some good confidence building workouts. My swim fitness this year has grown-I've been super happy with my form which has really improved, resulting in swimming faster and easier. Running- although I really didn't put in a ton of big mileage weeks, I felt that my workouts were solid. 5 weeks out, I paced a BoldRunning runner in the Denver Marathon and easily ran 2:40 for 25 miles on a way tougher course than Arizona. But who cares-it is race day that matter. I ran poorly on race day.

I wish I could say I was fired up for my first pro race, but I'd be lying to myself. This late season race after the year we've had- I just wanted to get the race over with. I was looking forward to the days after the race more than the race itself. I also find it funny in my first pro meeting, there was a lot of discussion about drafting, legal distances, etc. etc. especially from the women... and get into the race and see so many women sitting in. I feel for them as they are faced with a lot of challenges especially in the looped courses, but still...

Swim- Sitting down at the table

Seconds before the start my goggle gasket on my left eye broke. I was trying to remain calm but it just wouldn't stay connected. Roch Fry was yelling at us to get in the water, so I dove in and decided I'd swim with 1 eye. I swam over to a guy on a paddle board and he helped me yell for another pair- luckily another guy had a pair I used. I knew that I needed to key off a few guys- namely Petr Vabrousek- he swam 52 there last year. All of a sudden BAM, we were off without incident. There was a front group and I settled into the second group- at the first turn, I really started to feel good and moved to the front on the way back- lead the whole 2nd group the way back. Swam 55 and really felt like it was pretty easy. Did I swim too easy? I knew it was going to be a long day and I knew Petr knows how to race consistently, so I am confident I swam smart.

T1- Ok, I guess- about 4 guys passed me including Petr V. Feet were so cold and didn't work until about 30min into the bike.

Playing the Cards and pacing my play

Bike loop 1- got out with a group of about 5 guys- Trevor Wurtele included- he had been there for weeks riding the course, so I figured I'd key off of him. Really nice guy by the way and I know his coach, so I know he'd be a smart biker. Close to the first loop turn around, I was coming too close to the guy in front of me with a referee behind me. I decided I needed to move- that meant moving to the front of our pack up the steepest part of the course. So I rode a bit out of my comfort zone to go to the front- I still felt ok and knew I could recover on the way down... rode 1:35

Bike loop 2- the windiest of the loops- headwind out and felt ok- I was in a bit of no mans land as that group I was with rode ahead- I stuck to my heart rates and decided not to worry about anyone else. I was eating and drinking on schedules, but my endurolytes I added to my Accellerade just tasted awful. At this point we were catching a lot of the AG's and clustering began. Got my special needs and got back to the start of the 3rd lap and felt really pretty good and mentally set myself up to ride the last loop as strong as I could. Rode 1:38

....And Bam- some tough cards-

Bike loop 3- After about 5mi I noticed my front tire was soft- how long had it been like this? Not sure. Stopped and felt it and it wasn't that bad- made the decision not to change it and just add some air via C02- ended up doing this about 3 more times- which I really am not sure how much time I lost- maybe 6 minutes?? What a cluster of people riding 2 lanes... it was unreal. Not fun in my opinion. I saw (women's pro I won't name) toward the end of the last turn around- mile 18 or so and passed her. As I looked back a few times- she ended up sitting on my wheel or there abouts for the entire way back- yelling at ME to yell at the age groupers that we were coming through... amazingly disappointed for her to do something like this. I had 1:41 on my watch but it stopped with my stops. Noted a ton of front age group guys drafting and a few groups of pro men... all I can say is WOW. I know deep down I raced a fair ride.

5:00 total bike ride- absolutely lame considering my fitness. Just never really felt that snappy, but I never felt horrible, so I guess that's good. Just really no focus for me.

T2- as I jogged into T2, I just felt flat- like the wind was absent from my sails- the flat thing really helped me to not be to fired up... went ok- kinda slow I guess- just wanted to reset things a bit and get ready to run.

Ok- here we go. Push the chips to the center. All in.

Lap 1 run- from the first mile I felt awesome. As I headed out- again- I was in no mans land, but knew once I got to the other side of the lake/canal, I'd see some folks. I knew this was going to be good- had 6:30 pace in my head and just tried to take in gels and not go out too fast- sticking around 6:40 pace for the first half loop... Jenni let me know I was in 37th place- which stung a bit, but I knew I could run down a lot of guys. I really had no other option- play it safe and I finish-gamble on what I know I can run and hopefully get to a point I can draw from catching guys.

Lap 2- still ok and catching quite a few guys, but toward the end of this I was noticing my quads weren't firing correctly- they were so sore from the pounding on the cement. I know the feeling of the pounding, but this was different-deep throbing and it hurt a lot. Like nothing before.

Lap 3- basically a war with myself to not stop or quit. 7:30 pace felt like 9:30 pace. I knew at this point I was struggling- my legs were just not working the way I needed them to but kept running... still ran 3:01 and that was the 10th fasted run time, but that is such a huge disappointment...

I believe had I not had the flat- getting off the bike a bit closer to another group of guys could of really pushed me more and possibly into 12th-14th place, but who knows...

Overall, I'm happy with how I raced and how I played the cards I was dealt. Am I disappointed? Yes, a bit, but considering this year, it was still a successful race. What would I change? Training wise- I felt like I did well, but 3 weeks leading into the race, my run volume dropped due to a foot nerve thing that lead to a tendon soreness- BUT, that had no effect on me race day. I rested a bit more for this a few weeks out as I was just wasted from training- I think months leading into this I probably should of had a few more days completely off...

16th Pro, 18th Overall. 9:02 total.

Observations on Ironman Arizona. The not-so-positive

This race is challenging in a lot of ways- but most of them are not challenges I believe an Ironman should be. The course on the bike and run are lack luster. If you're looking to set a bike PR, then this is the course for you. If you're looking to set a run PR, then I'd think again- the course, although it's mainly flat is brutal on your legs and has a lot of wonky turns and transitions onto dirt, rock, cement. They announced that 1100 of the 1400 participants had never done an ironman- I believe it. Bike racks at the aid stations? All the aerohelmets, aerobikes and aerowheels on people going 14mph. 3 loops on the bike and run aren't fun to me, BUT- I understand the challenges putting on an Ironman- isn't easy. The positive- great weather and I really enjoyed Tempe and Phoenix. The volunteers were awesome.

I have to send a huge thanks to Jenni, Chuck D and Laura Tingle.

Driving down with Chuck as the pilot and as my wingman during the week- kept me relaxed and focused. What a friend to take vacation to come and watch and hang out. He drove us down to the start race day and hung in there all day- yelling at us on the bike and run- letting me know where I was at. Laura was a great addition to the race- although she wasn't able to race to her potential, I believe she will really be a great IMer when she is able to sync up some things with her health. Thanks Laura for putting up with us all. Last but not least- Jenni. As always, she's the rock that grounds me. Gives me so much strength with our lives together. She is such a huge part of me in so many ways. She helps me reach deeper in training and racing. I love and believe in you and us, always.

Thanks as well to Jess Gumkowski of MassageBoulder. Her hands really helped my legs get ready for the race. Thanks Jess!

Thanks to Tim "Lucho" Luchinske Waggoner. Thanks Tim for your support, friendship, coaching and guidance.

Thanks to Michael Lovato for your advice and help.

I have to apologize to my sponsors- unfortunately, I wasn't able to get my top screened in time for the race. Thanks to Specialized for the best bike I've ever ridden and the hot new Roval Wheels. Skins, TriBuys, Nineteen Wetsuits and Boulder Running Company.