Ironman Wisconsin - Triathlon


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Madison, Wisconsin
United States
World Triathlon Corporation
Total Time = 13h 40m 1s
Overall Rank = 1391/2544
Age Group = M 45-49
Age Group Rank = 167/265
Pre-race routine:

Got up at 2:30. Had my usual 1/2 bagel with PB and Honey and 2 small bowls of cereal. We rented a house outside of Madison so I had a bit of a drive to the race. Got there in plenty of time to get body marked, set up bike nutrition and drop off special needs bags. Spent some time with my family and was ready to go. This was my first IM and I had the usual questions of did I do enough? But I was really pretty relaxed. I felt like I was prepared and had done everything I could to be ready for today. Wind was kicking up pretty good but I tried to not let it get in my head.
Event warmup:

Headed out towards boat ramp and tried to get in some strokes to loosen up.
Swim
  • 1h 23m 56s
  • 4224 yards
  • 01m 59s / 100 yards
Comments:

I had planned on starting by the ski ramp, but I kept getting closer to the buoy line and decided to go ahead and get into the scrum and experience it all! When the cannon fired it was everything I had heard about! There was a lot of contact but I didn't ever feel like I had made a mistake. I kept my line and just kept stroking. I'm not a fast swimmer but I'm a strong swimmer. The contact and the waves didn't really bother me. I got to the first turn buoy and let out a good MOO. After the first turn things seemed to open up. The back stretch had some pretty good waves but I kept telling myself it wasn't too bad and just keep a nice rhythm. I went a little wide on the last turn and cost myself some yardage but nothing too bad.
What would you do differently?:

Not much. A little better sighting, but with the high waves it was tough to see at times.
Transition 1
  • 10m 24s
Comments:

Strippers were great and running up the helix wasn't too big of a deal. My helper in T1 was fantastic. He kept me moving but made sure I was comfortable and had what I needed. I did a complete change so that added to the time. I knew that going in and didn't worry about it. I wanted my 400 mile shorts!!
What would you do differently?:

Nothing
Bike
  • 6h 47m 17s
  • 112 miles
  • 16.50 mile/hr
Comments:

I had rode the loop twice so I knew what to expect there. I wasn't as sure about the stick. My plan was to ride the first half very conservative and see how I felt on the second. I wanted avg around 16mph if I was feeling good for the whole ride. It was a little windy and in spots it bothered me but I kept reminding myself it was a long day and just enjoy it all, even the windy parts! When I got to special needs I didn't feel like I needed anything so I just went right through. I was a little worried that during the second loop on the hills I would start feeling it. I couldn't be more pleased with my climbing. I felt strong all the way through the second loop. I spun up the hills and at no time felt like I was in trouble. All of the work I had done was paying off. The last 15 miles seemed to take a while but once I got closer to town the excitement came back. Rode up the helix with no issues, gave my bike off to the catcher and headed for T2.
What would you do differently?:

Nothing. I think my pacing was steady and left me with something for the run.
Transition 2
  • 06m 40s
Comments:

Another great helper in T2! Made a complete change again and headed out for the run.
What would you do differently?:

Nothing
Run
  • 5h 11m 44s
  • 26.2 miles
  • 11m 54s  min/mile
Comments:

I felt good and just wanted to try to execute my plan the best I could. Walk through aid stations and the big hills, run the rest of the time. First 13.1 went pretty smoothly. I was definitely getting tired but I was still able to start back up running out of each aid station. I got to mile 21 and was feeling pretty tired. That is about when I met my new IM friend Amy. We started talking and she was having some stomach issues. She had been walking for a while but wanted to get running again. I told her to start running and I would keep pace with her. We kept each other going through the end of the race. I'm so glad we met each other! Where else could two complete strangers motivate each other like this? We finished strong and ran the last 3 miles at a nice pace. Hearing Mike say my name and call me an Ironman was the best. I was so happy when Amy told her friend to take a picture of the 2 of us together. I knew then that I had helped her as much as she helped me. Amy from Chicago, thank you!
What would you do differently?:

Not too much. I think I did the best I could on that day.
Post race
Warm down:

Chocolate Milk!!

Event comments:

It was everything I could ask for for my first IM. The volunteers were outstanding. The crowd support was so motivating and exciting. I promised my wife I would not do another IM in 2014 but instead focus on short course local races. So I won't be doing this race again next year, but I highly recommend it to anyone, it was a fantastic experience! Like everyone my first goal was to finish with a smile, but deep down I had in my head that I wanted to finish under 14 hours. I was able to accomplish both goals, what more could I ask for!




Last updated: 2012-09-12 12:00 AM
Swimming
01:23:56 | 4224 yards | 01m 59s / 100yards
Age Group: 144/265
Overall: 1162/2544
Performance: Good
Suit: Orca 3.8
Course:
Start type: Deep Water Plus:
Water temp: 0F / 0C Current:
200M Perf. Good Remainder: Good
Breathing: Good Drafting: Average
Waves: Navigation: Average
Rounding: Average
T1
Time: 10:24
Performance: Good
Cap removal: Average Helmet on/
Suit off:
Wetsuit stuck? Run with bike:
Jump on bike:
Getting up to speed:
Biking
06:47:17 | 112 miles | 16.50 mile/hr
Age Group: 178/265
Overall: 1430/2544
Performance: Good
Wind: Strong
Course:
Road:   Cadence:
Turns: Cornering:
Gear changes: Hills:
Race pace: Drinks:
T2
Time: 06:40
Overall: Good
Riding w/ feet on shoes
Jumping off bike
Running with bike
Racking bike
Shoe and helmet removal
Running
05:11:44 | 26.2 miles | 11m 54s  min/mile
Age Group: 167/265
Overall: 1391/2544
Performance: Good
Course:
Keeping cool Drinking
Post race
Weight change: %
Overall:
Mental exertion [1-5]
Physical exertion [1-5]
Good race?
Evaluation
Course challenge Just right
Organized? Yes
Events on-time? Yes
Lots of volunteers? Yes
Plenty of drinks? Yes
Post race activities: Good
Race evaluation [1-5] 5