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PrairieMan Half Triathlon - Triathlon1/2 Ironman


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Grand Prairie, Texas
United States
Ironhead Race Productions
Sunny
Total Time = 6h 52m 2s
Overall Rank = 162/215
Age Group = 35-39
Age Group Rank = 29/35
Pre-race routine:

Woke up at 3:00 am and ate a cliff bar and drank a bottle of gatorade. Packed up the car and headed to reace site. Got there :30min before transition was to open and the gate to the park was still closed so I just waited. A cop showed up and unlocked the gate so I started to drive to parking and was intercepted by the RD. He asked me what I was doing in the park and said I was racing. His comment was that the park was closed and transition does not open to 5:15. He says he says to follow him to parking but to follow directions next time. I just blew it off since he almost died last week and I did not want to get into the "I was trying to get to parking early so I could get a good spot, blah, blah." I understand he is by the book but to yell at someone for getting there early?? He was bitching later that volunteers were getting there late. Make up your mind, early or late?? Anyways this was just the beginning of a bad day.
I parked my car and waited to head to transition and started talking to a guy who came in after me about our goals. His goal was sub 5:00 (more to come on this later) mine was 5:40. Saw a few BTers in transition as we were setting up and talked to them for a while
Event warmup:

Saw a few BTers in transition as we were setting up and talked to them for a while plus swam a few minutes just to get used to the water.
Swim
  • 40m 28s
  • 2111 yards
  • 01m 55s / 100 yards
Comments:

Was not nervous for the swim at all. My goal was only 42minutes so not overally ambitious. I just wanted to make it out of the water. The gun went off and I hit the button on my garmin and was off. The start was a little bumpy with people swimming all over the place. I had problems sighting since I had on my tinted goggle since the sun was not out much at the start. Had a hard time staying on line since I could not see the buoys but nothing really bad. Started catching the prior wave before the half way point and started getting passed by the wave after me also. Rounding the final buoy I felt great. At this point the sun is up and I am swimming straight into it so I am glad for the tinted goggles. Exited the water and looked at my watch but apparently I did not start it so I had no idea of my swim time at that point
What would you do differently?:

Nothing. I went great. Maybe sight alittle better but if I would have tried to swim harding I would have been wore out.
Transition 1
  • 02m 14s
Comments:

Not bad really. I put socks on since the distance was longer than previous races or I could have cut some time off.
What would you do differently?:

Practice transitions but overall a minute would not have helped
Bike
  • 2h 53m 16s
  • 56 miles
  • 19.39 mile/hr
Comments:

Goal was 20.0mph. Since I had ridden this area in prior races I though 20.0 was definately doable. I started out slower than I thought I would have so from beginning I new 20.0mph was probably not going to happen though. My goal was around 300cal per hour using a "feed bottle" of basically concentrated gatorade which would be approx 250 cal per hour, 1 drink every 12 minutes at 50 cal per sip and water every 3 minutes to dilute "feed bottle". This is what I have trained using so I thought I was golden.

The ride started out great other than a little windy and slower than I would have like. I did not want to work too hard since I new a few minutes would not matter in the end so I just kept at a steady pace, drinking as required. At about mile 15 I hear a noise coming from behind me that I figured was a disc and it certainly was, I was getting lapped by the 2 pros at the race (Chris Leigh and ?Poulsten). Crap, I knew I would get lapped but dang are the moving. They ended up averaging 27mph to my 19.3mph. Those guys are just crazy. Went back to my plan after this and kept going. Well around mile 40 it happened and I have no explanations. My legs started to cramp really bad. Plus my feet are feeling like they are getting blistered on the bottom right by my pedal. It was a hot day but I usually train in the heat because I knew today would be bad. I was hoping this would pass so I grabbed a bottle of gatorade ("gutorade") on the last lap for extra electrolytes. My kepte getting worse and now stomach starting too feel bloated. At one point I tried to stand to climb a hill and my legs complete locked straight, this was going to be really bad. Anyways, I entered the park to head to transition contemplating stopping. I then thought of all the hours training and potential time lost with family while training and figured I could always walk 13.1mile. Right before transition I see the bike of the guy I was talking to early on his car rack which is strange but I head to transition. I know at this point there will be no jumping off of my bike so I slow to a stop and straddle my bike to dismount. I can barely swim my leg over my frame but manage.
What would you do differently?:

As bad as this sounds I would do everything the same but if I had to pick something I would not drink the gatorade.
Transition 2
  • 02m 6s
Comments:

I was at a snails pace to my spote and put on my running attire and head out. Realize I forgot my garmin on my bike I walk back 50 yards to get it. I figured at this point a little extra walking is not going to hurt and I new I was in for a long run/walk and wanted to make sure my time did not suck. I was really hoping my legs would start to work.
What would you do differently?:

Remember my Garmin
Run
  • 3h 13m 56s
  • 13.1 miles
  • 14m 48s  min/mile
Comments:

As I am heading out I see Chris Leigh coming to the finish barely sweating with noone in his sight. I figured at this point running was pointless so I just walked as fast as I could. The first 2 miles was a little shaded so that helped someone but stomach was so full when I tried to run it just was not happening. Heading out to the main part of the course I was Aaron (jeepfleeb) who was volunteering and I managed to run about 3 steps for a picture so I at least looked like I was running. Immediately starte to walk. I would try to run a few steps but my hamstrings would just seize up immediately so kept on walking. I had decide prerace to run with a water bottle and NUUN which came in handing with about 15minute between aide stations. There was plenty of stations, at least 13, but I was moving so slow they took forever to get too. At mile 3 I was David (dgillen) walking to the park. The race was closed to traffice so he had to make the 1.5 mile walk in. Stop and talked for a minute since I figured it would not hurt at this point. Continue to walk towards the damn. At this point I get on the dam which is extremely hot. Not trees for shade and right by the water. My feet are killing me but there is no way I am stopping. Plus it looks like most people at this point are walking also so I figured I came off the bike in a decent position so I should not finish that badly even though my time will suck. I drink as much as possible and try to stay cool. At about mile 5 it looks like it might rain and I keep feeling small rain drops but that was just a tease. Hit the end of the dam and decide to count people going the other way to see how bad I am position wise. I end up getting to about 40 when the people stop. I knew I was bad but did not think that bad. Well about mile 10 it starts to pour, thunder and small lightning. I decide to try and run since I had about 2.5hrs of walking. For some reason my legs wanted to cooperate all of a sudden and I was running about 8:30/mile pace for about 3/4 of a mile. Decided at this poin to run walk to the finish since weather was getting bad. About 1.5miles from the end a loud crack of thunder scared the crap out of me so I pick up the pace. At this point I was actually passing people so I felt good. I could see the finish and it looked like it was closed. I though maybe they were stoping the race but actually you had to enter the shoot from the other direction but I was beat at this point since I was running hard thinking I was done. I walked for a few seconds the last .5 miles or so so that I could run hard to the finish. Crossed the line and was never so happy to finish a race in my life.
What would you do differently?:

Not much I could really do other than stop.
Post race
Warm down:

Ate a few pieces of pizza and drank some. Talked to a few people and drove David to his car so he would not have to walk back. Found the guy I was talking to before the race and apparently his tubular rolled off his front rim and he crashed and busted his aero bars so he could not finish.

What limited your ability to perform faster:

I have no idea. I trained like I planned on racing. I drank the same things and tried to train in the heat as much as possible. I really have no idea what happened and am at the point I reall need to stop thinking about it.

Event comments:

The race was organized great but the RD need to calm down. I knew I was there early and did it on purpose. I know this is his personally though.

Not sure what my next step is from here. I would like to do another HIM but the training was getting to be alot so next year will probably just be sprints. I will try and do more though and work on speed, this year was about endurance.




Last updated: 2007-09-10 12:00 AM
Swimming
00:40:28 | 2111 yards | 01m 55s / 100yards
Age Group: 21/35
Overall: 103/215
Performance: Good
Suit:
Course:
Start type: Wade Plus: Waves
Water temp: 0F / 0C Current: Low
200M Perf. Good Remainder: Good
Breathing: Good Drafting: Bad
Waves: Good Navigation: Below average
Rounding: Good
T1
Time: 02:14
Performance: Average
Cap removal: Good Helmet on/
Suit off:
Wetsuit stuck? Run with bike: Yes
Jump on bike: No
Getting up to speed:
Biking
02:53:16 | 56 miles | 19.39 mile/hr
Age Group: 26/35
Overall: 129/215
Performance: Below average
Wind:
Course: 4 loop course, small rollers, fast course.
Road: Smooth Dry Cadence:
Turns: Cornering:
Gear changes: Hills:
Race pace: Drinks: Too much
T2
Time: 02:06
Overall: Average
Riding w/ feet on shoes
Jumping off bike Bad
Running with bike Bad
Racking bike Average
Shoe and helmet removal Average
Running
03:13:56 | 13.1 miles | 14m 48s  min/mile
Age Group: 31/35
Overall: 185/215
Performance: Bad
Course: Out and back maining on the dam. No shade really. Hot course.
Keeping cool Average Drinking Too much
Post race
Weight change: %
Overall:
Mental exertion [1-5]
Physical exertion [1-5]
Good race?
Evaluation
Course challenge
Organized? Yes
Events on-time? Yes
Lots of volunteers? Yes
Plenty of drinks? Yes
Post race activities: Average
Race evaluation [1-5] 5

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2007-09-10 1:05 PM

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Subject: PrairieMan Half Triathlon


2007-09-10 3:23 PM
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Subject: RE: PrairieMan Half Triathlon

Wow count me as someone that is surprised you had a bad day.. You did some really solid training for it, and it just might be one of those things where you had a day where your body just didn't want to do what you wanted it to.  a friend of mine is the dietitician for TCU and she has told me that mixing something extra strong isn't the best thing to do. but since you trained that way with no problems I don't think that was it.. you had a good plan that you used throughout all the prep work.  Maybe it was just a bad karma day for ya. 

It was pretty hot out there and even though you could only walk for most of the run you still finished, plus your swim and bike was good even with the problems at the end of the bike course.. so did the guy whose bike you saw on his car DNF ??

2007-09-10 3:58 PM
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Subject: RE: PrairieMan Half Triathlon
Gaarryy - 2007-09-10 3:23 PM

Wow count me as someone that is surprised you had a bad day.. You did some really solid training for it, and it just might be one of those things where you had a day where your body just didn't want to do what you wanted it to.  a friend of mine is the dietitician for TCU and she has told me that mixing something extra strong isn't the best thing to do. but since you trained that way with no problems I don't think that was it.. you had a good plan that you used throughout all the prep work.  Maybe it was just a bad karma day for ya. 

It was pretty hot out there and even though you could only walk for most of the run you still finished, plus your swim and bike was good even with the problems at the end of the bike course.. so did the guy whose bike you saw on his car DNF ??

Thanks, basically I was drinking something similar to Perptuum so I Should not have had a problem.

Yes, the guy DNF'd, I guess I forgot to mention that.  Apparently his tubular rolled off and he crashed and busted his aero bar.  BTW, the guy was the one getting his picture taken with his extremely attactrive SO before the swim start.

2007-09-10 4:59 PM
in reply to: #958747

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Subject: RE: PrairieMan Half Triathlon

wow I'm sorry that happened to the guy,, even though I was trying to get a picture of me with  his Sig Other together..,,

Hope you feeling well today,, I would have thought wearing the helmut and steelers jersey would have guarenteed some good racing vibes for you

 

2007-09-10 6:09 PM
in reply to: #958321

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Subject: RE: PrairieMan Half Triathlon
Way to gut it out after cramping, that took some serious mental toughness to stay out there when things were not going as planned.  Hopefully you can get the cramps figured out for next time.
2007-09-10 8:11 PM
in reply to: #958321

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Subject: RE: PrairieMan Half Triathlon

Hey, you finished man!  That's definitely something to hold your head high on.  I'd like to see you race another HIM, because I know the improvement will be incredible.

Congrats!



2007-09-11 10:34 AM
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Subject: RE: PrairieMan Half Triathlon

Ken, I'm glad you finished and you should feel good about that.  This distance is tough and I didn't really get it right until my 3rd try and that might have just been b/c it was cooler.

I know you were well prepared for this race and practiced using the feed bottle and everything.  So, I'm not quite sure what went wrong for you either.  It could have just been a bad day.  We all have them.

Was your HR high on the swim and bike?  Was your perceived exertion higher than your normal rides?  If so, this could have cause absorption problems with the sodium in the your feed bottle and this could have led to cramping.   

Regardless, you did well to finish and should consider doing another HIM at some point.  No rush, but I'm sure you could attain your original goal of 5:40! 

2007-09-11 1:24 PM
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Subject: RE: PrairieMan Half Triathlon

Congrats on finishing this race.  It was brutal out there with the heat and humidity. 

TJ

2007-09-12 9:50 PM
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Subject: RE: PrairieMan Half Triathlon
Sounds like you had a rough day out there Ken! It has to be hard. You train, you have it down in training and then race day doesn't go as planned.

With that said your swim was fast and your bike average rocked!

Yes the run was hard on you, but you kept going. That's what makes you an Ironman... you finished even when nothing was going as planned.

It's not always about racing a perfect race, but finishing the race. Congratulations!
2007-09-12 11:07 PM
in reply to: #958321

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Subject: RE: PrairieMan Half Triathlon
Thanks for posting your report, Ken! The only thing I can think of is maybe your legs were overtrained? Did you get any massage before the race? I'd definitely get some now! I know how bad a charlie horse feels even several days later. And maybe, since your sweat rate is high, you need endurolytes? I got a liquid that I hate the taste of, but so far, no cramps since using it and I did experience them before that...

Congratulations on pushing yourself through a painful run! You definitely have earned yourself some powerful bragging rights!
2007-09-13 10:00 PM
in reply to: #962701

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Flower Mound, TX
Subject: RE: PrairieMan Half Triathlon
Ken, I was out there as well and I too sweat profusely. I have to take major sodium in so I don't cramp. Chris Legh takes in over 1000mg of sodium an hour as he sweats about as much as I do.

PM if you want to chat more about what has worked for me.


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