Ironman Arizona 08'

In early April I finish Ironman Arizona. It was my 9th IM finish and my fastest time. Below is my story I hope you enjoy...
I swam 59hr 5 sec; rode 5hr 15 min 10 sec and ran 3 hr 6 min 15 sec, with transitions I finished with a personal best time of 9 hr 26 min and 53 sec. I was 2nd age-group; 5th amateur, 19th overall and had the fastest amateur run of the day. All in all, a pretty dang respectable day.
Now for those of you with time to kill. It’s been a few years since I competed in Kona so I had this strong desire to return and thought IM Arizona would be a good fit. It’s early in the season so I could use living in San Diego to my advantage. It is close enough to drive and lodging in Tempe is pretty reasonable. My general plan was to come into the race with a fair amount of volume but very little intensity and hope everything would go well enough to steal a Kona slot. So other than a couple half marathons and one bike race, everything was low key with a little hard tempo. I knew if I got the slot, I couldn’t peak in April or else I wouldn’t want to race in Oct.
As I started training for IM AZ, I found out whole slew of people who were either racing or going to watch. At this race, I knew more people than at any other IM race I have ever done. It was great. I spent the days before race relaxing with the Wed night San Marcos track group (the other Brian, Charisa, Ken, Jeff, Becky, Steven, Alan, Julie). A few miles away from them were Mike, Birgit and Annika who were staying at a friend’s (Anders) family’s house after a horrible Craig’s list experience. Then several others were out on the course and about 5 more, for example Kim, were racing.
The day before the race was a perfect. I morning mini triathlon followed by turning everything in for the race and back at my hotel for lunch. I spent the afternoon hanging out with track guys and gals from San Marcos and finished it off with a nice dinner with Mike and Anders’s families. My prerace dinner was ideal. Let me tell you, nothing takes your mind off a race like watching a little girl play in the yard and twin boys playing with trains. Combine that with some nice stuffed pasta and life couldn’t be better. Right before I went to bed, I checked my phone and Mac sent me great text; “race smart, good luck and drink a lot”. Perfect advice before going to sleep.
On race day, I awoke around 3:45 AM, as usual a few minutes before my alarm was set. I hopped out of bed, coated myself in sunscreen, had a bit to eat and off to transition. I made to the start right when transition opened at 5AM and began the long prerace process. I managed to get everything dropped off, have a short run and say hi to a few friends before needing to squeeze into my wetsuit and jump into the lake.
For those of you who haven’t raced in IM AZ, the lake water isn’t exactly the cleanest. It is one of those swims where not only can you not see the person in front of you, you can’t even see your hand if you hold it in front of your face. On the bright side it reminded me of the lakes I swam in Texas and Florida when I was just getting into triathlons. However, what the water lacked in quality it more than made up for in ambiance. The start occurs under two bridges that were lined with spectators. I have to admit it was really cool to swim out to the start and see everyone looking down at you.
After getting pummeled at the start of IM Canada last year, I decided to play it safe this time and start near the outside. Fortunately, the course is one out and back loop that does do a slight dog leg. Now, if I could only swim straight and navigate off the blinding sum I would not swim that much extra and hopefully be safe. I went out hard and then managed to find an open stretch of water. I was able to swim out of the anarchy for most of the swim. I knew it was going to cost me some time but better to give up a little here and not get our with a black eye like last time.
The interesting/fun part of the swim is the finish. The shore line is really steep so you can’t walk out. Instead, you swim to a set of bleachers and they have people that pull you out of the water and onto the stairs. I felt like a salmon being caught by a bear as I exited. I say 59min on the clock and thought alright life is good. I am in one piece, feel really relaxed and now it’s time to go for a little bike ride.
I made it through transition, relatively slow, but I was calm. I got coated in sunscreen by a few volunteer upon exiting the change tent in hopes of not getting my race number burned into me and hoped onto my bike. The course is three loops around Tempe and the Indian reservation---note not a pretty as it sounds. To my surprise, I looked down and say my heart rate was really low and stable. Normally, I spin really easy for about 20k to lower my hear rate, not today. I had to push a little to get it up to my pace. Wow, a guess I sandbagged the swim a little too much.
On the way out of town, the wind was really strong. I thought to myself, I knew it was good thing I was a few pounds heavier than normal. The extra weight should help to keep me and disc wheel from getting pushed off the road. On the way out of town it was your standard IM chaos. A lot of people were flying by me trying to “make-up” for their swim. Around 5 miles into the course I found myself riding along with Rachael Ross and this other girl. I tried to pass them a couple times but every time I did they came right back by so I just stayed behind them. It was actually really nice. First we had a USAT official escorting us out so I didn’t have to deal with anyone drafting or blocking us. Second, I was sitting just behind a couple cute girls. It helped to distract me from thinking about the wind. On the downside, I was a little concerned about my fitness because my power and HR were right were I wanted them to be.
We hit turn around and the tailwind began pushing us all the way back to town. I let my HR and power drop a bit and stayed calm the entire way back despite getting passed like crazy. I knew it takes a lot of effort to put time on someone in a tailwind. Unfortunately, I dropped my female escorts and began the second loop riding by myself.
On the second loop the wind picked-up a bit and I began to lap competitors. I felt really bad for these people. All I could think was, stay clear of them and boy they are going to have a long day out here with all this wind and heat. On the second loop you pick up your special needs bag, mile 63. I timed it well because there were not a lot of other athletes around me so the volunteers had my bag ready for me so I didn’t have to stop.
In my bag I was able to refill my food supplies and get a couple bottles. At the end of the second lap I was passed by a guy I raced against from Colorado. I knew he was pretty quick so gave me confidence I was having a respectable race. Just an aside, here: I normally wear one watch and one HR monitor (another watch) when I race. However, I never look at the total time or my overall splits. I used it mainly for salt/food timing on the bike and getting a couple mile splits on the run. In general, I concentrate on fellow competitors or HR/power. So, despite having more timing gear than everyone else I am clueless how long I have been out there.
At the end of the second loop, I felt something really disturbing. As I was shifting, I felt my rear derailleur cable fraying. I knew/hoped I had a lot of strands remaining, but I didn’t want it to break while I was riding into the wind. So, on the third lap, I was really nervous shifting. This is part of the problem when you are lazy and don’t have a bike shop sponsor. I adjusted my gears and looked over my tires but didn’t check my cables. Ops. Fortunately, on the third loop the wind died down. It didn’t go away but it dropped at least 5 mph and the gusts were fewer and more time separated them.
I held to my plan, shifted less, but I pushed the top of my zone on the way out and let it drop on the way back. By then, the course was littered with competitors I was lapping and others who were drafting like mad. One group of 5 passed me and I could see the last two guys looking over there shoulders for officials. In my opinion, that is the difference between an honest mistake and cheating. If you are looking for the official you are cheating! Eventually, an official came by and broke up the group. As soon as he did, I passed them like they were standing still. The good news about the tailwind finish was it let me rested right before I got off the bike. By holding to my plan of easy with a tailwind, my HR dropped to the lower end of my IM race zone just before the run.
I dropped my bike off to the volunteers and took my standard clumsy steps into the transition tent. All in all I was feeling OK, with only some minor leg tightness. When I entered the tent, I started to think I must be doing better overall because I had two volunteers helping my out. One was grabbing stuff out of my bag and the other was applying another layer of sunscreen. I managed to stop off at the port-a-pot before leaving transition and pee. I good sign in hot weather. I exited the tent and was off on the run course.
The run is three laps around Tempe town lake and the surroundings. The loops are a series of nested figure eights. On the bright side, you can’t see that far ahead. The down side is you can’t get into a good rhythm because you are constantly turning. After passing through and aid station about 200m into the run, you head out along the lake and through a parking lot onto a street.
Having never done the course, I thought I was going the right way. However, there was no one around me. Let me tell you there is nothing scarier than running along feeling relaxed and not seeing anyone. Really, all I saw until mile one were mile markers for different laps (big number) and orange cones. About the time I was starting to freak out, I saw mile one and the silhouette of a Pro woman in the distance. I started my watch to get my split and took a big sigh of relief.
I was feeling good and really holding back on my run. I went through the next mile in 6:32 and then the next mile in 6:45, I had to hop over a concrete barrier after following another athlete to the wrong side of a barrier while crossing a bridge, so that meant I was running about the same pace. Now, no need to look at me watch until the next loop. Relax and eat/drink.
My general plan was go out no faster then 6:30 and no slower than 7, unless I needed to run slower. I knew I could run faster but I still had a long way to go and boy would it hurt later. My plan was to treat it like a normal marathon, run easy for 16 miles and then gradually turn the screws until the tank was empty. With three loops it worked out great, two loops of easy running and one loop of, so how bad do you want to go to Kona.
The first two loops went just as planned. I was running easy and found several of my friends watching around the course. It was great because they were in different locations, Dave on the bridge, Ken in the wasteland, Julie start/finish, and Jeff/Becky on the back side loop. A couple miles from the finish of my second lap, the guy who won the race passed me like I was standing still followed by Jarred Japp ( I actually passed him on lap one and ran most of lap two just ahead of him). Both of these guys managed to chase down one of my friends from my Austin days James Bonney just before he finished. Sorry man, I can’t imagine what it is like to lead from the swim and get passed by three guys in the last 5k.
Just as I started my third loop, I passed a guy I thought was in my age-group. While I could only make out the 3 on his calf, he looked about my age and it took me 4 miles to run him down. I caught him and saw the 16 mile mark so I surged and began racing. I was still feeling strong through 18 and as I was going through the next aid station, they didn’t have any ice. I was placing ice in my cap to keep cool and they didn’t have any. I was in race mode so I didn’t grab any water to toss on myself, instead I just keep going. At the next aid station, I grabbed my normal food but there were too many people in the way to get ice and once again, I didn’t compensate and douse myself with water. Big mistake that cost me.
By mile 20, I was not feeling good. When I came off the bridge I was wondering how in the world was I going to finish. My pace had slowed to what felt like a walk and I felt as if my head was going to explode from the heat. When I hit the next aid station, I walked through it and got some much need ice and water. I shuffled my way to the next aid station, walked through it and was passed by the guy I overtook at my 16. I couldn’t do anything about it. Fortunately, I wasn’t aware we were first and second in my age-group at the time or else I might have tried something stupid.
After the second easy aid station and a couple slow miles, I started to come back to life. It was a really slow process but I was starting to feel better. I knew it was bad because I passed Jeff who was giving me splits and encouragement to chase down the guy ahead on lap two, but this time all he said was “keep it up.” With about two miles to go, I passed Kim and I was finally back to “normal” running.
I was in a lot of pain but the finish was approaching and I just wanted to get this thing done. I made the turn to the finish line and paranoia set in. I didn’t want to look over my shoulder but I wanted to know if anyone was near so I was asking the volunteers if anyone was behind me. They said no and then I started to ask the next guy because I didn’t trust the first one.
Just before the finish, I ran past Charisa and Steven who were sprinting to get me crossing the finish line. I then looked up at the clock and saw 9:26 and was in shock. I had no clue I was going that fast. Then on top of that, the Pro women were spraying champagne everywhere. I have to admit it was the first time I ever ran through a mist of champagne. Heather Gollink totally coated me.
I crossed the finish line and I was done. After talking to Charisa, I was told Steven has a great picture of me crossing the line and I look like I am going to pass out. I guess a picture is worth a thousand words. I was confident I had a Kona slot but didn’t have a clue were I was on my age-group. I didn’t know where I finished until a few hours later when Andy called me and told me. With all the loops you just don’t know where you are at. Needless to say, I was really happy when I got off the phone with him.
The next day at the awards ceremony, I discovered I had the fastest amateur run on the day. That was cool and a repeat of my Lake Placid performance a few years back. Thanks for reading this far. I want to say thank you to all of you who helped in my prep. I can’t say how much it helped to have people with me for all or part of my long rides and runs. Also, to everyone who called/wrote to wish my luck or congrat’s. Thanks it means a lot to me. Now it’s time for celebration along with some pizza/burgers and beer.

Brian