IRONMAN LAKE PLACID RACE REPORT

What an awesome event it was.  I have been lucky enough to be a spectator at some killer sporting events, The Master's, Final Four, LSU v Florida Football, Phillies World Series Win; but nothing was like being at or competing in an IRONMAN!

EASY TOTAL:
Swim 1:21
Bke 6:10
Run 4:07

Finally after 7 months of training!

Post race recovery

VIDEO REPORT:
Check out the video report on the Sites I like to Visit link on the left.

RACE REPORT SWIM:
Race day weather was great.  It was a wet-suit illegal race due to the water temperature of over 76.1 degrees.  You could wear a wet-suit, but if you wanted to win a Kona slot or any awards you could not.  I was not aiming for Kona or any award, so I had mine on.

I started out all the way to the right in the lake.  When the cannon fired, I took 5 really deep breaths before starting my swim.  I followed the advice of many experienced swimmers at Ironman Lake Placid and I stayed far right during the swim.  I was about 25-50 yards off the buoy's for most of the race.  I stayed there so I would not have to fight for space along the "line" of the buoy.  At times I felt like I was the only one swimming as I could not hear or feel any other swimmers near me.  I completed the first lap in just under 39 minutes and headed out for lap 2.  I followed the same plan, and stayed right again.  This time I stayed about 25 yards off the "line".  I exited the swim in 1:21:03, good for 1,500th place.  Overall my shoulder felt pretty good, only a few twinges when I would make an attempt at freestyle.  I basically breaststroked the entire race.

RACE REPORT BIKE:
I exited the swim and made the .20 mile run to transition with relative ease.  I found my swim/bike bag quickly, made it into the change tent and a volunteer immediately started to help me get ready for the bike.  Once I was dressed and ready I headed out of the tent.  The I realized I had no sunscreen on.  I made a u-turn back into the tent for that.  After the sunscreen I re-exited the tent.  A volunteer had my bike ready for me, so I had little problems getting to my bike.  The bike mount area was really congested.  You funnel down into a small area to mount you bike, and once on the bike you go down a hill with a quick left turn, so I think everyone was just being really timid.

The bike is 2 loops of 56 miles.  The first loop you can over cook yourself, then die on the second loop and marathon.  My plan was simple, take the bike easy so would have enough on the run.  The views in Lake Placid are fantastic, so at some moments, I actually sat up on my bike and took it all in, the views, the sounds of a nearby stream or river, the Moose crossing signs, and the deer in a field that I saw.

The first few miles out of town are rollers with a pretty good climb.  I got some fuel into me and made sure I started to hydrate right way because it was going to be pretty hot on the course later in the day.  I hit the screaming 7 mile down hill into Keene.  I was probably too conservative here looking back, but my plan was to try and conserve energy on this big downhill and stay in control.  The road is not completely flat so I did not want to risk a wheel wobble.  After Keene, it is pretty flat into Jay and Wilmington, only a few false flats, rollers and such so I focused on getting in fuel.  No real climbs.  Coming out of Wilmington you see the signs for Lake Placid 10 miles and you know what is coming.  These last 10 miles are tough because you know you are climbing back into town.  The "three bears" awaited me as I attempted returning to Lake Placid.  The last hill is Pappa Bear, a tough climb under normal circumstances, but at an Ironman it is really tough.  Once I conquered that last hill, I made the right turn and start heading towards Mirror Lake and the Special Needs bags.

I made the stop at my bag to get some additional food for my bike and he second loop.  I also downed a small bottle of Sprite just as a way of giving my body something different other than Gatorade, Ironman Perform, and Water.  Quickly I mounted my bike and heading towards the Olympic Oval to repeat the loop.  As I entered town the crowd really is going crazy for you.  It felt like I was in the TDF!  Now all I had to do was repeat everything.  Total on the bike was 6:10.

On the bike taking it easy

RACE REPORT RUN:

I had a simple plan for the marathon, have 26 one mile runs.  Essentially run aid station to aid station.  While at the aid station, take sponges, ice, water, cola, and then any food I think I may need.  Only start running again when I am ready.  Walk when my HR went above 155 on the hills.  Pretty simple.  My back was pretty fried when I got on the run course.  I guess after 6:10 on the bike that was to be expected.    Luckily my family was at Art Devlin's, and it's only .2 miles from the transition area so I got to see them 4 times and that provided alot of motivation for me.

The run course is deceptive.  The first 2.5 miles are easy and full of support.  Then you hit the River Road loop.  It is pretty isolated out there, not much crowd except or the local home owners and volunteers from the aid stations.  It also seems longer than a 3 mile out-3 mile in loop.  Coming back into town I walked up 2 of the 3 hills, so I could keep my HR down.  Heading out down Mirror Lake Drive is nice and shaded.  It is also where special needs bags are for the run.  I took mine just so I could get the food out of it.  I passed by the Olympic Oval knowing that all I needed to do was repeat the first loop and maintain my nutrition and I could finish in under 12 hours.  The second loop was similar to the first, just slower.

As I came down to the last mile I was hurting some.  The crowd around the finish is awesome.  As I started to pick up my pace coming down to the Oval, I was smiling and clapping my hands.  I wanted to soak it all in because it is that awesome.  When I came around the oval, I made sure I was not next to someone because I wanted to have my own moment coming around to the finish.  Right after I crossed the finish line, I heard my Dad yell to me.  They were right at the finish line and were able to see me come across.  Marathon time 4:07.

Right after the 1st lop, only 13 miles to go!

OVERALL REPORT:
It was a great experience for me.  Obviously I enjoyed it all because I already signed up for next year 2012!

My overall time was 11:52:31.  I was a little off my goal of 11:30, but I was happy because my number 1 goal was to finish healthy and smiling, and I did just that.  I had a great time on race day, followed my plan, took in all the sights, and had no lingering issues in the days after the race.  I actually felt great and better than I have after open marathons I have run.