Ironman Kentucky Race Report

Doing my best not to throw out lots of excuses, suffice it to say I wasn’t heading into the race with the same level of preparedness I normally have for Ironman events. I tell first timers when they begin their iron journey to make the commitment to start the race no matter what gets in the way leading up to it. It’s very likely something is going to get in the way to test your decision. To be true to myself I had to step up to the start line.

I must say that the WTC covered all the bases and were well prepared for the inaugural event in Kentucky. With eleven of these under my belt it was really nice to pull into town and get right into the race week groove as schedules are relatively consistent across most Ironman events. I even got out and did some bar hopping Thursday night. Louisville is a great party town. Even road kill are in on the fun.

Due to an abnormally healthy current in the Ohio River the swim was changed to a time trial start with less up river swimming. With 85 degree water temps there would also be no wetsuits. As can be seen in this photo, I had done an exceptional job carbo loading for race day. The time trial start was a great call by race organizers and a low stress way to get the race under way. I’m sure for some not knowing who was where in terms of time on the course was disturbing but for me it wasn’t much of a concern. I started up towards the front of the line and swam by myself for about a third of the swim then found some feet and latched on for a comfortable ride to T1. I came out of the water with virtually no fatigue in 1:03. The extra help from the current balanced out not wearing a wetsuit. Knowing I was going to take the ride easy I had a casual transition.

Once on the bike I made a point to hold a very conservative effort especially in the hills. The course is basically a lollipop with an out and back on the stick. Once at the top of the stick you did two 30mile loops and headed back into town. The loops were through spectacular fence lined horse country. There were plenty of hills to keep it an honest course with limited drafting. Even taking it easy I started to get a bit uncomfortable about 35miles into the ride. At that point I made a wise decision to drop to the little cookie and keep it there which brought a bit more life back into my legs. All was good until I headed back into town. There’s just no faking it in an Ironman and the lack of miles under my belt really hit home over the last stretch of the ride. I was cooked it was getting hotter and a marathon was waiting for me.

If my first transition was casual my second would rate couch potato pace. I dreaded the run course. Once I crossed the timing mats I started running as easy as I could with the goal of getting to the mile 1 aid station. I made it and quickly decided to try a run one walk one strategy. That lasted for all of two miles and I was relegated to just walking. Four miles in I was already hunched over and fighting to keep from tripping on the curb. Up to that point it had been a forgone conclusion that I’d finish one way or another. With so much ground left to cover I began to wonder whether this was the race that beats me.

One big highlight of the first loop was watching Chris heading to the finish the clear winner of the race. His 19th Ironman…a well deserved win.

I know many will sympathize with the struggle of finishing the first of two loops and making the turn to head back out into the dark for another. The finish chute is right in front of you, your friends are all there and the crowds are pushing you along irrespective of whether or not you make the turn. By this time, like a rock in a stream, not only were runners flowing by me but walkers with significantly better form than I. On most of my blow ups the run was a time to socialize and commiserate with other hobbled athletes. This time my pace was so crippled it was just me and the danged curb. As much as I willed my feet to stay out of the gutter I kept getting tripped up by that curb. The cardinal sin for back of the packers is to stop moving forward. I so much wanted to take a nap in under one of the many large trees lining the course but knew it would most likely prematurely end my day. For a first time race the volunteers were well versed with the drill and never let the smile come off my face all be it artificial for much too much of the day.

It was late into the night when I finally made the far turn to head back into town. It was also very dark making that incessant curb all the more problematic. With just six miles left to cover I was still worried that my body, mind or both would give out and I’d come up short on the day. I kissed every mile marker on the way back as they became more and more spread out. At 24 my confidence returned and at 25 a true smile came back to my face. I mustered up my best run for the last block to the finish as the clocked clicked off 15:39. Over eight hours on the run course and I never stopped moving forward. I’ve got to say it was one of the tougher things I’ve ever done.

As is normal “blow up” protocol, I headed straight for the med tent. I was surprised to get out after only one IV. It was after midnight when I left the med tent and I was up against a 1AM deadline to pick up my gear and bike over a mile from the finish. I got my bike out of transition right at 1AM. I’ve really got to make a point to have a sherpa along for these races in the future to help with the after race stuff. I was in miserable shape heading back to the truck with all my gear and bike. It took me awhile to find the garage where I had parked. I pulled into the garage just after 4AM on Sunday for the race and was leaving at 2AM Monday. It was an incredibly long day but I wasn’t beaten.