I am an Ironman (run report)

I have left the run report for 2 reasons First, the previous blog was getting too long and I want to keep this posts readable.  Second, the run presented particular challenges that I wanted to focus on just them.

The first challange seems pretty obvious.  By the time you get to the run you are pretty tired.  In my case I was 9 + hours into the race.  Being tired, anything that goes wrong could be exacerbated.  You could misread a situation and make a mental error.  It be as simple as tripping and not being able to brace yourself for the fall.

I also had the challange of the unknown.  I had never run a marathon before.  The farthest I had run prior to Louisville was 18 - 20 miles and that was many years ago.  In the last 5 years my longest single run was about 15 miles.  I had know way of knowing whether or not my body could stand up to the 26.2 mile course.

So as I left T2 I'll admit I had a few doubts on my mind.  The first indication that i was doing something unusual to the norm was a cramp in my right leg.  This set in just before the first mile marker.  I was able to sense it coming on and take action to make sure that it did not force me out of the race.  As I felt it coming on i immediately slowed to a walk and began a rapid and vigorous hand massage of my quad and hamstring.  I was approaching the first aid station so I walked the 50 yards to the aid station.  I drank water and took in a honey stinger.

I continued to walk the 1st aid station (my race plan had me walk the aid stations).  As i exited the aid station I began to run again.  No immediate recurrence of the cramp.  The first couple miles after transition were quite scenic.  You leave the park where transition was and you head over to 2nd street and then up on to the 2nd street bridge.  This bridge traverses the Ohio river.  You go about 3/4 of the way across and then turn and come back..  My cramp started on the slight hill that takes you up onto the bridge.  The first aid station was on the bridge a little past the entry ramp.  The second aid station was simply the same station on the way back.  After you left the bridge you continued through downtown Louisville and on to 3rd street.

Between mile 2 and 3 (closer to 3) you started the first of 2 loops.  The next 10-12 miles was crowded with people completing the second loop and those of us starting the first loop.  I continued at a 12 minute mile pace through the next 10 or so miles.  I had to break my plan at the 4th aid station because coach Mo wanted to get a video of me running so after I walked a bit of the aid station I had to start running so coach Mo could get a good video of me.  Kinda neat to have my own paparazzi!!!!!!

I continued quite well through the first loop, with only one problem.  I had to go to the bathroom a lot.  At every aid station I had to stop and use the port-o-potties.  It was so bad that by mile 6 I was immediately heading for the port-o-potties at each station.  I continued to take water too because I was afraid of dehydration.  After going to the bathroom I would take little sips of water rather than big gulps.

As I finished the first loop my legs started to cramp again.  So I started to do a walk 5 minute and run five minute strategy.  As you finish the first loop you run within 100 yards of the finish line.  So as I was turning from 4th street on to Muhammad Ali Boulevard  a number of the people around me continued on 4th street to the finish line.  I still had about 11 miles to run.  Cruel but motivating at the same time.

I picked up my needs bag and took in some Ibuprofen and grabbed a couple of gels.  I continued the 5 walk and 5 run pace for the out part of the loop.  I continued to have bladder problems.  I still had to rush to the port-o-potties at each aid station.

As I hit the turnaround on the last loop I got my first surge of optimism that I was going to do this and with time to spare as well.  I still had a little over 6 miles to go and I had 3 hours to do it.  So basically I had a 10k left to do.  Yes I was tired and I was sore and it was getting late and dark.  It was that way for everyone.  Everyone out there was hurting, everyone was sore.  The conditions were the same for everyone.  Also my bladder seemed to finally settle down.  Out of habit I ran to the port-o-potties at mile 20 and I did not have to go.  At each mile I would say "I've got 6 more in me"  "I've got 5 more in me"  "they are not going to be pretty but I definitely 4 more in me" etc. . At mile 23 I was even more definite:  "3  more and they are getting done!"  Instead of a 5 walk and 5 run pace, it was now walk 3 and run 7.  At mile 23 I decided to run the last 5k..  It was great rounding the last corner and seeing the finish line and still having enough to cross the line strong!

Next post "The Finish!"