Ironman Louisville Race Report (overall info)

I may as well start at the top and work down to the details;

                           2012                                         2013                                     Diff.

Swim:               1:38:07                                     1:20:16                                 -17:51

T1:                       18:02                                        10:27                                   -7:35

Bike:                 7:14:52                                     6:04:14                              -1:09:38

T2:                       12:13                                          8:19                                   -3:54

Run:                  6:11:42                                     6:08:52                                   -2:50



Total               15:34:56                                   13:52:08                              -1:42:48

Big picture:  1:42:48 improvement over 2012.  On the whole not bad.

This being my second time at Louisville some of my report will obviously involve differences from last years race.  Also previous posts have covered the training and lead up to this years race.  In summary preparing for last years race and this years race were very different.  My approach last year was "Train to survive".  The goal was to complete the distance and enjoy myself.  I pretty much conquered that goal.

This years approach was "Train to attack".  When push comes to shove I was going to sacrifice a little comfort for a better time.  In other words finishing the race and ending up in the medical tent at the IV bar was a distinct possibility this year.  Thankfully I did not end up there.  As the time comparison shows I improved on last years time by quite a bit.  My coach felt that a time of 14:30 was doable and would represent a big improvement.  So it seems that my 13:52 came as a surprise to most.

Except me,

Other than a better time I had a couple of goals for this race.  One was to finish fast enough to not have to wear a lighted necklace.  If you are finishing in the later hours you are required (asked) to wear a tube around your next that is filled with a luminescent liquid.  This is for safety reasons. 

From last years race.  Notice the lighted safety "ring"

 

I know it is a silly goal but not having to were one of these means that I have finished the race faster.  I must admit it felt good not having to wear one.  I know childish but still rewarding given my goals.  A second goal was to finish in the day light.  this one was hard to quantify but for the most part I think I missed this one.  When I crossed the finish line the lights were on on fourth street and the chute.  So I have to count this one as missed.  Not by much,  I would have to say that I was about a mile from the finish line when the sun set.

 

A goal of all races was to finish strong.  Looking at my run splits my last mile was my fastest. 

 

My Ironman Louisville Results



So mission accomplished there.

I know this has been said by me and many others but it needs to be said again and again.  None of this is possible with out the hundreds of volunteers.  You people are the greatest!  The volunteers spend as much if not more time on the race course than most of the competitors.  They help us with our bags in the changing tents, hand us water and food.  they hold our bikes during "Bio Breaks".  There is no way to express enough thanks to all these wonderful people.  To all of you;

Thank you so very much!

Next post swim report.