The longer version goes something like this:
Race morning came. I won't say dawned, as we actually started swimming before dawn arrived. I went through the usual routine (homemade oatmeal, coffee - strong coffee - and filling water bottles). Gave Mom a hug and said thanks for coming (Dad wasn't awake yet), and headed off into the dark for the 3/4-mile walk to the transition site. A steady stream of fellow competitors headed in the same direction - eerily quiet except for the distinct boom boom boom of the disco where folks were still at it all night long. That and the intoxicated folks ambling back to their hotels. But the athletes quietly marched towards their day.
I wore my pre-race shirt from Athletes Lounge. Today, "Lounge" distinctly performed as a verb rather than a noun. The perfect thought headed into this athlete's day.
Bike all prepped for the day, transition bags all set (all handed in the prior day). I pumped my tires up, and headed off to use the port-o-john one last time before donning the wetsuit and handing in my pre/post race bag. Off to the water for the first time. I normally like to get into the water pre-IM week, but this time I really didn't care. It would be the temperature it would be, and it would be fine. I waited in the corrals with the other 2000 entrants, nervously chatting in numerous languages. I somehow managed to mingle in with a bunch of Irish (lots of them here), and was able to converse a bit. Nerves all around me, but none inside me. Perhaps some silver linings to participating, rather than racing, do exist!
My parents, who had flown all the way to watch, needed some estimate of my times so as to know when to be looking for me and/or worrying about me. I really had no idea, but guessed a 70-70minute swim , 6-7hour bike, and 4-4.5 hour run (10min, 1-2hrs, and 50-80 minutes slower than normal, respectively)
Finally we're released, and I amble into the water. I had reminded myself it would be a rough swim as my estimated swim time frame put me squarely in the busiest time in transition of an IM outside of Kona. Not much done other than maintaining position and avoiding drinking the ocean around the first of two laps, but right on target time-wise. The second lap had far fewer elbows, and while I would pass constantly that lap, I also stopped a few times to look around the bay at the volcanoes / hills that encircle the town of Playa del Carmen. The view from the water is always so different than from the land. But lingering wasn't an option as I a set of flailing arms and thrashing legs usually reminded me that there were 1000 people behind me all coming at me and wouldn't expect to find someone sight-seeing. With about 800m to go, I noticed I was getting tired - similar to how a normal IM would feel. Not exhausted in the swim, but ready to be done with it. 5 swims appears to be just enough swimming across 3 months to finish (not race, but finish) an IM swim for me. With a wetsuit, in buoyant ocean water, anyway.
I did find one silver lining to the MS! The recent tongue tingling and lip numbness I've experienced meant that for the first time ever swimming in salt water, I didn't notice any alteration in the sensation of my tongue and lips. Small perk, but life revolves around sliver linings sometimes.
Out of the water in 73 minutes.
Onto T1 - folks have wondered what the hell took me 18 minutes. For one thing, I didn't see any purpose in running this time other than not getting run over. I could stay to the side, though, so that wasn't an issue. For the first time ever, I changed completely - dried off, and put on a cycling kit rather than just racing the whole thing in the same clothes. Today I was all about comfort. I put on cycling gloves. Lots and lots of sunscreen (the stuff they used was amazing - it stayed on the entire ride! Maybe I just wasn't sweating enough...). Stopped to use the port-o-pottie, and took a picture of two of the swim exit. slowly jogged to the bike, and off I went (that's me in the red - crowded exit of T1).
I stopped fairly immediately when I saw my parents 1k into the bike. My Dad instantly wanted to know what I needed. I just calmly took my camera out, and took a photo. I hope it turned out. I think everyone at that point realized I really meant to just have fun today as nearly all around in the crowd laughed and cheered quite loudly.
About 5k into the bike, it became obvious it that the winds had found the island. I think maybe they tried to reshape it a bit that day. Oh well - I wasn't racing. It just meant I would be slower. Of course, that's the attitude to take when you are racing, as well. The winds fall into the category of "things I cannot control and thus won't expend frustrating energy on". Ordinarily I would simply alter my wattage target a bit and go. Today, I kept my wattage target, which was a complete guess anyway, and kept going. I would rest on the down hills rather than race them, and besides - I was going to stop to take pictures.
Which I did. As I said, 37 of them. Including photos of the guy who brought me coffee (though I didn't think of taking the picture of the coffee until it was gone) - a British guy named Paul. I had a few Irish guys recommend places I should take pictures as they had seen me stopping a few times. I did feel bad on occasion, in particular on the climbs, as I would stop and take a picture, then remount and slide right past those who seemed to be working rather hard. Maybe they were just in their zone. Maybe they were in their misery. It didn't matter to me - I was having a great time.
The windy descent I had previously had significant concern about was not nearly as bad as expected. It was fun, even. The straight descent right after it, however, was terrifying with huge, gusty cross-winds while going 40mph. Glad I left the disc wheel at home.
Onto the final big climb to Mirador del Rio - the defining road of Ironman Lanzarote with the 1500ft Famara Cliffs down to the ocean, overlooking an island just across the way - I was riding close to a support vehicle. I handed them my camera and had them take a few pictures of me. I REALLY hope those came out - it was stunning up there. After gathering my camera back, I zipped away passing folks again, still not feeling guilty.
Mostly tailwind then for a while, a climb right back into a headwind, then a cross-wind descent on terrible road surface, a quick jaunt through the vineyards (yes, they grow grape vines in the middle of the lava fields!), and it's back to town on a final twisty descent. Not feeling like I'd just ridden 112 miles, and wishing there was more riding to do. The one thing I wasn't looking forward to was the run, as I felt the most unprepared for that event, especially with it being last.
Bike split 6:29 (with 12minutes lost to stoppage time for pictures and coffee).
I later learned that it was widely reported to be the windiest day ever at Lanzarote - one of the windiest IM events in the world. Maybe it was a good day to have been just participating, as they didn't bother me at all. Another silver lining.
T2 was uneventful, but again I took my time. Changed completely again. Running shorts and a running jersey. Not overly concerned about how long it would take. Though I think the combined 30' in transition might have cost me first American. :)
The run. To my surprise, I had a good time. Chatted with yet another Irish guy for a while (who is also a physiotherapist) before he left me behind at an aid station. I walked a table or two of most aid stations simply to be sure I got the hydration and nutrition I needed. I wasn't sure what I was expecting. The sun did become rather hot by mid afternoon. Highs for the day were in the upper 70's. Not terrible, but not cold, either. The run consisted of 3 out-and-backs. The first two were longer 16km (10 mile) past the airport, and the last 10km (6.2mi) was along the same route but with a closer turn-around. The winds were nasty going out to the airport, and pushed you along coming home. The tailwinds also permitted significant heat to build-up, as you didn't get the cooling effect nearly as much.
After the first 16k, I was still having a good time:
The run did begin to take it's toll, though. At about 15 miles, I grew more and more concerned about my right knee as it really began to hurt behind the knee cap. Then I remembered I was a PT. I could figure something out. So I thought for a kilometer or so (I have to admit, my PT thinking cap had been left behind in the States), and recalled that I hadn't run this far since Kona, and that my muscles were undoubtedly tightening up. I stopped and stretched hamstrings, calves, and quads, and poof! Pain gone. For a while, at least. I'd have to stop once more with about 8k to go to stretch again, but this time it was a quick decision with a quick result.
I found myself using all the mental tricks I could think of as the race entered it's final 10k to keep going. I did end up stopping at my parents with 9km to go for my typical moment of self-pity, unsure I going further was really in my best interests or not. Quite clearly (internally, at least), I no longer found myself having much fun. Just pain and discomfort - just about everywhere. But I knew that sub 12hrs was possible (my one loose time goal for the day) if I could keep running. That thought kept me going. But the race face (literally) had found it's way to me, despite my goal for the day. I suppose that's the nature of an Ironman. Not an easy feat, regardless of your preparation. At some point it catches up with you.
Run time 3:40. I still have no idea where that came from. My friends remind me that I've been at this a long time, and have a huge base, let alone mental reserves to tap into. Perhaps they are right. I certainly don't recommend my recent training plan for anyone looking to finish an Ironman. But I have to admit, it is nice to be able to say - without a doubt - that I can finish an Ironman any day of the year. Even the hardest one on the circuit, on possibly the hardest day it's seen.
It makes the rewards all that much the sweeter.
Final time: 11:52. Goal achieved. The most fun I've ever had racing IM.
Thanks for reading.
Good night, and good off season.
