by Before the race
I was extremely nervous and anxious to get going before the race. I was at our Detroit Iron Triathlon tent before the race with the other Detroit Iron teammates trying to visualize my race before putting on my wetsuit. I wasn't paying attention and all of a sudden everyone had their wetsuits on and they were going to the swim start. [alright, calm down. Get your wetsuit on, body glide, swim cap, goggles, 2 gels, water, and head to the start]. I was so nervous that I put body glide all up and down my arms even though I was wearing a sleeveless wetsuit. Nice!
I finally found the swim start mat that we had to cross and waited in line 2 minutes before getting in the water. It was a mess. People were everywhere. I just decided to swim out in the middle and find a spot towards the front. Luckily I found Damon and we swam to the second row about 2/3 of the way over for the start. After treading water for 5-10 minutes or so (easy w/ a wetsuit), the canon went off and we were moving. Being my first Ironman I didn't want to get burned out for the swim so I took 10 hard strokes and settled into an easy pace. It was a little crazy with everyone around so I steered to the outside to find some more room. I found a pair of feet to draft off of and kept going.
After a couple of minutes someone slapped me in the face on my left side not once or twice but five times in a row! Their recovery on their swim stroke had their right back hand leading and hitting me in the face. I couldn't believe they just kept hitting me. I grabbed their arm, pushed them over, and sped up to get out of their way. About 10 minutes later I got kicked in my left goggle. It suctioned the goggle onto my eye so tight I had to stop to tread water, pull it out, and re-adjust. After that everything went pretty smooth.
First lap felt really easy and I did it in 33 minutes. Hopped back into the water and kept going. I only really sped up 3 times after getting slapped and that was just to get out of open water and into a draft behind other swimmers. If I found myself without feet in front of me I immediately veered to the left or right to get into a draft. I was happy to see the finish on the last lap but kept an easy pace. Left the water in just under 1:10 and felt great! Wetsuit strippers got my wetsuit off and I ended up running by my teammate Brian and saw that Asher was just ahead of us when I met him in the transition tent.
On the Bike
Get all my bike gear on, gels in my back pockets, and I'm off to get my bike. Volunteers have it waiting for me at the end of the row, got to the mount line and I was off. Even though the course was hilly and tough, the first lap felt easy. I kept an easy pace and had 3 hours 15 minutes on the first loop. Had some GI issues about half way through that I got worked out, saw a couple of crashes, and hit just under 55 m.p.h. on a down hill. It was good. 2nd loop hit with a headwind on the 12 mile climb on the back part of the loop and I started feeling bad. Not great. It was great seeing all of the Detroit Iron teammates out on an out and back before the big climbs, however. It helped to keep me motivated.
I kept pretty well to my nutrition plan on the bike except I didn't eat anything solid. I also borrowed some Infinit nutrition from another person and the sodium was a little high for me, which made me nauseous. Just drinking water put me back feeling well, though.
The last 2 miles through town before the bike dismount were good but I was very much ready to get off the bike. My quads, neck, shoulders, and back were sore, toes were getting a little numb, and my butt was feeling far from great. A quick drop off of my bike to a volunteer and run into the transition tent and I was all ready to leave. I got some sun tan lotion applied along with some vaseline under my arms from chaffage on the swim from my wetsuit and I was off.
The run
I left the transition tent and heard my name over the speaker (and starting the run is Jared Pomranky from Detroit). Nice, that gives me a little motivation. I remembered to keep it slow going out the first 3 miles as it was mostly all down hill. That was also easy because my legs were on fire. [it's okay, keep going. 3-4 miles and I should get my legs loosened up]. 3 miles in after walking the aid stations and my legs were starting to feel better. I run my first 6 miles a little faster than I should have at a little under 9:00 miles and then I start to feel it.
At mile 8 I really start feeling my pace. I change my strategy from walking 1 minute at every aid station to 2 minutes at every aid station and I'm feeling better. I walk some hills, pass some people, get passed by those people again, pass them again, and see fellow teammates. It was great to see teammates on the out and back on River road and most people I met in the middle for a high five of motivation. Good stuff. There were also some great people on the run that I talked to a little bit. I started out eating a gel every 30 minutes with cola and water at the aid stations until my stomach can't take it anymore. I'm feeling sick. Only cola and water from there on out.
I reach the big up hill into town at about mile 10 and I decide there's no way I'm running that as I would be completely anaerobic. I've been keeping my heart rate in zone 2 and I'm not about to change that now. I power walk up the hill passing people and making a joke to someone about training in the mall when they comment on my good walk pace and then I'm up to run special needs. I hear great cheering from my girlfriend and other DI (Detroit Iron) supporters so I'm feeling good. I'm really looking forward to some Ibuprofin I have in my special needs bag but I can't find it anywhere. Disappointment... I take a 5 hour energy and I'm off.
Second Loop
I head out on the second loop feeling great about getting 13 miles completed. I even don't feel demotivated at all about turning left to start the second loop instead of turning right to finish. That's good! Easy down the big hills and a turn left for the out and back. About half way out on the out and back and something's wrong. I don't know what it is but I'm feeling a little confused and I'm really hurting, who would have guessed at this point.
I try taking in more cola for a couple of aid stations and then I start not being able to spit between aid stations. [I need more water] I take in more water and I'm at the turnaround. About 7 miles left. I'm feeling really bad, walking in between aid stations, and just thinking that I will be walking much more on the way back.I then get passed by a lady Moira who I had passed back and forth on the bike and a little on the run. We had talked a little before so she gave me some advice: "You know Jared, you're legs are going to hurt really bad whether you walk or whether you run so you might as well run". It seemed somewhere between great advice and a scolding but it lit a fire under my ass. I started running again and got back to only walking the aid stations and the big hills. Walking up the big hill I have my head down, sweat pouring off my brim, and I'm wobbling up. Someone tells me to keep my head up so I pick it up, grit my teeth, and continue up the hill.
I pass all of the DI supporters and get some great motivation with about 2 miles to go. I make a commitment to run the last mile when I get to it as I think that's about all I can run continuously right now. I reach mile 25 and I stop to walk .2 miles (yes, I meant only the last mile. Not 1.2!) I finish walking and I'm off running and I'm focused. I'm passing people left and right and it feels good. People are cheering and it's really keeping me going. I pass through an aid station with volunteers trying to hawk their wares, keep my eyes forward, and keep going. I pass all of the DI supporters yelling "Go Jared" and I keep my eyes forward to keep going. Focused.
I get to the split to turn left to take another lap or go right, a volunteer yells something to me, and I make the turn to the right to lead me into the final loop on the Olympic oval. I am overwhelmed with relief on being able to turn right to finish. 300 yards to go. I turn right to start following the loop counter-clockwise and I see someone in front of me. I see them running on the right side of the loop and high-fiving people. I go for the shorter path and keep to the left. Turning left and my back starts cramping. [keep it going] I turn on to the final straight away and notice there's someone in front of me a little ways ahead. I keep my pace to get a good finish photo, I throw my arms up in triumph at the line, and finish in 13:22. I have a catcher holding me up as I get my medal, finisher hat, and my finisher shirt and the catcher asks me if I'm okay.
Post Race
I'm pretty confused at this point and I tell him I'm okay. I wobble through the chute to where they have food and I see Greg. Congratulations and he tells me I don't look well and that I should go to the med tent. I go for food and drink. Thinking about eating pizza makes me sick so I drink 4 cups of cola for recovery. I still feel absolutely horrible and dizzy. I see my girlfriend Holli and I can't really answer any questions. She tells me to go to the med tent. Finally I go over to the med tent and tell someone I feel horrible and that I might pass out.
I get brought in to get weighed (they weighed us before the race). I had lost 10 pounds during the race. Not good. Someone gets sick standing next to me and I start feeling woozy. I grab someone and tell them I'm going to pass out soon. They drag me to a bed and after talking to a doc I get 2 IVs. I then feel pretty good and stand up to leave. I'm talking to a friend when I pass out and crumple on the floor. I get dragged into a bed again and get 2 more IVs. I'm finally good. 3 hours in the med tent and I'm ready to leave. So tired.
After a couple of days rest, I'm already planning out the next one. Need more weights, core, and run volume. More intensity on the bike. Drop at least an hour on my time. Wisconsin 2010 HERE I COME!
