by Damon » Thu Jul 30, 2009 10:57 pm It's amazing for me to think that after looking forward to Ironman Lake Placid for so long that it is actually over (and by almost a week). In the weeks leading up to the race all of the DI members were convinced that we would have a rainy day in LP. The weather forecasts all called for rain each day we would be there. But besides the rain during the swim (and who cares right?!) the day was pretty decent for racing.
So all week I couldn't believe that race day was coming. The night before the race I got my best sleep before an IM (in my 4th attempt). Good feeling. I felt very confident going into this one. My training was the best it's ever been. My nutrition had been field tested and approved. I was ready to have a solid race. I spend some time with my family and friends before the swim, get my bike settled but I didn't fuss over it too much (unlike usual). It's really nice to pump the tires, do a last minute check and get the hell out of transition. So I head to the DI tent and talk for a bit with the others. The rain starts to fall and I figured I might as well put on the wetsuit and make my way to the water. Of course there is a line to get into the lake. Always annoying but it wasn't too bad. I get into the water and swim over to the starting spot I found the day before. Just right of center, 2 rows deep. Yes, just up front is nice. I brought Jared with me. I could tell he was a little nervous but he seemed confident. I think it makes me less nervous when others appear nervous. Somehow it's calming. Knowing I won't win also helps. Weird huh? Anyway, we tread water for about 10 minutes, talk a bit to the others, listen to an interesting rendition of the national anthem and then wait for the cannon. Finally it goes off! Instant satisfaction and I kick out fairly hard. It's weird to start in the front now that I am confident in my swimming abilities. I went a bit harder than I intended for the first 5 minutes or so... just enough time to get away from the crowds. I only got kicked in the face once and it was pretty light. Took in a couple mouthsful of water but no big deal. I stayed calm and kept at it. Finally was able to get into a good rhythm and take long strokes. I was feeling very comfortable and stayed to the outside as there was no traffic there. Took the first two turns wide and it was great. The first loop ended up I heard Mike Reilly say that the "1 hour swimmers" were making their way on to their second lap. My first lap was 30:45, which is probably the fastest 1.2 mi swim I've had. Terrific, I felt like I would match that or go a bit faster the second loop. Well, that didn't happen because I took it a bit easier and tried to glide as much as possible. The swim ended at 1:03:02, which bested my previous PR by just over 3 minutes. Needless to say, I was happy with it and I thought it was a great start to a potentially great race.
Transition was pretty quick thanks to my helper and I was out on the bike. My plan was to take the first loop easy and go a bit harder on the second. It was very exciting to start the bike and be able to catch my breath finally. The hills came and I was getting passed all over the place. It's so hard to let people go by like that but I knew I would catch them back. I stayed with the same group of guys most of the first lap, passing each other back and forth. Kind of nice and annoying at the same time. I took it easy on the downhill. No need to get crazy there. The time saved isn't worth it. The section from Keene to Jay was very easy and I didn't push hard. Still it was fast. Gatorade hand-off almost sent me into the pavement. Damn, that was close. Up into Wilmington... I forgot how long those hills are. Perhaps the hardest part of the course and it got hot. On the out and back I saw nearly ALL of the other DI guys. That was very cool! From Wilmington to LP I felt good. The hills were tough but I was passing people all over and not pushing too hard. Getting back to LP was incredible. So many people screaming and I was all smiles. Second loop was not so fun. The wind picked up a lot. The downhill was somewhat terrifying since I am fairly small... I was shimmying a bit on the way down. Saw an unfortunate rider with a lot of skin missing. I thought the South wind would help from Keene to Jay but I did NOT. Very strange. On the way to Wilmington I feel a cramp in my stomach. I try to get rid of it but it's not going away... it stays with me all the way to LP. Damn, the Wilmington-LP "notch" was terrible. Very windy in my face and now my intestines have shut down. I'm not getting any nutrition or fluid to my muscles and I'm starting to feel it. Although I'm pushing harder than the first lap my speed is about 1mph slower. Still, I finish the bike in about 5:42 so I'm happy. I get off my bike and I'm instantly in pain. My stomach has never hurt like this. I can't even run to the changing tent. Try to stretch it out but it's not working. This is disappointing.
I start the run and I'm 7 hours into the race. Not bad. The problem is that I can't run. When I try it feels like 5 people are stabbing me in the stomach with knives. I exit transition to start the run and I am all but balling my eyes out with disappointment. I know that my day has changed but I know that I have to deal with it. Pull myself together and get walking. At mile 1.5 someone says, "this is a walk-free zone." After some coaxing I give it a try... it doesn't hurt any worse so that's good. After about a mile though, the stabbing is back. Damn. I walk almost the rest of the loop... out and back on River Rd was a long way. I get back to the hill into town and see Bora. He makes me run so I do for just under a mile. Walk the hill. More coaxing from the crowd so I start running. Make it past special needs and the turn-around. Walk a bit past the DI tent. Run again on the downhill... it's so much faster. Run for a bit over a mile again and the stabbing starts, worse than ever. It's not going away. Try to sit down and let some blood get to my guts a couple times but it doesn't work. I thought an EMT was going to pull me with 5 miles left. Nope, I'm finishing this thing. Finally get back to town and the crowd is really helping me. I decide that I will finish running. Just after the Mirror Lake turn-around I start running faster than I thought I ever would in the race. Spectators are amazed and probably thinking, "why haven't you been running earlier?!" Well, my legs were fresh so it wasn't bad. The stomach pain was intense and I was grunting the whole way. Despite the pain, I really smiled when I crossed that finish line. I felt like I had really earned that one. 7 hour marathon was twice as long as I hoped for but it was better than a DNF.
Went straight to the med tent and the doctor confirmed what I though... my intestines were shut off. 3 IV bags and 3 hours later I was feeling decent and left the tent just in time to see the last person finish at 17 hours on the dot. My teammates kicked some major ass that day and I'm very proud of them all. It was so cool to see them out there and it's something I will remember for a long time. Now I am looking forward to Ironman Wisconsin 2010. Oh, and I've decided to race at Ironman Wisconsin 2009 as well
That's right, in 6 weeks I'm taking on IMMOO for the 3rd time. Perhaps 3rd time's a charm and I can put together a good race. I figured out my problem... to much protein. Good thing I have time to adjust my nutrition plan. I'm feeling very confident once again and looking forward to training for another race!!!Damon
