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IMLP

Sometimes your dreams come true.

The day, the weather, the support, the fans all were nearly perfect. Sure the afternoon run was hot and there was some headwinds on the second bike loop but, no complaints by me.

The swim is a mass start and a first for me in a race this size ~2400 started.
I cannot tell you how many bumps, shoves and blows I recieved and dealt out, it's part of this crazy sport. The worst were kicks to both goggle sockets, a firm kidney punch and a hand/palm in the teeth while I'm turned to take a breath. My 32/1:08 splits were excellent for me as I had hoped for ~1:10.

There is a longer transition run to the Oylmpic Oval in bare feet carrying your wet suit that adds to your time but is really thrilling - this barracaded chute of 10 deep fans all screaming. I spied Mary and the girls along the way and that carried me thru to the bike.

The bike is hilly, make that mountainous in spots. It's considered the most challenging of the North American Ironman courses. My race plan was to hold to 20mph and I did that through 9o miles or so but my right leg began to hurt, a recurring thing this year and I still had the Marathon to do so I deliberatly let up for some on the hills leading back to Lake Placid.

Now my hope was to leave the second transition, begin the run at or under 7 hours. This would give me a chance to go under 11 hrs for the race and keep competitive for a Kona slot. The clock was 7:13 something so I knew this was maybe out of reach?

My biggest MISTAKE was probably the most common. Race plan was to run 8-8:30 miles, my first three for the Marathon: 7:20, 7:50, 7:41. It's a cliche' but so true, a few minutes gained early costs you 10 times that in the end. I believe my run fitness was overall off also due to the leg injury that kept me from running the past three weeks. (pool running was OK)

Still I was able to fininsh strong on the Olympic race Oval. Cool. . .

Then the next day came as a HUGE surprise. A Kona slot and Yes> .. .

Sometimes your dreams really do come true

dr Dave

awesome

i'm going to tune up my bike when i get home. truly inspirational dr. dave.

By TimT at 26 July, 2007 - 12:58 | login or register to post comments

Tim,

are you inspired enough to race a sprint tri on Sunday? Pine Tree Triathlon in Brewer.

By Alyie at 26 July, 2007 - 17:00 | login or register to post comments

Thanks

Great report, gave me goosebumps. Thanks for the inspiration, and congratulatons!

By Chris G. at 27 July, 2007 - 19:14 | login or register to post comments

Congrats Dr. Dave

And thanks for your report. You'll have the good wishes of the Eden Nation with you in Kona in a few months. Let us know if we can help you train in some way... track work pacing, paddle escort for open water swims, etc. I'm curious about your water/calorie intake during your race last weekend. I'm guessing it's pretty much a constant process after the swim. ?

By Frank H at 28 July, 2007 - 11:26 | login or register to post comments

Good Question. Nutrition has

Good Question. Nutrition has been called the fourth leg of Triathlon, critically important.

I take the endurance gatorade handed out on the course, around 30 oz an hour, fluid and salt with calories. I carry my own gels and use one very hour with water. At the half in the ironman race you have access to your "special needs" bag which is whatever you put in it.
I've found eating a mini meal at the half really keeps me fueled so I eat a powerbar or two, a PB&J and part of a bananna. This seems like a lot but I will munch it over 15-20 minutes with extra water.

During the marathon I stick with gatorade and a gell every 45 minutes or so. In these long races they will put out all manner of stuff at the stations so every mile you could run by cookies, pretzels,, fruit, gummie candys, chips. At my first race in Florida some one laid out the small McDonalds hamburgers cut in half.

Towards the last stops traditionally there is flat coke/cola and warm broth/soup. Both have been known to bring athletes back from the dead The cola, likely the caffiene helps with focus I think but I wish it were colder.

Thanks for the help offer. Maybe some open waterdrafting sessions?

dr Dave

By Dr Dave at 29 July, 2007 - 08:05 | login or register to post comments

Thanks for the info, Dr. Dave

It sounds like you have to manage your way around the course pretty carefully and have a fueling plan you've tested. Do they have a mechanism in place to guard against "over hydration"? I imagine somewhere on your bib number is your normal weight.

Happy to let you draft behind the kayak for an open water swim. Unless I drop my gps I'll probably be staying out of the water though. Let me know. Kona water temps in October are equivalent to .. Echo Lake in September?

By Frank H at 29 July, 2007 - 09:12 | login or register to post comments

Dr.Dave,

I'd be quite happy to swim with you anytime. I work at Camp Beech Cliff and can do mornings or evenings, right from our dock - I'm not sure what your schedule looks like, but if you're interested, you've got my email address.

Frank has kayaked with me before and that's awesome too. There's nothing like having a bright yellow kayak in front of you to sight!

By Alyie at 29 July, 2007 - 14:13 | login or register to post comments

MDI triathlete’s goal met at Lake Placid Ironman

By Brian at 4 August, 2007 - 06:40 | login or register to post comments