It was still dark when we arrived at the transition area on the race day, Sunday, shortly before 5AM. After re-checking my 'Norminator' and the bags, it was time to put on the wetsuit and head out for the lake with 2,100 other athletes. The swim consisted of a single-loop, deep water mass-start with the initial 1.2 mile of swimming straight into the raising sun. I am not sure what I have done differently this year but for some reason had not encountered excessive traffic out there. I have encountered, however, noticeable cramps in my right shin and my left quad. Needless to say, after 1hr and 15min swim I was ready to get out of the water. Cramping continued during transition which pushed my T1 time to over eight minutes. No, I did not have breakfast in the transition tent.
Finally, on the bike I started pushing the tempo and got by the faster swimmers. The bike course consisted of three, approximately 38-mile loops. Half of each loop was against what was described as the Kona winds. It was estimated that the head and cross winds hovered between 40 and 50 miles/hour – nice. It was discouraging to see at times, people in front riding at an angle to the pavement and the speedometer read 19 miles/hour going down small hills. As in Ironman Florida, there was no time for respite or down time for one's legs. Since there was no active perspiration (the wind and heat took care of that) I had to remind myself to drink constantly and to alternate between consuming water, electrolytes, and salt tablets. Can't remember how many salt tablets I swallowed but it must have been over 30 (just on the bike). Experiencing no cramps in my legs at any time on the bike, I was confident this strategy had worked. I felt great. The only cramps were those in my hands from holding too tightly onto the handle and aerobars. Needless to say, reaching out for fluids at aid stations was a serious matter. There were numerous crashes, ambulance pickups, and athletes fixing their tires on the road side. Putting too much pressure in them on that day may have not been such a 'hot' idea. By the end of the third bike loop I could not wait to get onto the run.
After riding for 5 hrs and 52 minutes and much faster T2 (approx. 3 min.), I was ready to put on my racing flats. Getting onto the run felt fantastic and I was ready to chase my age-group competitors that were ahead of me. The run was a repeat of the bike in a sense that half of the distance was against similar winds we experienced earlier on the bike. I averaged about 7:25/mile in the first 4 miles. After that things got worst. My average tempo began to drop. It was for the first time in my Ironman racing that I experienced such discomfort, and later, out right pain in my feet and leg muscles. It seemed like there was a disconnect between my neurological and muscular systems. It was as if my brain was saying 'go and get them' and my muscles countered with 'there is no way'. Some of it was probably due to my still unhealed Achilles tendon. Eventually, my brain succeeded and forced my body to pick up the pace, though, not enough to finish the marathon in the time I initially planned.Ironman Arizona was a great test of endurance, determination, as well as psychological and physical toughness for all the athletes and I would consider racing it again in the future. Hope, that by that time, the potholes and cracks will get paved over (bikes did not like it at all). There were a few course records set on Sunday as well as many DNFs. Ten-percent of amateurs and twenty-five percent of professionals did not get to hear that day Mike Raily calling them 'You are an Ironman.' As always, it was a great opportunity to test one's limits, make new friends and visit interesting places. With Ironman Arizona in the history book it is time to think about my next races this season – Eagleman Ironman 70.3, Ironman USA, and Timberman Ironman 70.3 are yet to come. Needless to say, improving nutrition and hydration strategy will be an important part of my training.
