TAKING IT OUTSIDE

Summer, Fall, Winter, or Spring, I am known for doing all my bike training on my computrainer, indoors. So, this time, I decided to break my habit and take advantage of a gorgeous weekend and take my bike outside ;o)

IRONMAN LOUISVILLE 2011

After a great weekend in the Midwest, I am back in New England having raced Ironman Louisville in Kentucky a week and a half ago. Ironman Louisville was a non-wetsuit legal race where the swim took place in the Ohio River. It was my first 2.4-mile official race swim without a wetsuit, and needless to say, I was not sure what to expect, even though, I have spent many hours in the pool and the lake training for this particular event. Unlike my all other races, the swim required a time-trial start in which athletes jumped in the water in 2-second increments. Despite my initial concerns I pulled-off one of my best swims, ever – 1hr. 14 min. Unfortunately, one athlete did not make it. He drowned a few minutes into the race. Autopsy pending, he has likely suffered a heart attack. It was his first Ironman race. He was 46 years old.

A bird's eye view of the swim course

Polish triathletes getting ready to jump in the Ohio River

In a full daylight, exiting the water with a smile

Happy with my first-leg performance, and followed by a quick transition, I set out for a 112-mile bike ride. The bike, with its steep hills and the relentless rolling hills took triathletes into the country side. The roads were in a very good condition and most of the streets were closed off to the vehicular traffic, thus providing the necessary safety. Even though, the bike portion of the race was more challenging than I initially anticipated, I was still able to average about 18.5 miles/hour.

This could have also been the race I did not finish. At mile 10, I started noticing a noise coming from the bottom bracket. By mile 30, the noise became embarrassing. By mile 70, the noise became so loud and concerning that I decided to “milk” each downhill for all I could to minimize the need for pedaling, and hoping the cranks will not cease. In the end it worked out fine. I made to T2 in 6 hrs. 6 min.

With the city in the backdrop, the bike race is on

Out of the saddle on one of those relentless hills

After a reasonably good transition into the run I was off to tackle the marathon. The run offered a flat course that took runners through downtown and the adjacent neighborhoods. My run performance was definitely not what I expected that day. I felt “flat” and experienced some respiratory issues. My marathon run was about 90 minutes slower than my previous run at Ironman Lake Placid. Nevertheless, tired, but happy, I crossed the finish line at the 4th Street Live in 12 hrs. 43 min.

Mile one on the run. heading towards Indiana. There will be a turn-around just before crossing the state line

Feeling good with the "Yum" Center in the background

Finish line at the 4th Street Live where the celebration never ends

Memorializing Ironman #15. Until the next time

With a bit of time to analyze Ironman Louisville, I have began training for the Great Floridian at the end of October (www.greatfloridian.com). Stay tuned.

A WEEKEND IN LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY

I returned from Ironman Louisville a few days ago. I enjoyed being back in the Midwest, for the first time, since moving to New England eighteen years ago. Especially, because it gave me the opportunity to see again friends I have not seen for many, many years – indeed, I had a great time there.

The weather was awesome. Warm days (in the mid 80’s), cool nights, and very low humidity made it for a very comfortable weather and race-day conditions. Here are a few picks from the days leading up to the race. The race report will be forthcoming.

Louisville was ready for the athletes

Muhammad Ali is a fixture in Louisville's landscape

And so is the White Castle Hamburgers

New York City has its cows, Louisville has its horses - blue .......

..... and checkered

KFC's Colonel Sanders on break having a smoke

Fourth Street Live - a famous entertaintment and business center. Will also turn into a lively finish line of Ironman Louisville

Ironman Expo - also a very lively place

The bike transition area on Saturday. In the distance, the mighty Ohio River, the race's swim venue

Swim start. Athletes will be jumping-off those docks in the "trial start" method - every 2 seconds - approximately, 2,500 of them

The first few swim markers

Happy just thinking about it

Not many opportunities for practice swims due to the boat/barge traffic on the Ohio River

Friday night. All packed up and ready to go