Despite the record-breaking temperatures we had a wonderful time in Las Vegas during the championship weekend. This was not our first trip there. We visited Las Vegas/Henderson twice before for the Silverman triathlon, although, we were there during a much cooler season. This time, we chose our lodging away from the race venue. Instead, we opted to stay within a walking distance to the Las Vegas Boulevard. Not experiencing the excitement of the race all the time was quite relaxing and allowed us to explore quite a few attractions the city has to offer. As an added bonus, being close to the "Strip" offered me the opportunity to do training runs on the Las Vegas Boulevard at 5:30 in the morning, in a more reasonable temperature.
The race morning started for me at 2:30 after a solid, five-hour sleep. Within an hour, we were in the car driving, mostly empty streets, to the Las Vegas Resort for the swim start. My swim wave (M50+) of about 200 athletes was scheduled for 6:45. The transition opened at 4:30, so the two hours provided ample time to double-check the bike and gear, and to do my warm-up run, still, in a total darkness.
Warm-up before heading to the lake
Time to get going, right after this picture, though. Jose and I first met on the plane to Las Vegas and kept running into each other before, during, and after the race. Even among 2,000 athletes, the world seems to be small, indeed.
All buttoned up. The gun will go off in a couple of minutes. Another, non-wetsuit swim. It was just announced, the water temperature is 83F. Even without the wetsuit the water will be too warm.
This was a deep-water start. Lots of water treading and buoy-hugging. Kasia had a great observation venue for taking swim pictures.
At 6:45 my wave started swimming into the raising sun, which significantly handicapped our ability to sight the yellow buoys. I wanted to make sure I stay in line and get enough open water. Well, it did not happen that way as the body contact with the other swimmers persisted for a better part of the 1,800 meter course. Nevertheless, I felt relaxed and occasionally able to get on some one's feet, if only just for a little bit. I knew my swim time will be slower than if I swam in a wetsuit, but considering the traffic and sighting challenges, I was quite content exiting the water in 39 minutes. Not great, but I will take it.
Glad the swim is over. Now, a long run around the lake to T1. You can see the transition port-o-lets in the distance.
After a reasonably good transition, I was on my way out of T1. There was an initial uphill run to get to the bike-mounting zone followed by a 2-mile gradual climb out of the resort to the main highway.
Leaving T1 behind. At 7:30 it is already in the mid 80'sF
Within the first couple of miles
Despite the raising temperature I felt really good and strong on the bike. I was familiar with this bike course from my Silverman racing experience and knew what to expect. The greenery of the resort was the last oasis the athletes would see for the rest of the day. In a couple of miles it will feel as if riding on the moon.
Well, I take it back. There was a little vegetation along the well-paved and well-maintained roads. The traffic was manageable and the course, for the most part, safe.
The 56-mile ride was quite challenging and comprised of long ascends and descents with a total elevation gain of over 2,000 feet. The deep wheels handled the road very well and rolled nicely despite the occasional cross-winds allowing me to stay in the aerobars on the fast downhills. I was pleasantly surprised to ride this challenging course in 2 hrs 45 min despite having raced Ironman Louisville just two weeks earlier.
Transitioning into the run went well, and in about 2 minutes I was running out of T2, into what felt like an "oven." It was getting really hot and remembering to drink (without feeling thirsty) became an obsession, as the dry heat was sucking up moisture out of the body. Failing to balance the salt and water intake would spell a meltdown in a hurry. The run course consisted of three, 4-mile+ loops. Half of the distance going down, the other going up. I am not sure which was more challenging. Fortunately, it all played out very well as the temperature had risen to over 100F by the time I crossed the finish line after 1 hr 50 minutes of running. My official time of 5 hrs 22 min placed me 35th/103 in M50-54.
Mile 13.1. Always a sweet moment.
The final jump
Kasia volunteered at the race and greeted me at the finish line with the flag and medal.
With Mark Allen, the Ironman racing legend.
It was well worth the hard work and preparations to race with the best in the world at the 70.3 distance and to take home one of these. An unforgettable experience, indeed.
My work is done here. Leaving the Ironman Village but taking great memories with me to New England ;o)
The race morning started for me at 2:30 after a solid, five-hour sleep. Within an hour, we were in the car driving, mostly empty streets, to the Las Vegas Resort for the swim start. My swim wave (M50+) of about 200 athletes was scheduled for 6:45. The transition opened at 4:30, so the two hours provided ample time to double-check the bike and gear, and to do my warm-up run, still, in a total darkness.
At 6:45 my wave started swimming into the raising sun, which significantly handicapped our ability to sight the yellow buoys. I wanted to make sure I stay in line and get enough open water. Well, it did not happen that way as the body contact with the other swimmers persisted for a better part of the 1,800 meter course. Nevertheless, I felt relaxed and occasionally able to get on some one's feet, if only just for a little bit. I knew my swim time will be slower than if I swam in a wetsuit, but considering the traffic and sighting challenges, I was quite content exiting the water in 39 minutes. Not great, but I will take it.
After a reasonably good transition, I was on my way out of T1. There was an initial uphill run to get to the bike-mounting zone followed by a 2-mile gradual climb out of the resort to the main highway.
Despite the raising temperature I felt really good and strong on the bike. I was familiar with this bike course from my Silverman racing experience and knew what to expect. The greenery of the resort was the last oasis the athletes would see for the rest of the day. In a couple of miles it will feel as if riding on the moon.
The 56-mile ride was quite challenging and comprised of long ascends and descents with a total elevation gain of over 2,000 feet. The deep wheels handled the road very well and rolled nicely despite the occasional cross-winds allowing me to stay in the aerobars on the fast downhills. I was pleasantly surprised to ride this challenging course in 2 hrs 45 min despite having raced Ironman Louisville just two weeks earlier.
Transitioning into the run went well, and in about 2 minutes I was running out of T2, into what felt like an "oven." It was getting really hot and remembering to drink (without feeling thirsty) became an obsession, as the dry heat was sucking up moisture out of the body. Failing to balance the salt and water intake would spell a meltdown in a hurry. The run course consisted of three, 4-mile+ loops. Half of the distance going down, the other going up. I am not sure which was more challenging. Fortunately, it all played out very well as the temperature had risen to over 100F by the time I crossed the finish line after 1 hr 50 minutes of running. My official time of 5 hrs 22 min placed me 35th/103 in M50-54.
