IMLOU Part II: The swim

IMLOU swim start

Our team arrived in line at about 0500 to lay claim to a starting position.  In case you're not aware, IMLOU has the only time trial start format for the swim in Ironman.  It is different from a mass-wave start in that athletes jump into the water one at a time.  The only problem is getting a decent starting position usually means getting up extremely early.  Quite honestly, there was no tactical advantage by getting in line early as there was still plenty of time to complete the event.

Headed to the swim start

Can I wear my wetsuit at IMLOU?

We were about 1/2 mile away from the swim start area.  The event started at 0700, and I was in the water at about 0725.  The volunteers did an excellent job of dividing the athletes into two lines and reminding us to put on our goggles.  I jumped in the water and was greeted by tepid water temperatures and low visibility.  In fact, I literally couldn't see my hand as I reached during my swim stroke.  I had planned to draft on some other athletes, but that idea was out the window!

We certainly weren't swimming in Kershaw Park in Canandaigua, NY anymore!

The swim was going well but I never licked the inside of my goggles and began to fog up after about 20 minutes.  I veered off course and a volunteer paddled over to me to get me pointed in the right direction.  I took a moment to lick the goggles and I was all set.

There was the typical "Ironman Swim Course" contact at the turn buoy, but it seemed as though people took care not to be too violent - there was no need for it.

The course turned out into the river and began to go with the current.  I swam WAY to the outside near the middle of the river to take advantage of the current.  In hindsight, I don't think that was much of a tactical advantage either.

We made our way under several bridges and finally came to the swim finish.  There were teams of volunteers yelling instructions and helping athletes get to their feet.  It reminded me of the beach landing scene in "Saving Private Ryan".  Thankfully, we were not under enemy fire.

I jogged up to transition and saw my group cheering me on.  I stopped to rinse out my mouth and slap some high fives.  What a great encouragement!

I couldn't wait to get on the bike and put a smack-down on the IMLOU bike course.  I had a Zipp 900 clincher disc and Zipp 808 front to help me out, and was sure that my aero helmet was going to be a huge advantage.



Look out bike course!  Here I come!

About 56 miles later, I would start to re-evaluate my plan and go into cruise mode...but more on that next time!

Ironman Louisville 2010 Recap Part 1 - The Journey.

I would like to recap my adventure in preparation and execution of the 2010 Ironman Louisville - my first Ironman competition.

I had trained for Ironman for nearly one year before the event took place on August 29, 2010.  Along the way I had logged over 1100 miles of running, 6000 miles of biking, and numerous laps around the Kershaw swim course.  I had experienced a great spring training season that was interspersed with a partial tear of my Achilles Tendon, an over-the-bars crash after hitting a dog on the bike, and a few other tendon issues.  Otherwise, my training program was going extremely well and I had enjoyed new levels of fitness and endurance.

Due to the Achilles injury earlier in the year, my bike volume was higher than I had planned, and it was a blast to enjoy some fast times and high-placing finishes at local triathlons and time trials.

As we made final preparations to travel to Louisville for Ironman, I also enjoyed the rest that the taper period had afforded me.  I did have a hard time sitting around with no training to do, but I managed to actually lose a few pounds despite the reduced workload.

We rented a car to take to Louisville since my wife's Volvo is quite small.  We were loaded to the gills with a bike, triathlon supplies and nutrition.  We dropped our Black Lab puppy "Watts" off at a sitters and we were set to go.  After nine hours of driving, we were in Louisville!

I had never been around so many fit-looking people in all of my life!  The streets were crowded with men and women with single-digit body fat percentages, and the air was filled with nervous energy as countless run groups and bikers lined the streets trying to ease their nerves by cramming in some last-minute training.  We checked into our hotel and made our way to the expo to check out the wares.  Against my better judgment, I purchased an Ironman Louisville bike jersey.  Take that, superstition!

The journey had taken us to Louisville...now it was time to execute!

Next installment:  the swim!