Here's my race report from IM Florida:
Yesterday marked my 4th
attempt at IM Florida. After several
proclamations of Ironman “retirement”, I made a last minute decision to sign up
for this race last November. I had just
come off surgery for a sports hernia, and was feeling like I needed to give
this race another shot. For a little background, I hadn’t had a good
race here in 3 attempts. My first IMFL
(which was also my first IM) I went in with a very poor mental approach….qualify
for Kona or crash and burn trying. Well,
I crashed and burned, and rather than finish the race…I dropped out, at mile 20
of the marathon no less. I don’t ever
recommend dropping out of a race…as that decision lingers with me to this
day. I signed up for the following
year. However, for some reason, perhaps
stress, I kept getting less and less sleep the entire week leading into the
race. Come race day, my body was so
tired that I felt sick to my stomach on race day. Although, I did finish in 9:48…I was “flat”
all day. It was not the finish that I
wanted. I came back in 2007, one more
attempt to qualify for Kona. After
racing pretty well during the day, I fell apart during the marathon. I wound up walking the entire last 10k…to
finish around 10:30. So, even though
Jenn told me that we were never allowed to come back to Panama City Beach
again, I signed up. Just like I did with
Lake Placid in 2010, where I redeemed myself for a poor 2006 race, I wanted to
redeem myself for my prior poor races at IMF.
2012 has been an up and down race
season for me….with more downs than ups.
It started at Buffalo Springs 70.3, where I had high expectations, but a
subpar performance. However, I was still
able to manage 5th in my AG, which put me just outside of a Kona
slot, but gave me a chance to compete in Vegas at the 70.3 Championships. After competing at AG Nationals in Burlington
and some local races, I got ready for Vegas.
Unfortunately, Vegas went even worse that Buffalo Springs. I had a terrible swim, terrible bike, and
pretty much shuffled the run. I had
purchased a new bike in 2012, and while I really love it, and it’s FAST, I had
trouble with getting comfortable for longer races. So, I had my position looked at and tweaked
after Vegas. I was worried that if my
position was causing issues for 56 miles, then 112 was going to be a real
problem. Also, in qualifying for Vegas,
which is held at the beginning of September, I didn’t really start IM training
until after the race….so about a month and a half. Don’t get me wrong, I had several long rides
and runs….but no specific IM training until after Vegas. This was definitely a concern of mine.
I guess I don’t really have to
mention this, but Hurricane Sandy caused travel havoc to Panama City Beach….and
just a little stress! I guess I
shouldn’t complain….as there are people in NJ and NY with much bigger problems
than getting to a race. Anyway, after
some travel hiccups, we got here on Wednesday night (originally scheduled to
get here around 10am). The race is on
Saturday (different than most IMs), so I essentially had two days to get
ready. The days leading into the race
were uneventful…a couple of short runs, bikes and swims…and by Friday I was
itching to race….and feeling confident. As
many know, I went into this race with high expectations. I thought I could be in the mix for an AG
win, and high up in the amateur overall standings.
PRERACE: I got to transition around 5am. I would have gotten there a little later, but
I needed to find a bike pump. I dropped
off my special needs bags, got body marked, set up my bike and then tried to
relax. Very methodical. In fact, that was my mantra during this race.
SWIM: I love the swim at IM
Florida. I grew up on the ocean, so I
don’t get rattled by the swells and chop in the ocean, or gulf in this
case. The water was relatively flat the
day before the race, but had picked up on race day. I positioned myself at the front of the
approximately 3000 competitors. Once the
gun went off, I quickly got myself through the surf and swimming. I got out quick and could tell I was up
front. But, I just couldn’t get
going. My arm turnover just felt
slow. And, I started to get passed and
banged around. There were some big
swells on the way out to the first turn.
Having experience in the open water doesn’t mean that you don’t swallow
some of it…and I did. A lot of it. During the chaotic swim out to the first
turn, someone also yanked on my leg and almost pulled off my timing chip. So, I was trying to be careful not to lose
it. I definitely felt better on the
second loop. If you look at my results,
the second loop looks slower than the first, but that’s because it’s longer, as
you have to swim horizontally to a buoy to start the second loop. As I exited the water and looked at my
time….about an hour….I was a bit discouraged.
I wanted to swim around 57 minutes.
But, I think all of the times were slow due to the conditions.
T1: I didn’t have the most efficient T1. First, even with wetsuit strippers, I had
trouble getting my suit off. The arm got
stuck on my watch. Then, I fumbled
around a bit with my gel flask and glasses.
I tried not to worry about it….it’s only a few seconds. They wouldn’t let the amateurs leave their
shoes on the bike, so I had to run through transition to my bike with them
on. So, I did my best not to take a
header!
BIKE: Once out on the bike I started to roll. I knew I was out of the water in time to be
out towards the front of the race, and away from the big drafting packs that
plague the middle sections of the race.
However, during the first 5 miles there was a lot of jockeying for
position….and I could tell already this drafting was going to be an issue. Once I settled in, I watched my power and HR
numbers and started to get my nutrition in.
I felt pretty good on my bike, and I was flying along at 25-26 mph. When someone would pass me, I was very
conscious to drop back about 7 bike lengths.
Here’s the frustrating part and something I just don’t understand….I pass
someone, they pass you right back, then SLOW DOWN! It’s so infuriating. Dude, I just passed you….suck it up and drop
back! Anyway, around mile 20, about 3 of
the guys I had passed, and about 5 others rolled by me in a pack. Let me just say this….I’m not naïve. I know that there is drafting at IM
Florida. I knew it coming in. BUT, it shouldn’t happen at the front of the
race, so blatantly, when there’s room on the roads to ride cleanly. Anyway, I dropped back and sat on the group
for the next 8 miles or so. Even though
I was riding legally, there is definitely a benefit to riding behind the
group. Finally, just before mile 30 a
marshal pulled up. I looked over at her
and said that it was no coincidence that these 8 guys were bunched up….she
agreed and proceeded up to give several of them red cards. I was so happy to see this. 4 minutes in the sin bin. Unfortunately, I just didn’t see enough
marshals during the day. I became
increasing frustrated throughout the ride as I saw several other small groups….with
guys riding out of the aerobars and constantly looking behind them for
marshals. The thing with these drafting
packs is that you have to pick and choose your spots. If you try to pass all of them, you’re going
to fry your legs. So, sometimes it’s
better to ride easier at a legal distance and wait for your spot to pass. The other thing is this….if you’re drafting,
the marathon is going to be a lot easier because your legs are going to be much
fresher. So, seeing these guys drafting
was really starting to piss me off. And,
while sometimes drafting penalties happen for minor infractions: you don’t drop
back or make your pass quick enough….the guys that I was watching were
blatantly riding in groups. To me, if
you’re racing for your AG, it’s just not fair.
Might as well be taking PEDs.
Anyway, I finally dropped these guys before mile 70. As I was approaching mile 75, I slowed down
to relieve myself…and as I jumped back on the pedals, here comes the same
freaking group that got penalized at mile 30….riding in the same damn pack, no
less. I guess that’s to be expected if
the same group goes into the penalty tent at the same time and leaves at the
same time. I was beside myself. Here I was busting my ass to ride a clean
race, and a group that served a penalty for blatant drafting, passed me again,
blatantly drafting. As the group
approached mile 80, a marshal came up, but didn’t issue any penalties…which
frustrated me even more. The group
actually got bigger as they picked up a few more riders. Around mile 80, we turned into a headwind,
so, I was able to pass a few of the stragglers in the group that couldn’t hold
on. There’s an out and back section just
after mile 90, where I was able to see the front of the race. I was feeling pretty good, and towards the
end of the section, started to roll up on the group in front of me. This time, I decided to put the hammer down
and pass them. So, I passed about 10
people as we turned back into the headwind…..and dropped them all….with the
exception of one or two that tried to stay on my wheel. That didn’t last long though….as I rode the
last 10-15 miles hard. I finished up
with a 4:49 ride. Now, I know that not
only is this a fast course, but also a fast conditions day….but it was still
the best I’ve ridden at an IM. I stayed
in the bars most of the day…and rode very strong. But, the thing I’m most proud of is that I
rode as clean as I possibly could all day.
T2: I had a fairly quick T2, although I did
fumble a bit. My Advil and salt tabs
spilled all over the floor when I emptied my bag….and I missed taking my banana
on the way out of transition. But, I
gathered myself and was out on the run course.
RUN: I had to keep slowing myself down, as I felt
pretty good. I continually watched my HR
to keep it in my prescribed zones. It was pretty hot out. Not Kona or Vegas hot, but hot for this race
(mid to high 80s). I was taking in nutrition and had no doubt that I could
manage a strong marathon. In fact,
coming back on the first loop of the marathon, thoughts of a 9 hour finish
started to creep into my head…and I quickly had to dispel them. I knew that the second loop was going to be
much tougher, and that I was definitely going to slow down. I had only done a couple of long runs leading
into the race, so I knew a slowdown was inevitable. But, I didn’t anticipate what was going to
happen around mile 14. I saw Jenn at the
turnaround and gave her the thumbs up….my signal that things were going
well.
But, just after, at mile 14, I had
the first signs of “issues”. My body
started to rebel….which I’m pretty sure was from taking in the electrolyte
drink of choice which is offered on IM courses (we’ll leave it unnamed!). In retrospect, I realized that I’ve had
issues at my last two IMs where they had this…LP and Kona in 2010. In fact, at IMLP, not to be too graphic, but
I had to empty my stomach right after the finish line. All of the drink mix came up. Anyway, once my body rebelled, I had trouble
getting anything down. I just felt sick
to my stomach. I tried taking cola in
hopes to settle things down. But, that
was the beginning of the end. Cola and
water were the only things I could take.
I stopped on 3 occasions to try to force myself to get sick, in hopes
that I could empty my stomach and keep going.
It just didn’t work. I was
running on empty for the last hour or so….and just forced myself to try to keep
running. I knew that I had given away a
few spots in my AG during the last 4-5 miles….but there was nothing I could
do. In addition, I was having issues
with the shoes I was wearing….my feet were slipping around and causing a lot of
discomfort. I’ve had a lot of success
running in the shoes, but I hadn’t run a marathon in them before. Anyway, the fortunate thing is that with my
stomach issues on the forefront, my shoe discomfort was an afterthought. As I approached the finish, I mustered
everything I had to finish strong. A few
people told me that I looked good finishing….well, I guess I had a good game
face on, because I was HURTING. After I finished, I found Jenn and my parents
(who came down to watch) and just had an emotional meltdown. For those that have done an IM, it’s such a
long day…you know what I’m talking about.
But, I got very emotional….I just felt like I let an opportunity for the
AG win slip through my fingers. And, as
I finished, all of the emotions I had through the day just culminated and came
out. I managed a 3:27 marathon,
walk/jogging the second loop, and I did finish in 9:24 (almost 9:25), which is
nothing to shake your head at. But, I
was hoping for better…and should have done better.
Just after the race, Jenn told me
that she thought I finished 5th in the AG. While that was a disappointment, it still
basically guaranteed me a Kona and podium spot.
Only after I got back to my condo did I realize that I was actually 7th
in the AG, which put me on the peripheral of qualifying. I figured that there were 6 AG spots….but
with 600+ in my AG, I knew that if one of the older AGs didn’t take the spot,
it would roll back into my AG. Well, as
many know, that didn’t happen. Going
into this race, if you had told me that I’d go 9:24 and not get a Kona spot, I
would have thought you nuts. That time
has won the AG in past years. But, it is
what it is. IMFL is a race that, while
fast, is one of the most competitive IMs on the circuit due to the European
influence. Not to mention, Kona spots
typically don’t “roll” because people have an entire year to plan and prepare
for Kona. Again, what disappoints me
is….how many of those ahead of me were guilty of riding illegally in drafting
packs? I have no way of being sure…but I
have my suspicions. And, after
dissecting my race many, many times, I realized that if I hadn’t stopped to try
to empty my stomach on a few occasions, I may very well have finished 5th
or 6th in the AG. But,
hindsight is 20/20. Other than the
stomach issues that plagued me on the run, I really enjoyed the race. It was one of the first times I felt strong
all day on the bike. That said, I have
no plans on going back to Panama City Beach.
Although I didn’t qualify….I’ll consider a 9:24 and a top 50 finish a
success….redemption!
POST NOTE: After the race, while at our condo, I found
my wife very upset. When I asked her what
was wrong, she told me how disappointed she was that I wasn’t doing Kona in
2013. Sometimes I forget that our
spouses and families sacrifice as much (or more) than we do with this sport. Anyway, after some consolation, I told her
that I would try to qualify at another race, if she wanted me to. Honestly, I had no intention of doing an
ironman in 2013. And, I wasn’t going to
do one unless she made the decision. I
told her that if she wanted me to do it, then I would do the training. Now, with a baby due in January, this was not
a simple decision. We found community
spots open at Mt. Tremblant. I entered
all my information…and then turned to Jenn and said, this is your decision. YOU have to tell me to hit enter, or I’m not
doing it. So, now I’m doing Mt.
Tremblant….one more season of training.
In retrospect, I’m excited about this race as I’ve heard only good
things about it. Now I just have to get ‘er
done!
