Ironman Hawaii 2009

So this race report is a little late…they’re a little harder to write sometimes though when you aren’t completely happy about the result but then writing them is all the more important. The race started back in April the day of my qualifying race. I have been fixated on this race from the moment I got my spot- actually probably from the moment I crossed the finish line of last years Hawaiian Ironman. The 6 months leading up the race were stellar. I followed a somewhat new program- more hours but less fluff. Thanks to the recession, for the first time in my tri career- I was able to focus a little more on training. Meaning when I left work, I wasn’t thinking about work as much as I used to. We’re slow, still spend the hours at the office but have a little more space within the mental side of things to focus on training.

With this said and huge motivation, the thought of not achieving my goals in Kona never once entered my mind.

The Week

Paula and I had a stellar flight to Kona with Jeff Young keeping us company for the day. No problems- I was stoked. I’m healthy and made it the Island, as did the bike with no cracked frame this year. The week was off to a good start. We stayed again at the Kona Reef- a short walk to town and a simple little condo for P and I to share. We did miss our Ironman family of Terry and Kim in the Condo from last year, but Kate and Jeff were close by in case we got lonely. Race week was great, simple, streamlined being my fifth time here, and filled with great friends. Zoot took great care of me and all of their Athletes. Put together a great welcome party, made sure we had all the latest and greatest gear, and provided us with a personal bike mechanic, Chris Davidson. This was an incredible highlight of race week. He alleviated a huge stress knowing the bike will be race ready and made me feel like a pro.

Pre Race

Had the extra special bonus of being given race number 83- if you finish within the top 100 in Hawaii and race the next year- they give you your finish number. A great honor and one of the best highlights of the race for me. I racked my bike in the second row, right with the big dogs. Really really cool- I was flying. This race was mine.

The Swim

With number 83- I was able to enter the body marking/ transition area through the pro line. Andy Potts and Natasha Badmann followed right behind me- I was flying.

Met Paula, Nick, Caroline, and Karla at the big Power Gel outside the King K as usual and started lubing up. Sun was breaking, no clouds, and great energy all around. Hit the water about 20 minutes before the start and swam out to take it all in. Saw the filled sea wall, had my moment to thank everyone who got me here, and started the jockeying for position. Usually hate this swim. This time it went pretty good. No head kicks, punches, kicks, gouges, or pummels. Just flowed along with the washing machine. Only odd part was the Body Glove boat was not at the turn buoy. Kept looking and looking for the boat to signal the halfway point. Started getting worried as I was getting tired and didn’t think the halfway point was in site! Soon figured it out that there was no boat. Damn recession.

Had a great swim back to the pier did my typical pick it up and catch all the groups but as usual it was too late and exited in 1:02. 5x’s and I think I’ve swam the same time! But exited and felt warmed up and ready to start the race.

Had a good T1. Saw my friend Brad who is a stellar swimmer but taking his time in transition. It was his first Hawaii so I’ll let him off. Picked up my bike in an empty T1. Usually I’d be bummed about this, but with where I was racked, I was stoked!

The Bike

Headed out with no problems. Did the loop back through Kona with no problems. Everything felt fine. Paula shouted to me I was the first one out (from all of our SD friends) and that made me feel pretty good. The first tears came as I left town and hit the Queen K. I flashed back to the 4AM trainer workouts and how I visualized this moment during all of them…awesome. This is what racing is all about.

Settled in. Checked who I was riding with. I was prepared for the worse but people were riding well. Huge improvements over previous years in the draft packs. There were the dorks. This year you could really pick them out. The big packs were riding well though. Very fair but I was fixated on my run. I let them go.

Not sure if this was a mistake.

I rode comforatably to the turn to Havi. Saw my love there and got a huge boost. Was planning to crush the climb. Started the climb, picked it up dropped everyone. 5 minutes later they crept back up. Saw a great deal a crappy riding. Usually I can get away from even the draft pack on the hills. But they were right there. This was different.

Had a solid headwind up near Havi- but it wasn’t the Hawaii winds. Hit the turn and headed back down willing myself to be feeling good at 80 miles. And I did. A little tired but I had legs and jammed home. Steady headwind that pissed you off mentally more than slowed you down. I kept it in control. 5 times here and I’ve learned you need to be able to run. If at least to enjoy your day and tell everyone how much you loved the race. Running an Ironman on empty sucks and really can take away from the day.

Picked up the cadence and cruised home- no worries no problems. I knew was riding more conservatively than the day allowed- but I had 2:55 in my head and knew without a worry that I could do it.

The Run

This was it. This was what I had trained for 6 months to do. I had complete confidence.

Exited transition and felt on top of the world for all of 100 meters. Forst mile I knew something was off. I hadn’t felt this during a run for years. I faked it for 6 or 7 miles. Hit my goal pace for the first half, about 6:35 miles. But knew with every step that this was not what racing felt like. This was surviving.

I had some good moments. Seeing my friend Ian early in the run and witnessing a race of someone’s life. A big boost. Seeing Paula on the hill to the Queen K. OK…I cried again (second time only! Usually I’ve cried at least 4 or 5 times during an IM by now) as I knew I wasn’t having my day. She gave me incredible strength though. I finished the hill and felt normal again for a few miles. But it was still survival.

Running on the Queen K is every triathlete’s dream. Even in survival mode, I squinted my eyes and took it in . There is no other place I would rather be at than that moment. Even feeling off and knowing my race wasn’t shaping up to be what I wanted- this is the greatest place to be. Nothing can touch you, you’re on hollowed grounds, it is only you against the elements- perfect, my favorite place to be.

Those thoughts picked me up. But not enough to get me to be back in the race. I saw my friendd Ian Mickelson, another stellar Zoot athlete, having the race of his life, as I entered the energy lab. I was so proud of him but will not deny that was the race I wanted. I turned towards home and sucked up a few decent miles. A great deal of coke, water, and bananas hoping to get the legs back.

Ali’i was incredible, a magical place. I crossed the line with arms held high and soon sunk into my babydoll’s arms. A few tears were shed. A few pizza slices were eaten, and a few hugs were given to the friends who have shared my life through all of this.

Kona is an incredible place. It is such an honor to be part of this race, this spectacle, this circus. I won’t lie that I wanted more. I feel like I didn’t race. Like I’m still in one of those pre-race dreams we all have where you’re late from for the start or your bike breaks and you wake up in a panic but know it is just a dream. Never felt like this after a race, good or bad. I’m hoping to turn it all around though. A few thoughts keep me going. I wouldn’t have changed any training, I killed it for 6 months. I placed higher in the age division than ever. I fell back a few overall places. I didn’t have the race I dreamed of. But many did and they impressed me and inspired me. I will come back to the island and have my day. It will happen. I just know now that it will take more than just desire and training and confidence. It will take something I have yet to find, but I will.s

Thanks for sharing in my day, Patrick