Spokane, Wa
Date: May 30, 2009
Event: 2 mile field run, 14 mile Mt. Bike, 9 mile Kayak, 20 mile Road Ride, 10K Run
For a race traditionally done by relay teams, they also happened to have an Ironman Solo division to appeal to some of us crazies.
Start: http://www.yakimaherald.com/galleries/2574/photos/1
With the sun already blazing, the starter's gun went off at 7:45am in warm 78 degree temperatures, guaranteeing that the day would be just as much a testament of hydration and heat tolerance as about stamina and endurance. The field of solo-iron athletes quickly spread out entering the 2 mile jeep road, allowing for a quick read on who the runners of the field would be to contest for the overall. One athlete, Darrell Sofield, chose to use their Mt.Bike cleats for this relatively short run in hopes of saving time in transition, but the clicking of the cleats on the rock road surface slowly disappeared into the background. Another athlete, Fred Mason, was clearly a triathlete by physique and racing attire and took the lead early on in the run. I was able to work through the field and get onto his shoulder for the majority of the run, he threw in a few surges in attempt to distance me of which I countered, putting 20 seconds into him prior to the Mt Bike transition.
Coming out of the Mt. Bike transition, I was debating whether to hold-up and let someone else more familiar with the course lead the race. Having previewed only the first 3 miles of the Mt Bike course the day before (2 flat tires due to goat head spurs) I wasn't very familiar with all the turns. In retrospect, I should have followed my instincts because soon after mile 5, I found myself off course and wondering where the rest of the field went. Going from 1st overall to re-entering the course 3-4min behind the leaders, I soon found myself discouraged and in 5th place. I told myself not to panic or to bury myself trying to catch back up to the leaders that were now well out of sight, but to be patient and pace my own race. I tried to stay on top of my fluids and electrolytes, but clearly the hilly terrain and heat were working against me already. After a hot and dusty 2000ft climb to the summit of the Mt Bike course, there was a steep boulder strewn fire road decent to the finish area for the completion of the first 2 stages. It was then that I found out that I was in 4th place overall and over 4 minutes down on the leaders. I knew had my work cut out for me for the later 2 road portions of the race, and made extra effort to hit the fluids and electrolytes during my 1 hour shuttle ride to start the road portion of the race.
The 20 mile road bike was staggered started according to the current placing and time gaps from the Mt Bike section of the race. As I watch the leading 3 athletes roll off the start line one- by-one I realized how long a duration 4 minutes really was. Once even a minute passed by the cyclist was already out of sight, so I knew I would need to motivate myself to continue to push myself even when there would be no other competition on the near horizon to focus on. Once I was under way and going at a good pace, I finally caught site of another competitor at 10 miles, quickly passing him as he was making effort to refuel and hydrate. It was definitely getting warm out as temperatures now were in the mid 80's and rising. Having only one bottle on my bike, I made sure I drank frequently and continued to put down even more electrolyte tablets. Approaching the steep roller-coaster hills at mile 15, I could finally see the 1st and 2nd place athletes on the horizon around 100yds apart from one another. Luckily, there was also an aid station handing out cups of water in the middle of the steep climb which I was able to get another few gulps of water heading over the top of the last climb for the day. I was able to pass 2nd place, Darrell Sofield, right near the summit of the climb a still had 1st place anither few hundred yards ahead. The only athlete left that I hadn't passed yet was triathlete, Fred Mason, who I knew would be the hardest to catch for the remainder of the race. Hitting 45mph down the long open steep descents to the bike finish, we were fortunate enough to have police escorts heading back into the city and blocking traffic at the many intersections along the way. I knew that I was at my limit as my feet and hamstrings started to cramp due to dehydration. I needed more fluids soon. Coming into transition, Frank was a bit surprised to see me on his heels as he made a super-fast triathlete-style transition to the run. I, on the other hand, had problems even dismounting my bike before my legs seized-up. I kept telling myself to be patient, and put down another bottle of water and several more electrolyte tabs slowly hobbling out of transition onto the run course.
On the Road Bike: http://www.yakimaherald.com/galleries/2574/photos/14
The 10K run course was a paved bike path along the Yakima River, essentially 5K out and back. Once I got on a clear straight away, I could barely make out Fred in 1st place a quarter mile ahead. I told myself to go my own pace, but was still fighting off cramping hamstrings each time I would try to pick the pace up. Knowing from past experience how quickly things can unravel when you are dehydrated, I took extra time at the aid stations to get a couple cups of water down as well as an additional one over my head. It was now into the low 90's on the black asphalt and I found myself going the extra distance just to run on the side of the path that had the most shade. I finally started to feel better at mile 2, and started to pick-up the pace as I saw Fred coming closer on the horizon. As I approached the turn around, Fred Mason was again surprised to see me closing as I believe he had written me off when he saw me cramping-up in transition. Fred immediate response to seeing me at the turn-around was to surge and put distance on me as I stopped and took on more water at the turn-around aid station. I told myself to let him go and focus on getting more water and the last 3 electrolyte tablets down for the final 3 mile push. I eventually caught Fred at mile 4 and it was quite apparent that he was trying to survive the heat just as I had been all day. I slowly overtook him and distanced him by 3 minutes over the final couple miles mostly due to Fred struggles with cramping more so than my pace.
Crossing the finishing line I was happy to have my patience, persistance, and experience see me through the day. The only thing I could think about crossing the line was to find some shade under a nearby carnival tent.
Ironman Male Open: 1, Peter Courogen (Portland) 3:48:56; 2, Fred Mason (Pasco) 3:51:54; 3, Darrell Sofield (Bellingham) 3:56:18;
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