Ironman Louisville

By Tom Mangel
(August 31, 2007)

In keeping with the tradition of the great Triathlete, Scott Pederson, I have decided to write a quick synopsis of my experience at the Ironman Louisville.

Since we have all crossed paths in our training all summer long, I will skip the stories of the long training days. All I would like to add is that I managed to reach the starting line with few if any injuries thanks in part to the help of Bill Roman. He has taken over the practice of Mann Spitler and always seemed to have the time to let me run in and make adjustments to shoes, orthotics, or both.

To say I was a little apprehensive about this whole event, especially the swim, would be an understatement. I suppose if there was no swim involved a lot more people would do these. Add to it that the day would start off with a 2.4 mile swim in the Ohio River (upstream for the first half) and I was wondering what I had gotten myself into. But, an hour before leaving home on Thursday we all received an e-mail from the race director that the swim course needed to be modified. It seems that all the recent rain the Midwest was receiving was now dumping into the Ohio River and flowing, very briskly, downstream. The swim would now start in a protected area between Tow Head Island and the shore about 1/4 mile upstream. We would now swim upstream around the island and then into the main river before turning downstream back to the transition area.

Friday morning started off with a practice swim on an abbreviated course following the original swim course. This turned out to be pretty comical. There were 4 buoys set up going upstream. After reaching the third, Rick, Mike and I decided to continue to the fourth. I began swimming again, but after about 5 minutes, I looked up and realized I had not gotten anywhere against the current. I then set my sights on a buoy cross current to head to and began swimming again. Before I could reach it , I was about 100 meters down stream. I tried to take this as a good sign. Imagine how quick we would get downstream on race day!

Saturday led us out onto the bike route (by car). After about 10 miles of nice flat road along the river, we began ascending and descending and ascending and descending and ascending and descending and, well I think you get the picture.

Race day started with the first ever time trial start for an Ironman event. This was done because the area between Towhead Island and the shore was only about 50 yards wide, not wide enough to facilitate a mass start. We made it thru the line and into the water in about 7-8 minutes after the first pros entered the water. So far a great start to the day. Once past the head of the island, we headed further upstream than expected, but the water seemed calm and it was easy going. I made the turn down stream and seemed to be settling into a nice rhythm. I learned later the current that was so strong Friday had slowed to about .4mph. Not much help, but I'll take anything I can get. I came out of the water in about 1:15:00. This was even a little faster than I had hoped.

I fumbled thru transition (maybe I thought since this was an Ironman I didn't need to rush as much. Lesson learned) and headed out for a 112 mile ride. The hills were tough, but manageable. It seemed like I was either going 35 mph or 9 mph. Yes, I said 9. It got to the point that I didn't want to see anymore downhill because I knew what came after it. The scenery was nice and I did see family both times we went thru the town of Lagrange. Probably the most entertaining thing I saw on the ride was some roadkill (a raccoon) that someone put a party hat and beads on and laid a beer can next to. I finally completed the bike in just under 6:30:00. I think I was a little conservative on the bike due to the heat and the fact that I was in uncharted territory. The last temperature I saw on the bike was 92 degrees. So far for the day, I was right on for where I wanted to be.

Again, I fumbled thru transition (lesson learned) and headed out for the Marathon. Before the first mile mark, my heart rate had climbed pretty high. I assumed this was due to the heat and decided I had better back off a little if I was going to make it to the finish. The run actually went ok for the first 14 miles. From 15-19, things got tough. By 20, the heat was taking a toll and I was light headed and nauseated. At mile 21, I spent 5 minutes emptying out the contents of my stomach. This was not voluntary! I then took a couple minutes to get my bearings and plodded off down the road. I actually felt better for about a mile. I tried to take some fluids at the next water stops, but it was quite apparent that was not going to happen. I kept moving forward knowing this would be over eventually. Finally, I reached the finish area and Kathy, Kirsten, and Kevin all joined me for the final block into the finish area.

This was only fitting. It seemed to be a whole family event from the start of the summer, thru training and during the entire race. Marathon time--5:01:30. Not my best performance, but it will have to do (until next time?).

Finish time-13:04:07.

After a trip to the medical tent for a liter of fluids, I cleaned up transition, took a shower, and went back to the finish line to watch some of the last athletes finish.

So ends Ironman Louisville. There are a lot more stories to tell, and I hope to share them in person. I will see you all in the pool, on the bike or on the road.