So after about 8 months of dreaming about this race, it is finally here. I camped last night in the same campground that we are returning to tonight, so i did not have to move my tent. We got picked up at the gate at around 6:45 for the 10 minute trip to Buena Vista. They put out a great spread for breakfast but i was pretty happy with my standard race morning bagel and gatorade. The start was right down Main street, and they had closed off the entire street. I am sure for such a small town we were quite the sight. music was blaring and everyone was taking photos in front of the start banner, i took me three tries of getting someone to shoot me before i got a halfway decent photo.
As 9am approached we were given some last minute race instructions and the countdown began. Like i usually do when starting an Ironman i got a little choked up. but once the gun went off, it was go time. We had about a half mile roll out on pavement through town. they wanted to control the speed until we got over the Arkansas River as it had a narrow bridge, but once we crossed it the race was on. However starting near the back of the pack, we quickly got bunched up going up through the single track. This allowed me to catch my breath a bit as we walked many of the first sections of the climb due to the packing. After about 3 km we came out on a wider road and were able to spread out a bit more.
The heat and the elevation were starting to hit me pretty quick so i took a couple short walking breaks as we climbed the road. Just then i hear someone coming up behind me and he comments about my North Face backpack. I look over my shoulder and it is none other than Dean Karnzes. Ultra running legend and author of several books. His book 50 marathons in 50 days was the first book i read after signing up for this event, and here i am running shoulder to shoulder with him. Immediately all sense of fatigue left me. He was running with a different partner every day. His partners chosen via a contest Gortex had put on. From his book, i know he often enjoyed conversing with fellow runners during the race, and this was no exception. for almost 2 miles we ran together talking about racing and running stories. He is a great ambassador to the sport. After those 2 miles i was in need of another break so i thanked him and slowed down. needless to say that gave me a big boost in energy. Throughout the rest of the day i leaped frogged back and forth with him as he ran with his partner of the day.
The route for the first stage consisted of 3 aid stations, the first one at about 12km at the highest elevation for the day. On reaching the aid station, they had a full spread of all you could dream of. i picked up a few gels. grabbed some water and headed out. the next section was mostly downhill and i was surprised by how many people i was able to pass here. Good thing i didn't have Gabi tagging along to slow me down!!! ( Just kidding Gabi) The only downside to this downhill was the trail itself. It was basically an ATV trail so it was nice and wide, but it was very uneven. the sides each curved up and it was very difficult to find some flat footing. Kinda like running down a mini halfpipe. Also, the trail was mostly sand, so you had to constantly look for the firmest footing, at times you were sinking in a couple inches of sand like running on a beach.
I was feeling good for this middle section, but it was starting to heat up. I think it reached about 90'C and at 9000ft that can feel quite hot. At this point we were starting to spread out a bit so i put my ipod on and it was a saving grace. i was starting to feel exhausted from the heat and the elevation so my mind was wandering a bit, but on the ipod i had a Robin Williams comedy concert. nothing like a little laughter to cheer you up. the only problem was that when ever nobody heard me laughing out loud, they thought i was delirious or something.
The final 3 miles was along a very slight uphill grade, but with the heat this section was some oh the toughest. at one point i passed a fellow racer lying down on the side of the road, we offered to help but he said he was ok, just resting. but he did not look to good. Shortly after we past a first aid guy and told him about it. about 20 minutes later we saw him get carted away to the finish. The heat will do that.
Finally the finish came into view. i crossed n around 4hrs 40 minutes to place 21st in the mens division of the TR3. i grab some drinks at the finish line then headed down to the creek to soak the legs. I usually hate the cold water but this sure felt good. After a shuttle back to the camp and a quick shower i was able to get a nice massage. they charge $1 per minute which is quite reasonable. Unfortunately my super tight shins were really sore, and the massage therapist said she would like to really loosen in up but i would not be abe to walk the next day, so we made arrangements to do this after my third stage. At the awards ceremony they gave out a pair of Windstopper gloves to every body as well as all the top 3 in each category received a pair of Solomon Shoes and some other prizes. in all i think they gave away about 30 pairs of shoes, along with a bunch of other stuff.
After the awards, they showed a video, part of which is linked here, you can see me crossing the bridge at about 1:18. We all then had to climb the super steep hill up to the tent area when i hit the sack around 9pm. 5AM wake up call tomorrow. WIsh me luck.
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