Hello from Tempe Arizona!
To finish off the 2008 season I chose
to race in the desert; Ironman Arizona. After some average to good
performances during the early part of the year I wanted to finish the
season sticking a hopefully "excellent" long course performance.
From
the end of August through the fall I trained smart, I trained hard and
I focused on my recovery. The end result a slot to the
Ironman World Championships for 2009. : )
Here is how the day went
SWIM 57min
[Photos courtesy of Ryan Scherb Photography. View: from atop Mill Ave bridge]
-Standing on the banks of the man made Tempe Town Lake, I leap into the 65 degree water and the darkness.
-Swimming
under the Mill Bridge to the front of the swim I position myself dead
center in the front and just in time as it took me almost 5min to get
there!
-Bang, and were off. I push HARD for the first 5min hoping to catch the wave of fast swimmers.
-The sun comes up and we continue to swim as a large pack for the first half mile.
-1.2mi and I turn back towards the start of the swim. Feeling good I relax my stroke and hang in for a good draft.
-2nd half of the swim I continue to back off and keep a solid draft in order to save energy for the long day.
-Climbing out of the water I glance at my watch to see a nice swim time of 57min.
T1 4min 48sec
BIKE 4hr 48min
-Once onto the bike I focus on RELAXING and getting my HR down to less than 150bpm.
-The early sections of the three loop course go by quickly as I work to pass the faster swimmers on the bike
-Turning onto Beeline Highway the wind picks up and is a headwind slowing my pace.
-I put it in an easier gear and spin saving my legs. (1st loop effort = easy)
-The sun is shining and the conditions seem good. (Wind is manageable and heat is low for now)
-Turning
around at Shea BLVD the wind is at my back and the disc acts like a
sail throwing me down the desert valley back to Tempe. Many sections I
am cruising at 34mph! I'm feeling great and this is going to be a good
day...
-Loop number two, effort is moderate and HR is still low. At
this point I pass most of the pro woman and a few male pros having a bad
day. I think to myself..Am i going too hard? (First 2 loops averaging
23mph +)
-I continue to drink lots and eat lots. ~20oz every 40min and 400 calories / hr.
-For
a bit of time I ride with Age group legend Joe Boness. ( I rode with
Joe last year at IM FL and realize that my pacing is on track. as Joe
can bike.)
-Loop #3 I know I need to hang tough. Climbing up to Shea
BLVD one last time with the wind takes a bit out of my legs. I start
to worry that running the marathon I might blow up.
-the last three miles my legs are feeling BAD and I want off this bike!
-I roll into T2 with a bike time of 4hr 48min! A tie with my previous personal best.
T2 -2min 21sec
RUN -3hr 24min
-Oh man... the first steps onto the run course do not feel good. I start really slowly.
-As the food digests I pick up the pace and start to feel more comfortable.
-I continue to get calories in sipping from my camelback.
-Looping back towards transition my brother
(Ryan Scherb) and
Brandon Del Campo (TriStar Coach) let me know I am the 2nd amateur!
-"Just hold the pace Cliff and keep eating" says Brandon.
-I pull my hat down grit my teeth and keep moving.
-I continue to keep the pace "easy" and shuffle up the long hill on the backside of the course.
-Nature calls and I have to stop at the restroom. (#1 is no prob while running but #2...!)
-Back on track, grabbing sponges and Gatorade at each station. My HR continues to drop to 140bpm. Gotta get it up!
-I push harder and focus on my run form and quick foot turnover.
-Just when I needed it, a bit of motivation
Hillary Biscay with a giant smile says "Cliff... your still running! Looking good!" I muster up a weak "Thanks".
-As
I pass my brother for the third time he yells, "You are 3rd in your
Age, and two guys are nipping at your heals, get moving!"
-The next six miles turn out to be my fastest of the entire marathon!
-As I come to the last mile Jeff Zink (a TriStar Iron guy) confirms it. "You got it Cliff take it home!"
-On the final mile another friend on this spectator friendly course (
Paul Bashforth of True Motion) high fives me. I manage to punch his hand in jubilation only to hit his watch. Sorry for putting a hole in your hand Paul
....my bloody knuckle can be seen in the finish shot. Oops.
-Down
the finish shoot, happy as a kid in a candy store, fists pumping I
break the tape in 9hr 17min. Sweeeeeet. Hawaii here I come.
Post race analysis
-8th amateur
-3rd in Age Group
-Avg HR 143bpm
-Total calories burned 8500
-Calories consumed 3752
Special thanks to my family, brother and many friends who cheered me along and belived in me!
Its a great end to another fun season, for now its time to eat Turkey and rest. Happy Thanksgiving see you next year!
For more race photos click here