My Ironman Canada (and some added reflections)
FRIDAY, AUGUST 29, 2008
Here's a mini race report, maybe about all I'll be able to come up with this year. If you want to know more, just ask.
The sight of 2,300 or so people in wetsuits on the crescent beach was as cool as ever. I practiced my zen approach to IM and it worked – stay cool and enjoy the scene, little anxiety, just heightening awareness that the game would soon be on. After the bagpiper paraded, announcements were made, we sang "Oh Canada" and the pros went off, we hung in the water behind the start line marked by IM flags on a cable that would be lifted when the cannon went off. A countdown, then Peter Reid lit the cannon – "Boom!" We were off, all swimming for the buoy line starting what looks to be 600-800 meters out and the houseboat at the first turn 2000 meters out. I started wide and stayed wide most of the swim, which meant I was not beat up this year – not much contact – but also that I was not on the fastest line. After the turn I fought cramps several times – I can swim with calf and foot cramps, but boy that can hurt! After the short leg of the triangle to the next boat and turn, we were headed back across the lake toward the beach with the hotel in the background. The 1800 meters coming back always seems so much longer than the 2400 meters that precedes it. In any case, I still swam it a minute or so faster than last year (I think…need to check this to be sure) albeit 1:29, still slow.
On the bike I followed Paula Newby Frasier's advice and took a gear off every time I thought I was in the right gear to try to save my legs for running. It resulted in a lower speed in the 45 miles to Richter Pass, of course, the early part of the course where I normally rock and roll and pass like a demon. I still passed lots of people, but I let some fast guys go by me whom I normally would have gone with… The short but steep McClean Creek climb and downhill interrupts the flat beginning. Like everyone I suffered up the hill and then enjoyed the descent - but unlike last year I took speed off in the last blind corner and did not ride over the manhole cover that was the suspect for causing my tire to peel off in 2005. I climbed very well again (amazing to me for a flatlander, but I guess I have the build and mentality of a climber) – zipped up the average 7% grade Richter Pass, and then rode over Yellow Lake (average 8% grade) in my bars!
Unfortunately, my limited long bike training caught up with me at about the 65 mile mark, after the rollers that follow Richter and just before the mentally challenging Cawston out and back (you go backwards along the course for a while) – cramps! I worked through them but lost more time at that point. I also held back some on the descents, not topping much over 40 mph – tricky crosswinds and not looking to gain 30 seconds for the risk of crashing. The result was not a great ride time, about 6:54, I think. (I have gone 5:55 on this course.)
For the run I felt good the first 5 miles, going at 9 minute pace. But again my under training bit me and I fought cramps off and on through mile 16 – which meant I walked off and on. After 16 I could run without cramping but by then my running was slowed a lot – post quad cramps soreness. When I saw I could not run fast enough to make sub 14 and running was hurting more, I backed it off until I got downtown. It was great "running to the light" of the finish line along the lakeshore surrounded by several thousand cheering spectators! Mike Reilly said over the sound system, "Now here comes Lee Crumbaugh, from Glen Ellyn, Illinois. Lee, you are an Ironman!"
Two women working the finish line caught me as I broke the tape and crossed the line and hung a medal on me. As always, an unsurpassed experience!
Addendum: Bob Mina asked me back channel how Penticton had changed in recent years. Here's part of what I told him.
Penticton has a few more condos and people around...no Hogs Breath, but there is Smith and Company...the Bike Barn is still going strong but I am led to believe they were not willing to PAY North American Sports $40,000 (!) for the privilege of helping people on the bike course so another store from near Vancouver provided the service (pretty well, I think)...the volunteers are as great as ever...the Lake is still wonderful and we still do belly flops off the slide on Friday morning...many more wineries in the area!...the roads are the same as you remember and they have not removed the hills...not much humidity most of the time (but it did rain during the run, which was welcome)...Steve King was kicked off the finish line this year in favor of Mike Reilly (definitely a loss and the catalyst for some banners, marquee signs and T-shirts supporting Steve) but Steve was "officially" announcing/on the radio at the top of Richter and on the run course and told me and Tony he was OK with whatever decision regarding him race management makes (not sure I believe him on that)...we walked out on the pre-race dinner because the food was crappy, we could not hear well, Reilly was so inferior to King as the emcee, and the first video was a rerun...Lisa Bentley as always is omnipresent and very accessible (her race wasn't so hot this year because she has been injured, though)...despite any of the negatives above Penticton and IMC are still special!
