Ironman Florida Wrap Up

Ironman Florida Wrap Up
November 5, 2006

Another Saturday, another Ironman Florida is in the books. If you haven't heard, the race sold out in 2:48 - the fastest ever. It was great to see such a diverse crowd toe the starting line...from all the beginners to all the folks from abroad (primarily Germany). That is definitely one of the things that makes IMFL such a unique event - the number of newbies who take on the distance. In our little group of 6 athletes alone, four were competing in their first event!

The day started off quite calm, with little wind and very small chop. There wasn't a cloud in the sky (see picture!). The swim was a two loop affair, and by most accounts, folks thought it was rough. I think the swells in the ocean had something to do with this...I say this as most folks were right on their desired swim splits.

Transition was in a tent - all good - and then folks were out on their 112-mile bike rides. Yowsers. It was about this time that things started to heat up...the temp hit the high 80s and still not a cloud in sight. Your fearless author went for an hour run and everyone out there running looked H-O-T. From all ostensible signs, the folks out there on the roads were really facing some serious heat. Racer reports had it being super hot...and pretty windy (not a tailwind to be found all day). The wind helped keep everyone cool...but no one wanted the wind on the last 12 miles of the bike. Where, apparently, it was the straw that broke a lot of folks bike splits. By all accounts, folks were reduced to 14 mph on the flats...praying for the finish line.

By the time most of the folks hit the run, things had shifted weather-wise. Some clouds had rolled in and the temperature dropped to the low 70s. Unfortunately, this meant there was a pretty solid headwind on the way out of town. On the two loop course, athletes faced this challenge twice. The run was pretty straightforward, with the biggest challenges being the speed humps, lots of turns and running on the same part of your feet for 26.2 miles. Not as easy as it might seem.

From our vantage point at the 4.5 mile mark on the run, it seemed that the competitors either had their "mojo" or they had nothing. Some folks were literally ripping it up - or moving forward - while other folks looked like the run course was the last place on earth they wanted to be. I think our group managed to cheer most folks on at least once - we were out there for 5 hours. It's always so amazing to me how friendly and engaging triathletes are...we got almost as many kind words as we gave out. It was also fun to see as many different run styles as there were folks out there...everyone had their own special way of getting to the finish line.

Speaking of the finish line, we were able to spend about 60 mins there at the new finish area (up in front of the new hotel). It was a lot smaller, but the IM energy was there. Nothing like seeing faces light up as they see the finish line...their personal grail. Such a powerful sight. We headed out early to get Maura (PR of 12:09) to some nice hot food (we needed some too).

The next day was the typical lines for photos and race gear, as well as the post-race wrap from the athletes. It was great to hear all the stories that folks had about their journeys - three disciplines and a million ways to finish. The banquet was okay (food for 3,000 is always pretty sketchy)....it was great to see the videos (race day and volunteer versions) and to mingle with other athletes.

Now we are preparing to head back to Boston, and leaving the beaches of Panama City behind is tough. That said, I am sure fired up to get back on the IM horse and prepare for 2006. Hope you are fired up too - you'll need it to get through the winter!

Happy Training!

Patrick