K. Todd Storch: Ironman CDA Race Report

Bib Number: 931
Overall: 14 hours, 47 minutes, 34 seconds (official result page)

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This was the toughest, yet most satisfying day I think I've ever had. As most of you know, I went into this race injured. I had to stop running and biking for over a month to let my left tendon heal. But, regardless of that crazy "taper" leading into the race, I had faith in the base training I had put in from December.

Barry, Matt and my family before the start

This was a fun, vacation type of trip because the whole family went. We stayed at the Couer d'Alene resort, which I highly recommend if you are traveling with your family. A fantastic facility and the proximity to the course makes for an easy day for the wife and kids on race day.

I think I saw Tara and the kids 7 or 8 times during the day and this was so uplifting! Hearing them yell 'Todd' and 'Daddy' was one of the highlights of the day.

Swim (2.4 miles): 1 hour, 30 minutes, 10 seconds; 2:22/100m pace

The day started windy and chilly. They made an announcement at about 645a that if you wanted to not swim and do a duathlon, they would count it towards the race. There were white caps blowing towards the shore and this announcement did put a hush over the crowd. Most of us just looked at each other and said, 'you've got to be kidding me...there is no way we are not swimming today.' Apparantly, 60 or so made this choice and I believe over a hundred people pulled themselves from the swim after starting.

I really felt good during the swim. It was a beating for the first 10 minutes or so...the typical arms, feet, elbows, etc. But, I made my way to the left of the pack and got into the best groove I could. I exited the water on the first loop at about 42 minutes. I was really pleased with this due to the conditions. I looked at my watch and the exit clock after finishing and I was around 1 hour, 22 minutes. This made sense to me because I was expecting around a 1:15 with decent conditions. Not sure where the 1:30 official time came from, but whatever.

Bike (112 miles): 7 hours, 26 minutes, 3 seconds; 15.07 mph

Hill time

I had 3 different bike courses during the day. The first phase was up until about mile 50, the second phase was until mile 80 and then the last 32 or so.

The first 50 miles were great. No issues. Had a good steady pace while following my heart rate. I didn't look at my speed one time during the race because I was committed to watching my heart rate. I knew that I had to take it easy due to my injury, so HR was all that really mattered to me. I averaged 17.57 mph for the first 34 miles. The first loop of the hills went fine and the cool weather and great scenery made for a decent morning.

Then, I really started to feel bad. My legs went limp. Really lost power in my pedal strokes and I knew I was in for a long, long day. I have had this feeling before during long training rides and it usually was due to improper nutrition, or going too hard, too soon. I mentally chalked it up to not riding for nearly 6 weeks before the race and concentrated on getting in more calories. I ate an extra 340 calories (Peanut Butter Power Bar and Strawberry/Kiwi Accel Gel) and I think this helped. It wasn't until about 30 minutes after a bathroom stop around mile 65 that I started to feel better. One major lesson I've learned during long training rides and runs; you can fight through it. It will and can get better if it isn't major pain. Loss of power, stomach issues, leg problems, etc., magically get better if you deal with them the right way during training.

Around mile 75, I felt stronger and was ready to finish up the ride when my front wheel hit a small rock or something and I heard the dreaded "ppsssssssssssssshhhhh". Flat. Front wheel. Dang it. So, I had my necessary tools, but I've never changed a tubular with a flat. So, I walked half way up the hill I was climbing and got to it.

It took one bike shim to wedge under the glue and rip the tire from the rim. Then, it took all three shims to figure out how to get the spare on. This dexterity challenge took me about 20 minutes from start to finish. It wasn't setting records anywhere...but looking back on it, it gave me rest. Probably exactly what the Ironman gods said I needed.

I finished the rest of the course praying that I didn't have another flat as I didn't have another spare tire and I took it easy around corners. I sure didn't want to roll the tire off the rim with the limited glue the spare had on it.

Run (26.2 miles): 5 hours, 32 minutes, 18 seconds; 12:40 mile

Great pic right around Mile 1 (thx Beth!)

I was so ready to run after surviving the bike! I knew I wouldn't be running a 3:24 marathon like I did in New York, but felt like I would be able to break 5 hours. My plan was to run to each aid station and walk those. However, after I saw the family around mile 1, I was in for 2 very painful miles. My lower back seized up on me. I've never dealt with that before. Just grabbing pain, throughout my entire lower back. I stopped 4 or 5 times to stretch, but nothing brought relief. Only running downhill felt ok...

Once I got to mile three, I think my prayers and the 4 Advil I took in the transition tent took over. I never felt the pain again. Gone. As quickly as it came. Thank you Lord!

I was able to run to each aid station until about mile 14. I was averaging about 9:30 miles, but then I really had to walk more than I was used to after 14 miles. I walked the hills and stopped a few time before the next mile's aid station. I tried to high five everyone I knew and all the kids on the course. I really was a wonder crowd of people and they pumped me up for the entire run.

At mile 25, it began to feel real that I was about to finish my Ironman. Making the left turn and seeing the 6 blocks to the finishline was amazing. It felt like the entire city's population was on those 6 blocks screaming and cheering. I took off. I felt like I was running a 7 minute pace; my form felt great and I my shoulders were back and stride was quick (I probably looked horrible and was running 10 minute miles...).

I kept scanning left and right for Tara and the kids because I didn't want to miss them at the finishline. Then, out of the crowd, Tara and all three kids jumped out in their "Ironmom and Ironkids" blue shirts with huge smiles! We ran hand in hand down the finishers chute and crossed the line together and it was one of the best feeling I have ever felt. I was able to see Ryan, Taylor, Peyton and Tara smile as we ran down towards the finishline. It was a fitting finish because this Ironman journey was hard on the family too. They were in it with me. The long weekends of training, the countless hours of discussions, planning and being gone took their toll on more than just me. They deserved that finishline as much as I did. It was amazing.

One of my favorite pics...thanks Curt

I showered at the hotel and came back down to see the people finish before the midnight cut off and we made as much noise as possible for all of those Ironmen as well. It was magic as the rain began to pour at 11:30p.

What an amazing day. My closest of friends were there, other training partners and family; you couldn't ask for more. I couldn't of made this Ironman a reality without my close training buds: Matt, Curt, Todd, Dave, Barry. Thanks for the countless hours of training support and text messages each week. Jim, without the weekly training, I never would of been able to accomplish this. Mel and Ron, thank you for the medical and mental help with my late training injury. To all of the Dallas Athletes, what a great community of people. It makes living in Coppell even more great.

Jim's IM Training Crew

And of course to Tara and my kids. Without your support, this would of never been possible.

So, am I happy with my time? No. But, I am respectful of the distance and know that just finishing this Ironman is huge with the condition I was in 6 weeks ago. Will I compete in another Ironman? Absolutely. Just don't ask me when. I'm sure it won't be in 2008. Training for 1/2 Ironman's is so much easier with family!

Beth and Tara did survive the training!

Some lessons learned:

Get lifestyle nutrition dialed in before the next race. I entered the Gulf Coast 1/2 IM at the perfect weight/body fat% and this race I was heavier. I know it was due to the injury and time off, but a more structured plan throughout the training period could of helped me be 7-9 pounds lighter
Continue to feed positive thoughts throughout training. The mental game of the day was key. If I would have freaked with the swim, the 2nd phase of the bike, my flat or the pain at the start of the run, it could of been over for me. Continue to look for ways to stay mentally strong
Continue to use swim coach in off season. This season's committment to improving my swim really paid off. I'm not done improving
More hill training if the course is like this. Need more than one weekend in Austin, or at least a number of Hilltop hill repeats to get the legs used to that kind of punishment
Continue to use a coach for training. Jim kept me on track with a plan
More time in aerobars on long rides. You can't spend 100+ miles in aero during a race if you don't train that way. I think this lead to the back issues I had at the beginning of the run
Keep the Advil/Alleve in the transition bags and special needs bags. This was a lifesaver during the day
Keep smiling and highfiving everyone I can. Especially the little kids out on the course!

Comments

Congratulations on a great race and on getting it done in spite of a difficult injury. My hat is off to you.

Posted by: Spokane Al | Wednesday, June 27, 2007 at 11:35 PM

Ho'omaika'i 'ana Todd! Congratulations! After watching the event many times here in Kona, I simply cannot imagine completing an Ironman in any time at all, and I admire you so much for this - you're my hero!

Much aloha to you and the family; what a wondrous day it must've been for your 'ohana - love that you shared the picture of all of you crossing that finish line together.

Posted by: Rosa Say | Friday, June 29, 2007 at 09:10 PM