3 years later - IM Switzerland - with photos
- casual-runner
- Bill Crothers
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3 years later - IM Switzerland - with photos
I wrote a short report earlier, This isn't detailed report on IM course although I will repeat some necessary information about this course from last year report by 1triatatime.
3 years earlier...
I think it is important to mention that I went into my first triathlon race 3 years earlier in Guelph, it was sprint ( Swim 750m, Bike 19km, Run 5km ), I was helped by my wife, son and his girlfriend to carry all my equipment to the transition area. The equipment included bowl and 2L bottle of water for feet cleaning after the swim, shoehorn and portable stool to make changing the shoes easier. I was so afraid that I will forget to put on bike helmet that I have it on before I put on my bike shirt:
I did 20% of the swimming distance in front crawl and 80% breaststroke - exactly oppose of what I have planned. It didn't cross my mind then that one day I will attempt to do the Ironman race.
Pre-race
I felt of my bike four weeks before the race, and while the pain in the rib cage area was affecting my taper swim and run I was almost fully recovered on the race day, and that incident didn't have a lot of influence on my final result.
I wasn't afraid of hills, I had a week of climb training in Blue Mountains in June and I did test ride on the 10 km loop including the Heartbreak Hill on Thursday. This hill was steep but short, I made it easy to the top gaining confidence.
Water temperature was on the verge of wetsuit limit, I did my 1 km training swim on Thursday without wetsuit and was pleasantly surprised that it was so easy. I was ready for swim even without wetsuit despite the fact that bulk of my swim training was done with a pull buoy.
Bikes were checked the night before the race. Photos were made for security reasons; After the race picture taken was compared when athletes were leaving transition area.
For the first time in my racing history I couldn't sleep the night before the race due to pre-race excitment, luckily I arrived in Switzerland on Wednesday and had 3 nights of good sleep before.
I was planning to execute my race inspired by article of Rich Strauss, Here is a relevant quote:
"The Ironman run course is littered with fit dudes walking and talking about what a great bike split they had. Don't join them."
I was the dude who has the great bike in Muskoka, but I was walking a lot on the run course.
My major goal for this race was to not walk on the run and to finish below 12 hours.
Swim
It was a mass start of 2000+ triathletes. The announcer asked to enter the water and wait for the start signal, but as soon as the first few rows entered the water the swim started; while still on the beach I saw first swimmers 500 meters ahead.
It was chaotic on the entry and for the first kilometer. I passed a lot of swimmers drafting from one swimmer, passing and drafting from another in front, multiple times for most of the first loop. On the second loop I had some moments when drafting was not available, but the course was still crowded.
I have finished swimming slightly ahead of planned time and I wasn't tired at all. Front crawl only this time.
Swim: 1:17:17
My transition time included change of shorts (last minute decision to use bike instead of tri shorts).
T1: 5:42
Bike
Riding in Ontario I never experienced true mountains;
No name 8-9 km uphill starting at 30 km was difficult, but not steep, the Beast was tough, but it was much more difficult to climb on tired legs the hill to the village Fusch. I realized after that uphill that I am very poor descender. Almost everybody was passing me on this downhill. I was surprised and scared. I never had to slow on downhills in Ontario but my hands were in pain hard squeezing brakes on this downhill.
Most of the action with Tour de France like crowd happens on the Heartbreak Hill. While it is relatively short, it is steep and what was easy when I did it as a part of 10 km loop on Thursday before the race, it wasn't easy after 80 km of pedaling.
Start of the Heartbreak Hill:
It wouldn't be very difficult course if it was just the one loop; I didn't push hard on uphills as I was trying to do relatively conservative bike split, but even without pushing near the end of the climb to the Fusch I questioned myself if I will be able to ride the Heartbreak Hill after it or will I walk it?
This time on the approach to the descend ambulance on signal passed me going obviously to help somebody who crashed. I was scared and slow on this hill even more than the first time.
I was able to ride the Heartbreak Hill - spirit of the surrounding crowd was priceless - it was even easier than on the first loop knowing that cycling is almost done.
Bike: 6:00:00
T2: 7:14
Run
There is 10+ km loop to repeat 4 times.
Start of the run:
My planned pace for the run was 6:20 min/km which would be 4 hours 27 minutes marathon time. I felt great after the bike, and started way to fast 5:37, 5:41, 5:51. I didn't realize yet after 3 km that in the heat of the day it was to fast. At 5 km, waiting in line to the washroom and sweating like crazy I noticed that it is hot out there. I slowed my pace after that, to 6:20 and than after 11 km I slowed again - this time it wasn't conscious decision but rather the effect of exhaustion.
First loop (one wrist band):
I fought hard to keep 6:20 pace, but had no strength, went over 7:00 min km on km 19 had it back to 6:40 at 20, but I didn't have much left in me at this moment.
Third loop ( three wrist bands):
I was walking a lot during the 3rd loop. The sun was much lower at this point and clouds were moving in.
I returned to the rhythm of running on the 4th loop, but it wasn't fast, at times fast walkers were passing me I put all I had to run this loop continuously, and I did with exception of aid stations. I even passed a few people in the final 2-3 km with the finish so close.
Run: 5:11.16
Finish
I was glad it was over but I was proud that I accomplished it. It is a huge jump from my first triathlon no so long ago. I suffered a little bit but overall I wasn't totally exhausted.
The Ironman race is tough no doubt about it, whats more important it takes time and discipline to prepare for one and that part is much more difficult.
As for my goals to not walk on the run and to finish under 12 hours... I will do another Ironman, not next year, maybe in 2-3 years.
Total time: 12:41:36
I recovered from this race very well, much better than from my previous marathons. On Monday I went to swim in the "pool" on the river, fighting current for 20 minutes and not moving at all:
On Wednesday I went for a 6 hours mountain hike to see Aletsch glacier:
and than trips to Zermatt, Milano, Lousanne, Mountreaux... It was a great trip overall...I ate to much chocolate..
All included pictures and more
.
3 years earlier...
I think it is important to mention that I went into my first triathlon race 3 years earlier in Guelph, it was sprint ( Swim 750m, Bike 19km, Run 5km ), I was helped by my wife, son and his girlfriend to carry all my equipment to the transition area. The equipment included bowl and 2L bottle of water for feet cleaning after the swim, shoehorn and portable stool to make changing the shoes easier. I was so afraid that I will forget to put on bike helmet that I have it on before I put on my bike shirt:
I did 20% of the swimming distance in front crawl and 80% breaststroke - exactly oppose of what I have planned. It didn't cross my mind then that one day I will attempt to do the Ironman race.
Pre-race
I felt of my bike four weeks before the race, and while the pain in the rib cage area was affecting my taper swim and run I was almost fully recovered on the race day, and that incident didn't have a lot of influence on my final result.
I wasn't afraid of hills, I had a week of climb training in Blue Mountains in June and I did test ride on the 10 km loop including the Heartbreak Hill on Thursday. This hill was steep but short, I made it easy to the top gaining confidence.
Water temperature was on the verge of wetsuit limit, I did my 1 km training swim on Thursday without wetsuit and was pleasantly surprised that it was so easy. I was ready for swim even without wetsuit despite the fact that bulk of my swim training was done with a pull buoy.
Bikes were checked the night before the race. Photos were made for security reasons; After the race picture taken was compared when athletes were leaving transition area.
For the first time in my racing history I couldn't sleep the night before the race due to pre-race excitment, luckily I arrived in Switzerland on Wednesday and had 3 nights of good sleep before.
I was planning to execute my race inspired by article of Rich Strauss, Here is a relevant quote:
"The Ironman run course is littered with fit dudes walking and talking about what a great bike split they had. Don't join them."
I was the dude who has the great bike in Muskoka, but I was walking a lot on the run course.
My major goal for this race was to not walk on the run and to finish below 12 hours.
Swim
It was a mass start of 2000+ triathletes. The announcer asked to enter the water and wait for the start signal, but as soon as the first few rows entered the water the swim started; while still on the beach I saw first swimmers 500 meters ahead.
It was chaotic on the entry and for the first kilometer. I passed a lot of swimmers drafting from one swimmer, passing and drafting from another in front, multiple times for most of the first loop. On the second loop I had some moments when drafting was not available, but the course was still crowded.
I have finished swimming slightly ahead of planned time and I wasn't tired at all. Front crawl only this time.
Swim: 1:17:17
My transition time included change of shorts (last minute decision to use bike instead of tri shorts).
T1: 5:42
Bike
Riding in Ontario I never experienced true mountains;
No name 8-9 km uphill starting at 30 km was difficult, but not steep, the Beast was tough, but it was much more difficult to climb on tired legs the hill to the village Fusch. I realized after that uphill that I am very poor descender. Almost everybody was passing me on this downhill. I was surprised and scared. I never had to slow on downhills in Ontario but my hands were in pain hard squeezing brakes on this downhill.
Most of the action with Tour de France like crowd happens on the Heartbreak Hill. While it is relatively short, it is steep and what was easy when I did it as a part of 10 km loop on Thursday before the race, it wasn't easy after 80 km of pedaling.
Start of the Heartbreak Hill:
It wouldn't be very difficult course if it was just the one loop; I didn't push hard on uphills as I was trying to do relatively conservative bike split, but even without pushing near the end of the climb to the Fusch I questioned myself if I will be able to ride the Heartbreak Hill after it or will I walk it?
This time on the approach to the descend ambulance on signal passed me going obviously to help somebody who crashed. I was scared and slow on this hill even more than the first time.
I was able to ride the Heartbreak Hill - spirit of the surrounding crowd was priceless - it was even easier than on the first loop knowing that cycling is almost done.
Bike: 6:00:00
T2: 7:14
Run
There is 10+ km loop to repeat 4 times.
Start of the run:
My planned pace for the run was 6:20 min/km which would be 4 hours 27 minutes marathon time. I felt great after the bike, and started way to fast 5:37, 5:41, 5:51. I didn't realize yet after 3 km that in the heat of the day it was to fast. At 5 km, waiting in line to the washroom and sweating like crazy I noticed that it is hot out there. I slowed my pace after that, to 6:20 and than after 11 km I slowed again - this time it wasn't conscious decision but rather the effect of exhaustion.
First loop (one wrist band):
I fought hard to keep 6:20 pace, but had no strength, went over 7:00 min km on km 19 had it back to 6:40 at 20, but I didn't have much left in me at this moment.
Third loop ( three wrist bands):
I was walking a lot during the 3rd loop. The sun was much lower at this point and clouds were moving in.
I returned to the rhythm of running on the 4th loop, but it wasn't fast, at times fast walkers were passing me I put all I had to run this loop continuously, and I did with exception of aid stations. I even passed a few people in the final 2-3 km with the finish so close.
Run: 5:11.16
Finish
I was glad it was over but I was proud that I accomplished it. It is a huge jump from my first triathlon no so long ago. I suffered a little bit but overall I wasn't totally exhausted.
The Ironman race is tough no doubt about it, whats more important it takes time and discipline to prepare for one and that part is much more difficult.
As for my goals to not walk on the run and to finish under 12 hours... I will do another Ironman, not next year, maybe in 2-3 years.
Total time: 12:41:36
I recovered from this race very well, much better than from my previous marathons. On Monday I went to swim in the "pool" on the river, fighting current for 20 minutes and not moving at all:
On Wednesday I went for a 6 hours mountain hike to see Aletsch glacier:
and than trips to Zermatt, Milano, Lousanne, Mountreaux... It was a great trip overall...I ate to much chocolate..
All included pictures and more
.
Last edited by casual-runner on Mon Aug 09, 2010 8:39 am, edited 1 time in total.
- b_squared
- Bill Crothers
- Posts: 1294
- Joined: Mon Mar 23, 2009 4:23 pm
- Location: escape is at hand for the travellin' man
3 years later - IM Switzerland - with photos
Congrats Wes a terrific accomplishment! The first finishing photo is great.... Clearly a look of victory!!
- Annelizabeth
- Bruce Kidd
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- Joined: Sun Jan 18, 2009 4:36 am
- Location: Hanover, ON
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Re: 3 years later - IM Switzerland - with photos
Loved the report! You sure have come a long way..a stool really?
- QuickChick
- Lynn Williams
- Posts: 13274
- Joined: Tue Jul 26, 2005 10:52 pm
- Location: Whitby ON
Re: 3 years later - IM Switzerland - with photos
WOW that looks like a beautiful place to do a race! Great job Wesley. You have come so far, and that is a pretty great IM time! What do you think you will do differently next time? Or is it maybe too early to ask that... haha. I am very jealous of all the chocolate, especially the Lindt visit!
"Don’t let negativity rent space in your brain for free. That is how you become a badass…by excavating her from inside you. You don’t have to become someone else. You need to identify the effing awesome parts of you that are your tools to work with, and maximize those." -Lauren Fleshman
Re: 3 years later - IM Switzerland - with photos
Wow. Congrats and bravo! Now that is a stunning location to race..and a very tough one too by the looks of it.
Chilly 1/2 - March 4
Montreal 1/2 - April 29
NCM 1/2 - May 27
Manitoba 1/2 - June 17
Army 1/2 - Sept
Montreal 1/2 - April 29
NCM 1/2 - May 27
Manitoba 1/2 - June 17
Army 1/2 - Sept
Re: 3 years later - IM Switzerland - with photos
Wonderfully done!
I can't imagine how difficult those mountain climbs would be!!
Glad you're going to do it again - I'm sure you'll meet your goal next time!
I can't imagine how difficult those mountain climbs would be!!
Glad you're going to do it again - I'm sure you'll meet your goal next time!
http://connect.garmin.com/profile/trixiee14
Why fit in when you were born to stand out?
~ Dr. Suess~
Life is short. Drink the good wine first!
Why fit in when you were born to stand out?
~ Dr. Suess~
Life is short. Drink the good wine first!
Re: 3 years later - IM Switzerland - with photos
Congrats!!! What a beautiful looking race.
Re: 3 years later - IM Switzerland - with photos
Congratulations! You should be very proud! That cake looks yummy.
Life is short. Stop whining!!- Jwolf
- orleansrunner1962
- Jerome Drayton
- Posts: 7583
- Joined: Tue Oct 07, 2008 8:12 pm
- Location: Orleans, ON
Re: 3 years later - IM Switzerland - with photos
Well done -- holy hills I hope you enjoyed every bite of that cake - you sure earned it!!!
2014:
Mar - Around the Bay 30 km - Done
May - Sulphur Spring 100 miler - DNS
Sept - Army HM
Sept/Oct - 50 miler
Oct - Pace Bunny - Toronto Scotia Waterfront
Dec - Reggae Marathon in Jamaica
Mar - Around the Bay 30 km - Done
May - Sulphur Spring 100 miler - DNS
Sept - Army HM
Sept/Oct - 50 miler
Oct - Pace Bunny - Toronto Scotia Waterfront
Dec - Reggae Marathon in Jamaica
- Doonst
- Abby Hoffman
- Posts: 10598
- Joined: Thu Aug 11, 2005 10:17 pm
- Location: the corner of Sixth and Where Do I Go?
- Contact:
Re: 3 years later - IM Switzerland - with photos
Wow that's a wonderful accomplishment! Yes be very proud, all those hours of training paid off. Inspirational!
next up:
This broken wing will fly again
One fine day
This blackbird's mute gonna sing again
One fine day
So all you sinners come out
And all you drunkards crawl out
Come into the light of one fine day
This broken wing will fly again
One fine day
This blackbird's mute gonna sing again
One fine day
So all you sinners come out
And all you drunkards crawl out
Come into the light of one fine day
Re: 3 years later - IM Switzerland - with photos
You've come a long way in three years. Congrats on your accomplishment. Great photos, too!
And I love that quote about the fit guys walking on the run course talking about what great bike splits they had.
And I love that quote about the fit guys walking on the run course talking about what great bike splits they had.
"Maybe I will be my own inspiration." - UltraMonk (Laura)
"Everywhere is walking distance if you have enough time." - Steven Wright
"Everywhere is walking distance if you have enough time." - Steven Wright
Re: 3 years later - IM Switzerland - with photos
Wow! Congrats on a great race
Colleen
Iron Sherpa Travel - Triathlete and Travel Agent!
Curious what I am up to? https://www.strava.com/athletes/5493183
Iron Sherpa Travel - Triathlete and Travel Agent!
Curious what I am up to? https://www.strava.com/athletes/5493183
Re: 3 years later - IM Switzerland - with photos
fantastic, congrats IRONMAN.
Being a flatlander, that bike profile terrifies me.
thanks for the report.
FishHog
Being a flatlander, that bike profile terrifies me.
thanks for the report.
FishHog
In order to catch a fish, you have to drink like a fish.
Re: 3 years later - IM Switzerland - with photos
Wow! I always love Ironman RRs.
You were awesome, and more importantly had a good experience.
Worried about eating too much chocolate after all those months of training? Naww - you deserve it!
Lisa
You were awesome, and more importantly had a good experience.
Worried about eating too much chocolate after all those months of training? Naww - you deserve it!
Lisa
It's not the size of the dog in the fight...it's the size of the fight in the dog! 11K Marker post - 2010 ATB.
Introducing 2017
GoodLife Half Marathon.
TBD
Introducing 2017
GoodLife Half Marathon.
TBD
Re: 3 years later - IM Switzerland - with photos
Very impressed with the methodical progression that got you to the IM, the disciplined race execution, and the joy you took in the whole process.
- Darth Tater
- Lynn Williams
- Posts: 22549
- Joined: Wed Mar 26, 2008 12:25 am
- Location: Winnipeg, MB
Re: 3 years later - IM Switzerland - with photos
Congrats IRONMAN! Looks like you had a great trip.
Darth Tater
"Wherever you go, there you are."
"Wherever you go, there you are."
Re: 3 years later - IM Switzerland - with photos
Great report and race. You Iron people amaze me.
I wanna live like there's no tomorrow
Love, like I'm on borrowed time
It's good to be alive, yeah....Jason Gray
Running is a conversation with your body. Sometimes you listen and sometimes you tell it to stop whining and do something. - Ian
Love, like I'm on borrowed time
It's good to be alive, yeah....Jason Gray
Running is a conversation with your body. Sometimes you listen and sometimes you tell it to stop whining and do something. - Ian
- mas_runner
- Bill Crothers
- Posts: 2339
- Joined: Tue Jun 02, 2009 5:37 pm
- Location: Hull, QC
Re: 3 years later - IM Switzerland - with photos
What a great race report. There is something about the whole multi-disciplinary race that really intrigues me, love reading about you freaks, esp. when there are pictures too. I can't swim and I get passed by old ladies with their shopping in wicker baskets on the front of thier 50 year old bikes, so no triathalons for me. I instead live vicariously though you. Great race, sounds awesome, you must still be reliving it and enjoying it in your mind. Thanks for posting...
PBs
5th Sep 2015 - Run Ottawa free 5km - 21:05
21st Jun 2015 - UR 4 Men's Cancers 10km - 45:45
16th Jun 2013 - UR 4 Men's Cancers 15km - 1:11:44
16th Apr 2016 - MEC 10 miler - 1:20:21
12th Apr 2015 - EY R4R Half Marathon - 1:41:15
26th May 2013 - Ottawa Marathon - 3:43:51
2017 races - coming up
7th May - Defi Entreprise 10km
28th May - Ottawa Half Marathon
17th Sep - Army Run Half Marathon
5th Sep 2015 - Run Ottawa free 5km - 21:05
21st Jun 2015 - UR 4 Men's Cancers 10km - 45:45
16th Jun 2013 - UR 4 Men's Cancers 15km - 1:11:44
16th Apr 2016 - MEC 10 miler - 1:20:21
12th Apr 2015 - EY R4R Half Marathon - 1:41:15
26th May 2013 - Ottawa Marathon - 3:43:51
2017 races - coming up
7th May - Defi Entreprise 10km
28th May - Ottawa Half Marathon
17th Sep - Army Run Half Marathon
- Spirit Unleashed
- Lynn Williams
- Posts: 21772
- Joined: Thu Jun 26, 2008 7:38 am
- Location: The Texas Tropics
Re: 3 years later - IM Switzerland - with photos
Thanks for the report! Great job!
Athlete....Maniac 973....Marathon Maniac 6645
Live the most amazing life you can live - La
marathon runners are awesomeness personified - Ian
Bucket list: http://www.tassietrailfest.com.au/
http://ultramonk.blogspot.com/
Live the most amazing life you can live - La
marathon runners are awesomeness personified - Ian
Bucket list: http://www.tassietrailfest.com.au/
http://ultramonk.blogspot.com/
Re: 3 years later - IM Switzerland - with photos
Awesome report and well executed race Wesley!
Huge congratulations to you!
And ahhh...the wrist bands - i always wondered how they kept track of racers when it's a multiple loop course, esp on the run.
You have come a long way in 3 years - well done!
Huge congratulations to you!
And ahhh...the wrist bands - i always wondered how they kept track of racers when it's a multiple loop course, esp on the run.
You have come a long way in 3 years - well done!
Race Hard. Race Happy.
Re: 3 years later - IM Switzerland - with photos
What a great report and pictures! Congratulations on such an amazing accomplishment. You have come a long way in 3 years! Well done.
2014
injured
2013
Snowflake 10k....stopped at 5k
Rest of the year a write off because of injury.
2012
Snowflake 10k Jan 1 done
Run 4 Kids 10k Jan 7 done
Harry's Spring Run Off 8k. April 8 a disaster, but I finished
Centurion 50k at Horseshoe Valley (cycling) done
Centurion 50 miler at Blue Mountain (cycling) done.....barely!
Snowflake 5k, Dec 16 - done
2011
Harry Rosen 8k. April. done
Rotary 5k fun run. May. done
CANI 10k. June. done
Canada Day 10k. July. done
Barrie Waterfront 5k. Aug. done
CANI 10 k. Oct. done
Base Borden Army Run 10k. done
injured
2013
Snowflake 10k....stopped at 5k
Rest of the year a write off because of injury.
2012
Snowflake 10k Jan 1 done
Run 4 Kids 10k Jan 7 done
Harry's Spring Run Off 8k. April 8 a disaster, but I finished
Centurion 50k at Horseshoe Valley (cycling) done
Centurion 50 miler at Blue Mountain (cycling) done.....barely!
Snowflake 5k, Dec 16 - done
2011
Harry Rosen 8k. April. done
Rotary 5k fun run. May. done
CANI 10k. June. done
Canada Day 10k. July. done
Barrie Waterfront 5k. Aug. done
CANI 10 k. Oct. done
Base Borden Army Run 10k. done
- UltraQueenga
- Jerome Drayton
- Posts: 5187
- Joined: Thu Sep 22, 2005 2:20 pm
- Location: Mid-air
Re: 3 years later - IM Switzerland - with photos
Good job, Wesley! Congrats on your IM finish! Great photos and nice report. Thanks for sharing.
Ultrarunner again
Re: 3 years later - IM Switzerland - with photos
Awesome! Congrats Wesley, you did and did it well. It looks like you had a tougher day weatherwise than I had, and you still delivered a great result. I'm doing Barcelona next year, wanna do it with me???
Re: 3 years later - IM Switzerland - with photos
very cool!! Congrats!
Just call me the thread killa
- scrumhalfgirl
- Lynn Williams
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- Joined: Sun Oct 08, 2006 11:50 am
- Location: Ottawa
Re: 3 years later - IM Switzerland - with photos
bravo!!!! great report!
Jesse's 2017 Plans
April - Boston Marathon
May - Sporting Life Ottawa 10K
May - Ottawa Half Marathon
April - Boston Marathon
May - Sporting Life Ottawa 10K
May - Ottawa Half Marathon
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