Tag: race reports

Categories
2017

Ironman Arizona 2017 Race Report AF

CFE training logs, nutrition strategy, split times, timelines, gear, resources, and fun with graphs – from my second Ironman triathlon.

I’m dumping everything from IMAZ 2017 into this one epic and convenient blog post.

But if you only have 30 seconds, here’s the abstract:

I finished IMAZ 2017 in 13:12:10, which is 18 minutes and 8 seconds faster than my first Ironman triathlon four years ago (see IMAZ 2013 Race Report). I followed a CrossFit Endurance (CFE) training plan with significantly fewer workouts than my 2013 CFE Ironman Plan, and I focused my training plan mostly on running. As you might expect, my bike and swim were slower this year, but I cut my marathon time by more than 45 minutes. All in all, a great day.

OK, go put out whatever fire you need to put out right now, and come back when you have some time to dig into the gold mine of CFE Ironman data, insights and resources I painstakingly lay out for you below, including:

  • Graphs on graphs on graphs comparing 2017 to 2013 by the numbers
  • My gear, and the stuff I used in special needs bags
  • A new nutrition strategy that avoided the GI issues that slowed me down last year
  • Complete training logs from 10 months of CFE Ironman workouts
  • Two great resources: a coach that made me a better swimmer, and a book that made me a better runner
  • OK, that’s enough bullet points for now, many more to come
Continue reading “Ironman Arizona 2017 Race Report AF”

Categories
2016

CF January Race Report: Polar Prowl Half Marathon

As I mentioned in my anti-“new year, new you” post, I’m planning to ramp up my running in 2016. I’ll be focusing on improving my time and strength in the half marathon distance while running 12 half marathons in 12 months.

A lot can happen over 12 months: Changes in diet, new training approaches, and (in Colorado) the impact of varying seasons. So, I’ll plan to share with you a race report for each new race I run, filled with the training approach I took, goals going into the race, most memorable parts of race day, results, and key learnings that I’ll use moving forward.

First up: Polar Prowl Half Marathon – Lakewood, CO – January 9, 2016

IMG_6792

Continue reading “CF January Race Report: Polar Prowl Half Marathon”

Categories
2013

AF race report: Ironman Arizona

A recap with lessons learned from my first Ironman triathlon

medal

Three weeks ago, I crossed the finish line at Ironman Arizona in 13:30:18 and accomplished my biggest goal of the year: to become an Ironman.

The race was one of the best experiences of my life and I still haven’t come down from that high.

I frequently brag talk about the feat to anyone who’ll pretend to listen, replay the day in my head, and scroll through finisher photos, articles and notes from the race.

As much as I’m tempted to keep basking in my Ironman glory, I need to keep moving if I want to make this experience truly last.

Similar to my excitement at the beginning of the year to conquer Ironman Arizona, I can’t wait to build on this momentum and launch into new projects and races on the horizon.

But before moving on to what’s next (which I’ll detail in another article), I’m going to share analysis of my performance at Ironman Arizona.

By evaluating my performance and sharing the gory details, I hope to not only cement the takeaways in my head, but also offer insight to help other Ironmen in training.

Read on for an updated report of my taper week, analysis of the swim, bike and run, plus major lessons learned from drinking too much sports drink (hint: lots of time wasted in the Port-o-Potty) and failing to plan for the first few hours after the race (hint: a cold, stiff, delirious and cranky Adam).

Continue reading “AF race report: Ironman Arizona”

Categories
2013

IMAZ Race Recap & Life After

“It’s been said that the Ironman marathon is the place where you meet yourself – inner voices that never existed before suddenly roar, weaknesses neglected in training become painfully clear, and new reserves of strength manifest themselves in awe-inspiring ways.” – Susan Lacke

finisher

This quote says it all. There’s a lot that can happen during the 13-17 hours you spend on the Ironman course. Just like in training, you’ll experience low points that leave you questioning your decision to sign up for this thing as well as adrenaline-filled highs that remind you exactly why you did. The roller coaster ride of emotions reaches it’s apex in that 200 meter finish line chute, the end of which immediately leaves you craving more and asking yourself “what now?“

To wrap things up (for this season), I’ll lay out my highlights from each leg of IMAZ as well as my plans moving forward to answer that “what now” question.

Continue reading “IMAZ Race Recap & Life After”

Categories
2013

AF Race Report: Lifetime Olympic Triathlon

Smooth sailing, no injuries and a time of 2:46:09

Mill Ave. Bridge at Tempe Town Lake in the morning

Last time we spoke, I was getting my bearings after a rough bout of idiocy, recovering from an infected foot, and cautiously preparing for the Lifetime Olympic Triathlon*: 1-mile swim, 24.6-mile ride and 6.2-mile run, and my last triathlon before the big one on November 17.

Even though this race was significantly shorter than Ironman Arizona, it was a big test for me.

Why? Because, of the three races I mapped out at the beginning of this year, it was the first I’d been healthy enough to complete in its entirety.

I had to skip the DIY Olympic Tri scheduled in March thanks to posterior tibial tendinitis.

In August I still wasn’t quite ready for the Boulder Ironman 70.3‘s half marathon section, and I limited myself to just the swim, bike and half the run.

So I was more than ready to test myself, unleash the fury and cross my first finish line of 2013 at the Lifetime Olympic Triathlon on September 22.

Continue reading “AF Race Report: Lifetime Olympic Triathlon”