October 2019 – Crazy Ultra Runner

This past weekend, I had the opportunity to pace the Columbus marathon. I’ve always enjoyed this marathon as it was my first and 50th full marathon or ultra marathon. Just one week earlier I was asked to pace the race, something I was happy to do.

Prior to the race I headed up to Columbus and did the usual pre race expo and then had a short shift at the expo. I answered some general questions about the race and pacing and met some runners who were shooting to stick with me (I was the 5:30 full pacer). Later, I went to dinner with my fellow pacers and generally took it easy.

Race morning came and I was feeling good. I got my gear ready and met up with my fellow pacers bright and early. We headed over to the start line so we could be easily found by runners looking to stick with us. The race started at 7:30, but my corral didn’t start until closer to 8am. I had an eager group with me, ready to conquer the day.

The first few miles were about finding a groove. Columbus marathon and half marathon both start at the same time, so there were lots of people around. I had told those wanting to run with me that we would do a walk run with a 5 minute run, followed by a 1 minute walk. After about 2 or 3 miles, everyone was settled in.

The course itself is mostly flat, but a few ups and downs throughout the course. I kept the group encouraged and many were feeling pretty good as we started to hit 10 miles. A few miles after, some of the folks who had been running with me turned off, thanking me just before they did, so they could finish the half. The course runs together (half and full) for about 13 miles of the 13.1 for a half marathon.

After the half split off, it got a bit quiet as many of the runners with me were running the half. I kept encouraging the remaining runners as we pressed out to the full marathon. For the next several miles, it began to heat up as we ran around Columbus. By mile 18, it had started getting quite warm. To top it off, the only “major” climb for the whole race is right at mile 18. Sadly, I lost quite a few of my remaining runners here, many of whom were trying to finish their first marathon. This was a tough stretch for many runners as I saw many walking slowly up the hill or struggling in the sun.

The last few miles level back off and I picked up some new runners who had struggled up the hill. They decided to join me for the last few miles so that I could help motivate them. Miles 18-24 went by quickly and many runners had joined our group.

At mile 25, a handful of the remaining runners ran ahead, and a few dropped back. I would pick up folks and lose others as I ran the remaining 2 miles into the finish. It was great to see so many first time marathoners finishing.

Note: This recap was one I wrote immediately after my 2016 Ironman Louisville race. It was posted on Facebook. I am resharing here.

Ironman race recap:

Went to bed Saturday about 8pm, woke up at midnight and was awake until 2am. Thankfully, I went back to sleep until 4, when I was finally up for good.

Grabbed a quick shower (to help me wake up). Grabbed some breakfast of oatmeal and yogurt, got my swim suit on, dressed in some warm clothes and headed out the door with my special needs bags in hand ( I packed them the day before).

Got parked about 5am and walked over to transition. (plan was to get to transition about 530, but I stayed across the river in Indiana and they had been doing a lot of construction, figured I better leave early just in case). Transition opened at 5:15 and I was in shortly after. I placed my water bottles onto my bike and checked my tire pressure. Once I was satisfied with my set up, I dropped off my special needs bags, and left transition.

After getting my bike ready, Sara and I walked toward the start line. We were stopped about 500 yards from the start because the line had already started forming. We grabbed a spot in line and sat down to save energy. While waiting at the start line, I ate a bit more, cheerios this time. I also sipped on some water to make sure I was hydrated. I wanted to make sure I had about 800-1000 before the race.

About 7:00am, the line started inching forward as the final race prep was finished. I figured it was time to do my final prep as well, so I stripped off the warm clothes and put on my wet suit (a sleeveless Xterra), sprayed some tri slide to any hotspots to avoid any blisters. Put my goggles on and my cap, and kept moving forward.

At 7:30, the race was under way! I was still a couple hundred yards back, so i had a few minutes to double check everything and say goodbye to to all my friends and Sara, before I got to the “no turning back” point. Then, it was on.

I got to the dock about 15 minutes after the first person entered the water. Note for all you considering Ironman Louisville, the “water” on the dock is not water. I crossed the timing mat, but there was a short line to the end of the dock as someone was debating jumping in. Realizing I crossed the mat, I verified with the volunteer o was good to start and jumped in. I was off!

The water felt great! Air temp outside was maybe 51, but water was a nice 73+. I started swimming up river with a few thousand of my newest friends. I made to sure to breathe every stroke because I knew it would help slow me down and save energy. The current up river wasn’t difficult to push through because the island surrounding the dock helped keep any current away.

About 1000 yards of swimming, we reached the turn around. We made the turn, and down stream we went. At that point, the swim became even easier. The current made it easy to move. The course runs under two bridges. When I hit the bridges, I knew I was home free. I got to the exit and the volunteers helped me out of the water and helped me get off my wetsuit.

After finishing the swim, (1:13), I was handed my transition bag by one of the volunteers, and entered the changing tent. I changed into my Newton Tri Kit, put on my bike shoes and helmet, put in some compression sleeves, arm warmers, and sprayed some more Tri Slide in any hot spots. One of the volunteers helped stuff all my swim gear back into my transition bag so I could get on my way. After grabbing a small bit of water, I headed out of the tent, I grabbed my bike, and headed towards to the bike course. I saw a bunch of my team RWB teammates out in transition, which was awesome, and then I saw my Buckeye running team members and Sara. Gave Sara a kiss, and went on my way.

First 10 miles of the bike were nice and flat. I used those miles to loosen up and get in some nutrition. At 10 miles, we started climbing. It was a nice, long, climb to the top. Once there, the rolling hills came. Up and down the whole way. There were some hard climbs, and some really fun downhills. Course is very nice and enjoyable. A little after mile 30, you come into La Grange, a small town that has a big party for Ironman. I again saw my friends as I powered through the town. I was out of town before I knew it.

I kept taking in my nutrition on regular intervals to make sure I had my energy. That said, mile 75 or so, I lost a bit of my energy and slowed down. I struggled about 15-20 miles, but focused on nutrition and regained my strength. At some point, I had to get off my bike to stretch. When I attempted to get back on the bike, I bashed my knee. It hurt for a few minutes, but I was ok.

At mile 95, we headed back down the climb we originally came up way back at the beginning. That was a lot of fun. I pushed hard til the end, feeling great. I hopped off the bike a little bit after and got ready for the run. (6:42)

I hit the transition, handed my bike to a volunteer, was handed my run bag by another, and reentered the changing tent. I took off my helmet and bike shoes, and changed into my Newton Distance V’s. I grabbed a bit of water, and off I went. Again I saw my team RWB members and my Buckeye friends.

The run felt really good for the first few miles. I grabbed some water from the aid stations. Unfortunately, my knee started bothering me about 5 miles in. I started walking a bit, but was still maintaining around a 13 minute mile. I was able to maintain for some time.

The course is a double loop course. At the end of the first loop, you run dangerously close to the finish line. It’s a bit hard to make that turn, seeing others running towards the finish. I made my turn, saw my Buckeye and rwb friends, and kept moving. I passed by U of L and Churchill Downs for the second time and came towards the finish. At that point, I saw my RWB teammates and they handed me an American flag to finish with. I held the flag up high and finished strong. Thousands of strangers were cheering for me! It was an awesome feeling. You finish under the 4th street live awning and it’s amazing. I heard my name being announced and a step before I finished, I saw my Buckeye friends and Sara. I crossed and was told, “Andrew, you are an Ironman!”

I crossed and was given my medal and a hat and finishers shirt. I met up with all my friends and just couldn’t stop smiling. It was awesome. All in all, it was an awesome day. I had very few issues during the race. A few aches and pains and a slight misstep with nutrition, but all in all, it was fantastic.