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Tinkering with the Ironman race course by Luis

Posted 01:01 PM, October 08 2005

The Ironman triathlon in Kona is about tradition but for some reason or another the race organizers are always changing things around. As I got to the pier this morning to meet some of our athletes I found out that the swim course has been slightly changed this year. The swim exit which traditionally was at the opposite side of the pier is now on the same side as the start. This change is no big deal except that the exit is real narrow so it will be tight in there. But as I mentioned yesterday the bike course and run course that I did 9 years ago is different from what they do today. How are we to compare times? Is a 2:40 marathon done today the same as the 2:40 Mark Allen ran. I don’t think so, the marathon course now is the easiest I have seen since day one. Think if the Boston marathon course was changed and heartbreak hill was taken out. That would be a huge deal. How come it is not a huge deal when they tinker with the course here?

Another thing hat irritates me to no end is the head start for the professionals. I thought they were professionals. How come they need a head start? I need a head start! Ok they are doing it for the woman professionals that get run over. But again it changes tradition. I loved lining up next to Mark in the 90’s and hanging with many professionals during the swim. I actually managed to beat about ½ the professional field to the finish line during my best years. That was fun. The professional start is real lame today. There are only 100 or so professionals. The real start is the age group start with all the near 2000 swimmers churning the water. It is a great sight. There is something else that many people forgot or ignored last year when the professionals got a 15 minute head start. Since the professionals get a head start, the finish line clock reads the professional overall time. So when a top age grouper has a great race and crosses the finish line, the time on the clock is actually 15 minutes slower than their real finishing time. So much for having that great finish line photo of your best race ever. You would think someone cared about this. Am I the only one that cares about this?

This morning I swam the entire race course with some of my athletes. It was hard actually. I will try to do that again this week. My back was killing me when I got out. Since there are no turns and you have to do a lot of sighting, your back takes a beating. This is really hard to duplicate in training since we usually swim in a pool and do turns which relax the back muscles. I am coming real early next year so that I can swim the course a few times.

Today I also lifted weights and rode my bike for two hours real easy. Lifting weights with Mark was fun. I learned a few tips from him. I learned that he is stronger than me. That is a big shocker right? I have never been real strong actually so I am not surprised. But I need to get real strong for next year. At age 44 it is real crucial to lift and maintain strength

The picture above is an actual picture of the sunset today. That was fun. We were hoping to get a picture of the sun right at the horizon but some clouds covered the sun before it got to the horizon.

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Posted by DMCLAUGHLIN6763 @ 05:22 PM, October 09 2005
Aloha Luis! Ahhh, love the photo.
I also wish the race was back to one mass start. So cool to start with pros. And it is great for the young triathletes that are on the break of turning pro.

Response to your earlier post, I pick Michellie Jones to win. I had the chance to get to know her and her husband Pete back in the early to mid 1990's. She is a remarkable athlete.
Diana

Posted by DORFORD184 @ 08:04 PM, October 09 2005
Hi Luis
Wish i could be over in Kona. Beats sitting at my desk, working. I've been lucky enough to do the Ironman 3 times. Now that the Sheraton is opened do you think the course will be changed back? I remember in 2000 (1st Ironman)running out of T2 up the hill and then down to the pit and back up the hill my legs were cooked, i'd been sick all day , it was stinking hot and i only had 24 miles to go. Boy what a day , my wife was waiting outside our condo at the top of the hill when you leave the pit. I was hoping she would say "looks like you've had enough, come inside" I was looking for a excuse to stop. But she said " You look like s___ i'll see you at the finish line" About 5-6 hours later she was there waiting. If it wasn't for those words i would have quite. Looking back on it those words changed my life.
It's a great race , can't wait to do it again.

Posted by LVARGAS1 @ 06:14 AM, October 10 2005
I doubt race organizers will bring back the pit. They look out for number one and a race with one transition area is easier to manage. Plus Kona is getting more crowded by the day so now they do not have to close all of Alii drive. I just hope they do not turn this race into a two loop bike course. That is my biggest fear. Taking Hawi out of the course will really break my heart. Might as well put is in a cage and make us run like a hampster round and round.

Posted by JVAN ROOYEN6642 @ 07:29 AM, October 10 2005
Hey Luis,
Man am I wishing that I was there now.
I was "lucky" enough to run out of the pit the last time the race was run that way.
The following year I ran the new route and it just wasn't the same feeling.The pit just hammers your legs after the bike.
I say keep the race the same with a mass start and T2 at the end of Alii.
Have fun there.

Posted by EHERD4464 @ 12:57 PM, October 10 2005
Glad to see your out there working out and taking it all in Luis. I agree on the pro start crap. Last year I had a decent swim/bike and would have been fun to know where I really was compaired to pros as I aproached the turn-around on Alii drive(mile 5 of the run). Also, having an endless pool helps with the long straight swim(of course if you disapline yourself to look up every now and then to simulate sighting). Rock on Luis and get ready to race next year cause we are going to push the 45-49 barrier right? Eddie

Posted by EHERD4464 @ 01:00 PM, October 10 2005
Snowing back home here in Colorado Luis. Take a long ride for me this week as I will be on the Computrainer back here. :)

Posted by PSCHUCKIES6135 @ 09:55 PM, October 10 2005
What a beautiful photo of the sunset - just posted it as my computer desktop background to inspire me during my last weeks of training before IM FL. We send our best wishes from CO to all the Kona athletes...