Misery Loves Company

With the end of the 2010 Louisville Ironman less than 48 hours in the rear-view mirror, I thought I might share some facts about this years race.

• 2,951 people started the race
• 2,154 people finished the race
• Almost 1 in every 4 people that started the race, didn't finish it
• The average age was 37
• There were competitors from all 50 states and 31 countries
• Times for the 2.3 mile swim ranged from 0:48:39 to 2:41:50
• Average swim time was 1:23:42 (34:52 min/mile pace)
• Times for the 112 mile bike ranged from 4:31:36 to 8:46:07
• Average bike time was 6:30:48 (17.2 mph)
• Times for the 26.2 mile run ranged from 3:05:09 to 8:34:11
• Average run time was 5:26:30 (12:27 min/mile pace)
• Total time ranged from 8:29:59 to 16:58:01
• Average finish time was 13:37:55

I've heard and seen lots of stories from the race. The temperature reached 96° F and took it's toll on all competitors. Just finishing this race became a huge struggle for most people. It's obvious from the pace of the average run time that there were lots of people walking huge chunks of the marathon. With the exception of a few people, I'm sure everyone that entered this race is in very good condition and spent months, if not years, preparing their bodies to complete the 140.6 mile course. To see people struggle to, and many not able to, complete this race is truly humbling.

Even with all this knowledge, and seeing superior athletes labor to complete this challenge...I decided to give it a shot. Registration for the 2011 Ford Louisville Ironman opened this morning, and I signed up!! I guess misery truly does love company!


YESTERDAY'S WORKOUT:

Bike

1:23 on the indoor bike
30 minutes of warm-up and riding in zone 2 before a grueling 45 minute spin class that incldued lots of intervals, getting my HR into zone 4 several times.
Avg HR = 130 bpm
Max HR - 156 bpm

Weights
30 minutes of weights - chest, arms, abs


TODAY'S WORKOUT:

Run

Yasso 800's (800 meter runs at a high intensity, with 3 minutes of easy jogging between each)
Warm-up (ran to the track) - 1.32 miles in 10:09 (7:37 min/mile pace)
1) 3:12 (Avg HR - 157, max - 168)
2) 3:10 (Avg HR - 167, max - 173)
3) 3:17 (Avg HR - 169, max - 175)
4) 3:19 (Avg HR - 170, max - 176)
5) 3:21 (Avg HR - 170, max - 176)
Cool-down (ran back to the gym)- 1.32 miles in 11:11 (8:24 min/mile pace)
Total Workout: 6.64 miles in 56:19

Swim

5 minute warm-up with some drills
1/2 mile (888 yd) in 15:58
Quick cool-down
Total Workout: 1296 yd in 24:49