Cornman Race Report

First off, thanks to all you tri-bloggers who helped me have the right attitude! I was psyching myself out Saturday. Sunday morning I was much more relaxed and confident.

Before I get to the actual race, I have to talk up the Iowa and its people! I have never seen so much CORN! Holy cow! We must be one corn eating country! The town there the race was was having their annual Corn Days Festival. Corn cook-offs, corn for sale, corn here, there, and everywhere! The people were really friendly. Here are a couple photos, including the world famous Matchstick Museum where the guy builds huge models out of matchsticks and glue:




I got to meet Krissy and Danielle briefly before the race, I wish I could have talked with them more, they are really nice! I didn't get a pic of Danielle :-( They both finished and Danielle took second in the Athena category! Way to go Danielle!



On to the race:
The Swim: The water was 83 degrees and it was starting to get hot. It was a 500 m swim straight out and back. I started in the second wave, I think it was 30-39 men and all Clydesdales. I let most of the swimmers get out in front then started swimming. Nice and easy, focusing on rotating fully for my breath so as not to lift my head and then pressing down on my chest to swim down hill. I took my time and was shooting to beat 16 minutes but I just missed it, swam 16:45. Got out of the water and was not dizzy like I was in Topeka. I actually passed two Clydes in the water! I felt totally comfortable in the open water.


T1: Walked into transition through a lot of sand and mud. Now I know why people take those little buckets of water. After I finally got the mud and sand off my feet, I couldn't get my socks on. I struggled and switched to some others but I spent about 10 minutes or so in transition. Then my sunglasses were broken! But a little duct tape fixes anything! (I carry some in the bag under my bike seat). Downed a short bottle of Heed and 10 Endurolytes and headed out on the bike.

The Bike: The first mile was small undulations and then the back side of the hill of death! Krissy and Danielle both passed me at that point. I had a goal of riding my bike up that hill further than at least one other person - goal met! People were either in Granny gear or walking the bike up it (and it was the short side of the hill!). Then once at the top I jumped back on and let gravity do its thing! 38 miles per hour! I was a bit nervous having never approached that speed on a bike before! Then it was up another hill and then "rolling hills" that gradually went up hill overall into the town of Gladbrook. By the time I got to Gladbrook, everyone had passed me. Saw the ladies on the way back and lots of supportive people (and lots of Clydes!). The towns people were still out when I rode through, guarding intersections and sweeping off gravel. They got a kick out of my asking them if I was still in first place. Then it was back towards the park with "rolling hills" on a gradual decline. (Rolling hills? A hill is a hill, what's this "rolling" crap?)LOL. On the uphills I lowered my helmet and looked at the 4-5 feet of pavement ahead of me and just kept churning. I was not going to look at teh crest of the hill and start thinking about how far it was. Then poof! I'd be at the top of another hill! I also took 5-6 Endurolytes every half hour and drank 9 scoops of Perpetuumm on the bike. I threw my chain twice. I was followed in by the sag wagon who kept me clear of traffic.


Got back into T2 and total time for the bike was 1:42:14. I wanted to come in under 2 hours so I was very happy with my ride. I rode as hard as I could, it just isn't possible to go that fast with 150-200 extra pounds. But look out next year! I'll be gunnin' for some Clydes!

T2: Feet felt good so I thought I should try the walking. My girls really wanted me to finish so I sucked down some GUs and more Endurolytes, grabbed a bottle of water and off I went.


The Walk: The first mile was incredibly tough and I was wondering if I should have just bagged it after the bike. It was so hot! At the 1/2 mile point it was back up the Hill of Death! The long face of the hill! As I was starting up the incline two Clydes in an SUV pulled up, gave me a bottle of the coldest, best tasting bottle of water I've ever had, encouraged me and I was off again. Up, up, up that freakin' hill! The sun was beating down and the GUs had not kicked in yet, I was feeling pretty weak. Then just as I was about to top out, there was the 1 mile sign! That really boosted my spirits! The next two would be so much easier than the first mile and I knew I could make it!

At the bottom of the hill one of the Division of Natural Resources guys (DNR) had a cold bottle of water for me (the first aid station was down). He followed me in his van and controlled traffic. Many racers were leaving and waving and yelling good things. Then I finally hit some shade. I felt stronger and picked up the pace for the second mile. Then I passed by this one house where the family had water and a hose, which I of course took advantage of when they offered to hose me down! Man that felt great!

I kept on going and with about 3/4 of a mile to go one of the volunteers, Kathy, started walking with me. Nice lady, she got away before I could get a photo with her. The the race director came out on a Gator and jumped off with couple cold bottles of water and walked in with me. Very nice guy - Todd Eipperle.



He and his wife Julie ran a very classy race, well organized. I finished way after everyone and Julie still had a killer lunch waiting for me! Then as I was nearing the transition area Becca and Kelly ran out and walked in with me! It was great! The timing guy was there waiting and I clocked in at a total of 3:49:38, which was great as I made my goal of finishing under 4 hours! My walk time was 1:35:52.



I found out I was tougher mentally than I thought I was. It was a very tough course and a very tough day. I finished, and of course I cried at the end (okay, I'm tough yet sensitive). I was very overcome emotionally like I was last year at Glenwood. I had set the bar higher with a tougher course and tougher conditions, and I had just cleared it. I am so happy! Nebraska IronHorse Mini-sprint is next up in August. Kelly's first tri is this Saturday, that will be so cool!

I am so stiff and sore that I'm going to bed! Luv ya all!
Duane