Race morning I arrived at IM Wisconsin transition at 5:30 am, looked over my Trek Madone for final race preparations. Because of nearly windless conditions, I used a Bontrager Aeolus 5.0 front wheel and a rear disc with PowerTap.
The crowd was growing as I made my way to swim start. It was warm, too warm for a wetsuit even according to USAT rules, so my plan was to not push the pace, but just settle in with the lead group.I sat comfortably in 4th for the duration and exited the water in 49 minutes.
After a swift first transition, I exited on the heels of the leader and jumped on my bike for a 112 miles, taking the lead quickly and easily. I planned on seeing what the pace was like and rode the first 20 miles with Raynard Tissink following closely behind. Once I got past Verona and hit the hills, it was easy to ride off the front. I had a gap of close to 5 minutes at 50 miles when I heard a group of 6 was working together to catch me. I eased up and rode a moderate pace for the next 30 miles waiting for the group. Finally they caught me at 88 miles and I dropped to the back to assess. The group was too close together for my likings, so at the next hill I rode off the front, gained a 45 second gap and then eased off making preparations for the run. I entered T2 with the group right on my heels. With my PowerTap data I rode well within my ability and actually thought I would have had to have ridden harder. Mentally it was a great start to my marathon because I felt fresh.
After a quick transition, I easily found my stride and felt great. My plan was to cruise a 3 hour marathon and I was confident as I left T2 in first. A mile and a half down the road I went from thinking 'I'm going to win my first Ironman' to 'I'm not going to be able to finish' after I took a mis-step hitting a divet in the road. I stumbled which threw my leg out at an unusual angle causing my left knee to lock, as my body defensively tried to prevent more damage to a prior knee injury. Typically I would have called it a day but Ironman is like no other race. For the first time ever, I was emotional...the amount of training that's required to do an IM, compounded by the additional miles that are needed to make it easy - was so intense, I couldn't quit and I started walking/hobbling/running/grabbing my hammy's for the next 24 miles. All up I probably walked 18 of the 26.2, but I crossed the finish line and was happy to see it. Next year I'll be back.
Will Smith
| SUMMARY STATS: |
| | Whole | 1st Half | 2nd Half |
| Distance (mi) | 114.27 | 57.135 | 57.135 |
| Time | 4:50:52 | 2:20:57 | 2:29:57 |
| Work (kJ) | 3847 | 2065 | 1782 |
| Avg Speed (mph) | 23.52 | 24.28 | 22.8 |
| Cadence | 77 | 79 | 74 |
| Power (watts) | 220 | 244 | 198 |
| PEAK POWER VALUES |
|
Whole | 1st Half | 2nd Half |
| watts | watts/kg | watts | watts/kg | watts | watts/kg |
| 5 sec | 697 | 11.55 | 697 | 11.55 | 571 | 9.47 |
| 30 sec | 454 | 7.53 | 454 | 7.53 | 367 | 6.09 |
| 1 min | 355 | 5.88 | 355 | 5.88 | 323 | 5.35 |
| 5 min | 283 | 4.68 | 283 | 4.68 | 244 | 4.04 |
| 10 min | 277 | 4.59 | 277 | 4.59 | 223 | 3.7 |
| 30 min | 268 | 4.45 | 268 | 4.45 | 211 | 3.49 |
| 60 min | 262 | 4.35 | 262 | 4.35 | 207 | 3.43 |
| 120 min | 250 | 4.15 | 250 | 4.15 | 202 | 3.35 |