Age Group Ranking program to provide athletes from around the world a way to track race performance against other competitors

TAMPA, Fla. (Feb. 12, 2013) – Building upon the success of last season’s pilot program in Europe, IRONMAN announced today the global expansion of the Age Group Ranking (AGR) program for amateur triathletes.  In extension of last year’s model, the program will now include all IRONMAN^® and IRONMAN 70.3^® races in 2013. Beginning with last month’s IRONMAN 70.3 Pucon triathlon and ending with the IRONMAN 70.3 Canberra event on December 15, 2013, all athletes will be automatically entered into the program and receive points based on their finish times.

“After receiving such positive feedback from the triathlete community on the pilot phase, it is a natural progression to further expand the Age Group Ranking program to include all IRONMAN and IRONMAN 70.3 events,” said Andrew Messick, Chief Executive Officer of World Triathlon Corporation.  “Our athletes from around the world have a competitive spirit and we are excited to offer them an opportunity to track their racing, while rewarding their accomplishments.”

The global program will offer age group athletes a way to earn points based off of their race finishes and measure their race performances against their fellow competitors regionally, as well as from around the world, in one cumulative system. Athletes that compete in any IRONMAN or IRONMAN 70.3 event in 2013 will earn Age Group Ranking (AGR) points. In each IRONMAN event, Age Group Champions will earn 5,000 points, while first place finishers of IRONMAN 70.3 events will earn 3,500 points toward their ranking. Points will then be calculated on a sliding scale based upon each subsequent athlete’s finish time, with a minimum of 1,000 points for an IRONMAN race and 700 points for an IRONMAN 70.3 race, as long as they complete the event.

Points and rankings will be updated weekly online at www.ironman.com/ranking, starting in early spring.

Although athletes may compete in as many 2013 IRONMAN and IRONMAN 70.3 events as they choose, only their top three race performances will be calculated toward their AGR. At the end of the 2013 season, all athletes will receive a special certificate and acknowledgement from IRONMAN, recognizing their achievement. Competitors who finish in the top 10 percent globally in either IRONMAN, IRONMAN 70.3 or a combination of IRONMAN and IRONMAN 70.3 events, will be designated as IRONMAN All World.

For more information or to see a list of frequently asked questions about the IRONMAN Age Group Ranking Program, go to www.ironman.com/ranking. Inquiries about the program may be directed to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . For media-related inquiries, contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

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About IRONMAN

The iconic IRONMAN^® Series of events is the largest participation sports platform in the world.  Since the inception of the IRONMAN^® brand in 1978, athletes have proven that ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE^® by crossing finish lines at the world’s most challenging endurance races. Recognized for excellence through distinguished events, world-class athletes and quality products, World Triathlon Corporation (d/b/a IRONMAN), owner and operator of the IRONMAN^® Series, has grown from owner of a single race to a global sensation with nearly 190 events across five unique brands: IRONMAN^®, IRONMAN 70.3^®, 5150™ Triathlon Series, Iron Girl^® and IronKids^®. For more information, visit www.ironman.com.

"Maybe Jeff was unaware that the official time for finishing had passed; maybe he knew but didn’t care."

When the celebration is over, crowds and cameras are gone, and all that remains is what’s left of the finish line, will you have the courage to finish what you started?  Jeff Schmidt did, and for that simple fact he leaves a significant imprint on us.

The last official Ironman finisher crossed the line in 16:59:33; Harriet Anderson —77 years old—gave the crowd plenty of drama and excitement. But the grand finale was still taking shape in the shadows along Ali’i Drive and wouldn’t become apparent until long after the TV cameras had gone home for the night.

At midnight in Kona, race organizers let runners who are still on course know that they are not finishers. Despite effort that is unimaginable for most, they are given the news that they will not reach their goal, at least for that day. It must be heartbreaking work for the organizers.

But somehow they missed Jeff Schmidt.

While a huge crowd celebrated the conclusion of this year’s Kona, Jeff Schmidt was, unbeknownst to us, still running along Ali’i Drive, cheered on by friends and family. By 12:20 AM, the crowd at the finish line had dispersed and volunteers had begun the late night task of preparing the street for morning.

That’s when I saw Jeff Schmidt. He was running through a finishing chute that minutes before was lined with people, but now was mostly empty, except for the volunteers who had begun to dismantle and stack sponsor signs.

About 20 feet from the finish, Jeff tripped on a small stack of those signs. But he kept moving forward, toward a finish line that seemed to be going away just as he was arriving. Maybe Jeff was unaware that the official time for finishing had passed; maybe he knew but didn’t care.

When he crossed the line, the only people left were organizers, several volunteers, and those spectators who couldn’t bring themselves to leave a place that had just been the scene of so much human achievement.

Yuri Hauswald from GU found Andrew Messick (Ironman CEO), who moved quickly to greet this year’s last finisher. Men’s winner Pete Jacobs was also still there. He congratulated Jeff for finishing, only to be congratulated by Jeff for winning.

Jeff Schmidt finished after midnight and therefore he may not be official. But sometimes what goes in the record books isn’t the only thing that matters. At Kona, it’s the heart and determination that so many show along the way.

Jeff finished without the huge crowd. He did it after the glare of TV was gone. He did it on one prosthetic leg and with one huge heart.

And for that, there’s really only one thing to say about his achievement.

Jeff Schmidt, you are an Ironman.

- Tal Johnson, GU President

(scroll down to watch Jeff Schmidt cross the finish line)

For more information about GU products, go to: GUEnergy.com

Brief History
It's pretty rare that a company can enter an industry with scene-stealing innovation and still have the staying power to be around years later. The fact that Kestrel began in Santa Cruz, California and stepped into an industry dominated by European design and thinking made them stand out even more. Kestrel has been consistently upping the ante, beginning in 1986 when they were the first in the industry to introduce bladder-molded monocoque carbon frames; reducing the aerodynamic drag and weight of lugs and improving ride and handling characteristics. Meanwhile, all of this progress was taking place at a time when triathlon as a sport was still in it's infancy. They continued in 1989, among other innovations, to reveal the world's first all-carbon triathlon bike: the KM40. In 2001, it was the first one-piece, molded carbon road handlebars that was introduced to the world, and the impressive list of cutting edge products goes on. Chris McCormack began his relationship with the brand in 2003 with his first Ironman win on a Kestrel and there are plenty more fans of their crazy fast frames. Ironman Champion Andy Potts, 2009 Giro d'Italia Champion Denis Menchov, 2008 Tour de France winner Carlos Sastre as well as a number of other professional cycling, triathlon teams and athletes have ridden their Kestrels to the podium.

Time after time, Kestrel has consistently proven that they are willing to think outside the box and put the effort and research into developing faster, more comfortable bikes for consumers. For over a decade, the Airfoil was the preeminent TT frame for Kestrel; the signature feature, no seat tube, was carried through each new version. In 2010, the Kestrel 4000 was added to the line-up with many of the same features as the Airfoil as well as the return of an aerodynamic version of a seat tube. The return of the seat tube not only added stiffness and power in every direction of the frame, but also made the frame once again UCI-legal.

(click to enlarge)

Aerodynamic Features
The Kestrel 4000 is a product of many hours of testing in the A2 wind tunnel, with special attention being paid to rider comfort. The designers added a bit of suspension to the seat tube and a little bit higher stack. The theory is, that regardless of how aerodynamic the position is for the rider in the cockpit, if the athlete is so uncomfortable that they need to shift around or break aero, stress and fatigue will set in and overall speed will be compromised. The 4000 strikes the perfect balance, allowing for a degree of additional comfort and only compromises the slightest amount on rider-free aerodynamics.  

The adjustable seat post allows for a seat tube angle ranging from 72.5°- 80° with two-clamp reverse to maintain ideal aerodynamics. Internal cables and housing, not only add to the properties, but make bike mechanics very happy. Seat stays are tapered to the back as well as both sides of the chain-stay; the non-drive side sporting an additional channel for proper air flow. This bike is fast- crazy fast.

Components
The full build purchase of a Kestrel 4000 Pro SL is available in Shimano 105 components, Shimano Ultegra and SRAM Red (MSRP: $3,179- $7,499). The crown jewel of the line, is the 4000 LTD Dura Ace Di2 (MSRP: $10,599). With high-end TT bikes, it's pretty common to see a mix and match approach to keep cost down. Bicycle manufacturers will often put the higher end components where they're most noticeable and down grade the others. One of the things I loved about Kestrel, is that all the components are standard. If you buy a 4000 with the Ultegra, you know you're getting the same level of quality or better on all components; and that includes the crank and cassette.

Fit
Another big bonus of the 4000 is that Kestrel offers the bike in six frame sizes. A smaller rider isn't going to need to get as low as a taller rider. The extremes of the size range (47 cm- 59.5 cm) reflect the designers extra effort to take their specific needs into account, and adjust the dimensions accordingly. What this means for athletes is that with a proper bike-fit, you have access to a better aerodynamic position based on your own physical build, not what someone in a wind tunnel has decided the standard age-grouper should look like.

The Ride
The result of all this hard work is a fast, stiff-framed TT bike that rides smooth and is more comfortable than it's competitors. I was able to move seamlessly from my last TT bike into the 4000 and have been pleased with my decision to make the change. I was mildly concerned about changing frames purely because of sizing. The Kestrel 4000 fit me within 2 cm of my ideal F.I.S.T. Fit recommendation; surprisingly close to perfect. Amber Foster, a member of the TriEdge-Kestrel Womens Triathlon Team commented, "[The Kestrel 4000] fits really well!  I think as a short person it is hard to find bikes that fit well and Kestrel does a great job. I love how my bike rides... it is smooth!  The frame is a good set-up, geometrically. I have felt like I have had great legs getting off the bike onto the run this year."

The understated styling is clean and classy, and Kestrel is continuing the sleek styling into 2013 version of the 4000, (see below). While the look is drool-worthy, it's the comfort that sold me on the 4000 frame. My previous TT was super stiff, and while it touted supreme speed, I couldn't take the hours banging around in the aero-bars. I found myself often riding on my pursuits on rough road; completely defeating the purpose of the aerodynamic properties. Though the technical difference to accommodate comfort with the 4000 is subtle, it translates to a softer ride and smoother pedal stroke. And for me, a much faster ride.

Kestrel 4000 Series 2013

(click to enlarge)

For more information about Kestrel products go to: www.kestrelbicycles.com

To see the full 2013 Kestrel line-up, go to: www.2013kestrelbicycles.com

To find Kestrel bikes near you, go to: www.kestrelbicycles.com/explore/find.a.dealer

Lance Armstrong is banned from competitions sanctioned by Olympic governing bodies—part of his punishment for deciding last month not to fight charges that he engaged in doping as a professional cyclist. But Armstrong remains more than America's most famous endurance athlete. He is its only famous endurance athlete.

Lance Armstrong has decided not to contest charges by the United States Anti-Doping Agency and has been stripped of his seven Tour de France titles. WSJ's Reed Albergotti sits down with Wendy Bounds to discuss whether the most decorated rider in the history of cycling will now lose his legacy as well.

So when he seeks to compete in a triathlon—a sport whose popularity ranks far below that of, say, bass fishing—his magnetism makes an unthinkable question suddenly thinkable: Does the number of extra enrollments he brings to an event outweigh the loss of certification by USA Triathlon?

Faced with that very question this month was the Half Full Triathlon in Maryland. For two years running, it had boasted USAT certification, a distinction that lowers insurance rates while offering professionals a chance to boost their international rankings.

But when presented with a recent race request from Armstrong, Half Full for this year decided to sacrifice its USAT certification. And it paid off. After announcing last Thursday that Armstrong would participate in the Oct. 7 race, enrollment jumped 20%, said race executive Brian Satola.

That extra race revenue advances the Half Full mission of raising funds for cancer, as does Armstrong's cancer-battling track record, said Satola, adding that he would permanently trade USAT certification for Armstrong's participation. "Man, if we could get a multiyear commitment from Lance, I'd love it," he said, calling Armstrong "the world's best-known cancer survivor."  MORE

I qualified to race World Championships at a prior 70.3 race in Lake Stevens, Washington.  Since then, I’ve struggled. Mentally I have had a very long season, and it was a bit daunting to build for another major race.  The fog began to lift in early August and I was good to go, and started to really find the excitement of actually being able to toe the line at a World Championship event! World Championships; that means the BEST triathletes in the WORLD!  Pretty awesome!

My little family, Adam’s parents, and my parent’s all joined us in Vegas for the festivities.  The race anxiety was in full swing and I was so happy to see my good friend Sarah Jarvis who would also be racing.  She is a blast to hang out with at races.  She gets me- I get her.  We are quirky and crazy when it comes to pre and post race 'activities' and are just two peas in a pod in these situations.

OUTDOOR EXPO- Temperature 104°
The Expo was just right down the street from the hotel and it was HOT, HOT, HOT!  Seriously, Vegas in September is really not a pleasant place.  In the days preceding the race it was well into the low 100's and everything for this race was outdoors.  There are many very nice places that have air conditioning in Las Vega- we didn’t have the pleasure of using any of those for the race.  I was dehydrated and needing to supplement electrolytes just to get through packet pick-up and gear check.

HAVE YOU EVER SWAM IN PEE?
Being at a World Championships Event is SO VERY COOL!  Everything is on a grand scale.  You realize very quickly you are not experiencing some small local race.  You are on the world stage and it shows.  I love the swim venue for this race.  It takes place in Lake Las Vegas, a beautiful, out-of-the-way resort 'town'. Spectators get awesome views of the multi-wave start and the backdrop is just amazing!

Sarah and I were competing in the same age group (female 30-34) and our start time was slated for 7:05- 35 minutes after the actual pro start of 6:30 am.  The only drawback with such a huge race is that things take a really long time.  With transition closing at 6:00 am, we would have a solid hour of just standing around in our swim skins waiting- not the most fun.  The goal is just to conserve as much energy as possible.  It was perfect to be with Sarah.  We were low-key and just kept to ourselves.  I really didn’t get nervous until about 6:45 when my stomach started to flip-flop.  We spotted Coach Heath and Coach Mahogani along with fellow athletes Tony and Matt cheering us on at the swim start.  It was so good to see them!

Purple Cap Wave Females 30-34

Our toes hit the water and the fact that the water temperature was 83 degrees started to sink in… literally. There was no chill-factor to the water.  It was just warm.  Pleasantly warm.  Not a good thing when you are about to push yourself to swim over a mile as quickly as possible.  I get hot during hard workouts in an 80 degree indoor pool.  We had to wade in the water for another 10 minutes at least.  No wetsuit to help us there. This was a swim skin only race.

We had a fairly large wave of about 120 women in our age group.  Last year Sarah found that this was an aggressive group of ladies in the water, so I braced myself for impact and a very fast start.  I got off the line well and was comfortably in my own bubble by the second buoy.  With the rectangular swim the traffic wasn’t bad at all.  We did start to catch up to other waves who had started before us, but for the most part I was feeling like I was swimming pretty well- other than the fact that I was melting!!  IT WAS SO HOT!  My head was on fire.  Usually the swim provides you with cooler temps that you warm into by the time you finish.  Not here.  It was hot and the water was dingy.  There were quite a few times I grabbed something in my hands and just quickly shook it off not wanting to even know what it was.  There was no visibility in the water.

I exited the water in just under 35:00.  I was happy with that considering I was in a skin suit race. Just two weeks before, I was knocking on the 40 min. door. Clearly, I was tired two weeks ago and today was a bit better.  Not my best swim, but not bad either.

Swim Time:  34:52, T1:  4:04

HILLS, HEAT & NO RELIEF
I really like the bike course for this event as well.  It takes place out along the shores of Lake Mead and then moves into downtown Henderson.  Lake Mead is a nicely paved road with lots and lots of rolling hills.  Not the Lake Stevens rolling hills I experienced in July, but the rolling hills that I’m use to.  I really wanted to have a good bike.

T1 is SUPER LONG.  You exit the water on one side of the lake and have to run all the way to the other side to get to your bike. Once you have retrieved all your bike gear it is up a steep hill to the bike mounting line. From there you have a steady incline out of Lake Las Vegas.  My heart rate went through the roof.  Super high! When I looked at the upper 170's blinking on my watch I was flabbergasted.  I figured I would settle in a the top of the hill when we descended into Lake Mead. I was being passed like I was standing still- this was my first indication that this bike ride was not going to be what I expected. I began to take my nutrition as planned and was really trying to monitor my electrolytes since it was so hot. The outside temperature when we hit the water was 87°- it was just going to get hotter.

On the bike I felt like I was in an oven.  I was hot!  Usually on the bike, you are fairly comfortable with the wind in your face and the moisture of your own sweat.  No such luck.  I was taking in tons of water and my planned nutrition, but I was still off.  My legs had no power.  I continued to be passed by more and more people.  I knew I was riding with some GREAT athletes, but I’m a biker.  I can do this.  I’m familiar with this course and was ready to ride.  My legs weren’t coming to play.  After the turn around I really tried to enjoy the beautiful course, but the moments of feeling good were fleeting and I would once again be talking to myself about what the problem was.

I ran out of all fluids just outside of the final aid station.  I had to ride about 5 miles before I could get water.  I needed water. That aid station just couldn’t come fast enough and I couldn’t ride fast enough to get there.  As I approached the aid station, I had to throw two of my VERY FAVORITE Camelback water bottles and take two pop top water bottles just to get me to T2.  I was not going to take the chance of running out of water again.  As we climbed out of Lake Mead, my left quad started threatening to cramp- I HAVE NEVER IN MY LIFE CRAMPED ON THE BIKE- what was going on with me?! I was in for a long ride…

The final 10 miles or so into Henderson and T2 are a gradual hill.  My average speed continued to plummet and I was hotter than if I was standing on the surface of the sun. I actually wondered if I was standing on the surface of the sun.  As I approached the final miles I saw Heath and Mahogani and just shook my head and told them, “I’m dying!”  All I could think was about the run.

I had two thoughts…


1)  I’m going to have a great run because my bike legs didn’t show up, so I should be in good shape to run.


2)  It is going to be a VERY long half marathon.
I was really hoping for Option 1.

Bike Time:  3:07:03, T2:  1:52

WHEN THINGS GO BAD… REALLY BAD
Within the first few 100 ft. of this half marathon I knew that the rest of this race would not be what I wanted.  It is hard to explain what I was feeling.  I wasn’t overly tired.  I didn’t feel like my nutrition was crappy.  It was that continued feeling that there was nothing in my body to give.  I was running, but the resulting average speed was unbelievable to me.  I was lucky to hit a 9:00 mile.  Holy crap, I’m dying…

This run course is hard.  It consists of a triple loop where you go down 1 mile, up 2 miles and down 1 mile. Nothing flat. It is one way or another, repeated over and over again.  I was so excited for this course. I had visualized myself working hard for the uphills and then flying on the downhills.  I was prepared to dig deep to finish, I just didn’t realize how deep that was going to have to be.

I was mad and disappointed the first loop.  I had accepted my fate on the second loop.  I just wanted to be done by the third loop.  I would not have made it through this race without my spectators.  Once again, my friends and family (who I won’t name for fear of missing someone very important) were out there cheering and encouraging me the entire way.  I saw so many familiar faces who seeing the pain and distress on my face and body lifted my spirits to continue on.  As racers a lot of times we don’t look like we are paying any attention, but believe me, we are.  We hear every clap.  We feel every cheer.  We want to work harder for you.  We look to you to carry us through.  I was a rock-star out there to my friends and family- at least, that is the way they made me feel.  Thank you, in this situation just isn’t appropriate.  There are not enough words of gratitude that can be expressed.

I was suffering.  Coach Heath told me to get out of my head.  Find a different focus.  Someone in front of me. The sound of my feet.  Something to take the place of the disaster that was playing out in my mind.  I wanted to stop.  There were times it didn’t seem worth it anymore, then I started to see other athletes around me suffering too.  I saw Meredith Kessler, a professional athlete, walking up that two mile hill.  I saw looks of pain, anger and agony everywhere.  It wasn’t just me out there.  This was all of us battling for the same fate- THE FINISH LINE!  I had found my new focus, other athletes in need.

When I would see someone cramp, I would stop to prop them up.  When someone would be walking with their head down I would tell them “good job”.  When someone seemed to feel sick, I would ask if they needed anything and offer a salt pill or two with a swig of my water.  For some reason, this made me feel so much better.  I was back in control.  I could help.  I would run when my legs would let me run and I would walk when I couldn’t run anymore.

I finally made it to the last turn around and the home stretch to the final mile.  I walked the turn around and coaxed myself to run to the aid station ahead.  The aid stations had been out of Coke for miles, but that final station had some and it tasted good.  I kept running and finally took my turn running in the chute.  I hit the finish line and it was done.

Run time:  2:16:14 (OUCH!), Finish time:  6:04:05

THE END
I staved off the really negative mental space for the run, and it all came crashing down the moment I hit the finish line. I stopped running and started sobbing.  Sarah appeared right in front of me and I fell into her arms.  We cried.  I cried hard. She just hugged me.  I cried harder than I ever have at the finish line.  In my exhaustion, in my anger, in embarrassment over my performance; I fell apart.  I was just so disappointed.  I had just completed the longest half ironman I’ve ever done.  Run my worst half marathon ever. The realization that my season was ending like this was crushing.

I walked out to the arms of family and friends.  It was just painful and raw.  So many people were there supporting me and pulling for me.  They had driven all that way.  I felt like I had let them down.  In contrast, Sarah had just had an amazing race, finishing 3rd in our age group (in the world mind you) and 11th amateur overall.  AMAZING!  We should be celebrating her accomplishment and not my disappointment.  Nothing made me feel better.  I just wanted to be out of the heat and not on my feet.  Sarah and I walked back into the finish line area.  The food looked disgusting other than a slice of pizza.  There were so many sweaty athletes in the food tent (which was air conditioned), I left as quickly as I entered.

My feelings after finishing would vacillate between feeling guilty for my selfishness, to being utterly ashamed and angry about my efforts.  I just couldn’t come to grips with what had just happened.  I tried to suck it up and celebrate a season of racing and the huge accomplishments of my good friend.

Sarah and I went to the post-race banquet which was low-key and fun.  Good food.  Good friends.  Great athletes! We smiled and laughed a lot and it kept me occupied and out of my own mental space.  We topped the night off with a 1/2 gallon of Dreyers ice cream and a bedtime of almost midnight.  Family and friends had all gone home and it was just us. It was a good way to end such a hard day.

EPILOGUE
The next morning I woke up to a Vegas-style hangover.  I was beat.  I was glad I had packed most of my stuff the night before and after a very gluten-filled bagel and cream cheese I was in the car headed home.  It was just me and my box of tissues.  I’m not a pouter.  I don’t usually stay emotional about things for very long. I cried almost all the way home.  I cried because I was tired.  I cried because I was mad.  I cried because I was happy such a hard season was over.  I cried because I didn’t want to hear the congratulations which I didn’t feel like I deserved.  I cried because I was being so hard on myself.

You know those moments when you are almost seeing yourself from outside of your own body.  Those moments when you hear the words coming out of your mouth or the thoughts in your head as if you are an outsider looking in. When you are saying to yourself that you are being silly and point out the err in your thinking, but you just can’t accept that truth. You need to have your moment.  You need to suffer and endure for just a bit longer. That was my drive home.

Then a verse of one of my favorite songs came on my iPod, ”you wouldn’t believe the most amazing things that can come from some terrible nights.”  That was it!  That was my perspective shift.  Yes.  This race was hard.  Really hard.  But I can take those terrible things and turn them into something amazing!

I’ve talked with my coaches and evaluated what 'went wrong'.  It’s hard to find an answer to that question. It’s been a very long season for me.  It’s actually been a very long two years.  My body has stuck with me time and time again.  It has stepped up to the plate and been there when I needed it most.  Right now it is done.  I have robbed the bottom of the bucket one too many times in the past two months.  There is nothing left, it is time to step away for a while.

As the distance between me and the race grows, I’m filled with more and more gratitude towards myself, my husband, my friends and my family.  They put me on a pedestal that I have a very hard time putting myself on.  They don’t look at times without understanding the race.  They see me for the person who I am the hours of the day when I’m not swimming, biking or running.  Is there anything more a person can be grateful for than to be surrounded by people like that?  In Coach Mahogani’s wisdom she said this, “The people who love you, don’t ask for your time.”

So here’s to a swift kick in the butt.  I am such a blessed person and athlete.  To those who love me, THANK YOU! To those who just want to look at my times, YOU JUST WAIT!

From Qualification to Completion

To read more about Colleen's triathlon adventures, go to: www.stgeorgefitness.com

Published: May 15, 2012
Chrissie Wellington of Britain so thoroughly dominates Ironman triathlons that fans measure her success by the number of pro men she beats. Wellington, 35, is undefeated at Ironman, which consists of a 2.4-mile swim, a 112-mile bike and a 26.2-mile run. After setting a course record of 8 hours 54 minutes 2 seconds at the 2009 Ironman world championships in Hawaii, she waited almost 20 minutes for the second-place woman to finish.

Chrissie Wellington is undefeated at Ironman, which consists of a 2.4-mile swim, a 112-mile bike and a 26.2-mile run.

On Monday Wellington told her audience at the Harvard Club of New York City why she was walking away from Ironman for the next year: she needed a break from the round-the-clock training regimen and monastic lifestyle required to be at the sport’s pinnacle.

“I push my body and mind to the limit, and the way I do things is not necessarily sustainable in the long term,” Wellington said. “Ironman is incredibly demanding, and I did feel I needed to step away and smell the flowers.”   MORE

I have a confession to make:  I am tired!  Yep.   Usually after I complete an Ironman, I swear I am going to sleep for ever...and then I wake up the next morning and pop out of bed (well, kinda pop), start packing and cleaning and really just get going.  Ummm... not so much after this race!  I have pretty much wanted to lay on the couch and move as little as possible.  In fact, I was so tired that I am actually writing this race report a day later than normal.  I just wanted to sleep the day after the race... so, I did!   Go figure!

So, here is how my day went for the final Ironman St. George to ever be held:
After I competed in Ironman Cozumel last November and missed qualifying for Kona by such a small spot, I determined I had to give it just one more shot!  So, I figured St. George would be a great option because it was close and I knew the course.  I really enjoyed my winter of training and felt like I had put together a solid couple of months of consistent improvement...especially on my run (since that is where I ran into trouble in IM Cozumel).   When I was able to put together a solid run (for me) at the Ironman 70.3 race in San Juan, Puerto Rico and qualify for Ironman 70.3 World Championships,  I was really excited to come down here to St. George and put together another solid run on the marathon portion of the race and finish strong.  Well, enter an unresolved IT Band issue (that has plagued me for over two years now) and it made an already interesting race even that more memorable!

THE SWIM:
I love swimming!  I'm not the best swimmer... but, I really enjoy an open water swim in beautiful, clear water.  I look at an Ironman swim as the awesome warm up for a nice long day.  So, entering the waters in Sand Hollow, I was just looking forward to seeing what I had in me for 2.4 miles and hopefully coming out of the swim in close to an hour.  The first stretch of swimming to the first turning buoy was very crowded and rough.  I couldn't seem to take a stroke without either grabbing someone, being grabbed, kicked or knocked around.  No big deal, cause I know how this works. I just tried to stay in my own groove, keep my head relaxed and calm and stick with my own rhythm.  I made it to the first turning buoy and within 5 seconds I knew the game had changed.  All of a sudden I had waves crashing down on me and chop everywhere!  People were no longer the issue...i t was most definitely a new challenge between every swimmer and some of the roughest water most of us have ever had the pleasure of swimming in.  As soon as I realized I had new conditions, I actually smiled.  Now, don't take this the wrong way, but I like it rough!!  I love to swim in choppy, wavy ROUGH water!  I think it makes it SO interesting and keeps me focused on every stroke and staying as powerful and efficient as possible.  My entire game plan for the swim went out the window as soon as I registered the water conditions and I just went into adventure mode!  I LOVED IT!  Yahooo!  So, I began enjoying my new adventure and just focused on staying calm, powerful, efficient and ON course the best I could.  When I made the next turn and headed towards the island that we swim around I just made sure that every 15-20 strokes I would pop my head up and ride a few waves, look around to make sure I had an island somewhere in front of me and a few pink or green caps somewhere within my general area and then continue on. Those 4-5 foot swells made for some interesting swimming!   It took quite a while....but, I eventually made it around the island and enjoyed the final stretch into the dock where I was quite certain an adventurous BIKE ride was about to take place for me!  I would like to give Eric Oscarson a big huge THANKS for my enjoyable mantra of the day, which he showed me was his mantra for this race (So, I borrowed it!):  It is a quote from Winston Churchill and I must have said it perhaps 800 times during my race:  "Keep Calm and Carry On!"
Final time:  1 hour 20 minutes.  I'll take it and the fun memory of that crazy swim!

THE BIKE:
Normally, the bike portion leaving Sand Hollow and heading out towards Veyo is quite calm and fast.  As I headed out on the first mile of the bike and couldn't get above 10 miles an hour due to the incredible head winds....I figured all bets were off, there was no longer any such thing as an A race, B race or C race....it was just going to be a FINISH it race, and I quit looking at anything other than my heart rate to ensure I didn't overcook it on the bike.  Originally, I had some goal splits for each section of the bike and knew I could easily do the ride in sub 6 hours based on my training rides I had completed on this course.  No more splits to look at for the rest of this ride now.  Just go!  It is interesting when it doesn't seem to matter which direction you are going because there is a head wind any which way you go.  I just put my head down, stayed upright and kept pedaling!    So, here is the truth....much of my ride is something of a blur.  I know that I tried to keep my heart rate around 155 or so for the majority of my first 70 miles.  I also know that my heart rate got up to 170 on the three major hills going out through the Veyo loop...but, that I very consciously lowered it as soon as I topped each hill.  I know that the first climb up The WALL was awesome because the screeching winds completely disappeared and the silence was so beautiful that I smiled the whole way up that hill because it was such a welcome relief!  I made it through to the Special Needs Bag area and grabbed my PBJ, Apple Fritter, Salted Nut Roll and new bottle of CarboPro and kept riding.  We actually enjoyed a tail wind going up the Three Sisters hills (or whatever else you may call those hills) and then a screaming descent down into St George (49 mph for me, thanks!) to begin another loop of Veyo.  A few things I was concerned about:  I developed a splitting headache at about mile 25 on the bike and couldn't shake it, and my stomach didn't want my nutrition.  That's right....no PBJ for me.  No Fritter for me.  No Nut Roll for me.  I couldn't even tolerate my CarboPro/Rockstar Recovery  mix.  I was really glad I had thrown in a BadAss PreWorkout mix packet into my bag and I mixed that into a water bottle from an aid station and worked on that for about 10 miles.  That was the only thing that I took in for quite a few miles.  My headache on the miles 55 through 85 was so bad I could hardly think.  I don't get headaches!  I have a sweet sister that has the curse and suffers from the most insane migraines 2-3+ times weekly.  I am a BIG baby, cause I was dying from this stinking headache!  I thought a lot about my sis during this 30 mile stretch.  I also asked EVERY person I passed or saw if they had any ibuprofen...no luck.  I usually carry some with me, but as luck would have it... I hadn't packed any on this race.  Estupido!  So, I loosen my helmet, dump water over my head and keep going, baby.  I'm writing up my Gratitude list in my head (I'm grateful for a helluva lot of things!!) , singing "99 Bottles of Beer on the Wall" (made it to about 40 bottles before I just couldn't sing that dumb song anymore) and kept pushing against the wind and hills.  Finally, I pull into Gunlock town and reach another aid station and ask if anyone has any aspirin.  Hallelujah!  A man comes running out and dumps a bunch in my hand....3 of which I promptly swallow and pocket the rest for later!  At the top of my Gratitude list at this moment: DRUGS!  And those kindly people who distribute them!  OK, not all drugs, just the ones I want, like aspirin!

Within 20 minutes I am a NEW woman!  Why would a stupid thing like a headache be such a bother?  I've never had that before during a race.  But, what the heck!  There is always a first!

So, I climb my way up The Wall for the second time (not quite as easy as the first, but still nice and quiet and a welcome relief from the wind!), come around into Veyo Town, up through the Three Sisters and then begin my final descent into town!  If I am making this sound easy and comfy....just know that it wasn't.  I really, really wanted to lay down and take a nap!  I would actually drop my head down on my aero bottle as I was riding and just keep my eyes (mostly) open and looking at the white line on the road and just glance up every so often to make sure I wasn't going to run into anyone or anything.  At the banquet before the race, they told a story about a guy that went into the port-a-potty during the bike and fell asleep.  He woke up just in time to make it to the bike cut off by only a minute or two!  I considered doing that!  OK, not really...but, it did sound kinda nice (although, I would have just laid down on the grass in the open, clean air and not in a stinky port a potty!)  But....at least I didn't have a headache any more!  And...I was really happy with  my bike!  I was super comfy!  No saddle soreness, shoulder soreness, wishing I could get off the bike cause I was miserable...I was totally set and had no issues!  What a lucky girl!  I did wish I could have taken in more nutrition...cause I know that I have not taken in even half the amount I would normally...but, I was able to take in a gel, a stinger waffle and a couple bananas from the aid stations...plus, I was good with my water and MetaSalts.  So, it's now officially a good thing I didn't enter this race at my lightest and leanest...cause I know I am working off my excess!  Good girl for eating that Ice Cream!! So, I make it in to town without falling off my bike and feel quite good and ready to tackle the run!

THE RUN:
I have enjoyed the most wonderful winter of running!  I was really focused on redeeming my run after having such a non-wonderful run at Ironman Cozumel.  So, lots of miles and hills and miles and hills and I was feeling quite confident and ready for this St. George Ironman run!  After dropping off my bike and changing into my running skirt, I headed out onto the course looking forward to all those miles paying off.  I always know that the first 3 or so miles of my marathon will be a bit painful until I get my legs under me...so, I wasn't worried as those first few miles weren't super smooth and comfy.  By mile 4 or so I could feel things smooth out and I was feeling pretty good other than some tightness in my knee  (this is all relatively speaking, of course, cause we are, after all running a marathon after swimming 2.4 miles in 4-5 foot swells and biking 112 miles in howling winds on one of the hardest Ironman courses created).  It was especially fun to see my sweet, awesome daughters during the run and to see so many friends and athletes on the course cheering each other on!  I had about 4 more miles of feeling "pretty good" and then I felt that stinking, awful tightening in my left knee that I am too dang familiar with.  For those of you that have read my past race reports...remember Ironman New Zealand?  Well, I sure did!  I ended up walking a fair portion of that due to an IT Band that chunked up on me.  I have worked on this issue and thought I had it under control....but, I am afraid that it is my own dang fault because I did just about ALL my training on mountain trails or treadmills and nearly NONE of it on asphalt.  The entire run was on asphalt that had you going downhill for about a mile and then back uphill for about a mile....basically the ENTIRE 26.2 miles!  I had trained hills...but not asphalt.  On top of that, I have been experiencing knee pain during all my training...but hadn't really aggressively tried to get to the root of the pain...so, it was a concern in the back of my head that it might flare up.  I guess I was a little lazy in my treatment of this persistent injury.  So...with NO excuses other than my own fault...I was pretty much reduced to run/walking a fair amount of the next 16 or so miles.  Crappity crap!  But, I got LUCKY!  I found a NEW friend named Nick, who was wearing an awesome purple tri jersey and shorts with hot pink compression socks (like mine!) and he was also a gimpy runner with  major calf and hamstring issues.  Sucks for him....yeah for me cause now we can keep each other moving!  So, here is how the REST of the race went:
Me:  "OK, Nick....Let's run from the cone to the end of that street"
Nick:  "OK!"
Then we would do that.
Nick:  "Ok, Keena...Let's run from the light to the next aid station"
Me:  "Ok....I'll give it a shot!"
Then we would do it.
Me:  "Nick....you are my new best friend ever!!!"
Nick:  "You too!  Let's run from this cone to that port a potty....think we can do it??"
Me:  "Ok!....Ouch! Ouch! Ouch!"
Nick:  "No Pain!"
Me:  "NO pain!  Let's go!"
Then we would keep going.

And that is how we pretty much covered the rest of the entire race!  It is just knee pain.  It still hurts two days later.  Who cares?  I'll eventually get it figured out and fixed.  Yes, I wish I could have run at my full ability that I had trained, but, it's not the end of the world, I just had a gimpy knee. Push on, keep moving, find a friend, stay in the moment, make (very) short term goals to keep you moving forward and, eventually... you FINISH!!

And guess what?  We did finish!  It was my SLOWEST Ironman I've ever completed, but, who the heck cares??  I finished!  And, here is the CRAZY part; I ended up placing 2nd in my division and I was able to reach my goal of qualifying for the Ironman World Championships in Kona!  Go figure.  I put in my fastest Ironman in Cozumel and miss qualifying, and I put in my slowest Ironman in St. George and qualify.  I guess we just never know what life has in store for us.  Perhaps with this race and it's crazy conditions, it just came down to whoever was still standing at the end!  Either way, I am just happy and grateful that I not only got to participate in such an EPIC race, but that I get to go back to Kona and enjoy another dance at that party!

And, I had a GREAT time!  I never once felt depressed or hopeless or overwhelmed. I just enjoyed that I was there and so lucky to get to live a life that is so privileged to get to do things like this!

A BIG HUGE THANKS TO:
My husband Cade who is the most amazing, awesome, supportive, and patient man.  He knows how I tick and just rolls with all my crazy!  I'm a lucky woman!

My sweet kids....especially Keeper and Covey who came down to this race with me and were SO MUCH FUN!  You always love your kids...but, you know you are lucky when you really LIKE your kids! That's right girls...I LIKE YOU!  (You too, Colten and Kaelun!!)

My Sponsors who have helped me in SO many ways:
BadAss Nutrition:  I have never had so much consistent and quality training as I have this past winter!  The Pre and Post Workout mixes have been phenomenal!  Thank you!  Thank you!!
ASEA:  I am now two years using  Asea and I know I am a better, healthier athlete because of it!  My recoveries between training are, without a doubt, better due to Asea!  I am so grateful for your support!!
TREK AF:  I am not kidding when I say that I didn't have ANY discomfort on my bike during this entire Ironman!  Not only is my Trek Speed Concept an awesome looking bike...but, it is an amazing RIDE!  Smooth, fast, light, and the fit is RIGHT ON!  Jeff and Kris....THANK YOU so much!
Natalie Rasmussen:  Thanks so much for all the pain!  Your weekly  massages have been a huge key to helping me accomplish my goals of going to both Ironman 70.3 World Champs and to Ironman World Champs!  You're the best!!

And once again, a big thanks to all of you for your friendship and support!  You have no idea how much you help me and move me forward and make my life such an exciting and wonderful adventure!

Coach Keena is a regular contributor at TriEdge and has 15 years experience coaching and training hundreds of individuals. She is a USA Triathlon Certified Coach and holds additional certifications from the National association of Sports Medicine (NASM) and the American Council of Exercise (ACE) as a certified personal trainer. If you would like to contact Coach Keena go to: www.coachkeena.com.

Today, Ironman announced changes to Ironman St. George. Starting in 2013, the event will be converted to an Ironman 70.3 and will consist of a 1.2-mile swim, 56-mile bike and 13.1-mile run.