Corey Nygaard: IRONMAN Boulder 2016 - A 140.6 Mile Race Story!

Anything is Possible! L to R. Nick, Jake, Dave, Brad and I.

140.6 miles. This is what it takes to become an Ironman. Finish this and you have reached the echelon of what triathlon has become. To the non-triathlete this sounds insane, to the triathlete this still sounds insane. To me it was what I had been training for, everyday, all day, it was the only thing on my mind most of the time. Triathlon has become more than a hobby or a way to stay fit for me, it has become my life, it is how I go about my day- what can I do to become faster? But to say I got to the starting line of this race alone is a great understatement, so many people have supported me and continue to. To whoever is reading this, it probably means you helped me in some way. Whether you gave me advice, helped me in a race, supported me at the races, gave me motivation to keep pushing, posted words of encouragement or even just gave me a high five, it all accumulated into something great; something I will never forget.

Nick (L) and Dave (R) probably talking
about who is better dressed.

The trip out to Boulder was quite the journey itself. From driving 14 hours to learning to tricks of the Ironman trade from Nick and Dave to staring at the exciting scenery of Eastern South Dakota and Nebraska, this trip had it all. Skip to the part where we got to Colorado, I had never seen the mountains before and I have to say, they were amazing. We drove straight into Boulder to the high school, because we arrived the Friday of race weekend, we had to pick up our packets the same day we arrived. Checked out the Ironman Village and of course I bought something with an M-Dot logo on it. Nick said, if you DNF we get to take all of your Ironman branded stuff and wear it. So I wasn't going to let that happen. We got a whole bunch of goodies in the Village, and when we got into the check in tent. I think I will have tart cherries for a few months to come. So have you ever had Qdoba before? Because we had it Friday night and I must say, it was the best burrito/baby I have eaten in a long time, they definitely got me now.

The Room was a mess, especially with three athletes in it!

Saturday rolls around and it is time to drop off all our bags, the bike and run gear bags go in separate places at this race, which makes it unique. The bike transition is at the Boulder Reservoir and the run transition is at the Boulder high school. Both had pretty substantial runs to get through them, which could either help or hurt you. We ate at a downtown "Mexican" place, was weird to look at a brunch menu at 2:30 in the afternoon! It was not enough to eat so later at night ( like 7:00) I went to Noodles & Co. and got some Beef Stroganoff, to get my pasta fix in. Nick ate half a cantaloupe. Now I had to do my best to get some sleep.

Race Morning
Its always a nervous time. But something about this morning was almost calming, we a woke up at 4 am and got ready in almost complete silence. I could tell we were all focused on what the day had in store for us. We parked the van in a nearby parking garage and got on the school bus at the high school that would take us to the Boulder Reservoir. When we got off the buses, we hearded towards our bikes and I put my nutrition bag and one bottle on the front of my bars. I started the bike off with three Clif Bars, four gels and a tube of Base salt in it. I only put on one bottle because I only had to make it to 18 miles before the first aid station where I would grab what I had planned. After getting body marked by a extremely positive volunteer, I saw my parents and sister. Was so happy to see them here, as we traveled out to Boulder separately. They gave me words of encouragement and sent me on my way to the swim start.

Putting on my 2XU A:1 Wetsuit. Happy we had a wetsuit legal swim.

Swim

The course was a single lap, triangle that almost encompassed the whole reservoir. It was a rolling start, so you had to self seed yourself for what time you thought you could swim the 2.4 miles. I had a strong feeling I was going to be under 1:10 so I lined up behind the second time card with both Nick and Dave right by me. The sub 1 hr swimmers hit the water first, and I was like "there's no going back now!" it was go time and I dove into the water feeling amazing. The first leg of the swim was chaotic as all of us were together and trying to find space. I finally did and made it to the first turn buoy alive. The second leg of the swim was where I found some feet and a pace. I stayed on this bright blue striped wetsuit for probably 1000m or so until I passed those feet and took off on my own. The end of this length was where we hit some major weeds under water, they were literally grabbing at every part of your body, trying to say "where do you think you're goin?" Those weeds locked around my left ankle and right wrist, probably because of my watch and timing chip. I had some weeds that stuck around my leg for the remainder of the swim, really annoying trying to get them off, so I just decided to deal with it. After that whole dilemma, my swim was almost over, I felt like it went by so fast! Super happy to exit the water with a 1:05:13, awesome!

Thumbs up! Time to Bike!

Bike

This course had it all and it was hands down the best ride of my life. We had a short run out of the transition, so we could all get on our bikes safely and not try to grind up a hill, like all my races have been this year. I felt so good after the swim, I was hoping that feeling would stick around for at least five more hours! Starting out this course, miles 1-23 was a small loop within city limits. There was about a quarter mile that we could not pass on, because it was like a sidewalk, but I used this time behind a slower guy to eat my first Clif Bar, we all know how hard it is to open and eat these things when hammering. Most of the "big" hills were on the first loop, I suppose I did not notice the actual size of these hills because I was in the moment. I got to the first aid station and grabbed Gatorade, which was the plan. Starting the 1st lap of the bigger loop was where the ride really started. These 2 laps were about 40 miles each and really fast. Not many legit climbs on these laps, but a lot of false flats. I could really tell when I was riding towards the mountains and away from them, HUGE difference.

Mom and Dad in good spirits so early in the A.M!

Around mile 30 I felt the urge. You other Ironman triathletes know what I'm talking about. I had drank most of my two previous bottles of fluid and ate a Clif Bar and a gel by now. That was a recipe for pee. I had not planned on doing it on the bike, but when nature calls! I figured this was a good thing, I was getting in enough fluids. I was not about to get off my bike at an aid station when I could let it flow on the downhills. I felt so relieved afterwards, now I see why it is so common for long, long distance races. After that I had plenty of room for more fluid, another aid station came by and I grabbed another Gatorade and a water bottle too. The water felt so good over my back, and cleaned me up a bit. I got to hour 2 and ate my second Clif Bar, I was in a pretty good groove and felt amazing. Starting the second lap was when I really hit the gas. I had gone through once, so I had an idea of where to put in effort and where to chill. There were sections of long, flat and fast; there were some down hill and crazy fast; then there were those false flats going towards the flatirons. Lap two was more of the same, by this time I nabbed some Clif Bloks from an aid station and ate those. I saw Steve and Ernie Mantell out on the bike course a couple times, Minnesota boys by birth but incredible Colorado athletes now, I knew they weren't exactly cheering for me, but it was so cool to see them out there. After my little fanboy moment, I focused up again and negative split the bike. Coming into town was so cool, they had volunteer police officers at every intersection, stopping traffic and making me feel like they were putting on this race just for me, it was so cool. I Came off the bike ready to attack this marathon. Strava was a tad slower than official timing but Take a Look at my Ride! 5:09:50

Run

All Smiles at the halfway point!

The "Flux Capacitor" that's what the run course was referred to as. A two loop, multiple out and back run, it really made you know where your competition was. Pretty much totally along the Boulder Creek, there was always that cold refreshing water to look at. It started out really well, as I know most runs off the bike do, but knowing I had 26.2 miles to go, I was going to pace myself and take whatever was thrown my way. The aid stations were located perfectly, almost every single mile. This was going to help a lot of athletes as well as myself out in the long run. I would run to each aid station and make sure I got in my fluids and nutrition, walk through them and then kick it back up. There were some random place where a BASE salt team would be located and they always had music blasting and positive vibes, it really was awesome. I hit the first turn around and saw Dave, who looked like he was running a 10k, coming in the other direction. We exchanged words and I figured I would see him in a few miles. Mile 8ish came around and I had to go. I never thought I could be so happy to see a porta potty before. Felt like a new man after leaving that thing!

All the tiny little inclines felt like mountains by this
point!

The first lap went by pretty well, but that was only 13 miles. Coming through the main spectator spots were great pick me ups. I got to see my sister and parents 3 times on the run. Lap two was tough. Obviously this whole thing is tough, but when you are in the middle of the run and cannot really see the end, you are just stuck in a "no mans land" it really is hard on you mentally. All I thought about during this time was, if you get through this, you'll be an Ironman. Those words in my head and all the support from my family and friends did it all. I am not one to give up, and I never wanted to during this race, maybe it is just something some of us are born with. Turn around 2 came and the legs were feeling it now. On the way back out to the furthest from the finish line, I saw Steve again and maybe it finally clicked and he gave me a high five and words of encouragement, so awesome. I stopped at each aid station and was taking more time in each one now, being completely sure that I had all I needed. The cookies at the later aid stations were like gold, they tasted so good with Gatorade for some reason. Probably wouldn't taste that way now!

I had another bathroom break and then said to myself the next time you get to stop is going to be at the finish line. I stuck to it, every step was getting harder and harder. I went by my sister and parents one last time, before there was two miles left and she ran along side me and was telling me how good I was doing and a whole bunch of other stuff I really don't remember. But I can't begin to say how much that made me push the last miles of the run. (Rewind to mile 20, I had never ran any further than this, so when I got to mile 20.1 I was in a whole new world. This last 10k would be an experience I never had before.) Back to mile 24, one mile up the creek, one mile back and that was it. When I came back down the creek and could hear the cheering and Mike Reillys' voice, I said to myself, you are gonna be an Ironman. The finishing chute was crazy, so many people cheering and I can definitely say it was the best finishing chute I've ever run through. I heard Mike call me an IRONMAN and it was over, my 1st ever 140.6 was done, from now on, I could say I did it, with all my heart, and that I am an Ironman.

140.6 miles, Crushed! Run was 4:32:05

I could not be more happy with how my first Ironman went. Finished with a 10:55:50 and 4th in my age group.

So appreciative of all the support I had from everyone.

Mom & Dad and Maddie- Thank you for coming out to support me and deal with all the crazy training I do. Also thanks for keeping me fueled well and asking how my rides/runs went. The future hold nothing but the best for me and I know you will be by my side through it all. I could not do it without my family. Buuuut You know now that I've done one and did pretty well, I'm only going to work harder for the next one!

Nick and Dave- Thanks for starting this whole trip and letting me learn so much from you. Nick, thanks for all the advice you gave me the night before the race, your veteran status at the distance really made me value what you said. Dave, thanks for being such an awesome role model for me. Without you, I would never be into this sport as much as I am. The things you have done still inspire me. I hope I can inspire you both in different ways. Brad- it was so awesome seeing you the most out on the course, maybe i'll be joining you out in Colorado soon!

To Everyone that gave me any sort of course, nutrition, pacing, effort, equipment and triathlon advice I truly appreciate it. Steve Mantell is a pro, and if you cant tell, i'm a big fan. The way he goes about the lifestyle is idyllic, so calm and cool. I asked him a ton of questions and got everyone answered with lots of thought and detail. Thanks so much. One more question, how do I become a sponsored triathlete??

Some Pictures from our trip after the race. Estes Park, Rocky Mountains, South Dakota.