Joshua Gordon, PhD
Pre-Race
I signed up for Ironman Arizona just weeks before the race. It had been in the back of my mind, but I hadn’t committed. Kona was only three weeks prior, and six days before that, I had raced the T100 Vegas, finishing 14th overall. I wasn’t sure how I would feel post-Kona, knowing that heat is a major limiter for me. But I also didn’t want the months of training from August to November to go to waste. By racing Arizona, I was completing my third full Ironman in just three months (Copenhagen, Kona, and now Arizona).
Post-Kona, my training was minimal. I actually got sick, which initially made me rule out Arizona entirely. But after five days, I started feeling better. Two weeks before the race, I did a 3.5-hour trainer ride and a 15-mile run. One week out, I ran 18 miles in 4x3-mile intervals and rode another 3.5 hours. Because of my illness, I trained hard until just two days before the race, keeping intensity higher than I normally would in a taper.
My pre-race nutrition followed my usual carb-loading strategy—10-12g/kg of carbs two days out, mostly from bread, cereal, rice, and candy. I traveled to Phoenix on Friday, opting for an Airbnb within walking distance of transition. It was convenient but not particularly great. Still, logistics in Tempe are easy, so no complaints. The day before the race, I did a short 20-minute gear check ride, met up with my friend Andrew, and skipped the practice swim. I’d raced here in 2022, and I already knew the water would be cold and full of dead fish and trash.
Heading into race morning, I felt stoic. I don’t get nervous for full Ironmans anymore—this was my 11th. Arizona’s conditions were perfect for me: starting in the 40s and only warming to the 60s midday. The colder, the better. Unlike Kona, I wouldn’t have to battle heat. My goal was to grab a slot for the 2025 Ironman World Championship in Nice, which I was pretty confident I could do even on an off day. My secondary goal? Beat my 2022 time. Given my fitness gains over the past two years, I believed I could do that as well.
Race Morning
I woke up at 4 AM for a 7 AM race start. My usual pre-race meal: 150g of carbs upon waking, then a Clif bar, Gatorade, and Red Bull leading up to the race. Since I was staying close, I walked over to transition at 5:30 AM, arriving at 5:40 AM with plenty of time to soak in the atmosphere.
Then, a small mechanical issue popped up. My rear brake wasn’t working properly after swapping to my disc wheel. I hadn’t noticed earlier because, since Kona, I hadn’t even unpacked my bike. Luckily, the tech in transition fixed it within five minutes. Crisis averted.
The weather? Perfect. Low 40s, minimal wind. While 80% of athletes were panicking about the cold, I was ecstatic. Cold means I can push 270W+ on the bike without overheating or dehydration. I had even noted in TrainingPeaks: “The weather looks perfect for smashing it.”
At the swim start, I skipped an in-water warm-up—just did some push-ups and jumping jacks. I seeded myself at the front of the 60+ minute swim group, knowing I’d swim just over an hour but wanting to hold onto faster feet.
Swim
The water was 62°F—cold but manageable. Visibility was poor, as always, but there was minimal current. The first half of the swim was into the rising sun, but after the turnaround, it was at our backs.
No major issues—some contact, as expected in an Ironman swim, but nothing crazy. I swam evenly and finished in 1:04, consistent with my previous Ironman performances. Exiting the water, I felt good. My hands and feet were numb, but I’d rather be cold than overheating, like in Kona.
T1
T1 was decent, but the cold, wet grass was annoying. They don’t put down a carpet, so my feet were covered in wet grass before putting on my socks. Still, I moved efficiently and got onto the bike without issues.
Bike
I swore in 2022 that I’d never race Arizona again because of the poor road conditions. So why was I back? No idea. The Beeline Highway is rough, exposed, and not exactly scenic. But the course was slightly altered this year, which helped.
My original pacing plan was 250W for the first three hours. That plan went out the window immediately. Cold air and excitement had me pushing 278W early on, passing countless athletes. The first lap’s out section took 44 minutes. I counted just nine people ahead of me. By three hours, I averaged 263W and 24 mph. My final numbers? 4:40 bike split at 254W AP, 259W NP—a personal best in terms of power.
Since the field was spread out, I rode alone all day. The 12m draft zone, which can save 20-30W, wasn’t an option. The third lap was congested but manageable.
Nutrition was solid: 600g of carbs total, spread across concentrated Gatorade Endurance bottles and Maurten gels. Caffeine intake was 400mg. I peed multiple times while riding—cold weather means less sweat loss and more fluid retention.
Overall, the bike was tough but strong. Happy to get off.
T2
I had the third-fastest transition of the day. I asked a volunteer where the porta-potties were—he sent me in the wrong direction, so I had to stop at Mile 1 instead. Otherwise, smooth.
Run
My goal? Run fast. My 2024 Ironman marathon times ranged from 3:09 to 3:33, so I expected something between 3:09 and 3:17.
The first five miles were brutal. My legs were stiff and full of shin splints—common for me in cold races. I knew from experience they’d loosen up, and sure enough, by Mile 6, I was moving well. I actually negative-split the marathon, with my cadence picking up by Mile 11.
I fueled with 90g of carbs per hour, mainly from Precision Hydration gels and Maurten caffeine gels. Hydration was two cups of water per aid station—one to drink, one to pour over myself.
A key moment? Passing a guy around Mile 13 who I had seen wearing a Kona backpack in T1. That pass put me first in my age group (M35-39) and 8th overall. I didn’t know it at the time, but I finished over 15 minutes ahead of him.
The final stretch felt amazing. I picked up the pace in the last mile and soaked it in. 3:16 marathon. 9:07 total time. First in my AG. 8th overall.
Post-Race & Reflection
Crossing the line, I felt strong. I beat my 2022 time by 26 minutes, secured my first-ever Ironman AG win, and clinched my Nice 2025 slot.
After finishing, I quickly left the athlete area, walked back to my Airbnb, showered, and later went out for a solid vegan meal.
Arizona might not be my favorite course, but it’s convenient, simple to pace, and a great test of fitness. Am I considering coming back in 2025? Maybe.
Onward to 2025!
Next up:
- Pucon 70.3 (Jan 2025) – Already Qualified for 70.3 Worlds
- Cowtown 50K Ultra
- Boston Marathon
- Challenge Roth
- Ironman WC Nice
- Ironman 70 WC Marbella
- Ironman Arizona? We’ll see.