Pre Race Prep:Most people think anything before the starting line is pure, focused, grueling physical training. This is true, but what goes unmentioned is the relentless testing of gear, preventative maintenance like Rolfing, massage, physical therapy and chiropractic adjustments to say nothing of the travel hassles like lost luggage, packing your bike safely so TSA doesn't break it and of course managing your itinerary which, depending on where you’re going, can get complicated. By the time you get to “go,” a relief sets in, knowing the logistics are over, and that all you have to do now is synchronize your mind, body and spirit. Although people mean well, I can’t tell you how often this exact exchange came up:
Nice person: “Is this your first Ironman?”
Me: “Yes it is.”
NP “Well, this is what you need to do….!” Of course a long list of
advice then follows.
I had to meditate to stay sane, listen to my coach Matt Dixon and my gut. I got to the starting line with this acute sense of readiness; no more talk. Just action.
The Swim:
There’s no other way to describe this initial leg of the race; total, inconceivable chaos. 2400 athletes tread water at the starting line-up, adrenalin pumping,
wet suits pulsing with a thirsty, manic desire to blast out of the gate. Oh, and you’re nervous as hell. You know you’re about to get kicked in the head (yes I did), get your goggles ripped off (that too) and at least one (or four) sucker punches to the ribs. Strategy? You can’t hold back but you can’t spend all your change in the first hour. You get two choices: 1. Get in the rear to avoid being stampeded 2. Go out hard and charge to the front of the crowd. I did the latter and settled into a moderate pace after the frenzied first 400 meters. As my college coach used to say. “Everyone has a dollar of change... don’t spend it all in the first quarter of the race!” Good advice for the ten hours ahead.
The Bike:
112 miles of slick roads, pelting rain, steep hills, and hundreds of riders… someone is going down. And they did. Fortunately it would not be me. As an adventure racer, elements are always part of the equation. While cycling in slippery, dangerous conditions isn’t ideal, I adapted, knowing I’d been in much worse, and for a lot longer. This was a great leg for me, moving from 9th place to 2nd.
While biking is my strength, the marathon ahead forced me to be strategic; no time to stop at the aid station Porta Potty. And good thing I didn’t…that three minutes would prove critical by races end.
The Run:
Welcome to The Pain Cave!
Started out strong at a 6:50/mile pace, which I intuitively knew was too fast and gradually settled into a 7:30 pace. At about mile 6, I found myself next to a guy who had led the bike leg; a strong, confident athlete. He turned to me and suggested that if we ran a 3:45 marathon, we would qualify for the World Championships. Initially, the math was a relief! This meant slowing down to a eight minute pace. But instinct jabbed me in the gut like a knife as the third spot cyclist passed us with authority. I said nothing to my companion but picked up the pace since I knew his calculations would prove wrong. I suffered the most in this leg. My quads felt like concrete. Imagine the pain of a Charlie Horse each… step…of…the…way. Ouch. I managed to hang on despite being passed in the last mile (the last mile!) a
nd fell to fifth place. I finished by running around the speed skating oval where Eric Heiden took the Gold several times over. Deep relief and a high that can only be described as ecstasy washed over me as this lifetime goal came true for me. I soon learned that I had earned a spot in the Ironman World Championships in Kona, Hawaii. Remember that Porta Potty I skipped? Remember the runner I left behind? Thank goodness for a few small but crucial decisions; three minutes is all that separated the qualifiers from those would stay home.Recovery:
After a huge event like Ironman it can take weeks if not months to fully recover. Physically of course, but emotionally and mentally as well. I look forward to sleeping in a bit, especially considering my wife and I will be welcoming a little Irongirl in the next couple weeks. I am excited to go for a walk instead of a run, take my cruiser bike along the boardwalk or jump in the ocean and ride on top of a few waves instead of swim through them. Balance and variety are crucial in life. Oh yeah, I plan to put on a few pounds as well. My perspective and focus after a couple of weeks of recovery will then be able to clearly turn to my next goals, fatherhood and the World Ironman Championships, where I will be sure to use my newly learned lessons in both regards!
For tremendous support and for enduring tough conditions my big thanks goes to:
Team Olson Research Group, my parents, the Winter family, ZOOT Sports, Matt Dixon, those of you tracking me from home and my wife of course. Never could it be done without a few crazy fans! Kona, here we come...Thank you!
