Friday, December 31, 2010
Happy New Year
2010-03-28 Around the Bay 30 km Run 4:18:49.1
2010-05-16 Ironman Florida 70.3 7:27:51
2010-06-13 MultiSport Canada Triathlon Series, Binbrook sprint 1:53:31
2010-06-19 Niagara Ultra Half Marathon 2:42:01
2010-06-26 MultiSport Canada Triathlon Series, Welland half Iron distance 7:29:53
2010-07-10 Muncie Endurathon half Iron distance 6:50:15
2010-08-08 Barrie Sprint tri 1:16:17
2010-11-21 Ironman Arizona 15:59:45
As we are feeling the pinch with Joanne out of work still I won't be doing as many races in 2011 unless Joanne finds work in the new year, but I will try to get in at least one half ironman distance race.
As for my long awaited Ironman Arizona race report, I have decided not to write it. I did try, but felt all I was writing about were excuses in my race with "if I" or "I could haves?" but in all truth I gave the best I could for the day and was happy with finishing, I just was not happy with how my body worked for the day...But I can give a short glimpse of how my day went....
Swim...1:18:39...My swim was slow because of over crowding I picked the wrong line to swim and I swam passively sitting back so as not to be an asshole like the others who swam over me rather then pulling back as I did.
My Bike...6:42:39...The cold had a real effect on my peddling as did the high winds reported to being around 37mph rain, hail and sandstorms sometimes all at once!! which didn't result in me having slower then expected bike split as my bike split would have been better had i not stopped to help and stayed with an injured woman rider who was blown off her bike breaking a few bones I suspect? until the ambulance and paramedics came. And to the fact I was having bike seat issues with numbing of my groin so I had to take a few breaks getting off my bike, one of which to adjust my seat and another at special needs stop on my third loop getting off my bike to have a sitdown picnic while watching all the bikers I passed pass me.
My run...7:28:40... After I took my time in T2 to change and warm up and get some feeling in my groin, I ran the first 13miles at a slow pace but I was running! doing 7min run with a 3min walk all the while with my knee pain, getting a half marathon split in ruffly 3hrs, and then knowing I couldn't keep up this pace to meet my 14hr goal with my knee pain, I decided to walk the second half of the marathon, which took me aprox 4.5hrs.
The finish I ran out the last 100-300ft of the chute after pausing to take a stone out of my shoe when I could see the finish and hearing Mike Riley announcing " come on you can make it under 16hr" to which I was actually trying to drag out the time to get a closer finish to be under 16hrs. I then sprinted out the finish chute giving hi fives along to way to finish strong at 15:59:45.
Happy New Year.
Saturday, December 4, 2010
IMAZ, still riding the high
I've been procrastinating on writing my Race report, but I will get it done soon. I'm just basking in the glory or my race and basically been lazy to sit down an write, but truthfully have been to busy getting back into my normal routine of work and every day life's adventures and continuing on with my "less is more training" of swimming Monday, weds and Friday's so far. I haven't run but will run this Sunday for the first time since IMAZ ( which you will find out wasn't much of a run. lol) and I don't think I'll be do any riding until the new fallen snow of this winter melts away come next April, so for now it's mostly swimming with some weight training over the winter to get ready for next years tri's.
Here is a sample of one of my highlights of my time in Tempe.....
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
I am as ready as I'll ever be but not without a long battle
Since that time I did many more triathlons from sprints to half Ironman, including my last Ironman at Lake Placid in 2008 which this blog is titled after, "my Journeys since then".
My debate was do I want to do Arizona Ironman again? with the big answer YES! I love the venue and the climate! Plus Ironman Arizona moved it's venue to November making my training easier with having all summer and fall to train outdoors as it is ment to be. At this time things were starting to go my way. I did all of the last three Ironmans being in hard times with my wife out of work each time unexpectedly. So now is the time to sign up again with my wife working full time again and with us starting to catch up with our debt. So with her job secure now, I pulled the plug and signed up for Ironman Arizona 2010.
Now my challenge was to get myself into shape. My first Ironman I got myself into shape and started the race weighing 198lbs. then the following year I let my weight slip, I gained weight up to around 240lbs but got it back down to 210 for race day in /06. From the time of Ironman Arizona /06 to Ironman lake placid I again gained weight, mostly because of life stresses with my wife being out of work again and with my foot injury with my torn PF and wasn't able to run. I only managed to maintain a weight of 240lbs for the start of IMLP. but all things considered I was happy with that result on a very tough course on a very tough rainy day.
From before and after Ironman lake placid to now, I went through some emotional tough times to, coping with alcohol and depression. I continued on with my athletics, pursuing my diving in which I entered and won my masters age group division at the Provincial championships in 2009.
After my diving endevor finished for the season, I turned back to doing triathlons and my next Ironman which will be this Sunday. But with on going stresses, I gained a lot of weight sinking into deeper depression and drinking. That is when I decided I had to stop my over indulgence before it goes spiralling out of control, but not knowing how depressed I was when I quit drinking cold turkey on Jan 18, (which I have done on many occasions before when I felt I was over indulging,) I soon had a major set back! I had bad panic attacks or anxiety attacks and insomnia, something I have never faced before. I knew my drinking was bad but didn't realized it was that bad. I also realized all I needed to do was grab a beer and I would soon be ok, but I didn't! I didn't want to give into my crutch, which I soon realized my drinking was.
After not sleeping for two day's and turning out to be a total wreck, I quickly went to see my doctor. After talking with my doctor and soon realizing what was happening to me and finding out I was covering up my depression with alcohol. The doctor helped me with my sleep deprivation and prescribed anti-depressants for me to help me out of my depression. I snapped out of my depression within months and now was able to focus on my training and races.
As I beat down my depression, I put my focus on losing weight. My start weight was 265-270lbs thanks to all the over indulgence and eating I did to satisfy my need to cover my depression. Now on the right path I slowly started to lose weight.
Then another setback, my wife gets laid off again, just as we were getting back on our feet. But with this setback I continued with my training and weight loss. I did my prepaid races over the summer, but slowly our lifestyle was losing ground with the big cut in income. I started worrying again, will I be able to go to Ironman Arizona? All I could do was stay possitive and hope for the best.
Fast forward to now, My wife is still out of work, and up until last month I was sure I wouldn't be doing Ironman Arizona, but thanks to my daughter using her credit, I secured my flight and hotel, but still had to come up with money for travel to get my bike there and other incidentals? after selling a few prized possessions I had the money, but as usual when things get good, other things happen, and I had to use my travel money to pay for that. I can't win!! Why is doing an Ironman such a struggle for me??? Oh I forgot, if it wasn't easy? it wouldn't be Ironman! lol
I managed to scrape up the bare minimum cash this week for my travel,incidentals and to get my bike to Tempe and back. (Nothing like down to the wire in will I or won't I go? NO stress here!! )
Now here it is, come this Thurs morning. I drive to Buffalo for my fight out to Tempe AZ. My weight is down, not to where I would like it? but down to about 210lbs after losing 55lbs since Jan 18. I have the fitness, I feel strong! My bike is packed in a bike box that I was able to borrow from a friend, thanks Jamie, and my travel bag is packed and I'm ready to go, to become an Ironman for the fourth time!
Wish me luck!
:)
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
IMAZ Update
I AM GOING!! WOO HOO!!
I was able to book a fight and hotel cheap and with the help of my daughter and her credit card, which I will pay her back cash, and I secured my reservations. I leave for Phoenix on Nov 18th fling out of Buffalo and return on Nov 22nd the day ofter my race on Nov 21st.
Last Sunday I ran a half marathon with my wife Joanne who has been training with a half marathon clinic for the last 16 weeks, but because of our financial difficulty's she couldn't and didn't enter the Scotia Bank half marathon which was held last Sunday in Toronto, so instead her clinic instructor made a special half marathon route for her to run, Which I named the Barrie Ridge road half marathon. So on Sunday I went out with her in support running the route with her as well as documenting the faux race carrying my camera and taking pictures and video of her race. Joannes goal was to finish her race under 3 hours, and by the end of our faux race she did it! She finished in 2:49. Congrats Joanne, I knew you could do it!!
:)
Sunday, September 5, 2010
IMAZ Withdrawal
Joanne has been off work now for three months and times are getting tough. Sure she is getting unemployment but it doesn't cover near enough of our lifestyle. We have cut back on everything we can including food, but it's still a struggle with my visa maxed out and no extra cash, so it's a no show for me in Arizona to do my Ironman. I requested my withdrawal last night via e-mail to Ironman and hope to get my partial refund of $150.00 out of the $550.00 it cost for me to enter the event soon.
My next Ironman will have to wait another year or two when hopefully things get better and Joanne finds a decent job so we can get back on our feet and I can afford to do another Ironman race.
I did however have a good tri season with doing 3 half Ironman races as well as other races and I had a good summer of training to with my tri club friends, so all was good. Here is a list of all my races I did or planed to do this year.
2010-03-28 Around the Bay 30 km Run @4:18:49.1
2010-05-16 Ironman Florida 70.3 @7:27:51
2010-06-06 Subaru Series Milton Tri @DNS
2010-06-13 MultiSport Canada Triathlon Series, Binbrook sprint @1:53:31
2010-06-19 Niagara Ultra Half Marathon @2:42:01
2010-06-26 MultiSport Canada Triathlon Series, Welland half Iron distance @7:29:53
2010-07-10 Muncie Endurathon half Iron distance @6:50:15
2010-08-08 Barrie Sprint tri @1:16:17
2010-11-21 Ironman Arizona @Withdrew
Until next year I'll try to maintain my normal "less is more training" and hopefully do a couple of half Iron distance races in my area next year if I can afford to, if not maybe a few sprints in my area, and continue with some recreational diving for fun.
:)
Monday, August 9, 2010
Another Barrie tri in the...
When I finished my 4th loop I transitioned into T2 racking my bike and pulling off my bike shoes. I reached into my cooler bag to slip on my nice dry running shoes, the cooler bag kept every thing dry. I started out on my run and was determined to run the whole 5 k with out walking, but knew it would be hard as the running path around the lake goes up hill on a long steady grade of 2% to the top of the turnaround after the first km being flat, so I went easy, trying to get my legs and moving along at my slow pace.
Sunday, August 1, 2010
Muskoka group ride
We all met at the Deerhurst resort where the Muskoka 70.3 race will be held at 8am to start our bike ride from the start of the course.We had a great turn out with 12 people showing up. and we started out as I planed by 8:30.
To my surprise we had a faster then what I thought we would ride, ride. I was planning just to go easy and tour, show the course for what it is, hard! with lots of hills and steep climbs, but being what most triathletes are? (A typical personality's! lol) some pushed on faster then what I had planned, sort of testing out the waters so to speak, making me worry that the weaker riders might get left behind.
As it turned out, it all worked out in the end, because as the faster riders took off, they waited at the turns on the course or stops, letting the rest catch up. For me it was a easy ride taking pictures along the way for the first half of the ride, sitting up most of the way, but not to suggest that the course was easy for me? it wasn't, the hills took it's toll on me to, even going at a slower pace going up those steep hills was tough!!
For the others they felt the challenge of what the course will give them on race day. Everyone was happy in the end and gave a big sigh of relief at the end of the ride. Some were actually saying after in the parking lot; WTF did I get myself into? lol and realize they have some work to do.
We ended up taking 4+hours on the course but actual riding time was approx; 3:19 by my computer with an average speed of 28kph as a group! not bad for a planed touring ride. :)
After the ride some of us went into Huntsville for some food and beer and discuss the days ride.
Here is a video I made up of our ride with Video and pictures mostly taking during the first half of the ride. I had to put my camera away for the second half, the hard hilly part!!!
:)
Monday, July 26, 2010
Endurathon Half Ironman report
Here is my Endurathon race report in a nutshell, written Jesse Temple for the Star Press of Muncie.
Click on pictures to enlarge
All I can add is I had a great time there, I was very impressed with the race venue in how well organized it was and how great all the volunteers were, as well as the organizers! I highly recommend this as a to do race. I will definitely be going back!
Me with my finisher plaque..
Back at Brians home after the race.
Friday, July 23, 2010
Lake Placid
Wow! where has the time gone? .....
Ironman Lake Placid is this Sunday, I was hoping to drive down and meet up with some of my friends doing the race and to watch first hand, but as luck would have it and with Joanne out of work i haven't the money for lodging let along the expense for gas fair. So at this time I would like to wish them well this Sunday and hope they achieve all there goals. I will be watching live on - line at here
This weekend is also the Muskoka challenge long course race. Normally it is held in June on the fathers day weekend, but with the G8/G20 summit being held in Toronto and the Deerhurst in Huntsville they moved the race to this weekend. I have done this race for the last 8 years, although the last two years I Dnf'd because of my foot problem. I won't be racing it this year for the same reasons I stated I couldn't go to Ironman Lake Placid...no money! .....Life sucks!
You would Think?
Hopefully sooner. ;)
Monday, July 12, 2010
Endurathon Report
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
Next Up Endurathon half Ironman
My only problem now is can I race? ....Well I guess I can even with a broken toe? Yes I broke my second toe on my right foot the other day. It was a real stupid accident. Unlike some people kicking a bed post and braking there toes, which is real common like my friend Lanceman did the other day, ( lanceman is another arnage peep ) I was getting ready to go for my bike ride and I was wheeling my bike out the house through the garage door entrances to the house while I was barefoot and kicked the door step jamb with my second toe because I didn't lift my foot high enough over. Doh!
Anyhow, I should be ok to run by Saturday, I'm walking on it ok with just a little pain.... Still how bad can my run be Saturday as long as I can walk the run route like I have my previous two half Ironman, I should finish ok? probably around 7:30hrs. lol
MY ROUTE To Muncie....
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Saturday, July 3, 2010
Welland half Ironman Race report
My day started out at 6am waking up in my tent that I had set up in the backyard of my friend Karen's house In Welland which was close to the Race venue. I grabbed my I buprofin and downed a few pills with water to give me relief of my joint pain being caused by the hot humid weather of the low pressure system on this race weekend. Then I quickly broke camp taking my tent down as I wouldn't be returning after the race. When I finished packing the tent I carried all my gear to my car which was blocked in the driveway so I couldn't get out. After I put everything in my car I went inside the house to look for the car key's to the car that was blocking me. I couldn't find them, so I thought what can I do? I didn't want to wake Karen up but I had to. So I climbed the stairs up to her room and to my delight she was awake, where I told her I was blocked in and asked if she would move her car to let me out, which she did.
I'm on my way now and I grabbed a pre-made bagel and cream cheese I had in my cooler in my car and a couple of stroopwaffles along with some gator aid as my pre race breakfast and stop at a Tim Horton's for some coffee.
When I arrived at the venue there were only a few cars parked, but it wasn't long after the parking lot started to fill. I parked right beside the arena where the packet pick up was and went in to register. I got my race number 137 my long sleeved shirt and a bag with a bunch of coupons and a couple of packs of nuts and stuff, not much swag???
I went back to my car to get y bike and gear to set up my transition and when I got to T1 to set up most of the racks where empty except my rack where there were already 20 or 30 bikes racked! I said out loud " I guess us old guys like to be early lol"
After I set up I went back to my car to grab another Stroopwaffle and a bottle of water. As I get to my car I see one of my Barrie friends drive in and walk over to where he parked to say hello to Jim, who was doing his first half Ironman distance race, his daughter Jacquie and Wayne.
Carrying with me my container of my world famous chocolate orange chocolate chocolate chip cookies, I then offered them some.
Jim who was racing went in to register and I caught up with him and the others in transition.
Jim talking strategy which worked! he had an awesome race.
Me at my bike setup in T1 before the race
I then met up with other Baydogs( my tri club) members who were racing and specially looked for Joanne Merkley as I promised her some of my cookies. I finally met up with Joanne who was standing in line of the woman's washroom and she greeted me with a big hug to which I gave her a bag of my cookies., which I think must have helped her in her race as she did awesome too!
My Race...I headed down to the water and swim start area carrying my wetsuit, then put on my wetsuit and got in the water so a short warm up swim as I haven't had much swim training of late! the day before I did a short 500m swim without my wetsuit to test the waters which would be my longest swim since I did Binbrook two weeks before which was only a 750m swim, so I was not prepared at all for this race with little to no swim training since I did Disney in May with the 2000m swim and that again being my longest swim since Jan. But I was well enough trained with my "less is more" training and attitude. lol
The water was warm and calm and as I awaited for the start of the race Jim swam over to me to wish me luck as I did to him. This race was a little different then most half Ironman races as it was a mass start rather then a wave start, I guess because of the smaller field only being under 300 participant. But there was on wave start before us, the elite racers who were doing the three race challenge for prize money where they race this race and to other races later in the year, and the pros, they got a 30 sec head start of the rest of the field.
The horn goes off and a way we go. I started on the far side near the center of the canal but back, as I didn't want to get caught up in the bashing of the mass swim start. It didn't help? I thought I would just have a easy smooth swim race, but as I started out for what ever reason there seemed to be a lot of splashing! even with me hanging back? WTF is going on? as I swam I took on a few mouth fulls of water and started choking, so I had to slow to a stop to get my breath and stay calm. I finally coughed out the water from my lungs and continued on just keeping to my pace and not over exerting myself. I make it around the first turn buoy then cross over the canal to the next turn buoy with no problem swimming around them without much contact form other swimmers. for the next leg of the swim I started to get into my groove of nice long easy strokes up the canal passing the start/ finish area and swimming on under a bridge and to the far end buoy. I swim across the canal to the final buoy and back down to the swim start/finish line and in. I climb up the bank which organizers had pea stones dumped to make it easier for swimmers to get out, as it is a steep climb up and out of the water, but with the help of volunteers it wasn't to tough.
I climbed out ran over the timing pad and checked my watch, hmmm? ok 39 min better then I expected. Because of the logistics of the swim the organizers had a secondary timing pad for when we got to T1 as the transition from the waters edge to T1 was around 300m if not longer? and some of it was even over gravel? which for me both just running without my orthotic was hard enough on the path or along the grass alongside the path as which I did, but the gravel was a real challenge for me as I'm sure it was for others.
I do a quick change and get to the mount line and run past then hop on my bike. ( I wish more people would learn how to mount on there bikes and not stop on the line and get on there bikes at a stand still) anyways I'm off or my ride.
I haven't ridden the course so I didn't know what to expect? The only thing I have heard is that the course was flat and fast! So I just started peddling not knowing how hard to go? So I eased into a rhythm and was soon cruising at 36kph on some nicely paved smooth roads. the course was awesome! but the day began to become hot! I stayed in areo for as long as I could stand and had to sit up in relief to stretch out my back. I haven't done allot of long rides since I did Disney, matter of fact I haven't done much riding in the last month, so I didn't want to push my pace and I wanted to save some legs for my run.
At times I would get into a groove and I would be cruising around 40kph then again I would have to sit up to stretch. They were right! this course is flat and fast! But the problem with flat and fast is there was no down time, if you stop peddling you slow down, so I tried to keep my rhythm and pace a constant not pushing hard but keeping my speed at or above 30kph. As I rode on at my pace I was passing people like they were standing still getting up to speeds of 38-40kph. I caught up and passed Joanne and said to her" you must have had a great swim to be in front of me? " I later checked and her swim was about the same time as me but my run up to T1 and my transition was slower so she just got out on the road before me.
Not long after my back started seizing at around the 25-30k mark and I had to keep sitting up to stretch out. The day was also getting hotter and as I passed by the shores of lake Erie along route I wanted to stop and jump in, but I kept going! I kept pushing forward at my pace and along come Jim passing me and saying," come on Joe! lets go! or something like that? I thought for a second maybe I should jump up and go with Jim, but then my back was twitching and I said naw! I'll just keep my pace going and maybe Jim will burn out. lol
It felt like forever getting to the turn around, and when I did all I was thinking about was when I pass by that spot on lake Erie, I'm going in! My back was seizing bad and I had to cool off and stretch it out. At around the 65km point there it was! Lake Erie! I looked and looked! where can I stop and pull over? Finally I saw my entree point! I stopped walked my bike in off the road. the shore was rocky so I kept my bike shoes on and just walked to the waters edge and when the water was deep enough I dove in! Ahhhhhh! , I sat there with shoes and helmet on in the water and started to stretch my back. The water felt great and I sat for about 5min watching riders pass along the road. then I saw Joanne pass and said it's time for me to go. I climbed back out of the water with my shoes covered with seaweed jumped back on my bike and away I went.
I had my sights on Joanne and it took me a little while to catch her when as I passed her I said " man you a hard one to catch up to! I saw you pass me as I went for a swim. lol " and she said " I saw someone in the lake! was that you?" I said "YEP" lol My back was feeling better after my swim, but it was still tight. I got to the finish and dismounted like a pro again, getting off my bike before the line and running with my bike over the line and into T2.
I check to see my time and was happy I was sub 3hours with a 2:55:02 and a 30.9 kph average, it would have been faster is I didn't go for my swim. lol After I racked my bike I was going to take my time, as I need to stretch out my back and had to cool off again.
Me stretch in T2 after I racked my bike
Me taking a shower to cool off
Me making myself look good before taking off on my run. lol
Not long after that I started to run a little, then I came up to the first bridge and street crossing and I started to follow the orange cones over the bridge. I get halfway across the bridge and an official on a bike starts yelling at me saying I'm going the wrong way, and he said, didn't I see the arrow pointing straight!?! I told him no, what arrow?? I told him I was just following the cones, and there where a bunch of people there at the corner? and why didn't they say something to me there and then?? So I turn around and go back with the official who looked like he was getting ready to DQ me!! then we get to the corner and I see the arrow behind a guy who was standing in front of it with his bike!!!GRRRR! Anyway I continue on.
Having just come off of doing a half marathon the week before I was planing on having a decent run. I finished my half mary with a time of 2: 42 and figured if I can finish today with 3 hours I'll have a decent 6:30hr race, but I was having a hard time getting my legs moving with my knees hurting and my back was still tight so I started walking some more to give my back time to ease up, which it did later. While I was walking some local guy with his bike saw what went on with me and the official back in the corner and decided to keep me company. At first I though he was sent by the official to keep an eye on me so I don't cut any more corners. lol But he was just a local doing some voly duties who runs this course all the time and wanted some feed back from me while I walked.
Well It was time for me to start running, my back was feeling better, I was all hydrated and although my knees hurt I can manage to move forward with the pain but with a noticable limp on each step. Then I get this feeling!?! You know? the feeling that it's time to go! and when you get that feeling , it's hard to run! if you know what I mean? lol So now I'm back to walking with a limp and looking for a pot a potty? I see none? I get to the 4km aid station and ask where are the port a potties? one guy told me there is non here, but their is one back at transition, WTF??
So I continue on, I try to run but have to stop and walk before I get some leakage. I make it to the next aid station thinking they have to have a potty here?? NO POTTY!! I keep moving forward and start cramping and I have to stop till the cramp passes. I keep moving on. I walk a little run a little, walk more, run a little and cramp and stop. I keep going finally getting to the farthest reaches of the course where we have to cross over the canal and still no potty. I see a official and ask, Where the Fuck are the potty's!! This is now 6-7km out and I haven't seen one?? He says jokingly, I guess we will have to review this problem for next year? there are none out here. He said just go in the bush. I said where? The brush is so thick and full of mosquito's? so I continued on.
A short time later the official came up to me with some TP and said; Here, and passed me the TP. I said thanks and carried the TP with me looking for an opening in the woods. At the 7 mark I finally see an opening, a little path up a hill so I go in to do my business, but soon as I get in the thick brush the mosquito's attack!! I say screw this! I'm not going to squat! I then try to take a little pee to relieve some pressure of my cramping only to pinch it off early as the mosquito's where attacking everywhere, and I mean everywhere!! So tucking my business back in I run out of the bush.
I start to run a little but I still had to go bad. I finally get to the turn around still carrying my TP. I cross back over the train bridge, back onto the path and was on my way back. By now I was cramping more and my head was turning left and right looking for a place to go! I tried to run more but was only able to go a few steps before having to walk and squeeze to keep from having a shitty day! if you know what I mean.
At the 12 km mark I had all I can take and was looking desperately for some opening in the bush. again I found one that look very open, so thinking there might not be so many mosquito's I duck in going in about 50 yards, I quickly pull down my shorts as I'm being attacked again by thousand of mosquito's! They were everywhere! any open skin they were on it! I'm slapping my face, my arms my legs and my butt!
As soon as I squatted I couldn't help but explode!! the mass and force must have taken out 500-100 mosquito's with the blast! lol but it still wasn't quick enough as they were attacking and biting every part of exposed skin on my body!
Soon as I released the pressure I felt quick relief, I cleaned up with my TP and pulled up my shorts as fast as I could because my butt was covered in mosquito's having a butt roast for dinner and I ran out. When I got out out of the woods I had to do some more cleaning up as I didn;t want to chaf, and where else to clean up better then to jump in the canal on the other side of the path. Once I cleaned up I couldn't believe how much better I felt. from then on I was able to run. I started with 10 and two's for the first few km then reverted to run as long as I could usually 3-4 min and walk 2min for the rest of the way back.
When i get to the corner where I went the wrong way at the begining of the run, the course has me going over the bridge for a short loop on the other side of the canal, down along the canal passing oposite the transition area on the other side going to the next bridge, crossing over and going down the canal about 200m to the turn around and then back again.... OH! and this shorter loop of 5-6k had two sets of port a potty's along the route so you had access to them 4 times in the short loop!! Grrrrrr.
The last few km I met up with a young lady doing her first half distance Ironman who was hurting with her run, who her herself said to me she was a strong runner and couldn't believe how tough a day it was? She was from the states and we chatted as we walked together telling each other our story's of this day. I encouraged her to keep going with walk and runs as I was doing when I caught up with her. We started to run and pick up the pace when we were getting close to the finish. When we got to the last hundred meters and we could see the finish line I told her this was you time being your first half Ironman, so run it out and get a good picture of your finish as I hang back. I waited for her to cross when I realized and looked at my watch saying it was 7:29!! and I wanted to at least finish before 7:30, so I quickly started running it out to beat the clock all the while the camera guys were still taking pictures of the young lady after she finished. I then yelled at them, hey what about my picture??? I guess I'm not a pretty enough!?!?! lol Anyways I finished under the 7:30 mark with a 7:29:53 Whew! that was close! lol and with no finish photo? lol
I get to the finish and again Kent was there doing more voly duties and greeted me with congrats, I then got handed a hat? WTF? Don't we get medals I said? ...if I knew there were no finisher medals I said? I would have DNF's a long time ago! lol ... Oh well! not a big deal, the hat was nice.
From the finish line I met up with Adam who had a great race doing the DU half ironman and finished first in his Age group and 4th overall! We then had to take our medal bite shot and since Adam had a medal for finishing first in his AG and I had no finisher medal, we decide to do the bite with our hats.
All in all it was a good race except for the lack of porta potties on the first 12k's of the run, which I'm positive cost me a good hour on my run, but hopefully that will be rectified for next years race and I can prove I could do better when I don't have to hold my poo poo most of the race. lol But to be fair on my run on the way between 12 and 14k I did see a city potty tucked in the wood line and missed it on my way out on the run, but it was not clearly marked. Still even with that there were not enough potties on the first part of the course, so just in case I will be bringing my mosqito spray and make sure all parts of my body including my nearthers are covered. lol
In any case, I am definitly going to be doing this race next year! It's a good one!
My stats...
243 137 Josef Polcz 7:29:53 TM50-54 29/29 154 38:45 1:57 2:55 2:33 176 2:55:02 30.9 5:56 245 3:44:43 10:39