Reflections of an real Ironman (long)

[Alcan]

5 years ago, Nancy's son Grant was 34, and 35 pounds overweight. Last year he participated in his first Ironman triathalon competition, and finished inside curfew. This is a real deal Ironman, swim, bike, run, from Penticton, B.C., Canada.

This year was his second Ironman. Following is his recollection. It's long, but it puts you there:


Reflections from Grant...................

Matt & Ariane,

Thanks so much for the emails. I didn't realize that my reply would turn into a race report, so I've thrown in a few family members and friends in the reply addressing.....

Ironman Canada 2007 - 12:49:03

What a day. I woke up 3 times Saturday night through the night completely panic stricken about the swim. I said to myself every time...."nope...I'm not racing." Nevertheless, I stuffed my face with food at 0400 and I got down there in the morning at 0510...the water was calm...no wind. Body marking took awhile, so by the time I got into transition it was 0600, only 45 mins to the cannon. A kind fellow 2 bikes down (Ausie in fact) lent me his pump for some last minute checks. Although I walked down to the site with Brennan, Grant and Jason, we got separated in the mêlée of body marking. I was worried I wouldn't see anyone I knew before race start. Alas, Nick spotted me and he was with Brennan. We hooked up to get in our wetsuits, and headed for the beach. We connected with Grant heading over the timing mat, and then met Jason on the beach for a quick photo-op. I went to the far left of the field and once again connected with Kyra and Kim got us a pre-race photo in the water.

Kyra must be very good luck as once again, I had a very comfortable swim. No panic, no struggle (well, except at the turns...but everybody struggles there). I felt as though I was faster, but was a bit slower on the swim. The difference was that I didn't come out feeling completely spent. I killed a minute scanning the crowd for my family but didn't see them (they didn't see me either), and ran for transition. I avoided the spray bottle sunscreen and went for the volunteers who would slather it on me. All sunscreened up, I headed out on the bike.

The bike, I believe, was executed perfectly. The first climb, McLean's Creak (1km) I did easy, and sitting. Only once did my HR creep over 151 (my Extended Endurance threshold) and cresting the climb I took it easy. The ride to Osoyoos is a good 60km and with a nice tailwind. I was there in about 1:45 and then began the 11 km climb of Richter Pass. Like last year, I stopped to top up on fluids at the aid station at the bottom of the climb. Unlike last year, I wasn't dying at that point for going too hard. Fueled up on both fluid & power bars (which I ate regularly in the early portion of the ride), I started the ascent. Again, I climbed easy. It's a tough climb, but I was conscious not to make it any tougher than I needed to. Slid back in my saddle, I kept thinking to myself "climb like The Tour Boys, climb like The Tour Boys." It worked. I reached the top to the cheers of the crowd and funky music. Now.....a fast descent.

Ariane, I was sporting the LG Aero Helmet for Ironman, and I'm certain it was a contributing factor for me hitting a blistering 80.0Km/h on my descent. I coast like a rocket on the P2-SL, screaming past my competitors with ease, making them look like they were standing still. What fun!

All the way I was very conscious of my nutrition. I drank LOTS, consumed my Enervit gels regularly, and snacked on powerbars when I felt hungry (which I take as a good sign of hydration compared to last year).

After the Richter descent is a series of long rollers affectionately called "The 7 Bitches." Number 2 & 7 are the worst, and I employed some great strategy I got from Jason. Before I knew it they were done, and I was on my way to the 100km mark of the bike. Just to make things worse, at this point all athletes were faced with a brutal headwind which stayed for the final 80km. At 120km is Special Needs. I was feeling so good at this point that I grabbed one of my 2 spare tubes and stuffed it in my jersey pocket "I can't leave that new Tube!" I was thinking, rather than "OMG...I can't stomach anything in my bag." Again, a good sign.

The wind was taking it's toll. Following the out-and-back I passed 3 cyclists over 15km scattered along the side of the road..well, in the tall grass. I'm not sure if they were just napping, or if they fell off and just couldn't get up. I just plugged along since others were already there rendering assistance. Still feeling strong, head down, I cut though the wind.

Yellow Lake is both a blessing and curse. At km 150, it's the last big climb before a steady descent into town. However, it is a challenging climb, but also an exciting one. Vehicles lining the climb like the L'Alpe D'Huez, this 1700 ft climb is slow and hot. Again, I climbed "tour style" and passed almost everyone in sight. Unlike last year when my legs wanted to seize at the top, I spun them out easily towards an aid station for some cold water. Now....a 24 km descent into town.

The Descent wasn't as fast as I had predicted due to the strong headwind, but it sure was nice to be going downhill, and mentally it signified the end of the bike, even though 45 mins remained before Transition. I hit town to the welcoming cheers of both my family and the van den Bergs (Roy & Penny). Although I had the urge to blitz though town, I eased up a bit thinking "ok...you got 42kms to run...don't burn out the legs now". I hit transition in style, grabbed my bike-> run bag and headed for a quick change.

Unlike last year, I had no such urge to lie down and die. I changed and headed out on the run. 1 km into the run I realized that an 8:57 pace was too quick, and forced myself to ease up. I followed Jason's advice and ran to every aid station, giving myself 30 seconds to grab nutrition, thank the volunteers and rest the legs...then....forge on. I ran like this for over 10 miles before fatigue started to set in, as did the climbs on the run. I walked the up-hills, and ran the down- hills.

I struggled for about 3 miles as to how much I was willing to sacrifice on the run by walking. In the end, I dug deep and kept the legs moving with very short steps, which must have looked almost comical. Surprisingly, the Garmin was reporting a 9:45 pace, which was just fine by me! By mile 20 I was finding new energy. I knew my family would be around the next corner and wanted to look strong. This strategy had mixed results....I had a good time going, but too good. They hadn't expected me back so soon and missed me as I passed their cheering post. A jumble of thoughts went through my head at this point, mostly feeling bad that I knew they'd be disappointed, followed by "Hmmm....how will I get in touch with them to get home when I'm done???" I was starting to ride a high at this point, and was pushing to keep my time under 13 hrs. I found out after the fact that 45 mins after my passing the "family cheering spot" when Nick came by, Kim asked him "How far back are Brennan & Grant?" and he informed her that we were about an hour ahead, and probably done. There they were...45 mins...cheering on strangers. Good fans though!!!

Running through town was slow and steady, until I was 3 miles from the finish. At this point it was like I had just headed out on a training run and found myself keeping a pace at about 9:15. By mile 2 to go I was at 9:00 and by the last mile I was under 9 mins and flying. The crowd was going crazy (I know....not just for me, but it is energizing nonetheless) and I knew it was a simple 2 km out and back before the finish.

The final 2 km is 1 km away from the finish line on the main strip, and then 1 km back to the bright lights of the finish line. A short distance in the first 1k I saw Brennan, he was a mere 5 mins ahead of me. Later I discovered he was running scared that I'd catch him....which makes me laugh, and I'm happy I can push him to his best. Laird was 2 mins behind him. It was going to be a strong 1-2-3 finish for TriFactor.

I saw Jason in front of his hotel (who pulled off an amazing 10:33 himself that day) and he freaked out yelling at me that I was going to go under 13 hrs. Again...more energy feeding in.

At this point the last 1 km was a breeze. With my legs supercharged with energy, I actually had to keep myself in check. I held back on my speed for the sole purpose of making sure that I was positioned perfectly between the person in front of me, and behind me, so that I got my goddamn finishers photo this year! Seriously, I was running and glancing over my shoulder as if I was worried about being overtaken for gold, when in fact I wanted to be sure nobody snuck in front and stole the moment I had worked so hard for so many hours for that day.

In the end, it was gold. I remember raising my arms in victory, shouting out "YEAHH!!!!!" to the world to hear, the tape across my chest, and the flash of pictures being taken.

I had done it. A personal best....100 mins faster than last year, AND a picture.

My handlers were fantastic, and I still felt great. After my post finish photo, they released me confident I was in no danger of needing medical attention and I wandered around a bit wondering what to do next. No phone, no money, no ID. How do I get home? After collecting my gear, I spotted Brennan & Tanya who called Kim to let her know I was with them. Having discovered they missed me on the course though a conversation with Nick, Kim & family had sped downtown and were, ironically, standing only a few hundred feet from us.

We headed back to the motel where I cracked the 1 special beer I had chilling for 2 days in anticipation of my finish. Kim's mom had even kindly brought a REAL pint glass so I didn't have to drink it out of a plastic tumbler! After the one 330 ml beer....I was hammered and ready for bed.

I think I was as prepared as I could have been, and the day could not have gone any better given my abilities. I have no regrets, and couldn't be happier. I leave Penticton feeling as though I won the race altogether. I'm content not to race next year, or even the next. But I will work on my swim, and on my run....and I will return eager to face a new challenge.....