My first Ironman is complete and now it is time for another goal. Life is full of goals, but if goals aren't defined they rarely happen. A goal needs to be written down and then a plan needs to be developed to lead you to achieve the goal. In the case of completing a 2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike, and 26.2 mile run a plan is definitely required or you may not make the finish line.
In the case of careers, goals need to be defined or we find ourselves wondering how we arrived at the place we're in. Looking back did you have a goal to end up being in the job that you are in or did you end up there by the winds of change or worse yet choices that you DIDN'T make? There is always time to define goals in your life no matter if they are regarding your career, retirement planning, home buying, kids college funding, having kids, getting married, finishing school, etc. Everything we do requires a goal and a plan.
For me, the next physical challenge is yet to be defined, but my career is still focused on building a business one sale at a time!
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Ironman Wisconsin - What an Experience
Sunday September 12th, 2010 is a long way off I thought as I was volunteering for Ironman Wisconsin 2009 watching many friends and training partners compete in the event. It was so inspiring that I thought to myself it is a wonderful challenge to undertake. To that point, I have completed many sprint, olympic, and half-ironman events that I thought a full Ironman would be a great goal for the year.
I still have no idea why I registered for this event after hearing so many stories from people I train with of what they put their bodies through during this type of event such as delirium, nausea, cramping, fatigue, pain, and hurt. However, after completing my first Ironman Sunday Sept 12, 2010 I can tell you that each one does it for different reasons. Mine was probably to prove to myself simply that "I can". Last year was a horrible year being told that my position was being eliminated after 10 years that I needed a goal to feel good about myself. Go big or go home, right?
I was a little naive to think that this type of event can be done by yourself. Little did I know that I would need a HUGE support staff to keep me motivated and to keep things balanced at home. Between my training partners asking me to train with them and Kim holding me to my training schedule the last month was a blur. Did we have an August?
All of that must have paid off since I am able to write this recap. When Sunday morning, the day of the event, rolled around Kim and I began the day at my nephews house. He and his wife were gracious hosts while we stayed at their "Inn" in Madison about 15 minutes from the start line. (Thanks Kevin and Alicia) After what felt like a brief nights sleep Kim and I were up at 4:30am getting ready to head to the start line. Since I was sporting a little cold that my youngest son gave me as a present the day before I was wearing a fashionable breathe-right-strip over my nose so I could breathe.
We packed up the van and head to town. The nervous energy in the van was amazing. I don't know who was worse Kim or I. I can only imagine what was going through her head as she is ready to watch her husband essentially exercise for an entire DAY! I was calming saying to myself...don't forget the bike computer (memories of Racine 70.3). We pull in the parking structure and find that wonderful bunch of Thursday morning run buddies park in a stall near us. As we are walking and talking on the way to the start line I remember...where is the bike computer? Yep, I left it in the van and had to run back to the parking structure to get it. Kim stayed with all my stuff thrown about the sidewalk like a rummage sale as I ran to get it. I get back to the van and open the rear hatch only to see the shining silver computer right where I left it. As the day unfolds, I probably could have left it right in there.
There is still plenty of time before the event start. It's about 5:45 at this point and Kim and I are heading into the bag drop off points. I quickly separate food that I think I'll need for the bike and run and place in the appropriate bag. My approach was just like Halloween...one for you, one for you, two over here, and you might as well have one of these also. Not scientific, but I wanted to make sure I was packing more food than necessary.
The bags are now safely in their places and Kim is taking awesome pictures. Now its time to get my shoes clipped onto the bike so I don't have to run on concrete with "horse feet". Shoes are clipped in and then I remember that I didn't pump up my tires before dropping my bike off. Who knows, the extra 2psi I can squeeze in the tires might make me an hour faster on the bike... At this point, I don't have a tire pump so I have to pimp a pump from some one nearby. So I wait...and wait...and wait for about 10 minutes before two men run next to me to pump up tires on a bike like they are on a pit crew at the Indy 500. I finally can pimp a pump and they actually pump up my tires for me. Volunteers are GREAT!!
Now its off to body marking, a quick release, and off to the water start. While I'm waiting in the porta-john line Kim begins snapping more awesome photos and then asks me if I wanted that Monster that I bought last night. HEAVEN! No - not in any nutrition plan and I have never drank one before an event, but I was thirsty and thought why not try caffeine before an event as long as this?
A quick kiss and hug from Kim and I'm off to the swim start. As I'm enjoying the moment and getting some last minute advice from Lowell (a veteran at the distance) we notice that 7:00am is only moments away and we are both on DRY LAND!!! The cannon sounds and we rush in the water. Not the way I wanted to start, but it will do.
After swimming like a salmon up stream for 30 seconds I run into people....people everywhere! The water seems to have white caps on it, but there's isn't any wind. Gulp-gulp. What in the H$@! is going on. I decide to surface to look around. There are four of us in a morning coffee session bobbing about looking around only to smile and say to one another..."this is amazing". No names, just an awesome experience shared by a few individuals competing in an event for unknown reasons.
I finally get into a good swim rhythm and approach the first turn. I remembered during the athlete meeting that the swim director said that the first turn there is a tradition to "Moo". I laughed at the time as did the other 2500 participants, but from some odd reason I could hear a strange sound while swimming into this turn only to discover that everyone does indeed MOO. Yes, it felt and SOUNDED like cattle being herded.
Rounding the second turn I feel a sensation that I shouldn't be feeling in the water...nature calling. Somehow I need to release the hatch while swimming to let out the Monster drink I had 30 minute prior. As I am trying to relax my legs and swim with my arms someone keeps slapping my feet. I think to myself, "I wouldn't keep doing that or you are going to get a mouthful of p..." too late. It is possible, and I'm sure I'm not the only one!!
Nearing the swim ending I think "one event down and two to go". I walk up on shore and look at my watch 1:25. Not bad considering I haven't been in a pool to train in over 20 years. Now I need to find a good stripper...wetsuit stripper that is. Just like that, my suit is off and I didn't have to lift a finger. I'm beginning to like this distance. I run with my wetsuit over my shoulder up the helix with a massive crowd that is at least 4 deep around the outside. There is cheering, clapping, and shouting for every participant.
I run into transition and volunteers call out my bib number. I run inside and my bag is thrown to me. Thanks buddy. He directs me to the mens changing area where you are not going to believe what I see...nakedness! What are they doing I think to myself. Why are there so many naked men with the boys hanging...and what is that over there, yep a few men sitting bare-assed on chairs! That is a pet-peeve of mine...if I wouldn't be in this event I would have shared my thoughts about sitting with your manhood on a community chair! Not right!
Out I come from T1 and run right to my WIFE!!!! She is sun lotion application goddess number ONE! After a quick picture pose I am off to harass Gary and Mike (other sun lotion applicators and training partners). I run to my bike and another volunteer yells my bib number and my bike is brought right to me. I run to the mount line and begin a 6 hour bike ride.
Everything going smoothly now. One event done and two to go. Biking is my comfort zone it should be all pedal, eat, drink, pedal, eat, drink for the next 112 miles. Sounds great, but after mile 20 my bike computer crapped out on me. It went blank. The same bike computer that I ran back to the parking structure to get. I just put new batteries in it and it went blank during the biggest event of my life. God has a plan and this was in it. Time to manage the bike course using my watch. At least I started that when I jumped on the bike. Now I could do a little math during the next few hours to figure out how fast I am NOT going.
The most inspiring moments during the bike portion came during the location where spectators gathered to watch. Since I was part of the show I couldn't disappoint so I tried my best to entertain by getting people to do the wave, chant my favorite hill grinding song "up the hill nice and slow, to the top we want to go!", and a few bunny hops (mountain bike days coming back to me)...a sign read "tops for hops"...wrong kind of tops.
Finally, a tailwind on the last 10 miles back to transition and I realize that a long sleeved shirt was not a good move as the temps were getting hotter. Back in transition and more volunteers waiting to take my bike and direct me to the next area. 1363 someone shouts and my run bag is handed to me. I just love this event!
A quick change of shoes and I'm out of T2 ready to start my FIRST marathon. 8 hours in and I'm thinking that 12 hours is no problem at this point. I begin my trot and find great friends right on the run course as well as my beautiful wife. She looked happy as I finished two of three events. So did I...I can even muster a trot, I think to myself.
The first 10 miles are a blur. Run 5 minutes walk 30 seconds, repeat. Things are going well and I am on pace for a 2:05 half marathon. Then the wheels begin to fall off the cart since I forget to eat ANYTHING during miles 9 and 10. This set up miles 11 and 12 as make or break miles. My legs felt weak, my head began to pound, and then I remembered...when did I eat last? Next aid station I had 4 gel packs, two bananas, pretzels, and chicken broth. I walked for about 5 minutes and then felt my headache go away and my legs came back a little to muster my trot. 30 minutes later I finish mile 12 and find that I am on pace for a 3 hour half. Not a good moment.
I round the loop at the finish line to begin the final half marathon praying that He gives me strength to finish. There's is my wonderful wife again, taking pictures and videos. I shuffle off for another round until my legs actually do come back a little. 5 minute run, 30 sec walk and repeat. I have a little more energy since I am eating constantly now. I see Dan, Lowell, Jerry, Dennis, and Iron Mike on the run and they give me great inspiration to keep at it, left foot, right foot.
As I near the finish line, I run with the most amazing nameless people that all have great stories. Some on their way out for their second loop and others that have more pep than I and cross the finish line first. The Ironman event is truly inspiring. The human spirit can accomplish a great deal when the intentions are good. There were so many wonderful people that I shared stories with on the swim, bike, and run that it will stick with me a long time. As I write this I remember the Airforce buddies that help one another. Both 21, one was in bad shape and his buddy actually ran an additional 13 miles (another loop) just to see his friend finish. That is dedication, and that is friendship!
The finish line is amazing. I didn't know what to expect at the end. I did my best to get the crowd waving and shouting as I was in the finish chute. I looked up and saw the finish line arch and smiled. Two volunteers quickly placed a sheet around me, metal, hat, and t-shirt. Congrats they say.
Looking back I couldn't have done this without my wife, prayers from friends, and without the good graces of the lord. I don't know how or why the human body can endure an event of this magnitude. I will always remember the feelings of awe after crossing the finish line. Truly amazing!
I still have no idea why I registered for this event after hearing so many stories from people I train with of what they put their bodies through during this type of event such as delirium, nausea, cramping, fatigue, pain, and hurt. However, after completing my first Ironman Sunday Sept 12, 2010 I can tell you that each one does it for different reasons. Mine was probably to prove to myself simply that "I can". Last year was a horrible year being told that my position was being eliminated after 10 years that I needed a goal to feel good about myself. Go big or go home, right?
I was a little naive to think that this type of event can be done by yourself. Little did I know that I would need a HUGE support staff to keep me motivated and to keep things balanced at home. Between my training partners asking me to train with them and Kim holding me to my training schedule the last month was a blur. Did we have an August?
All of that must have paid off since I am able to write this recap. When Sunday morning, the day of the event, rolled around Kim and I began the day at my nephews house. He and his wife were gracious hosts while we stayed at their "Inn" in Madison about 15 minutes from the start line. (Thanks Kevin and Alicia) After what felt like a brief nights sleep Kim and I were up at 4:30am getting ready to head to the start line. Since I was sporting a little cold that my youngest son gave me as a present the day before I was wearing a fashionable breathe-right-strip over my nose so I could breathe.
We packed up the van and head to town. The nervous energy in the van was amazing. I don't know who was worse Kim or I. I can only imagine what was going through her head as she is ready to watch her husband essentially exercise for an entire DAY! I was calming saying to myself...don't forget the bike computer (memories of Racine 70.3). We pull in the parking structure and find that wonderful bunch of Thursday morning run buddies park in a stall near us. As we are walking and talking on the way to the start line I remember...where is the bike computer? Yep, I left it in the van and had to run back to the parking structure to get it. Kim stayed with all my stuff thrown about the sidewalk like a rummage sale as I ran to get it. I get back to the van and open the rear hatch only to see the shining silver computer right where I left it. As the day unfolds, I probably could have left it right in there.
The bags are now safely in their places and Kim is taking awesome pictures. Now its time to get my shoes clipped onto the bike so I don't have to run on concrete with "horse feet". Shoes are clipped in and then I remember that I didn't pump up my tires before dropping my bike off. Who knows, the extra 2psi I can squeeze in the tires might make me an hour faster on the bike... At this point, I don't have a tire pump so I have to pimp a pump from some one nearby. So I wait...and wait...and wait for about 10 minutes before two men run next to me to pump up tires on a bike like they are on a pit crew at the Indy 500. I finally can pimp a pump and they actually pump up my tires for me. Volunteers are GREAT!!
Now its off to body marking, a quick release, and off to the water start. While I'm waiting in the porta-john line Kim begins snapping more awesome photos and then asks me if I wanted that Monster that I bought last night. HEAVEN! No - not in any nutrition plan and I have never drank one before an event, but I was thirsty and thought why not try caffeine before an event as long as this?
A quick kiss and hug from Kim and I'm off to the swim start. As I'm enjoying the moment and getting some last minute advice from Lowell (a veteran at the distance) we notice that 7:00am is only moments away and we are both on DRY LAND!!! The cannon sounds and we rush in the water. Not the way I wanted to start, but it will do.
After swimming like a salmon up stream for 30 seconds I run into people....people everywhere! The water seems to have white caps on it, but there's isn't any wind. Gulp-gulp. What in the H$@! is going on. I decide to surface to look around. There are four of us in a morning coffee session bobbing about looking around only to smile and say to one another..."this is amazing". No names, just an awesome experience shared by a few individuals competing in an event for unknown reasons.
I finally get into a good swim rhythm and approach the first turn. I remembered during the athlete meeting that the swim director said that the first turn there is a tradition to "Moo". I laughed at the time as did the other 2500 participants, but from some odd reason I could hear a strange sound while swimming into this turn only to discover that everyone does indeed MOO. Yes, it felt and SOUNDED like cattle being herded.
Rounding the second turn I feel a sensation that I shouldn't be feeling in the water...nature calling. Somehow I need to release the hatch while swimming to let out the Monster drink I had 30 minute prior. As I am trying to relax my legs and swim with my arms someone keeps slapping my feet. I think to myself, "I wouldn't keep doing that or you are going to get a mouthful of p..." too late. It is possible, and I'm sure I'm not the only one!!
Nearing the swim ending I think "one event down and two to go". I walk up on shore and look at my watch 1:25. Not bad considering I haven't been in a pool to train in over 20 years. Now I need to find a good stripper...wetsuit stripper that is. Just like that, my suit is off and I didn't have to lift a finger. I'm beginning to like this distance. I run with my wetsuit over my shoulder up the helix with a massive crowd that is at least 4 deep around the outside. There is cheering, clapping, and shouting for every participant.
I run into transition and volunteers call out my bib number. I run inside and my bag is thrown to me. Thanks buddy. He directs me to the mens changing area where you are not going to believe what I see...nakedness! What are they doing I think to myself. Why are there so many naked men with the boys hanging...and what is that over there, yep a few men sitting bare-assed on chairs! That is a pet-peeve of mine...if I wouldn't be in this event I would have shared my thoughts about sitting with your manhood on a community chair! Not right!
Out I come from T1 and run right to my WIFE!!!! She is sun lotion application goddess number ONE! After a quick picture pose I am off to harass Gary and Mike (other sun lotion applicators and training partners). I run to my bike and another volunteer yells my bib number and my bike is brought right to me. I run to the mount line and begin a 6 hour bike ride.
Everything going smoothly now. One event done and two to go. Biking is my comfort zone it should be all pedal, eat, drink, pedal, eat, drink for the next 112 miles. Sounds great, but after mile 20 my bike computer crapped out on me. It went blank. The same bike computer that I ran back to the parking structure to get. I just put new batteries in it and it went blank during the biggest event of my life. God has a plan and this was in it. Time to manage the bike course using my watch. At least I started that when I jumped on the bike. Now I could do a little math during the next few hours to figure out how fast I am NOT going.
The most inspiring moments during the bike portion came during the location where spectators gathered to watch. Since I was part of the show I couldn't disappoint so I tried my best to entertain by getting people to do the wave, chant my favorite hill grinding song "up the hill nice and slow, to the top we want to go!", and a few bunny hops (mountain bike days coming back to me)...a sign read "tops for hops"...wrong kind of tops.
Finally, a tailwind on the last 10 miles back to transition and I realize that a long sleeved shirt was not a good move as the temps were getting hotter. Back in transition and more volunteers waiting to take my bike and direct me to the next area. 1363 someone shouts and my run bag is handed to me. I just love this event!
A quick change of shoes and I'm out of T2 ready to start my FIRST marathon. 8 hours in and I'm thinking that 12 hours is no problem at this point. I begin my trot and find great friends right on the run course as well as my beautiful wife. She looked happy as I finished two of three events. So did I...I can even muster a trot, I think to myself.
The first 10 miles are a blur. Run 5 minutes walk 30 seconds, repeat. Things are going well and I am on pace for a 2:05 half marathon. Then the wheels begin to fall off the cart since I forget to eat ANYTHING during miles 9 and 10. This set up miles 11 and 12 as make or break miles. My legs felt weak, my head began to pound, and then I remembered...when did I eat last? Next aid station I had 4 gel packs, two bananas, pretzels, and chicken broth. I walked for about 5 minutes and then felt my headache go away and my legs came back a little to muster my trot. 30 minutes later I finish mile 12 and find that I am on pace for a 3 hour half. Not a good moment.
I round the loop at the finish line to begin the final half marathon praying that He gives me strength to finish. There's is my wonderful wife again, taking pictures and videos. I shuffle off for another round until my legs actually do come back a little. 5 minute run, 30 sec walk and repeat. I have a little more energy since I am eating constantly now. I see Dan, Lowell, Jerry, Dennis, and Iron Mike on the run and they give me great inspiration to keep at it, left foot, right foot.
As I near the finish line, I run with the most amazing nameless people that all have great stories. Some on their way out for their second loop and others that have more pep than I and cross the finish line first. The Ironman event is truly inspiring. The human spirit can accomplish a great deal when the intentions are good. There were so many wonderful people that I shared stories with on the swim, bike, and run that it will stick with me a long time. As I write this I remember the Airforce buddies that help one another. Both 21, one was in bad shape and his buddy actually ran an additional 13 miles (another loop) just to see his friend finish. That is dedication, and that is friendship!
The finish line is amazing. I didn't know what to expect at the end. I did my best to get the crowd waving and shouting as I was in the finish chute. I looked up and saw the finish line arch and smiled. Two volunteers quickly placed a sheet around me, metal, hat, and t-shirt. Congrats they say.
Looking back I couldn't have done this without my wife, prayers from friends, and without the good graces of the lord. I don't know how or why the human body can endure an event of this magnitude. I will always remember the feelings of awe after crossing the finish line. Truly amazing!
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