Where to begin... After the past three years, Ironman Wisconsin was due for decent weather. All year long we thought we were jinxing ourselves by saying "this has to be the year". It wasn't
the year, it was
THE year. The day started out PERFECT in every way: Temperature, Wind, Water - everything. All of the Human Racers were fully trained and ready. It was time to get it on.
The calm before the storm.The Swim:
The Storm!The swim, as always, was pretty uneventful. Its kind of the warm-up to the main event. Get in, get out and get it on.
However...
I grew up on a lake. I am more comfortable swimming in rough open water than I am in a pool. 2,400 people in a mass-start, Ironman swim? What the F*** is that?
Here are some open water swimming tips:
When your hand hit my feet, that meant my calves are just ahead. When your hands hit my calves, that meant the rest of my body was very near. When your hands hit my shoulders, I'm sorry I elbowed you in the face (I thought you would have gotten the hint by now).
There are no "lane lines". It's called open water swimming. Learn to sight. When you swam from the left side of the course to the right side of the course, swimming over swimmer after swimmer - again, real sorry about the elbow.
Seriously, what is it about people's manners when they become anonymous in the water?
Going up the Helix I saw Laura and gave her a big (wet) hug. I knew Sheila was near, and I could hear her voice, but I couldn't find her (she took this picture).OK. 1:17 down. Time to go have a little fun!
The Bike112 miles. No rest stops. This should be fun.
FLAT TIRE!!!!!!! At mile two!!!!!! WTF?????? I had pumped the tires in the morning, so it wasn't likely a pinch flat. But I didn't take the time to inspect the tube. I took out the old tube, put in the new tube, CO2ed and put the wheel back on. Not too fast, but maybe 7 or 8 minutes. As I got back on the road, I wondered if the CO2 had put in enough air to avoid a pinch flat. I had 110 miles left, so I put it out of my mind, and rode.
Just before the 56 mile mark I saw Sheila, Michelle and Laura. I was maintaining my 20mph pace, but I knew that it was time to reel it in a bit and enjoy the day. I stopped to kiss Sheila (the first of many).
Getting a bottle ready to throw at the drop zone.Weather update - it was perfect. There is no way we could have had a better day. After leaving Verona for the second loop a cloud cover came in to block some of the sun. However, the North wind was kicking up quite a bit meaning that the long ride up to Cross Plains was going to be a grind (NOT complaining here, just commenting). The pace was definitely slower on the second loop, but the perceived effort was harder. The wind was taking something off the speed.
The climbs? Over-rated. Sure there are 3-1/2 climbs per loop, but the longest climb only takes a couple minutes at the most.
The bike was perfect (flat aside). The Kuota Kaliber is a pure joy to ride, and the fitting from Get-A-Grip made it feel like I was doing the ride in a lounge chair.
Throughout the ride I must have heard the cheer "Go VQ!" at least 100 times. It is amazing how recognizable the Vision Quest brand has become over the past few years, and it was always nice to hear a complete stranger yell "Go VQ!"
On the nutrition front I was doing really well in the calorie intake, but since it wasn't hot I had to keep reminding myself to drink. At the end of the first loop I was 1 bottle under where I wanted to be liquid-wise. Throughout the second loop I tried to drink all I could, but I think I finished the ride about 30 to 40 ounces down.
For the last 16 miles of the ride back to Madison all I thought about was one thing: When I get back to T2 at Monona Terrace the race will begin!
The RunWhen the woman took my bike at T2 I just stood there. Locked. Cramps. Yep, a "little" down on the fluids. She looked at me and told me I could go inside - I replied "No, I can't". I gave her a smile and said "Don't tell me this is the first time you've seen this today?" To which she replied with a knowing smile "No". I knew I was good on the calories and electrolytes, so all I really needed was to hydrate. Within a few seconds the cramps eased and I trotted into T2.
When I came out for the run start, I headed to the porta-potty for a pee. Not to get gross here, but my pee was only light yellow, meaning that my dehydration wasn't too bad. Before the race I had planned on running with a hand-held bottle to make certain I got enough fluids on the run. To start the run I had it filled with a recovery fluid high in proteins, which I quickly downed. However, with aid stations at every mile, the hand-held wasn't really necessary.
As I started the run I was concerned about two things: My heart rate was runnig at about 85% of max (I needed it under 75%), and I was concerned about the cramping.
At mile two the cramps returned BIG TIME! My quads looked like an Olympic speed skater. I stood there, locked, holding onto a fence for about 5 minutes. During that time I took 3 Endurolytes and drank my whole bottle. Pretty soon the cramps eased and I walked about 300 yards to the next aid station. At the end of the aid station I started to run again, and the cramps never returned.
I started a routine of running from aid station to aid station, walking the aid stations and walking the hills. Just after the halfway turn-around (cruelly close to the finish line), I noticed I was running and walking at the same intervals as another athlete. Might as well help each other get to the finish. We introduced (Gary from Barrington) and agreed to the same walk the aid stations and hills plan. It was great to have someone to work with for the final 13 miles! Within a few mile we both noticed that our heart rates had both settle down - mine to sub-70%. No cramps and a low heart rate - I think I can finish this thing!
All along I kept seeing Sheila, Laura, Michelle, the Irvines, Craig, Bob and lots of other Human Race supporters - screaming and cheering. As always I stopped for my Sheila kiss each time. Also, at about mile 18 (and 19) I saw Robbie, Dave and the rest of the Vision Quest crew screaming and yelling as I went by. The run is a long march to the finish and all of the support was incredible!
During the run I saw Scott, Herb, Gil, Pam, Tom and Mike. I knew they were OK, doing well and that each would be an Ironman today. I hadn't seen Dennis all day and I last saw Brian on the bike. I hoped the best for both of them (although this was a sprint distance for Dennis).
The last few miles were very surreal. Relief it was over. Overwhelming ecstasy and pride at the accomplishment. As I approached the back side of the capital, I stopped running to compose myself before final trot down the carpet. Right at that moment the whole Vision Quest crew emerged from the shadows for congratulations. My mind was all over the place at that moment, but it really did mean a lot to me.
As I made my way around to the final turn down MLK and the carpet it hit me. I had done it. A year in training. A tough season. A complete rebirth of my personal life. And, I had done it. I had finished my first Ironman in respectable time.
Then I saw Sheila, and Laura, and Michelle, and Craig, and... there were more people but the details were getting fuzzy. After my Sheila kiss I headed down the line for the finish.
It was over.
12:41:04 
The lovely "Mrs. Johnston" (my eyes look a little wild after 12:41 of zone 3 heart rate).The RecapMy emotions during and after the race have run the gamut:
- Never Again!
- Maybe someday!
- I can go faster!
- I want to help other people achieve it!
For 2008 there will be no Ironman. 2008 is for Sheila. That doesn't mean I won't train or do triathlons, but I have other things to discover... and I want to work on my running... some half-marathons and maybe a marathon... and possibly take a shot at a 70.3 qualifier for Clearwater ;-)!
Sooooooooo..... In the beginning, one year ago, six of us started the journey to IMOO-07. Along the way 3 more joined us. On Sunday morning Scott, Pam, Tom, Gil, Dennis, Mike, Brian, Herb and I all started the race. A few hours later all nine of us finished.
Nine Starters - Nine Finishers! That's what it was all about.
See you out there... in 2008.
