Being there since Wednesday, I was calm and looking at the schedules and all the reports i had to analyze before the Big Day. The announcer's readings of the temperature's were optimistic, but the rains on Saturday were a ringer for things to come. I lived here in CDA for a few years, I know things can change in an instant! The whole town came alive and it was a carnival like environment and I was soaking it all up! lean people with thousands of dollar bikes, vendors peddling various things to make you go faster, stronger, better. I stood in line in the long line of eternity. Groups of people talking about previous races and whats the next big thing coming and a going... I waited in line.. Finally i got the the desk. "Name?" I said "Chris "and showed ID . In a flash I was sent into the tent where I was bombarded with death and dismemberment clauses, am I okay to do this, who would I call in case of an emergency..blah blah.. Thanks and here is the sweet Iron man bag and now we shall direct you to the Iron man brand tent of sweet but pricey things! Ah yes, I will buy those items, but not until I earn the title first. So off I went, and prepared for the coming Day!
Then it came.
The day arrived, and it was tense and calm at the same time. There is no more training. All training since last Nov has been done. I was kind of relieved so I wasn't looking forward to doing 40-50 laps in the pool anymore! ha ha by 5am we were down by the lake and making last minute adjustments. Checking over the bike and making sure all was right, i went out to the changing and body marking. It was loud and confusing, but all muted at the same time. I heard 5 minuted till start! and then we are started walking toward the sand line. I felt that tension, all athletes were hushed and quiet. The energy was building up. for a brief moment I swear as I saw everything in sight and sound... EVERYTHING FROZE.
BOOM! that cannon sounded like a thunderclap from the start! i had ear plugs on, but holy geezus I thought I got shot...lol. I got scared for a brief moment, and I think I saw myself and some others jump in wetsuits at the sound. That made me laugh inside and put me in the mood for the big swim. The 1st lap was glass smooth, and I was thinking to myself," I think it'll be a great swim!" That is, I forgot there were other 2000 bodies in the water. All I can say is if I can file a complaint for every assault & battery the first 30 minutes, I think I would've eliminated the fast half of the group! the group, however, were pretty good in courtesy from the sides, when they can see you. Front and rear was a different story. Murky water and feet n legs don't make a good match. kicked in face and groped my strange hands were the top liner of the swim.
Aside from the naked man reunion, nothing seemed to go as planned. I figured I would put on the compression socks, don my heart rate monitor, put my bicycle helmet and shoes and away I went. I figured at least 5-7 minutes. It felt like 5-7, but looking back it took me 14:30 minutes.My hands were numb and couldn't press the buttons, couldn't roll the socks onto my feet, and put what little sunscreen on ( i would pay for that later on.)
Mounting the bike, I noticed the front brake was rubbing. Strange, I had it working and loosened it to make the front wheel turn. I raced through CDA down town and was on my way to Higgins. "Kiyoshi!" I heard in the crowd. It was Phil, my partner and friend from work! I smiled and raced on. Kiyoshi I heard again, and it was Kevin n family! Wow! it was pretty much reunion through the wondrous race in CDA. I heard so many people call my name, and i knew each one and felt happy and celebrating my vitality and the opportunity to do this race! The distance didn't matter, the time seeing everyone out there made me feel great! Rolling hills were alright, no bothersome ankle was getting in the way, and I was feeling great as I sped out of town toward hwy 95. Hills?? what hills! give me the hills!! Ah, over confidence can be the bane of my existence....... I was about to meet Mica Hill.
In the last days the mountain of the LORD's temple will be established as chief among the mountains; it will be raised above the hills, and peoples will stream to it. (NIV)~ Micah 4:1
I know it was spelled Mica, but Micah came to mind. seeing the sustained looong climb, made me shudder. I knew for a fact this would weed those who weren't prepared for this type of climb. I knew I would be tested. Coming out of the mile 10, I felt good, but starting the March of the cyclists was something to see. A slow line of bikes heading up to the top. The first time was okay that was hard, and it bit into my ever chipping away time, 2nd time heading back into that hill even more! On to the special needs bag place. Lost more time because wardrobe malfunction!!!! I couldn't get stuff into the pockets because they were too small!!! A little back pack or a waist bag would've made a whole lotta difference! right now would've been a better option. Ugh.... learned something at the time I needed it most. racing back into town, I knew I felt I had at least one more hill climb in me. that is all I had. Legs were aching and I felt the dawning of the Big Ride.
Climbing up the hill, I knew it was all going out of me. I gave it all I got. My quads and hams were burning and bordering on cramping out, and it got really hot out there. In the morning it was chilly and overcast, and now it was full on blaze hot! Mile 60 I was burning out, and saw the writing on the wall. But I wouldn't give up, not now! On the slopes I didn't brake and sped at about 40mph, using gravity to give me the brakes in between. It was all I could do. the line of riders were thinning out, and I had to get to the turn around and head the last leg into town by 4:00pm. I was on the bike since 9:20am. I had gone 80 some miles and this was the final stretch. If I had only, If I had only...
Good job! Good Job ! I heard the volunteers say at the last water stop. the riders coming back into town was nil. I had seen the last rider and he didn't look at me with the customary wave. I think he knew what was coming for me. Mile 90, I saw no riders coming back. I saw behind no riders behind me, and I only saw a lady in front me . We were the only two bikers on the course now. and approaching the turn around. It was 4:09pm. I saw the lady pumping fast, but I knew she knew also it was too late. We had missed the shot, and didn't make it. I just pedaled behind her and I saw about a mile out a small group of cyclists waiting for the trucks to take them back. Tears welled up on my sunburned cheeks and the dreadful feeling of not making it came over me. The drive was at its end, and I myself had given all I got. I was done, and a lot of feeling came over me. The dream of making the bike and finishing the race had died, and never did I felt so alone.
The lady pulled back to me, and introduced herself as Andrea. I thought to another Andrea of running fame and thought how we had to run our 1st 10k race in the rain. Hardcore! She said this was her 11th Ironman, and I told her this was my 1st Ironman! She was amazed and I even told her I lost weight from 371lbs back then and was trying out this Iron man thing. She said to me, "Whatdya say? Lets do this and lets go out in style!" I said, Oh YEAH!!!!!!" and then we sprinted to the group. The badness left me, and I didn't care. So what we didn't finish. I got here and left all i had out there. They say those kinds of test will let you know what kind of man or woman you truly are. I say to you... I know who I am now, and what I am capable of. We drawed near to the group in blazing speed on what legs would carry us. My legs were now on border on cramping out. I didn't care, and legs be damned! We finished at 92 miles at the turn around. We got the group, and it was a solemn one. Some were crying, some were angry and silent, some were explaining why didn't make the cut off. One guy was explaining there are no hills where he lives and I nodded I know, and I understand. MY only thought was ~Shit Happens. Andrea stopped next to me and announced to this solemn group this was my 1st Ironman and I lost about 100lbs. The once silent and solemn group began to clap and whistle. That moment, in that brief moment, I had won!
