The Road to the Ironman – 100.4 miles and my story (it’s a long one sorry)

Since the beginning of November 2009 I have been writing these Ironman posts. Hopefully over that time you are gaining the idea how important this goal is to me. Is my goal of the Ironman any more or less important than the goals you set for yourself? Of course not, but how many of those goals you set have a chance to be life changing? Well, the Ironman is such a goal to me. With apologies to Kim and our wedding date (which it will be 19 wonderful years come August 1) this is by far the most important personal event in my life. That being said an event in ones life that holds such importance also brings other items such as fear and self doubt. By the way there is a whole boat load of it.

On Saturday many you saw a post on Facebook or maybe the triathlon site iamtri that I accomplished something I never thought possible. I rode 100.4 miles on Saturday through the rolling hills of Madison, WI. The plan was to ride on the Ironman bike course loop twice. The “loop” is a 42 miles that one rides twice before riding 16 miles back to the start/finish in Madison. This would be an accomplishment in itself, because to date my longest ride had been 72 miles. Add in the hills versus the flatland of Illinois I new I was in for a big challenge.

I drove up to Verona (small town outside of Madison) to stay at the Holiday Inn Express because it was near the bike course. As I arrived one of the many thunderstorms we have been facing here in the Midwest was just starting to get its act together. When I saw this my only thought is couldn’t last until morning so I was not that nervous I would be riding in the rain. I was in bed by 11:30 pm and up by 5:15 am, so it was a short sleep or a long nap. Knowing that I have drove the course numerous times and rode the loop once in May I am becoming fairly familiar with the ins and outs or maybe I should say the ups and downs of the course.

1st loop -

Cool about 65 degrees, cloudy from the remnants of the storm I started at 6:15 am. It would have been 6, but the morning started out with a flat front tire. I am glad it happened before the ride and it was the front tire. You did notice it took me 15 minutes, not the 30 minute it may have took if it was the back tire. My only worry is riding alone, I would prefer riding with someone for the conversation plus if something happens two or more are better than being solo. I was happy that there was a groups I was able to stay with most of the first loop. It doesn’t take long to wake up and remember you are in Wisconsin not Illinois, because as soon as you are out of Verona, you are hit with the first hills of the day. I was pleased that I was able to pass the first group up the hill. I just simply pass no one on hills. Well that good feeling doesn’t last long because this loop is hill after hill. I was able to hold the off first group until the half way point of the 1st loop. They passed, we talked, they were all Ironman vets and it took my mind off the hills for a bit. Then the course turned to my strength, flat and the wind at my back (I know shouldn’t that be every one’s strength?) I passed the 1st group once more and they never passed me again. By this time two more riders joined the group just as the worst hill of the loop faced me. This hill isn’t the tallest, but it sure is the longest, a 1/2 mile! Unless you have been on the course you have no idea it is coming until you go around a slight curve and wham-mo! I barely make it up this thing and you get the warm an fuzzy’s, but it is short lived because one more turn is the steepest hill of the day. I have no idea which one is worse. I have a meter called the suck-o-meter and both of these are 10’s! The best thing about these hills you know there is only one more hill that rates on the suck-o-meter (8-9) and one more downhill that can reach speeds of 40+, plus there is only 10 more miles left until you are back in Verona. As I am rolling back into downtown Verona and nature began to call, luckily the hotel was not far. Getting back to the hotel I noticed the 1st loop was 43.3 miles because of the extra distance to and from the hotel.

2nd loop -

When a person does his business it is amazing how things change. This loop started out with the temps in the mid-70’s, sun and wind. The break made my legs tighten up and here come those fears and the self doubt. For me this is an Ironman moment. Do I call it quits and be happy with 43 miles or do I press on? Well I pressed on. As “nice” the 1st was, the 2nd loop was the opposite. No one was out there, so I was on my own. Legs, not to mention the mind were not 100%. The hills seemed taller, the down hills seemed faster and the wind was blowing hard. I am not going to bore you with the details, like I did with the 1st loop, needless to say I stop more (didn’t stop once on the 1st loop.) I did drop my chain early on the loop so my hands were greasy for a good portion of the loop. My only saving grace was a bike shop half way through the loop. I saw two signs, OPEN and COLD DRINKS. I stopped asked if they had a Coke and they handed me the coldest and most wonderful Coke I have ever had in my entire life! After a discussion with the owners, listening to them say the Ironman course is not the hardest thing they ever rode on, I paid for the Coke and I was on my way. For 10 minutes I felt like Superman, then came that long 1/2 mile hill, plus its partner. I was glad to meet up a couple of guys and we all suffered together through these hills. So, as I was finishing the second loop there is a custard stand near my hotel. I stopped ordered a root beer and two scoops of chocolate. I looked at the miles and I was at 86.6 miles.

A new question formed in my head…

You know 86 miles is pretty close to 100 miles. Should I? I was feeling OK but…

I polished off the root beer and the custard, I sat there for a moment. I asked the employees, a few of their customers and some guy named George (I am not sure George was real), should I ride the extra 14 miles? You should have seen the looks. I mean so what if a guy comes stumbling into a building, sweating, panting and is a bit delusional? I was looking for support. Well they were not much help, I filled up the water bottles and I was on my way. The good angel won out. It was simple math, 7 miles out and 7 miles back! Instead of start the loop for the 3rd time I decided I ride a portion of the out and back to Madison.

Well I learned two important lessons:

1. 14 miles might not sound like a lot but after 86, it might as well been another 86.

2. Don’t eat dairy if plan to ride another 14 miles.

At 6.5 miles in I noticed a huge huge huge huge hill! Did mention is was huge? There was no way I was going up that thing. So I got to the base, turned around and did 6.5 miles back to the hotel. I rode past the hotel a bit and turned back, looked down and the final tally was 100.4 miles! I did it, my first century!

It wasn’t fast. I might have to rethink how long it will take me to ride the 112 miles. But nothing could take away the joy I felt! Yes, I am not an Ironman yet, but I believe I had a peek at what it might feel like. Yes I still would have to ride another 12 miles and do a little thing called a marathon, but you know maybe just maybe this might just be possible.

The plan was to stay another night and ride the loop once more with someone from the iamtri site. Well just like many days this summer another storm was in the works. I woke up looked at the radar, figured out how my legs felt and lets just say I wasn’t in the mood. My friend arrived, I showed him the radar, swapped some tri stories and said I really didn’t like doing the loop. He understood after me doing 100 miles. He mentioned he like to drive the loop, so we talked a bit about the course. He went on his way. Later I received a texted saying it cleared up and he was going to ride it. It was a pleasure just meeting another person with the same goal as me.

I know this post was long and wordy. Thank you for letting me share the experience with you. Again September 12 is only 77 days away and everyone is welcome to come to Madison and experience this for themselves.

Running totals:

Running miles treadmill: 209.60

Running hours treadmill: 31:45

Running miles outside: 248.20

Running hours outside: 38:25

New shoes: 49 miles (for my record keeping)

Biking miles: 1,241.20

Biking hours: 69:30

Spinning hours: 7:00

Swimming laps (25 yard pool) : 3,802 lengths or 1,901 laps

Swimming distance: 98,500 yards or 56 miles

Swimming hours: 21:50

Weight lifting hours: 24:10

Stair Master miles: 92.92

Stair Master hours: 11:50

Stairs in Cancun 1:05

1 pathetic game of volleyball: 1 hour

TOTAL HOURS – 214 hours and 05 minutes