The Chesapeake Bay area is GORGEOUS.
Crossing the Bay Bridge is incredible. The clean water with sail boats floating along is a site to behold. Stopping in Annapolis was our first taste of a quaint coastal town. Getting into Cambridge showed more of God's handiwork in the beauty of the town and Choptank River. What I wasn't prepared for is that Hurricane Dorian had shredded the waters of the Atlantic Ocean and forced the calm water loving DEVILFISH, oops..I may have misspelled jellyfish, into the Choptank River. Chris and I had seen photos on Facebook of these Devil's water pets but were told, "the sting isn't that bad." LIES!! All LIES!!! I knew I had to try and get the anxiety out before race day. It reminded me of my crash location in Louisville, I had to face it before I raced through it. Thursday morning we go to do a practice swim. We weren't even in the water when we saw our first jellyfish.
Then the 2nd one was just past the 1st. People were coming out of the water saying they had been stung a ton. I tried keeping my calm and mentally talking my way through it. Chris and I entered the water. My heart rate was sky high. Normally, open water swimming is fun. I've never had a panic moment in an Ironman event. I may not be fast, but I can swim 2.4 miles without stopping. Knowing the jellyfish were out, I was freaked out. Neither Chris nor I wanted to start swimming. So I did what needed to be done, I yelled out, "3,2,1 F IT!" and dove in. I swam a little and felt this razor like stringy feeling on an arm. At first, it wasn't bad. Then the razor stringy feeling slid down my other arm. It was creepy and kind of scary not knowing how my body would react. I swam for what felt like forever! Looked at my watch to see I'd swam 4 minutes...four. I had been stung on both arms in 4 minutes. This was terrible. Now both arms were burning. Kind of like a Taser feel. I saw Chris swimming and told myself to suck it up and move forward. I swam some more. More stings, now I got stung on my heels and ankles! Just fantastic. I swam for 16 minutes. My body position was all off trying to keep my face out of the water and my heart rate was stupid high. I was happy to get out of the Choptank River. Chris had been stung just as much as I did. I felt like an idiot for leaving my longsleeve wetsuit at home. The water was warm, so the thinking was a long sleeve suit would've dehydrated me. Looking back, I'd have worn the long sleeve suit if I would've brought it. At least I knew I could stand the pain and get the swim done. I was most happy I didn't get stung on the face! I could handle arms and feet. Chris and I rode our bikes to make sure they were working after the drive and ran 30 minutes to keep muscles warm. We learned that vinegar helps reduce jellyfish sting pain. We stopped and bought vinegar. 2 dudes pouring vinegar on themselves right in front of Walgreens. Nothing to see here! The bottles then were added to our bike transition bags. First IM race I've added vinegar to my bags!
Race morning started at 3:10am for me. I slept pretty good for the night before an IM. Chris and I met at my car at 4am. I ate 2 muffins before we left. I had a banana with peanut butter when we parked. We scored a great parking place a block and a hlaf from race start in a guys yard who sold parking passes for $25 for the entire weekend. About 5am, we walked to transition. Checked bike tires, added things to bags (like sunglasses to run bag, mental note for me: put sunglasses in run bag day before so you don't forget.) Pre-race routine went smooth. Chris and I had designated spots to meet when we got our stuff done. I can't explain this enough how helpful it is to have a training partner and best friend race with you. When one of us freaked out, the other brought the freaked out one back to calm. We both had our moments (jellyfish, disc wheels).
The announcer said, "we're looking to start this race at 6:40 am!" I like a race that starts EARLY! The national anthem was played and the cannon went off! The electricity in the air was amazing. It was time to go be an Ironman! The thought of letting a bunch of people go first and allowing them to push the jellyfish out of our way was what Chris and I were hoping for. A rumor that boats were pushing the jellyfish out was heard. We made our way in line to the water and jumped in.
Praying there were no devilfish, I started swimming the way I know how. Face down in the water and long strokes. Maybe 2-3 minutes in, the first sting under my left armpit struck.
Then a few more on the left arm. So much for faster people clearing out the demonfish. I just kept swimming. Stings on right arm and heal appeared. I did a good job of swimming through it. The swim course is a 2 loop rectangle with an inwater timing cord that you swim under which shows you swam 2 loops. I didn't have much jellyfish contact in the outer portion of the river. The second ime I made it out there, I thought I was home free. The thing with Ironman and Mother Nature is when you think you're home free...thats when a new surprise hits you. The jellyfish struck my left skin under my lip, the right part of face and right cheek. I tried brushing the tentacles off my face. Then kept swimming. My face immediately started burning. My mind was yelling at me, "ITS STUCK TO OUR FACE!" I mustve wiped at my face 10 times but the burn got worse. I couldn't look at it! Go ahead, I'll wait..try and look at your chin...can't do it can you?? Well this made me freak out!! I didn't know if the jellyfish was still there, had I got it off, was it sucking the soul from my body??? I looked at a kayak and told myself to swim over to it and regroup. My competitive brain said keep swimming. There was a fight occuring in my head. Do I stop? Do I continue? MY GOD I HATE JELLYFISH!! I have never been MAD during an IM swim. I stay relaxed and just swim. Not here, I got mad. I wanted to THROW a jellyfish as far as I could. I was wore out from getting stung. My face ached. I swam with my head up trying to protect my face from further stings. I later learned of one athlete getting a jellyfish stuck around his neck, the stings causing allergic reaction and him getting pulled out of the water and sent directly to hospital. As if Ironman isn't hard enough, I've now completed one through a jellyfish minefield!! I was thrilled to death to be done with that swim. 
The wetsuit stripper did a fantastic job getting my suit off. Into transition I went, where I couldn't open that vinegar fast enough!! I was pouring that stuff down both arms and splashing it on my face. It helped, but did not eliminate the stings. I will never forget that swim.
Off to the bike. I saw Brittney, Heidi and Savvy with Paige and Ollie. They were cheering like crazy!
I told them
about my jellyfish stings and told them I'd see them later. Off I went. Goal was to stay in heart rate zone 2 so I didn't overcook my legs and set myself up for a good marathon run. I stayed in zone 2 and never pushed. The course was a 2 loop course. Flat as a pancake and very little spectators.
It got long and boring. I like hills. Changing up cadence and feeling the wind going downhill is what cycling is all about! Not in Cambridge, Maryland though. There wasn't even a bump in the road to change anything. Constant pedaling. Not much cheering. Crossing some small bridges provided some nice views, but after 90 miles on the bike, I just wanted to be done cycling. Chris had passed me after an hour or so. When I was coming back into town, I rememeber asking some spectators why they didn't tell me the bike ride was that long?? I got some good laughs at that. 
Finally hit line to get off my bike. I racked Vengenance and headed to transition tent. I got my feet coated in vaseline, put shoes on and off I went. I was putting my belt on with my race number and getting my handheld bottle out as I ran. I made it to the first street where I saw my girls, and Paige and Ollie. It's uplifting to see MY fans! My family!! They provide the support to continue the fight.
The sun now decided it was ready to cook us. The temps hit real feel of 89 degrees according to weather channel. The run started out with lots of spectators!
The Maryland run is a 2.5 loop course. The farther away from transition you get, the number of spectators get fewer and fewer. Then you hit this undeveloped area. Its a huge circle. You go to the right and run all the way around the circle and do a U turn to run all the way back around the circle. Somehow, jellyfish attacked us here also!! (that may be fake news, but trust me, jellyfish are trecherous demon spawn). After the deserted circle of doom, you work your way back towards transition. Then through the park where the Base Salt tent was jamming out great tunes! Out of the park and through the residential main street towards the finish line. If you are thinking, Finish Line?? already?? you've forgotten the 2.5 loops..in Maryland you actually pass the finish line 5 times...before you get to cross it. Hearing others finishing up their races and called an Ironman can either be inspiring or deflating. I tried to use it as inspiration. I knew it would be me sooner or later. Passing the downtown area was a boost because there were a ton of drunk partiers cheering like crazy! They loved us! Then towards the little sign we went. It said, "loops 2 and 3 left, Finish to the right". I think it was on loop 2 where my shins started sending pre-cramp signals. I started hitting my pickle juice and took in another Gel. It almost hurt more to walk than run. So I tried to run more (slow jog at this point.) Every now and then...I got this huge boost of positivity. The loop course means you see everyone out on the course with you. When Chris and I would spot eachother, we would point and smile. When we met up, super big hugs! We each said how proud of each other we were. Encouraged each other to keep moving forward! We discussed jellyfish stings briefly and agreed we couldn't wait to get to that finish line. Another highlight of the run for me was when on loop 1, I came around a corner that had a ton of people, including my family. I said, "Hey Heidi! Watch this!" I then turned to the crowd and said, " I can't hear you!!" And the crowd went nuts! I mean really loud! The feeling that I got when my kids saw me as a rockstar who could ignite a crowd, made me so proud! I want them to know I love them and will help raise them the right way, but hopefully think I'm a cool dad. Marched onward...Something..maybe caffeine?? Ignited GI issues. There was a few times I was stressing to find a porta-potty. I wish there were porta potties in more places than just aid stations, but I gotta take what I get. Shins hurting, stomach rumbling, I slowed way down. The death march was starting. After I would use that porta-potty, I'd start to feel much better. When most were walking, I was able to jog past them. I kept smiling because I was happy I wasn't cramping and I was moving forward. Then I got to the circle of doom, which has now turned into Zombieland..people looked dead, but walking, the dark part of my mind came to the forefront of my mind. I can't explain why this happens, maybe exercising for 12 hours fighting jellyfish and boredom, but when the darkness arrives, and you've got plenty of miles ahead...it's tough to fight. Thoughts like, "Well Matt, You have no chance at that 5 hour marathon. This is a failure." "Maybe you aren't cut out for Ironman. You need to stop entering these races until you figure this out." "I can't believe I'm signed up for another one of these, it's just too difficult." and the all time favorite..."this is the LAST ONE of these I'm ever doing!" I had to reassess. What were my goals? #1 was to finish with no injury. I was moving forward and wasn't injured. This was only a failure if I quit, and quitting isn't an option for me. I'll crawl to the finish line if i have to. Goals 2 and 3 weren't happening, but being a 5 time IM finisher was. I remembered where I came from. 270 pounds of fat, lazy, and depressed to a guy fighting jellyfish, headwind on the bike and heat on the run on his way to finishing Ironman Maryland. I specifically remember saying, out loud, "This is no failure Matt, you're doing fine. Now get your ass in gear." Shortly after pulling myself from the darkness, I saw Chris again. Another hug. Words of encouragement. He was on his way to finishing. I had about a full loop left. I thought, "Man, he kicked my ass today!" "good for him! but we gotta move forward!" On my last half a loop, the chicken broth was being served. It's hot and delicious and full of salt! The dark night had set in. Seeing the bay under a starry sky made me smile. This was an experience I'd never had before. Ironman helped provide it. I wore a glow necklace just to help be seen. I got to the turn around point and was thrilled. I picked up my feet a little. I started jogging again. I actually passed a few people. I kept chugging along. Then I made it to the bar area where the huge crowds were. I yelled, "It's my time! It's MY TIME!!" My shins stopped hurting. My chest puffed out. I took the last right turn and grabbed a little more chicken broth! Perked me up just enough to go to the right of that little sign. I was so freaking happy to go to the right! The lights were super bright! The music was rockin! The people on both sides were cheering! The ROCKSTAR treatment is what I live for. I looked behind me to make sure I wasn't in anyone elses way. It was all clear for me to eat up the IM Finish Line experience. I heard the announcer call my name and title me an IRONMAN!! Then he said, "Yes Matt!! Enjoy your finish line!" I was high fiving strangers until I saw my beautiful wife and kids!! I love giving Brittney that quick kiss on the red carpet! 
All the people cheering Heidi and Savvy's Daddy. My kids seeing their dad as a successful Ironman. The Tech family right there going nuts for me. It's always amazing to finish an IRONMAN. Simply incredible. The pictures show a flex, a touchdown,
and a smile as big as the sky. And as happy as I was, I started to ugly cry. I mean crying like a baby.
Like my brain was overjoyed just to be done, and proud of the fight. Proud of fighting through the darkness. Managing so much to get there. I thought I could contain it. I wiped the tears away and talked to my finish line catcher. Assured her I was good and she funneled me back to get my hat and shirt. I bypassed the long line to get to the photographer. I just wanted to be with my family. Sure enough, I find my family and walk to an empty spot along a fence. I completly lose it. Crying tears to just let it all out. I try and explain it to my girls and the Tech's. Brittney tells me how proud she is. My kids tell me I am awesome. Chris comes over, we just smile at each other and embrace in the Bromance hug of success. 
Chris and I trained together for months, pushed each other, pushed each other's buttons, helped with each other's kids, sweated through miles upon miles of workouts together. I am truely blessed to have such an awesome support system. Once my brain fog started clearing a little, I thought of Paige. What have I done to poor Paige? She is signed up for her first Ironman next year and here I am completly broken down and cring like a baby. This makes me a laugh as I ask her if she still wants to do Lake Placid. Good thing is already an endurance athlete and knows the feeling of being emotionally ripped apart.
Some things I learned:
packing in seperate specific bags is the smart way to pack
Sea Safe does NOT work against jellyfish stings
flat bike courses are boring- i should do my homework before I sign up for a race
Ironman is a pacing game in which you hope your body cooperates with
Always have support on course with you!
I never have to do Maryland again!
Pickle juice shots are awesome
I can fight through the darkness
I'm not setting any time goals for Lake Placid ( i may need reminded of this)
IM is hard enough, no reason to put time goals on it
I gotta thank Coach Ashlynn for challening me each and every week to make me stronger and preparing me for whatever IM MAryland threw at me (except jellyfish...no one saw them coming)
Anyone who sent me a message wishing me good luck, anyone showing their workouts the past couple months which inspired me to work harder, anyone who helped me, I thank you!!
Team Tech, we did it! Another successful racecation! Our vacation memories could use their own blog! (Oh god! Where's Ollie?!", softshell crab, big kids driving the boat... Suicide Bridge! The list goes on and on! Y'all rock.
Chris- your die hard spirit and willingness to always get the training done pushes me to be better. I'm still impressed how you handle the open water with such ease after just learning to swim a year ago. I can't tell you how much I appreciate you.
Heidi and Savannah, you both are just wonderful and smart kids. You 2 make me the proudest dad ever. I hope I make you smile half as much as you guys make me smile. I hope you guys enjoy these trips and learn somethings along the way.
Brittney, my beautiful wife. My biggest supporter. My better half! Your willingness to help make these dreams come true is appreciated in a way that I can't describe. You are the most amazing wife and mommy! None of this craziness gets accomplished without your support and sacrifices. I LOVE YOU 3000!!
I'll end this one with this, might sound familiar, Set a goal, a goal that you feel is kinda crazy, a goal you might not make on your first try, a goal you're willing to work for. To make sacrifices for. Challenge the mind and body. Make it DIFFICULT! The harder the challenge, the sweeter the FINISH LINE! Once you achieve that goal, CELEBRATE IT!!! Life shouldn't be all about money, or work, it should be about experiences, ups and downs, LOVE. Trust me, it's worth it. Don't be afraid to tell people your goals and don't be afriad to ask for help to achieve them. I believe I take better care of my family because I take good care of myself! Until next time, peace out. Love y'all, Irondad
No comments:
Post a Comment