My absolute favorite view
In 2022, I decided I needed to travel a little more to see more of what our nation has to offer. Ironman does a phenomenal job of putting on races in places I’ve never been (and sometimes never heard of!). Frankfort,Michigan had a 70.3 to offer. It’s about a 7 hour drive from Dayton. A few pictures of the area and the race course description sold me. As usual, the pictures just don’t do it justice. The area is on Lake Michigan with smaller lakes all around. There aren’t many hotels in the area There is 1 McDonalds just outside of town. No other fast food chains. A good number of restaurants in this absolutely gorgeous area of Michigan. Then drive 5-10 minutes and find a hike. Like Elberta Dunes. A half mile uphill hike in the woods to find an amazing view of Lake Michigan. Amazing how the sand is so high up and you may even sand surf a little to get the best views! A trip to the lighthouse on the point is awesome for sunsets and seeing the water crash on the wall!
(I don’t consider myself a great photographer but I’m proud of that pic). Brittney did her run Saturday morning in the neighborhood by Ironman village. She ran out to a different lighthouse and saw gorgeous homes. When she gets back, she gives me the bad news: we have to go home and pack. We’re moving to Frankfort,Michigan!! We talked to one local who was volunteering the next day, we told her how beautiful the area was, she replied, “Just don’t tell your friends!” We laughed but I get it. They like their sleepy chill lake life. They don’t want huge crowds of strangers. It’s like a national secret. But what happens when the Ironman circus comes to town?? Ironman will take over an area. It brings in a ton of money. A lot of people who need places to sleep and eat. Frankfort welcomed us with open arms! They allowed roads to be closed. Roads to be coned so bikes had room and cars could pass by. They allowed us to see their area by bike and foot. I was impressed! Brittney was impressed! The place is amazing. Totally worth the drive!
Ironman Michigan 70.3
Betsie Bay!Village opened on Friday. I was happy to arrive just in time to get my packet and bib number. After a quick trip inside Birch and Maple ($65 for the 8oz steak) we ate at the Mexican place next door.
Saturday morning I checked my bike in at 10am (end of rack spot for the win!) Listened to the briefing then ran my daily mile with Brittney. Lunch at Papanos Pizza was delicious. Hit up Elberta Dunes then found one of my triathlete hero’s in the wild!
Lionel Sanders was doing his shakeout run with Trevor Foley! I wished him good luck and he wished me good luck! I was like a fat kid in a candy store! Just giddy! Dinner at Vita Belle found no GF pasta, so GF pizza it was. (Maybe pizza is my perfect tri fuel?!) ended the night watching sunset at our private beach!
Sunday morning. Due to late season sun rise, the race didn’t start till 7:50 for pro men. Then the pro ladies went off at 8. Team Agar started at 8:03. Age groupers started at 8:10. The big worry of this race was water temperature. Usually the question is whether or not wetsuits will be allowed. Not the case in Betsie Bay in September! Water temp was reported at 57.7 on Thursday. That means wetsuits are mandatory! Chris Tech came through in the clutch and let me borrow his thermal swim cap and booties. Experience has taught me to leave ego and macho behind and use anything that helps. Seeing friendly faces as we wait to start always helps keep nerves calm. I was super thankful that Tom Sens and Team Down for Pancakes (Colleen, Jamie, and The Assassin Jenny) found me in line. The cannon went off and the pros were swimming! As we started walking to the start, the nerves started to kick in. I think it was meant to stay internal, but out loud I said, “The water is going to cold Matt! It will take your breath away. Stay calm. Breathe. Swim!” I was ready. Tom was supposed to be my guide in the swim. I told him I was drafting him the whole swim. He starts right in front of me. 3 seconds go by and I’m in the water. The water is cold my friends. 61 degree water took my breath away. I planned for it to happen. I slow stroked and breathed every other stroke. I forced my face into the water I knew I had to get my face acclimated. Once I got my face acclimated to the cold, I could start to breathe like I normally breathe when I swim. It took 2 to 3 minutes, but I finally started swimming relaxed. I could feel the booties keeping my feet warm and the thermal cap kept my head nice and toasty. The thermal cap also kept water out of my ears which I believe helped my brain not think we were so cold. My plan on drafting Tom fell apart very quickly. I saw him as I swam by him. My main goal was to just stay calm and swim buoy to buoy. After going through the little starting gate we went right for just a little bit. Then we made a left-hand turn directly into the sun. I couldn’t see anything other than bright sunshine. I followed the swimmers in front of me and hoped they knew where the next buoy was at. I told my brain, the sunshine was warming up the water. I had minimal contact with other swimmers. I would just follow the crowd and draft where I could.
I knew the pattern that we were swimming looked like a coat hanger.
So I tried to keep in my mind, an idea of where at we were. Buoy to buoy, just keep swimming. I would like to tell you where this came from, but I have no idea why I started singing the Brady Bunch theme song. I don’t even know the words to it, but I know I was singing it. Some thing about a lovely lady and her daughters and somebody wearing curls. Then they met three very handsome dudes. I’m blaming brain freeze. But it kept my mind off the cold water. I was hoping for a swim time of 40 minutes. When I exited the water and looked at my watch, I saw a time of 44 minutes. I knew dealing with the cold water and not seeing the buoys very well had slowed me down.
I told myself this was no problem and not a worry as this was a long race. Which immediately tells my brain to start singing.Hakuna Matata. All of my triathlon experience has shown when I start singing Hakuna Matata, I chill out and relax.
I get to my transition area, and now I have decisions to make. I had cut the toes out of long, warm socks to make my own arm warmers. I had also brought fingerless biking gloves. Earlier in the week the forecast had been chilly in the morning. I did not want to be shivering on the bike. I have played that game before. But as I took my wetsuit off, I felt the air temperature was pretty warm. I decided I’d use the gloves but not the arm warmers. I got the bike shoes on and fumbled a little with the gloves, but got them on and the way I went.
The bike course starts with a 5 mile out and back on a two-lane road. This area was a little tight with so many cyclists. Usually I try to get my heart rate down from the swim. Another decision had to be made. Do I get my heart rate down and get stuck behind a lot of slower cyclists or do I push a little and get to work on the bike. I choose to get to work. I know my swim is not very strong. I also know my cycling is pretty darn good.
The Pose!
I wanted this to be a great effort from me which meant taking a few risks. I had read other peoples results from this race and knew it could be a fast course. There were two 180° turn arounds that experience has taught me to go slow and watch the other cyclists to avoid a wreck. I did not have any issues at those turnarounds. I did notice early on a female triathlete wearing a Coeur blue and white kit who looked strong and solid on her bike. I appropriately, then named her Coeur. Because I don’t think I’ve ever met her before and there wasn’t much talking as we passed each other back-and-forth the entire ride. I was faster on the downhill’s. She was a little faster on the flats. I would slow down for an aid station. She looked rocksteady. Towards the end of the bike ride I would say “hey friend” as I passed her. She’d say “oh! There you are!” As she passed me. My hope was she was enjoying the motivation to keep pedaling as much as I was. Triathlon is a sport where you do all the work. But for some of us, having other athletes on course means we push and pull each other through. About 45 miles in, a male athlete passes me wearing the same Spaero kit and black helmet I’m wearing! We were twinning! I caught up to him and said, “I don’t know you, but I love your fashion sense!” We both laughed. Then Coeur passed us. Back to work I went. Jamie Viers had completed a course recon mission the day before. He told me “the last 4 miles is all down hill! We will be flying to the finish line.”
If you need basic math help, don’t ask Jamie.
I hit mile 52 and start looking where this downhill starts. It’s flattish with a little uphill. Then we hit the big hill! Maybe Jamie fell asleep on his course recon? I was certainly not FLYING. After Virginia Blue Ridge and Penn State, this hill wasn’t too bad. It was longer but not super steep. I was quite happy to crest that hill and fly down it! Top speed of 37mph on the course. I can type out and try to explain how beautiful the course was but you really need to see it to believe it. A lot of the course is on the scenic highway. Beautiful trees, and lake views surrounding the course. Stunning area. Gorgeous homes. Friendly neighbors out watching bikes take over their streets. I try to say Good Morning to as many locals as possible. Most say it back or yell good luck. I want these folks to want us back. There were some big groups of people spectating. I’d try to put my arm up and rest my chin in my hands. Give them the pose.
Try and make them laugh. Stick my tongue out at the kids. Life is too serious to not have fun while exercising. I believe I have a healthy balance of taking triathlon serious enough but loving it at the same time. My bike computer did its job keeping me from blowing up my heart rate and showing me I kept a 20mph average for the bike. Blue Ridge and Penn State can shake a cyclist’s confidence. I’ve done consistent work on my cycling and it was nice to finally see a good result. But the bike result is only good if you can follow it with a good run.
The past few weeks, as training was going well, I had to look deep into my past races. I felt like something had been holding me back. I needed to be honest with myself I needed to admit that fear of cramping had kept me from running well in these races. I knew I was doing OK but I wasn’t happy with the results. About three weeks ago I made the decision that I was going to conquer this fear or push my legs until I cramped. Right before the race I was sitting in the car with Brittney and I told her that today was the day to push the legs. I knew I couldn’t start out way too fast. But I also knew that around mile ten, my brain would try to falter back to “flight “ mode instead of “fight” mode. “Just walk Matt, it’s okay. Your legs are tired, you are tired. You’ve been exercising for 5 hours. No one’s going to blame you for walking!”
I’ve told myself that bullshit for way too long. I trusted in my heart that again I had been blessed with amazing weather and a course that suited me for a great run! The only thing holding me back from crushing this course was me. I had let my heart rate get a little high for the bike course, but there was no excuses, no where to hide. The time to run was here. The time to dig deep was coming.
I racked my bike. Switched my shoes. Didn’t even change socks. I didn’t want to waste the time. Let’s get this done!
Off I went.
Instead of watching heart rate or pace, I just started off easy. Plan was to stay in the mile I was in, just go looking for the next mile sign. Take a gel every other mile. Used the ice down the shirt and down the shorts.
I tried to not overuse the caffeine but I took some in earlier than normal. The course first took us out of Open Space Park (appropriately named!) towards the Finish Line which was almost on Lake Michigan. About a half mile out before we started loop 1. Recreational path that was surrounded by people! Tons of spectators! Kids playing on the playground right beside the path. Scenic views of Betsie Bay and sailboats. Freaking gorgeous! Then I hit the first aid station. Its theme was Barbie. All pink. Pink shirts, pink banners, all pink! These volunteers did it up right and were having fun! The way the run course was set up, we ran through this station 5 times. Then I headed out to loop 1. At this point Coeur was still behind me. My legs were feeling good. My brain was positive. Just stay in the mile. Brittney was along the course and I love having her out there cheering me on! I came up to a corner where there was a few different volunteers watching the path and directing foot traffic (athletes and spectators). I try to thank all the volunteers and first responders because without them, we don’t get to play triathlon. A spectator looks at me and says, “I love you.” In a matter of fact way. I’m a little confused at his comment and my face shows it. He then says, “You have so much gratitude and you let people know it. I love that about you.” My friends, that warmed my heart. I love it when the positivity comes back around. Around mile 4, I hit another aid station. This one is all Disney themed! Most volunteers in Disney costumes. Disney decorations. Disney signs, like Darth Vader saying, “Your lack of training is disturbing “! Toy Story characters. Anna from Frozen. Disney music playing. Well done Disney aid station! Well done! I noticed the sun was getting warm. Not hot, but warm enough I figured I needed to be aware of body temp. I used ice down the shirt and down the shorts. Ice in my hat. Kept cool. Back round to finish loop 1 and I found Brittney before she found me! I’m smiling. I tell her I feel good. She says I look strong and to keep crushing it. Good motivation for when I start to get tired.
Apparently I was either rocking out or cheering on University of Texas?
About mile 6 a male athlete wearing a black tri top comes running by me. He’s wearing headphones. This is a clear rules violation. Triathlon does not allow personal music due to safety concerns. I get pissed. If you go faster than me, cool. But doing it by cheating, not cool. Then he cramps. As I run past him, I ask,”does your music not stop cramps?” I called him out in front of God and everyone else. I feel the anger building. Remember, I’m now like 5 hours into exercising and starting to get tired. I ask myself, can I use the anger as motivation or do I need to get over this? The brain processes it and says let it go. Being focused on my mile has worked so far and being pissed is a negative. I try to be positive. The next mile I hear, “Oh there you are! Look who I found!”
Coeur has caught me! Coeur was just as steady running as she was riding! I joked with her that I was all upset she caught me. She wasn’t a talker when she was running. But she told me to keep up with her.
That's Coeur, pulling me along
I think we ran 3-4 miles together. Shoulder to shoulder. Around the park at the other side of the course. Through Disney World (aid station). Back towards the final stretch. Couer then decides she wants to go faster. My legs disagree. I yell out to her that she has done an amazing job and I hope she finishes strong. I don't falter, I don't slow down, she just sped up. I didn't panic. I stayed consistent. I made my way back to the area where there were a ton of spectators. I saw Tom and Adam were out on the run. We exchanged words of motivation.
I see Colleen and Jamie!
Then I hit the corner where I knew I was approaching the finish chute. Legs were good. Mind was even better.
My absolute favorite part of any race is the Finish Chute. Lined with people 2-3 deep, all cheering, loud, high fives.
It's an incredible scene! and even better feeling knowing they are cheering for me. I put my hands up in celebration, knowing I had just crushed this course. I never looked at heart rate, pace or mile splits during the run. I had focused on even effort throughout and not succumbing to becoming a zombie walker in the last 3 miles. I stopped my watch. Saved the info. Didn't even look at the overall time. Found Brittney and proclaimed, "I just crushed that!"
After taking a few minutes to chill, I asked Brittney what my overall time was. I had expected around 6 hours, hoping to be sub 6. When Brittney said "5:43."
I had to ask her to repeat that. I was, am still, over the moon happy with 5:43. My run time was 2:10. Which is good and respectable, I'm just not sure if I can run any faster after a 56 mile bike. But for the day, Success was mine. I had toed the start line. I faced 61 degree waters. I let my heart rate be a little higher than planned on the bike. I pushed my legs on the run (also decided I needed to stretch a few more times at aid stations. Hamstrings were tightening up on me.) I waited till 5 miles in the run to hit the pickle juice. I added in Red Bull earlier. I still used energy to thank as many volunteers and first responders as much as I could. I crossed the Finish Line smiling. After 70 miles, just smiling is a win. My only brag, which I feel I've earned, is that I had the 20th best bike split in my age group of 97 athletes. I thank Chris and Charlie who have helped my cycling get stronger and stronger.
Overall, I can't rate this experience high enough. The gorgeous scenery, the friendly people, the amazing athletes all came together to make this incredible. Word on the street is this race will happen again in Frankfort next year. I'll be there with my wife and daughters. Brittney and I agreed we have to share this area with Heidi and Savvy next year. It's just amazing.
Brittney, my beautiful wife, I thank you from the bottom of my heart for supporting this crazy fun adventurous lifestyle. Getting out of our comfort zones and finding these amazing places is truly LIVING LIFE. I love you, and always will love you!!
Friends, the Irondad is recovering well from the race. I have a few days until I go back to where the 70.3 craziness started, Muncie, Indiana. I took advantage of a $75 coupon Ironman offered and decided to race Muncie as well this year. If it goes anywhere as good as Michigan, I'll be thrilled. Most of all, I'm just blessed to be healthy and have support to do these races. IronDad out...
I was finished typing this out and just needed to add in the pics when this message appeared. Mr. Eran completed his first 70.3 at Michigan and he left me this nice note. Thanking all the volunteers means a lot to me and try to thank them all. This meant a lot that another athlete took note also. I love the triathlon community!!
if you've read this far, Thanks!! I've registered for Michigan 70.3 2024, you should too! Just don't tell your friends ;)
