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Ironman Florida
Race Report
November
8th, 2003
Drew Hartman
Hey
all,
Ironman
Florida marks the final race of a very long, very
fun, full of ups-and-downs, triathlon season. No complaints, no regrets,
a pure learning experience. The training began in January, which was my
base training for Ironman CDA, but it was also base training for the
year. May came around and the night before The Lake Run I got the
acceptance letter to be on the National Degree Ironman Team. Nothing like
being an amateur with a real cool sponsor (and much less b.o.)!!!! It’s now eleven months later, two sprints,
two Olympics distances, two Half-Ironman distances, and a wrap-up in
Florida for Ironman #2 for the season and round #3 to seek those six
beautiful words, “Drew Hartman, you ARE an Ironman”.
I
must say that mentally getting ready for Florida near taper time was tough.
Given it’s time-frame, daylight savings, cold weather, and everyone else
shifting gears into other activities, life in Triathlon Training Land was
becoming a bit lonely and I was so ready to go. Fortunately, I have the
wonderful support of Shanny (mental coach), my brother Flip who was also
training for this Ironman (that was huge), my family, Shanny’s family,
and all you other tri-geeks and/or friends out there that know that this
stuff ain’t easy, but understand that I feel
it’s worth it. I could also see the eagerness in Shanny’s eyes to
“bring it” and I’ve never seen her more focused to see me succeed than
any other race. The goal was to snap 11-hours and missing some of my key
workouts due to an IT-band issue left me with a bit of a dull edge. She
made sure my emotions were in tune during times of doubt and all I could
do was believe...and swim/bike my ass off!!! Not to mention the
occasional Spinning class that Adella taught
and always found a way to get me to generate more lactic acid than any
human being should.
This
race was also the year of the family. My entire family along with Shanny
and her Mom and Dad made it down to cheer Flip and myself on. Everyone in
the family minus the tri-geeks has never experienced an Ironman event and
I think it’s safe to say they had a complete blast. Not to mention the
predicted mental exhaustion of trying to find me throughout the race.
Beth/Andrea/Britney would work the Med tent, Shanny/Cindy/Chuck would
find me at key points, Flip/Mom/Dad would work
mile-4/9/17 on the run and cheer me on as I cruised through.
Race
Morning:
I
get up and do the normal routine then see my brother who was not looking
good at all. I had no idea, but he hadn’t been able to keep food and
fluid down for the last two days and hadn’t slept a wink. It was an
extremely hard, emotional decision to make, but we sat down and took a
hard look at the consequences of trying to pull this race off under such
not-so-appealing conditions and felt it wasn’t worth dieing over. Flipper
will tackle another day. When it comes to questioning life, it’s just a
race. And I think Lisa said it best, “There is no such thing as wasted training…Ever!”
Coach
Shanny was now doing the mental check to see where my head was at. I just
looked her in the eye and said, “I’m solid.” I think she could see I was
ready to roll.
The
Swim (2.4 Miles):
During
the practice swims leading up to the race there was a nice abundance of
Jellyfish hanging around. Throw in 2000 swimmers in with these little
guys and a few will get stung. More on this later. Back to the race. The
cannon goes “Boom” and 1,995 (2nd
highest start ever) of us waddle our rubber-butts into the Gulf.
Initially, the swim was probably more like a bar-brawl, but it got better
on the first loop. I felt like the first loop was going well and came out
in around 31:15. I also felt like I could sustain this pace with no
problems or sacrifice so I got myself settled in again for round #2. I
get swept with the crowds and miss the outside of the first buoy so I was
planning on a nice 4-min penalty, but there were so many people that were
in the same situation that I probably just got lucky.
The
northern winds picked up on the 2nd loop and it got choppy and
the currents did a nice job of whipping us around. It wasn’t nasty-narly, but definitely took more time to get through.
I then feel this sensation in my mouth. Remember the Jellyfish? Yep, the
little suckers somehow stung my tongue, which must have been while I took
in a little water. I guess it compares to a big canker sore, but it
wasn’t like road-rash or anything. I’ll survive and it gave me something
to play with on the bike!!! :P I came out
of the water in 1:06 and felt just fine with
that.
The
first big thrill was seeing my Mom and Dad along the swim exit. They’ve
never seen me compete in a Triathlon so it was very special seeing them.
I used that thought throughout the bike to keep a good smile. I then see
Shanny and stop to give her a good smooch. The crowds scream their
approval.
The
Bike (112 Miles):
T1
went pretty well and I think it took around 6:30 to get through, which is
about 5-mins faster than Florida in 2001. I’ll take that
time-savings any day!!! I get to my bike and see Shanny, Cindy, and Chuck
(her parents) standing right there. My bike was located right by the
fence and exit so they were able to get right there to cheer me on some
more. Pretty cool to keep seeing support. It helps so much!!!!
I
hit the road and for some reason I felt like I didn’t have that “look”.
My “look” is that cocky feeling I get in the saddle when I race. I
usually have the mindset of the hunter, but oh my GOD, I felt like the
hunted. My legs just kept saying “nope” so I just tried to be patient.
Then of course the rest of the body decided to follow suit. My lower-back
and trapz decided to join in on the pain game.
So I said, “OK, it’s mile-20, lets play the
patient game.” So I did and kept fueling the system, waiting for that
moment when my legs wake up and say, “whoa…hey…wake up…it’s time!!!!”
As
some of you know, Degree’s “Everyday Ironman” Steve Katai was competing.
Six months ago this guy won an opportunity to train with the best for this
race. To boot, Degree paid him 6-months salary and moved him out to San Diego to train with Paula Newby-Fraser.
She had to teach this guy how to clip his shoes in as one example so it
was a total building experience. He never did any of this triathlon stuff!!
Well, if I had a nickel for every time some biker or runner said, “Go
Steve” because we were both wearing our sponsor gear…well…ummm…I’d have quite a few nickels dang-it!!!! It was
funny. I had a guy on the run say, “Go Mark.” I say, “Steve!!?!” He goes,
“Yeah…I mean Go Steve.” I say, “Nope…I’m Drew.” Then we would have a good
laugh. Steve ended up breaking 13-hrs so all of his hard training, good
weather, and awesome coaching worked out. OK, back to the bike.
At mile-40
I “thought” that the time came to be “me” again. I caught a little wind
and passed a bunch that passed me a waze back,
but it was short lived and they all got me back. Most of the first
50-miles were into the wind (head and crosswinds). It wasn’t much fun,
but it was a good, challenging patience-game so I played the glass
half-full role.
At
mile-50 I nabbed my special needs bag, stopped, used my little grime
towel to clean my glasses then stretched the back. I got going and that
seemed to be the magic button. We caught a tail-wind that I was so much
waiting for and I got the “look” I was waiting for. The legs finally said
“GO!” I spent the next 30-miles averaging 21-25mph feeling like Steve
Larson (yeah, right!!!!). By the way, Steve broke the course record in 4:23. Do the math…he ain’t right!!!! I solved the trapz/shoulder
problem, but the lower back was giving me grief again so I pulled back.
It came and went, but the entire ride was probably the most painful ride
I’ve ever experienced. I guess it’s time for some Winter Yoga!!! I came
off the bike in 5:35 so I felt like I still had
a chance to break 11-hrs, but it was going to hurt. OK, that’s cool!!!
The
Run (26.2 miles):
I
hopped off the bike and once again saw the McKeown family cheering me on.
Another big smile came from my face. I got into T2 and a cool dude helped
me out and I instantly forgot I was on that saddle. I hit the port-o and
took my 3rd pee (yes…I was pee-ing…whooya…hmmm…Tarzan says kidney’s goooooood!!!!).
I see Beth in T2 and she’s cheering me on, “Go Drew Go Drew!!!” I just loved it!
Three
steps out of T2 and I knew I had a run in me. I see Chris Sweet’s fiancé,
Cara, and ask how he’s doing. That man is a bullet and potential
qualifier so if he’s safe off the bike I knew he was going to rock. Cara
gives me the OK so all is cool!!!! Chris ended up finishing in 9:49!!! Congrats Chris!
I
wanted to get to the turn-around in under an hour and continue to build a
cushion so I had time to play with the last 10K. I knew that would be
tough. I completely forgot about breaking 11-hrs and said, “You’re
breaking 4-hrs on this run…bee-otch!!!” I was
running a pace I felt I could sustain, which was around 8:15s. Each time I hit an aid
station I made darn sure that walking-business was done with the
water/Gatorade mix then later my nutrient savor, cola and chicken broth.
Once it was done I made sure I was out of there before the 9-min mark,
the mark I needed to get to each end in under an hour and build cushion.
When
I get to the 4-mile marker I see Mom, Dad, and my Brother volunteering. I
forgot they were even going to be there! It was SOOOOO cool seeing them!
Dad took a couple pictures and gives me a high-five. I give Mom a big
kiss and give my tri-geek brother a high-five. It was great to see Flip
out there after such a rough morning! Now it’s back to business with a
big smile. Not long after I’m surprised with another tri-bud, Sue Cook. Sue just decided to fly
down and cheer us on. She takes a few strides with me to see how I’m
doing and I told her felt better than ever. I already knew that no matter
how bad things get later that this has already been a perfect day. I just
couldn’t ask for a better support group out here today!
I
got to the turn-around in 55-mins so I built up a nice 5-min cushion so I
kept on pushing. I kept envisioning the finish line and kept preparing my
legs in the aid-stations for the last 10K. I wasn’t talking myself into a
hard last 10K, I just knew the facts. These legs only got a couple
13-milers in before the IT-band went bad so I was waiting for the
inevitable. I was now inhaling chicken broth and cola with the occasional
Gatorade chaser. I think it’s safe to say that I won’t be drinking orange
Gatorade until 2005. Enough of that stuff!
The
Mile-4 aid-station was now mile 9 coming back and I once again see my
family. They’re working the aid-station like crazy and then I could tell
they see me. Flip is lit and I can tell he’s seeing that I’m keeping
pace. I give Mom and Dad another greet then head down to the end of the
first loop.
I
get to the first half and see that I’ve built up a 7-min cushion to break
a 4-hr run. Once again, there’s the McKeowns. I hear Shanny scream, “He’s
running. He’s running!!” I say to her, “I’m taking you home.” I now could
almost smell the finish line even though I was still 2-hrs out, but I
wanted Shanny to cross with me. I just kept seeing that happen and the
miles just kept going. I continued the same pace, but then felt this
stinging sensation in my shoes around mile-15. The cool yellow Nike
triathlon shoes ARE awesome, however, the holes
that drain water out of them can also get stuff up into them. I ran on
some dirt and got a couple sand-spurs (prickly little cactus things) up
in the sole. So once I figured out that it wasn’t a bee or some other
critter, I took the opportunity to do a quicky
hammy stretch then get it going again. No biggy, but I think I lost about a minute or two of my
cushion. The early stretching probably saved me time later.
Mile-17
comes around and once again I see my family. They have now been working
that aid-station for nearly 6-hrs. I again get excited to see them and do
another high-five session and give Mom another kiss. I knew the next time
I’d see them would be the finish line so the adrenaline was pumping. I
get to the park where the turn-around is and see that I’ve now rebuilt my
cushion to 5-mins. That 10K-remaining (20-mile) mark came and went and
yet no major issues with the legs. The plan is working so I’m sticking
too it. More chicken broth, more cola, more seeing me and blondy crossing that line.
Mile-25
comes and I’m once again feeling finisher’s shock with only 3-mins
cushion to break 4-hrs. I take in my last tri-food for the season and
walk a little bit through the aid station. I look at the watch and it’s reading 3:51 for the marathon so I know
I’ve got to get it going NOW!!!! Breaking 11-hrs is locked, but I wanted
that sub-4-hour run. I step into full stride then start to hear the mass
crowds and the MC announcing finisher’s names. The finisher’s shoot is
now forming and I’m shouting for Shanny so she can cross with me.
Finally, I see her, but she can’t get over the fence. What-a-bummer, but
we both understand. The announcer screams my name I just start heading
towards that clock with an unbelievable pump in me. It’s reading 10:52 something and I knew I had
the 4-hr mark licked. I came across that line with a feeling that I have
NEVER felt before. A feeling that sprouted during the run. Not a feeling
that said “you can”, but more of a feeling of that said “YOU WILL!!!”
You WILL get to that line in time and enjoy every second of it no
matter what it takes!!
Once
again to top it off, the whole family, Shanny, her family, Cara, and Sue
are there to greet me after the race. I had this unbelievable feeling of
pure luck come over me. So lucky to be physically able to cross that line
when so many have to spend their life in a chair and never experience the
emotions I tapped into today. So lucky to be surrounded by such
incredible people near and far, when so many are surrounded by hate and
simply learn to hate. Maybe his sounds a bit over-dramatic to some, but I
don’t care. What I believe makes most of these Ironman crazies come back
for more is an attempt to achieve complete emotional satisfaction. I
experienced that today and I have all of you to thank.
THANK
YOU!!!!
Take
care everyone,
Drew.
Next
Race: Race? What’s that? J
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