IM CDA June 26, 2005
Jonathan Berens
 
Iron CDA Report: June 26, 2005

The day started out clear, bright, cool and would warm up to maybe in the low 80’s. The lake was calm, with beautiful trees and hills all around this pristine setting. Great place to race.

I warmed up a bit with a bit of light running followed by some stretching. Chatted with fellow triathetes. I was nervous because I had race 3 half Ims previously to this race and was wondering how this IM would turn out for me. Ok enough of this banter…under way..

Canon went off and everyone dashed from the beach and hit the water. Mass chaos, slug fest ensued. I swam into a raft of people. This continued for much of the first 1.2 loop. During this phase a large guy decided to swim on top of me and since he wouldn’t get off I had to yank him off my back to keep from completely sinking me. A while later still fighting with other swimmer, high elbows, and slaps and hits and finally made it to the beach, Ran around the marker crossed the matt and hit the water for lap two. Watched a woman standing in the water looking back as a group of us made that mad dash to the water for loop two. Loop two and things finally strung out enough to get some breathing room and opened up the pace. However over the last 1⁄4 mile or so had to fend off two swimmer who for some reason kept swimming on either side of me giving me no room. So more elbow and finally pulled away to get some room to the finish. Came out of the water, got my wet suit stripped off and was through T1 in a great time for me. Headed of on the bike and began the bike journey. Well ok nice bike ride through some beautiful scenery.

Once on the bike wasn’t feeling all that great at all. Back ached, shoulders hurt, legs felt dead. At 35 miles I wanted to really quit. The first loop was like this and my climbing was way off. Just didn’t seem to have much going on for 65 miles. Struggled through the three big climbs and struggled to maintain pace on the flats into the wind. This course had lots of twisty dowhills and sharp turns and was technically difficult as well as hilly to some extent.

Ok, so finally got the special needs bag and more nutrition, electrolytes and took off for the second loop. Felt much better and was finally climbing at good speed passing riders the entire second loop. Can’t figure this one at all. But still had low back muscle pains, spasms going on. Watched some of the blind athletes riding on their tandems with their guides winding their way through the first bike loop. Amazing athletes, amazing people with huge hearts. Was privileged to meet all 5 of these athletes and share their stories.

Ok so now it’s the second loop on the bike and finally my legs are coming back. Cadence went up and I was finally flying up the climbs passing others the entire second loop. Felt much better and finally noticed it got hotter and the scenery was beautiful. Now my mantra was pace pace pace and get to T2 soon. Lower back was still bothering me a lot and required a lot of stretching on the bike. But the miles were clicking by now.

Ok finally got into T2..came up to the line got off my bike and handed it off smoothly and ran by grabbed my bike to run bag, ran into the tent and changed. My T2 pace felt almost slow but was plenty fast this time. Surprise surprise.

Ok, out on the run and my legs felt good, pace felt good and was looking for the first aid station to cool down a bit, get more fluids. Kept up a good pace passing people on the run as we went out of town along the lake up the hill to the quick turn around and headed back into town. Kept my pace going felt pretty good and was thinking negative split this one. Picked up my special needs bag, grabbed my nutrition/electrolyte mixture and drank some, then tossed it and ran on. Began to feel queasy at 14 miles and by mile 15 began to find lots of nice bushes and flowers to throw up on .

After stomach emptied then dry heaves and severe cramps followed for the next 5 miles. All I could do at this point was walk, chew ice, drink coke with fizz..and wait and hope this would all go away. I could not get anything to stay down and was rapidly dehydrating and getting wobbly as I walked/shuffled my way toward 20 miles. Was feeling disappointed, and desperate and trying to think of ways to solve this problem. Finally got a good combo of ice, and coke mixed with a little water and finally around mile 19 let out a huge belch which felt so good and smiled as my stomach felt like it opened up and was finally processing fluids and energy getting in. At mile 20 took off on the run and quickly picked up my pace to around 7 minutes/mile and hammered all the way to the finish.

As I ran on passing people I noticed I was feeling much better because I started noticing attractive women along the way, noticed other runners again and was finally feeling like I was really running. I told myself, remember this race, savor the moment. I then reminded myself to not despair, don’t feel disappointed but celebrate this finish..Enjoy the moments. Enjoy this race because you can. So over the final two miles or so was high fiving kids, adults and it felt great.

This was my celebration as I smiled and got to that final yards with the crowds cheering and the announcer yelling your name and says YOU’RE AN IRONMAN!!! My time that day was 11:41. and a celebration of life and spirit that day.

Thanks for reading!!