Ironman Florida 2004

by Donald Corry

We started at 7:00 am on a clear day by jumping into the Gulf of Mexico. The water was calm, the athletes were not. I think it is fair to say I was not fully prepared for the mass start of 2,000 athletes trying to out do each other (imagine a school of fish with flailing arms and legs). The first mile of the swim was very combative, and I ended up swallowing more of the ocean than I cared for...more on that later. I felt very good during the swim and could have gone faster, but there was really no where to go. I exited the water in 1:18...slower than I wanted, but I felt really good.

The transition time didn't seem like it, but it took me 12 minutes to get from the water, out of my wetsuit, up to the transition area, dressed for the bike, and out the other end of the hotel parking lot...still, not too bad.

As I started the bike it seemed like a pack of bees buzzing around the road way. There was a lot of noise with the crowds, volunteers, and athletes making their way onto the 112 mile trek. The weather was great!! It seemed like we had a bit of a crosswind no matter what direction we turned. My body was feeling good at this point, actually I was a little over hydrated and had to stop 5 times in the first 60 miles to....well you know. After about mile 65 the tides changed......I did begin to feel thirsty, but some other things were starting to happen. I shook them off and hit the final 7 mile stretch straight downwind. It was fast, fun, and dangerous as all the athletes were pushing to get off the bike. During the final stretch speeds in excess of 25 -30 mph were sustainable the whole way... I got off the bike in 6 hours and 2 minutes. Missed my mark again, this time by 12 minutes. I was still for the most part still feeling really good. It was about 2:35 pm in the afternoon and time for a quick run around the beach.

The crowds were awesome, and I was pumped. I really felt good about making up some time on the run as this was my strongest of three events (which I am not really strong in any of). The first mile ticked by in 8:30 seconds or roughly 3:45 pace for a marathon. I purposefully slowed myself down and hit the next mile about a minute slower...After mile 3 the wheels starting coming off. Something didn't feel right. I could not keep any food down and had a couple of spells of vomiting. What I began to realize was that I had not gotten over the effects of all the saltwater I had swallowed. I began to shuffle then went to a race walk / jog strategy until I could get myself under control...that took a while. The course was 2 laps of a 13.1 mile loop. That means they bring you within 100 yds of the finish line after 13.1 miles, then turn you around and back out for another 13.1 miles...a nasty little joke! However, I finally was able to keep some cookies down and got my calorie count back up. The sun was starting to go down and the temperature with it. That was good. It took me until about mile 21 to get back to a calorie proficient state. I started to get my stride back and could sense the end was near.

The finishing chute was unbelievable. A mile of on lookers, families, volunteers, and some that just thought we were idiots (I really can't say I blame them). They announced me across the line and it was over...12 hours and 38 minutes after it began.

The muscles are a bit sore, but well worth it. I want to thank each of you for your contribution to The Toys for Tots program.

First of all, thanks to everyone that helped in the drive this year for Toys for Tots.

After receiving the pledges I took Mrs.. Claus (Kelsey) and the two elves (Reese and Rynn) and we went shopping for the kids. The grand total included (but was not limited to:

8 bicycles
footballs
bicycles
helmets
skateboards
soccer balls
Care Bears
pool rafts
starter golf club sets
play trucks
train sets
dolls
books
games and much, much more...

In fact, as you can see I had to request a bigger vehicle than what they intended to send for the pick up.

The series of events over the last several months has been phenomenal. From preparing to race in an Ironman to the post race travel home, the experience has been great. (I actually got to meet and talk to some of the icons of the sport. Paula Newby-Fraser with an unprecedented 8 World Ironman Championships, Paul Huddle and Roch Frey of Multisports.com and each a world class athlete, were all on the same plane home after the race.) After Paula signed my official results booklet, all three of them spoke with me and were very nice.

I greatly appreciate everyone's generosity and motivation through the fundraising drive and wish each of you a Happy Holiday Season.

A special thanks to Kelsey, Reese, and Rynn as they put up with me over the long hours of training, empty Gatorade bottles everywhere, and early nights with me in bed.

Thanks again to everyone,

Ironman Wisconsin 2005

SWIM...
The swim was the most combative IM I have ever been in. I think I like the shore start versus the treading water start. It allows for a greater dispersion of people. At least at IMFL last year, the second lap of the swim was fairly spread out. Not so this year. I am embarrassed to admit it, but I was actually "fired up" on the second lap at one or two other athletes who seemed to roll right over top of me...I took a deep breath and let it go. I wanted to do the swim in 1:12 - 1:15 minutes. I purposefully took it easy because they warned us about the heat, and I saw that weather.com was predicting higher than normal winds. So...1:22 I was OK with it. I actually felt like I swam faster than FL last year (1:12) but, again I was OK with it.

T1...
A very interesting transition situation. You come out of the water and run about 100 meters to a parking deck after having your wetsuit ripped off. Then it is up a "helix" for 4 floors, then into the grand ballroom for your transition bag. After changing it is out to the top of the parking deck for the bike, mount the bike, and down the other "helix" for four stories...(dizzy)

BIKE...
I was feeling good as we started the bike. The first 14 miles were into the wind which set the stage for the day.

The first town you roll into after 14 miles is Verona. We stayed into the headwind for the first half of the loop (2 separate 42 miles with 14 miles in and out to each the loop). As we got about halfway around the loop you get a crosswind, and start hitting the hills. Towards the end of the loop comes the BIG ONES. HILLS THAT IS.

Now, the cool thing is that people show up in force, and it was similar to ESPN Highlights of the Tour de France. Guys dressed up as Devils with pitchforks, drums, people running beside you, flags...the whole bit. The people were absolutely awesome! And mind you, there were two hills on the course where the crowds were like this. As you finish the first loop ( you come into Verona again with another group of huge crowds... Announcing names, cheering, everything!!!)

So, it was off to the second loop. Very discouraging to see the turn off back to Madison..I had to go the other way. For me, this is when the heat and the winds really kicked in. As we turned into the wind for the second loop, I started to see people just pulling off the road into the shade and "resigning". Second verse, same as the first with much more heat and MUCH more wind. People littered the course with IV bags and medics.

The course was technical in the respect that the downhills have some rough patches and loose gravel...could be scary at some points. I saw no road rash (crashes), but later on the run spoke with a guy who said he saw 3 really bad wipeouts. I did see a lot of ambulances on the bike rolling though...mostly heat related.

After the second loop, we turned back to Madison and had a tail wind...THANK YOU!!! 15 Miles of basically spinning to try and get my legs ready for the run. I stayed over 21 mph on the last 14 miles and still finished the bike in 6:45. I was a little discouraged at my time, but will say that is the best IM bike I have ever ridden (not by time, but by effort).

To finish the bike, a sick little joke, you have to climb the "helix" four stories up to the top of the parking deck...

T2: (Top of the parking deck...you run straight out...no surprises.)

RUN:
First of all, it was HOT!
The run is, well a marathon with little surprises. Mile 5 and 18 are the tough ones at the incline is really tough on each of the 2 loops. The cool part is that the run stays in a very populated area for 90% of the run, so lots of support. On mile 3 and 16, you get to run through the University of Wisconsin's Stadium. Really cool, plus it is on turf...nice for the feet. At least for about 200 yards.

At the turn around (mile 6 and 13) you are running right back through the city. Lots of people sitting on the side of the road cheering you on. Really enjoyable!

All in all, I loved the race. The conditions were tough, but the course was fun. Most of all, the people were awesome. I cannot give them enough kudos! With the tough conditions on the bike, I have to say it was the most inspiring from the spectators...they really made a difference.

Total race time = 13:58... (One hour and 20 minutes slower than Ironman Florida last year, and I raced must stronger this year. Or, at least I felt that way)

The DNF (Did Not Finish) rate was 20% yesterday. 1 in 5 people did not finish. I have to say there were times I...NO, I DIDN'T!