Oceanside, California
Dedicated to my brother Mark, whose diagnosis started me on this journey. Cum Domine Deo Sempre Frateri Amici Aeterni.
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So after over 4,500 training miles and more than a year of training almost every day I was ready!
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Swim: It was very exciting. I had a good swim. It was cool to know that I was swimming right by my family at the hotel. It got a little choppy as we neared the ocean, but nothing bad. I felt very relaxed during the swim. I swam hard, but nothing too strenuous.
Bike: The bike course was my greatest unknown and I was cautious trough out the course. This course sure has a lot of variety. I did well staying hydrated and fueled. There are a lot of phenomenal cyclists that do this event. Getting passed by hundreds of people impressed that upon me. 29 miles into the course all was going well and then I saw the first hill. It looked like a more of a mountain this Arizona flat land rider than a hill. It was pretty ominous looking ev en from a distance. To make matters worse I could not get my front derailleur to work, so I had to take that bad boy in the big ring. I said a prayer before I started the hill and several during the climb. I was pulling on my hoods so hard that I felt my triceps starting to cramp. My legs almost gave out towards the top and I was so afraid they were going to cramp or just plain fail and I would fall over sideways stuck in my bike shoes. There were some significant hills throughout the next 13 miles, but nothing like that first one. My bike and I made it and it was wonderful to see the family cheering as I entered harbor drive. They said I was smiling ear to ear when I saw them and I probably was. The bike course was the great unknown of this race and I had made it through. I ran out of hydration in the last 10 miles, but other than that it was a good ride considering the inability to use my lower gears. Seeing the family there cheering me on was the icing on the cake to finishing that ride. My smile faded as I headed towards transition and though about running a half marathon on the legs I had just spent on those hills. I marked the time and noticed that I was on track for my goal of finishing in less than 6 hours.
Run: I felt good starting the run. In fact I was ahead of schedule for the first couple miles. The run course is great lined with hundreds of cheering people. I stayed on pace until about mile 4 and then I began to fade. Try as I might I could not maintain my target pace. I couldn’t get down the Infinite solution anymore after the first fuel belt bottle. The water in the aid stations was cold and seemed to be what my body wanted. I have never experienced the sponges before. I became an instant fan. I looked forward to each aid station with Ice cold water and sponges. I started drinking two cups instead of my usual one. I started grabbing two, three, and sometimes four sponges. I have never needed aid stations before. I needed them in this race. I dumped out the rest of my race belt bottles when my stomach started to feel weird. I became afraid that I was going to have a GI emergency. I talked to a lady who was having one and desperately seeking a port a potty. I kept eating the gels every 3 miles though because I needed the energy. I grabbed three pretzels at an aid station thinking I could settle my stomach. I ate one and then spit the second out as I thought about it. In my readings, they always say not to vary from your normal nutritional plan. I had no idea what effect these pretzels might have on me, so that is why I spit the second out and tossed the third. I was instantly reassured my decision not to eat the pretzels was good one as I passed a guy who was throwing up. Continuing to run became my single focus. Just keep running. I did not train for a year and come here to walk. I may not have been running at my normal pace, but I was still running. As I neared the finish, I focused on form. Going down the chute I saw Lori hanging over the fencing to give me a high five. I high-fived her and Christian. It is a shame that the pain prevents you from enjoying those last moments a little more. I crossed the finish line and found a new depth of personal achievement. I went into the food tent and sat down. I was afraid to eat anything. I had also found a new definition of physical exhaustion. If I had been able to maintain my normal half marathon pace I would have finished in less than 6 hours.
Great location, great weather, great host hotel, great time, great race, great support, and a great experience that lived up to the hype and I will always remember.
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