Hawaii 2007: Prelude to Ironman Arizona

My last Ironman experience (Kona 2007) prior to Ironman Arizona left me questioning why I do these races. Prior to revealing my Arizona experience I thought a recap of Hawaii is needed. I never did write a race report after THAT race. Why? The experience was one of the most physically painful and mentally bruising races I have ever done. Having been to the Big Island one time before I knew the conditions would be tough. I was prepared for a hot, windy day and felt I was ready to endure what ever the day dished up. Little did a realize things would not go well.

The swim for me that day actually went well. I am not fast so staying calm and relaxed was the goal. Mission accomplished. The undoing of my day started with a slower than usual pace on the bike to get my stomach settled from all the seawater I drank. The nails in my coffin came in the form of the strong crosswinds on the climb to Hawi and my stubbornness. Usually I am strong in the wind but for what ever reason, that day the manner in which I chose to ride upto  Hawi aggravated my right hip. The extent of pain did not truly surface until the turn around. At that point, any time I tried to apply force to the right pedal it felt like I had a knife jabbing into my right hip socket. Now if I were smart, I would have stopped to stretch things out. But no, I stayed on my bike trying to suck it up and get it done. The pain did not subside and in my mind I went back and forth from being pissed off this was happening to crying (and I mean full blown sobbing) and having my “why me, why today” pity party all the way to T2.

Coming off the bike was humbling. I could not run as my right foot was rotated inward a good 30+ degrees…so hobbled thru transition to the medical tent. 21 minutes later and after much manipulation to my hip in the medical tent I was able to talk myself into attempting the run knowing this day was going to be way slower than what I had hoped. Making the decision to finish what I started was the best decision I made all day.

So 26.2 miles later after a run/walk, I finished ( video clip below). Since this was my second finish on the Big Island I knew what to expect coming back into town. This time the finish was was a bit more emotional. Having been out there longer than I intended, I was able to come to terms with my thoughts and soak in some truly awesome sights. For example, seeing both Rutger Beke and Desiree Ficker (both podium finishers the previous year) walking back to town to finish as I was making an effort to run out of town……… I found inspirational. Clearly they both had bad days but chose to stick it out and finish what they started as opposed to “quit”. Another memorable moment was running down Palani hill and turning to see Scott Rigsby (the first double leg amputee Ironman ) getting ready to run UP the hill knowing he had ~ 16 miles to go and he had only 4 hours to do it. HE did not quit. Seeing him made me appreciate the day even more.

The aftermath of Hawaii was coping with post race blues from a huge letdown after all the hard work I put in. On top of that I could not really train much because the hip was all knotted up for a few months post race. The decline in fitness and lack of motivation was a dark cloud that hung over me most of the 2008 season. As the year went on fitness improved but the fear hung with me to the start of  IM AZ. I prayed it would not turn into another day of pain. Fortunately my prayer were answered and it turned out well and I feel like the dark cloud has finally lifted. 

The real IM AZ recap is coming.

This is my 2007 kona finish.....the joy of finishing what you start!