Montreal Ironman September 12, 2009-09-15  3.8 km swim 180 km bike 42.2 km run Am I ready? Not sure, but who knows before his first Ironman? I will find out later today.  The start of the swim is the most relaxed start I’ve ever experienced in a triathlon. First of all it is not very crowded. But mainly nobody is in a rush to gain a few seconds in the start. After all, we all have about 10 hours or more ahead of us.

Very soon I get into a nice pace in the swim. The rope at the bottom of the basin makes it easy to keep a straight line. Fist lap of the swim is done in less than 35 minutes, and I am not killing myself. Hey, I’m doing really well, and I enjoy this so far. 

I complete the swim in just over 1h10 minutes and get to my first transition to the bike. I take a bit of time, mainly to get the socks on, on wet feet. Not the easiest task. That is a challenge. Now I have 180 km of biking.

I’m starting out carefully. Laps are counting and I do pretty well. I make a conscious effort to drink plenty. But I also need to eat as much as I can. I squeeze down a few power bars, plus my homemade “mashed potatoes puree” in a zip plastic bag. That way I can just bite off the corner and squeeze it out while I’m still biking without stopping. There is certainly no time to stop. 

I only make one stop to do what I have to do when I drink a lot. I’ve heard that some people don’t even stop for that, but I figured I can take that time today. 

Temperature is climbing as the day goes by, but you don’t feel it as much on the bike. With only a few laps left of the 41, I am starting to get really excited. After all, all I have to do is run a marathon, and that is what I’m really good at.

Completing the bike in 5h15 min, 15 minutes faster than what I had targeted, I make a quick transition to the run.

And I’m off to a good start. A bit stiff, but I’m moving pretty well. First 10 km is nor much of a problem. But then reality hit home base. I really struggle to complete the next 5 km. I have 9 laps in all to complete around the basin, and by this time most other distances have finished, and it is only the Ironman participants out there. But the sun is blazing, and I would pay a fortune to chill off in the water as many other finishers are doing at this time. But I still have 20 km of running to do. Actually, at this point there is not much running going on. 

It is a fight, it’s a struggle. It’s a mind game. Do I quit and admit I just could not complete. WIMP! Can’t do that. After all, what did you expect? You know a marathon is tough, so what did you expect from the Ironman? I have this discussion with myself all the time. I set goals to make it to the next waterstation without stopping. I fail pretty much every time. But I do not care too much. At least I’m still in the game. 

The 3 water stops on the 4.5 km loop would sound like an overkill to any marathon. But today I’ll take as much water I can. One cup on my head, and one cup to drink. It is with great effort I answer the volunteers question with “d’leau”, but there is certainly no energy to say “please”. I am not a pretty sight at this time. 

As soon as I stop I have problem to focus my vision. At this time I only run for a few minutes between breaks. I consider quitting, but I do not want to have to endure this again to be an Ironman. I might as well keep going until I finish or pass out. I really wish I would pass out. At least it would be a great excuse for not finishing, and I would get a ride back to the finish line. But I’m still standing, so I must continue.

When I complete the 8th lap I know quitting is not an option. Doesn’t matter what time I’ll do on my last lap, but I will finish. 

Crossing the finish line in slow motion and I’m completely exhausted. This is like nothing else I’ve ever done before. 

I do not refuse the offer from the EMT to go to the hospital tent for “treatment and care’. I get blankets, water and IV. After a while I fall a sleep for quick nap as well. 

Will I do this again? Hmm…..time will tell. It is not the event that is the most difficult part, but all the training and hours you have to do prior to the race.