Ironman Lake Placid. 140.6
July 22, 2007
Number: 1120
Finishing Time: 13 hours 57 seconds
Splits: Swim: 1:22:48
T1: 10:47
Bike: 6:23:36
T2: 7:13
Run: 4:56:33
Summary:
As my first race, I believe I had the full Ironman experience. The swim start was how I imagined, like salmon swimming up stream. I had my goggle knocked off. I was kicked, swam over and whacked. It was survival as much as it was swimming. The first loop of the bike was serene and combined thrilling downhills where speeds topped 40 miles per hour and challenging, grinding climbs. Gusting winds were introduced to the second loop which put twist into my plans. After battling the winds my legs felt like they were not mine. I entered my comfort zone, the run, in an uncomfortable situation. It took 12 miles to shake uncontrollable cramps which returned at mile 23. I finished strong with my kids at my side and after one special day, my long 7 month journey had ended, just like that. Like many goals in life I realized that the journey was more important than the end. In the process I made some great new friends, Andy, Benoit, and Bruce. The Ironman club is a bonding experience between friends like no other. I also learned a lot about myself and the type of person I want to be. It is hard to explain, but completing a race like this is an inspiration to want to become a better person. During the race, I often thanked God for blessing me with the ability to complete a race like this, but most importantly for the family he gave me. I was also reminded how fragile life really is and how you need to enjoy every moment for what it is. I watched racers go from being fine one minute to being carted off the course the next. I was also reminded that life never goes as planned, so make the most it, thank God, and keep going. Welcome unexpected obstacles as they keep life exciting. Live life to the fullest. Its not the years in the life, but the life in the years that matter.
Pre-Race:
After a 3 days of carbo loading I ate light the day before. I ate a black bean burrito for lunch, several apples during the day and 2 small slices of Pizza for dinner. I went to bed around 10 pm and surprisingly slept like a log straight through to 5am. I met up with my team at 5:15 with wet suit, goggles and nutrition in hand and we headed down to the race. About 5:30 we got our markings. The temperature was cool, about 47 and I could feel the nip in the air as a shed clothing to get marked with 1120, my number. We also added "BTN" to our right legs which stood for "Beat the Nun". This was our teams version of "just finish". The running joke during training was to be the Nun's time last year which was just under the midnight cut off. After markings we walked over, checked our transition bags and headed to the bike. I loaded my bike with 2 bottles of Perpeteum (one for each loop) and my electrolyte tablets. I filled my tires with air and headed to the tent to get the wet suit on. It was at this point where the butterfly's started to emerge. What was I doing? No turning back now. I warmed up once I got the wet suit on and we headed to the water. The crowd was beginning to build and the cheers and chatter started as we walked through the same path that we would travel after the 2.4 mile swim was complete.
Swim:
I crossed the electronic tracking system at about 6:40 am. I heard my timing chip register and Andy, Benoit and I scanned for a good spot to start the swim. We ended up heading to the far right middle of the start area. The strategy was to stay out of the mix as I'm not a strong swimmer. In fact I could hardly swim 50 yards when I started training. The steam coming off Lake Mirror was beautiful. In the distance I could barley make out the bright orange buoys marking the turn around on the course. I was surprisingly calm and excited. A dozen or so kayaks lined the course manned with volunteers. About 6:50 the music started cranking and the start area began to fill with 2,300 swimmers. A Canadian women next to me suggested that I put my goggle strap under my cap, which I did. This little hint would later be critical. They cranked Ironmaiden's classic, Ironman song at 6:58 and at 7 am sharp they shot off the start gun. With all the people it took me a few minutes to get to the start line. The next 45 minutes would prove to be the most stressful 45 minutes of the race. As I tried to swim and put to work the countless hours of pool training I quickly realized that surviving was as important as swimming. The path was so crowed that there was barely enough room to get a stroke in. Every stroke was complemented with banging, kicking and whacking by fellow swimmers. I coached myself into staying calm. My fellow triathletes where not doing this on purpose. We were all fighting like salmon swimming up stream to make progress. Although my strategy was to try and stay out of the thick of things, I somehow got sucked right in the mix. An underwater wire connected the buoys which was a good marker to follow, but also one that everyone wanted to follow. I didn't want to be there, but I soon saw the wire and knew I was going to experience the full swim start. About a quarter way in I was kicked in the face, and my goggles were knocked off. Good thing the straps were under my cap or they might have been lost. I treaded water for a second, trying to get them on and I was run over. I quickly got them on and continued. I finished the first lap right on time at 39 minutes got out of the water, ran on to the beach to the start of the second loop. The second loop opened up. I managed to stay out of the mix, but also did a poor job staying on course. I found my self zig zagging a bit and finished the second loop a bit slower, but I finished. Volunteers stood by to help get the wet suit off. I found one, hit the ground and my wet suit was quickly off. They handed it to me and I ran to the transition area. I was a bit disoriented after being in the water so long and my heart was pounding. At Lake Placed, the run to the bike was quite a ways, but the crowed jeered as I ran to the tent. I dried off, got my bike gear on and headed out. My heart rate was high for me, near 135, but I knew it would come down over time. I enjoyed the experience, but was glad that was over.
Bike:
I did enjoy the first 56 mile loop of the bike. About 5 miles in, the thrill of the swim is gone and my heart rate steadily declined back into the 120s and eventually 115. The scenery was beautiful Waterfalls, rapids, mountains, hawks and trees. Heading out of town there are some serious downhills heading out to Keen. After some up hills, there is a long 9 mile down hill about 11 miles into the race. I hit 41 miles per hour and was cautious on the turns. Several aggressive bikers next to me easily hit 50 miles per hour. I would see them again later in the race. The race flattens out by Jay and the climb starts and Wilmington all the way into Lake Placid. Andy passed me at Hazelton Drive, but he is never far ahead. Shortly thereafter I see Benoit while climbing a hill at about 8 miles per hour. During my conversation I bumped into another rider passing me on the left, I leaned on him and fell, skinning my elbow. Nothing big, we quickly get up and keep going. Before I know it I'm in town where I see my family, cheering me on with awesome signs. That brief visit give me a burst of excitement and I'm ready for loop 2. I have an under 6 hour bike on my mind as I finished the first under 3 hours. As soon as I leave town again I noticed a serious pick up in the wind. This was going to change things. The wind took its toll on me and by mile 80 I was thinking about the run. My legs are getting trashed. I kept drinking water and popping salt. But did I drink enough? I only peed once. I'm worried a bit. I backed off the pace which was already compromised by the wind hoping to leave some gas in the tank. After the 100 mile marker a biker I have been playing cat and mouse race says, "its not the first 100 that will kill ya, its the last 12". She was so right. I cruised into the transition 30 minutes slower on the second loop, but I was done.
Run:
After 10 marathons under my belt I though I was finally in my confront zone. I didn't realize how trashed my legs were until I dismounted the bike. Hobbling to the transition area I'm thinking, how am I going to run? I quickly change, my socks, shoes, visor and in 7 minutes I'm off. Cramps quickly consumed every step. I'm thinking, how long will they last. Usually I can get going after the bike in about a mile. About mile 4 I catch Andy. His stomach is killing him and he is pretty wiped out. Between his stomach and my cramps were were a great combo for another 8 miles. We would run and walk every quarter mile or so. My entire legs would cramp to the point where I couldn't bend my knee. I would apply pressure points at the top of my hamstring and they would briefly go away. After lots of water and salt, by mile 12 they are going and I said goodbye to Andy and kept going. I was able to whip off another 10 miles until the cramping plagued me again. After 22 miles and the end of sight I wanted to make sure the cramps weren't the end of me. By this point I've seen plenty of ambulances and know that there was a fine line between moving ahead and ending up being carted off the race. I was going to finish no matter what at this point. I managed to make it aid station to aid station and enjoyed some pretzels and Gatoraide. At mile 23 the density of the crowd picks up. My name was on my number so the cheering was encouraging. At this point a fan says to me, you will be an Ironman before you know it. My emotions were swelling as I enter the final mile of the race. I saw Juli and the kids at mile 24 and they said they would see me at the finish. As I enter the final stretch, I could see the finish line and hear the voice of Ironman announcing the finishers. The final bend before heading the finish Grey hops out to finish with me. Being a bit disoriented I didn't realize that he was cleared to do this. A few hundred yards later, Kendall and Ben hop out. As I approached the finish I hear, "here comes Rob Schultz from Champaign, home of the fighting Illini". As I crossed he announced my finish at 13:00:57 and I was done. I hugged the kids, received my blanket and metal and immediately looked for Juli. Overcome with emotions, I realized that it was over. 7 months of training and 35 lost pounds had come down to this accomplishment.
I was proud that I had completed what some consider to be the ultimate ultra endurance event, but like at the end of many goals in life you realize that the journey was more important than the end. In the process I made some great new friends, Andy, Benoit, and Bruce. The Ironman club is a bonding experience between friends like no other. During the race I was also reminded how fragile life really is and how you need to enjoy every moment for what it is. I watch racers go from being fine to being carted off the course in the matter of minutes. I was also reminded that life never goes as planned, so make the most it and keep going. Its not the years in the life, but the life in the years that matter. I'm already looking forward to the next race, but I struggle with how I can use my desire to triathlon as a platform to help others and better society. I will keep thinking about that.
