I just returned from the Triple Ironman in Virginia.  

I've been wanting to do this race since 2006.  Due to injury in Dec. of 2006 I was unable to train in 2007 and couldn't enter the race.  Not only was I unable to race but unable to train at all from March - October.  Late October of 2007 I had a lumbar fusion back surgery and I was out of commission for the rest of the year.  2008 rolled around and I started walking.  I walked quite a bit for a month or two and then I was released to swim.  I started swimming quite a bit for a month or two and then I was released to bike.  I couldn't bike much because my back hurt to lean forward.  I did what I could and tried to stay pain free.  I also started running 1-2 days per week.  In April I committed to the Triple Ironman.  I was confident with the mental side of things because I like to suffer and I'm not afraid of long races.  What I was unsure of was whether or not I'd be able to train enough. 

Late May my school year ended and I headed to Vermont.  I hung out with Joe and Jason quite a bit and spent quite some time in the woods getting ready for the ultra, then the death race, then in mid June I was hired as the asst. swim coach at Middlebury and I knew we were in Vermont to stay.  We've been trying to relocate to Vermont for a few years now but had a hard time finding teaching jobs.  My close friend Joe lives in Pittsfield.  I checked the classifieds time and again for jobs in the metropolitan Pittsfield area but couldn't find anything.  Middlebury was calling and it was a great fit for our family.  Middlebury happens to be one of the most athletic towns I've ever been to.  There are so many fit and athletic people in town it's unreal.   I'll write a entire blog about Middlebury, Vermont and Middlebury College. 

Back to the triple.  I started training in July and trained pretty hard for all of July, August, and September.  I knew I was ready but the one thing that I wasa concerned about was sleep.  I have found my niche with nutrition and I've had nothing but good luck fueling myself for races up to 32 hours.  I hadn't gone past 32 hours in competition.  Once you hit 24 hours it's a entirely different feeling.  It's a great feeling but it's also a little scary.  I was excited to reach that point and also a bit nervous for going into the unknow. 

I left Middlebury Thursday en route to New York to pick up Mike's bike and his bag.  The entire drive I thought of the PEAK crew and I thought of Mike getting ready for his Ironman and Joe getting ready for the 508.  I wasn't really worried but it crossed my mind that I don't have time to train like those guys have.  Not that I wouldn't want to train like them, I would.  I simply don't have the time in my life to train like they do.  I never questioned myself about being prepared but I'd be lying if I said it didn't cross my mind.  These guys are super talented athletes.  They are not only physically tough but mentally as well.  I finally arrive in New York city and Kate greets me with Mike's stuff.  At first I thought maybe Kate was coming along as well.  he had packed so much I couldn't imagine all of that for one person.  He packed all of his belongings and I wasn't sure if I'd have room for Eric Skocaj who I was picking up in Baltimore.  Luckily we made it work.  Eric was ready to go at 2 p.m. and we were off to the venue which is the beautiful Lake Anna State Park.  I've toured this park a number of times since I have participated in the Virginia Double Ironman twice.  This year would be different.  This year I was attempting the triple ironman with 16 other athletes.  I arrived around 5 and set up our base camp.  We had a great camp and I had a great crew.  The camp and the crew were essential to me.  It's very important to have people who have pushed their bodies and minds and I choose two of the best.  Eric and Mike were absolutely great from the moment they arrived.  Eric and I set up and chatted with race staff, support crew, and athletes. 

We headed down to the lake at 630 to catch the pasta dinner, race meeting, and athlete introduction.  I was surrounded by some phenomenal athletes.  I enjoyed visiting with old friends and meeting new one's.  Eric and I sat with Rich Hume and his support crew (Julian), two great guys from England.  I enjoyed their company.  We hung out for an hour or so and then headed to bed.  Eric and I were out quickly.  I asked our neighbors (Michel and Francine - Canadians) to wake us if we weren't up. 

I had no problem going to sleep and no problem waking up.  I was up at 5 a.m. itching to go.  I had some coffee with Nick who is from England and with Michel from Canada.  Eric woke up and we got all of my cycling gear together and my swim gear and headed down to the water for breakfast and last minute instructions.  The race was to start at 7 and it was quickly approaching. 

I've gained some weight since my last back surgery and it was tough to squeeze myself into my wetsuit.  Eric got a kick out of it.  I didn't think it was that funny as a struggled for breath.  One guy from England wasn't wearing a wetsuit but everyone else was.  He had just finished swimming the English Channel a few weeks ago so the 73 degrees in Lake Anna wasn't going to affect him.  One neat thing about ultra tri's is you meet some neat people.  I spent time with a guy who has done the RAAM (bicycle race across america) 14 times, other guys who have done Badwater, Double Badwater, Arrowhead 135, Susitna, Triple Ironman races, Quintuple Ironman races, and even DECA Ironman races. 

We had a quick photo shoot and Steve told us we were a few minutes away from starting.  7 a.m. came and we were off.  The water temp was perfect.  My suit was a little tight but it was stretching out.  I've been telling Mike Halovatch for years that I hate wetsuits, they cramp my style.  I still feel that but in that temp for that amount of time can really drain you and I thought it would be smart to wear one. 

I was cruising right along at 120 pace for about the first mile.  Everything was great.  I was really enjoying a relaxing swim in Lake Anna.  Hoping to knock out the 7.2 miles in about 3 hours but instead of telling other people that I told my support crew to expect me at 315.  I felt fine and I wasn't pushing at all.  The first Ironman swim (2.4 miles) I came in at 58 minutes.  I felt great and picked it up the second Ironman swim and came in at 1:54 so my second 2.4 miles was 56 minutes.  I thought for a second I could come in at 2:50.  I had taken two breaks to drink water and take a gel and banana.  other than that I felt fine.  I had swam 4.8 miles and wasn't really tired.  The tough part is staying straight.  I chose not to look up too often and just swim.  I find it easier just to swim then to worry about holding my line.  That can be bad though.  I was zig zagging and swimming extra.  With a 7.2 mile swim I didn't need any extra.  I spent the last six laps of the swim focusing on DPS (distance per stroke) and just trying to knock out one at a time.  I love the sound of open water swimming and the feel of open water vs. pool.  All was great and then the waves started to come in.  The lake had been flat for the first two hours and now I was noticing a little chop.  The little chop grew and before I was done it felt like I wasa swimming in a ocean.  Each loop got harder and harder and the waves were bigger each time.  This really throws off the efficienty in my stroke but I knew I was almost done.  At mile 6 or 6.5 I started cramping in my calves so I stopped kicking and just dragged my cramped up legs.  Then I became nauseous.  The waves were taking their toll and I was getting motion sickness.  I was very frustrated but knew that I could get to the end.  I checked my watch for after my 16th lap and figured out that I was swimming about a one hour pace for the last 2.4.  I plugged away the last 1/2 mile and finished in 2:56.  The swim record was 3 hours and I was happy to beat that but I had a long way to go.  Swimming is less than 10% of the race and to me it's just a formality.  I was happy to stand up and quickly greeted by Eric, my support crew who was a former swimmer of mine at Pekin.  He is also a avid trail runner.  I got him into ultramarathons a few years ago and he's done some impressive runs.  He's a pretty stubborn guy and has pushed through pain a number of times.  I knew he would be a great support crew and he was.  We headed to the bathroom greeting other support crews along the way.  I sat down to rest and settle my stomach.  I was very hungry but still sick from the waves.  Eric gave me some coffee, bananas, muffins, gels, etc.  I ate as much as I could as I changed my clothes.  14 minutes later I was on the bike course. 

I was the first one on the bike course and the cones hadn't been set up yet, the timing mats hadn't been laid out yet, etc.  I knew where to go because I had been there before.  I wound up knocking out twelve miles before the next competitor hit the course.  Happened to be my friend Richard Hume from England.  We greeted each other.  Slowly but surely all the athletes were on the course.  Took quite some time.  I hit mile 80 before the last swimmer was out of the water. 

The first 100 miles went by quickly.  I was holding a strong pace and felt good.  I was eating well and drinking tons of fluids.  My goal was to knock out as many miles as I could before my second support crew person showed up.  Eric was doing a great job and would ride with me periodically so we could go over nutrition strategy.  My friend Mike was coming down from New York City and was due to arrive at 830p.m.  He was going to help get me through the night.  Mike is a great triathlete and also a great friend.  He has crewed for me before and does a phenomenal job.  He always knows when to push me and when to keep it slow and steady, when to eat, when to rest, etc. 

Mike arrived and we quickly knocked out 50 or 60 miles.  I was getting tired and decided to pull the plug and get some sleep.  I slept from approx. 3:15 p.m - 5 a.m. and then I was back on the bike.  The nap was huge for me and I had a sudden burst of energy.  The last 100 miles of the bike leg was my strongest.  I was so excited to be off the bike and ready to run/shuffle.  I had a long transition.  I wanted to take a break and make sure I had everything I needed for the run.  The first few miles I simply walked and then moved to a light jog.  This didn't last.  After 10 miles I was smoked and decided to walk some.  I wound up walking the next ten miles and then I was able to jog some.  the job/walk strategy went well until early sunday morning.  I was so tired I was falling off my feet.  I decided to take another rest and wound up sleeping for 1 1/2 hours or 2 hours.  Once I woke I got out there and started cranking again.  Mike suggested I wear his ipod just for a change of pace.  I was amazed.  I felt so strong and the music helped me get through some fast miles.  I rarely listen to music when i train but this was great.  I was hoping the third morning light would give me a boost and it did. 

Day three was here and I was closing in on the finish line.  I knew I had done it and I was happy but I still had to knock out the last fifteen miles.  My feet were banged up.  I had blisters on the bottom of my feet and I still do three days post race. 

I finally crossed the line at 51 hours and 53 minutes good for third place overall. 

I had a great time.  I felt great the entire way.  I've had some races where I had ups and downs and races that got pretty ugly.  This race never got ugly.  I had a incredible support crew which helped.  Eric and Mike went above and beyond.  Other racers, race staff, other support crews all mentioned how lucky I was to have these two guys.  They were great.  I can't thank you guys enough.  My nutrition was perfect, my sleeps and rests were perfect, everything went well. No lows during this race.  Had a great time.  I'm not sure if I'll be back.  My feet are banged up and my ankles are rather swollen. 

Thanks to Steve and Cindy Kirby and their race staff and to the other athletes and their support crews.  We're all in it together and it was great meeting so many cool and talented athletes.

Lastly, I would like to thank my wife Sloan and my girls Grace and Jade.  They supported me in this quest.  The race has been on my mind for two years.  I had back surgery which set me back a full year in training.  I was injured for six months prior to the surgery and then six months before I could bike or run.  I only had six months to get ready for this race and only three of those months were quality because my back hadn't completely fused.  I wasn't even close to ready phsycially but beyond ready mentally and that's what it's all about.  This race was a huge mental test.