Drive 4 Five

A month just passed since I took my traditional "Flight to the Finish" and drank my traditional post race Bloody Mary with Team Marty after Ironman Boulder 2015,

OK, let's get our Bloody Mary!

I had ice on my knee and shared stories and laughs with the gang of the days ocurances.  I ordered a monster dish of Udon Noodles in a Spicy Peanut Sauce. It seemed like a good idea at the time.  Jess and I shared an order of Crispy Brussel Sprouts to start and after that, I was finished.  It was delicious but I was crashing.  I practiced post race hydration with water, vodka and tomato juice and a bunch of veggies on a stir stick and now I needed a bed.  I asked for a to go container as I knew those noodles would be devoured soon enough.  I said my goodbyes and thanks to the gang for spending this last part of the journey with me.  We went back to Chris & Erin's to lay our heads for the night.  After a few hours of rest it was off to meet up with my Cousin Loren and Karen down in Denver for Brunch and a send off before they caught a plane back to New York.  As great as it was to see them at the race it was equally better to relive the experience with everyone at Brunch.  Sharing stories of the day from Team Marty's perspective, hearing about Loren holding up a "We Love You" sign during the race and that racers were blowing him kisses and such as they passed by.  Team Marty truly had a sense of their contribution not only to me but to the hundreds of racers whose lives they touched and the impact they made along the course.  We were peeing in our pants and my face hurt from smiling and laughing so much with the various tales of the day.  What a great way to decompress after the race.  Back to the house to have a post Brunch snack and finish off those Noodles.  My appetite was in full gear.  Later in the day we took Dad to the airport for his midnight red eye flight back to New York and we held onto Mom for a few more precious enjoyable days.

Once Mom left it was time to get back to work. First order of business was to look into taking care of this leg.  I set up an appointment to have Jeff Hoobler look at it.  Jeff, amongst other things, is a M.A.T Therapist (Muscle Activation Technique) I knew my muscles weren't firing in my right leg and Coach Eric highly recommended that I see him.  That meeting wasn't going to occur for another week so it the meantime....

I got out on my bike.....

Supporting my new Boulder IM Jersey.

Hit the pool....

Non impact movement

and sat in the boots.

One of my favorite places to nap

Tuesday came and Jeff and I met.  It is here where we discussed my hamstring not firing.  Without getting too much into it and showing off what my billion Dollar College Degree in Sports Medicine paid for let's just say that the repeated trauma, multiple tears over the years, to the same area of my Hamstring muscle caused my body to want to protect itself so the Central Nervous System detects this stresor and as a defense mechanism, inhibits the ability of the muscle to contract.  So my body by trying to protect itself from further damage in a sense has shut down.  By my Hamstring shutting down the surrounding muscles (Glutes, Quads, Lower back)  cannot work to their full capabilities and then the left side tries to compensate and that begins to hurt and shut down as well.  It is a system of muscles that need help not just my hamstring.   My body is producing a protective mechanism to keep my body from moving into a position of weakness or vulnerability.  My goal is to eliminate this "tightness" by simply restoring my muscle's ability to contract and fire again.  Get that??  It is unknown to myself at this time, how long it will take about 20 years (1st time I tore my Hamstring) of this tightness and weakness to stabilize and have a balanced functioning leg.  I'm pretty stoked to see the difference (if any) in my performance once I get this sorted out.  Two weeks after Ironman Boulder I participated in the Steamboat Triathlon.  I did the Sprint Distance Course.  I love heading up to Steamboat as it is fantastic to see friends and the place I called home for 5ish years is absolutely beautiful.  The town was all a buzz as the Pro Cycling Tour was taking place, there was a Trail Marathon and a Mtn Biking race going on simultaneously.  I took the trip up and shared housing with fellow BTC Members, caught up with dear friends Karen and Matt and peddled around the Yampa Valley.

Warming up on the Yampa River Trail

Sunday Morning came and it was race time.  After swimming (?) my way through a seaweed infested lake and then getting held up for about 2 minutes by a train while riding, my run off the bike was, as expected, pitifully slow.  I did manage to jog after the swim and ride.  Something I had not truly been able to do for the last 8 weeks.  My right leg muscles were not firing with any force and were tight.  I had to keep trying to tell myself quick feet.  Just move those feet and you'll go forward. Not expecting much, to my surprise, I wound up finishing in 3rd in my age group.  I took the podium along side two great guys and friends from Boulder.

Stephan 2nd, Kevin 1st, Me 3rd

Always the Bloody

My thoughts about racing, my leg and life in general is to keep driving forward.  Keep living life to the fullest, keep learning with wide eyes and an open heart, keep trying to better myself (Spiritually, mentally and physically).  It is not about being the best out there but about growing and being the best version of me that I can be.  People have asked me "Was it your goal to complete four Ironman Races in 20 months?"....Heck no.  I wasn't sure there was even going to be a number two.  I did one, really enjoyed the experience.  Love seeing what my body, mind and soul can handle and all three were definitely involved in that 1st IM in Cozumel for me.  Cozumel Race Reports: Cozumel ~Swim, Cozumel ~ Bike, Cozumel ~ Run / Finish.  "Do you have something to prove?".....Double Heck No. I love to train.  I love the feeling of being alive and moving all my parts and all my senses.  At 48 and well past my prime.  Although medals are fun, the journey, path and experiences of getting to the starting line is what it truly is all about for me.  The Race...as I have said before, is the celebration of that Chapter of life.  That Chapter that is IM Cozumel or IM Fortaleza or IM Boulder.  I've traveled to beautiful parts of the world, been a part of wonderful things and met and shared incredible experiences with phenominal people because of participating in Ironman events.  Why would I not want to have that in my life?   "Are you addicted or obsessed with Ironman Races?".....Triple Heck No!  In all honesty, I could stop tomorrow.  But why should I if I am experiencing happiness along my way.  I look at myself as a simple man, trying to enjoy my life.  I don't have any major Ironman goals (Kona, A Billion Races, setting records) that I wake up striving for every day.  I'll be honored to be a part of whatever comes along my way.  I'm not trying to prove anything or impress anyone and I don't think I am obsessed with anything in life.  

Ben Baltz age 13 racing with his dad

A wonderful fellow triathlete that I met in Cozumel, Suzanne, shared the above picture on her FB page yesterday,  Her caption read "Dose of Perspective".  I am humbled by the sport and the wonderful people that I have met along the way.  I am in awe with what I am surrounded by and for now, I love to be surrounded by it and am thankful that it will forever be a part of the path that I have walked.

Always driving forward

So I will continue to drive forward.  I will work on my leg to see what happens if/when it is aligned.  I will attempt to figure out the mystery that causes the loss of toenails and blisters beyond compare on my feet while racing in tropical conditions.  I will continue to train and be happy and I will continue to put myself in situations that amaze me and give me the opportunity to grow.

Made the change to ride sockless.
Will this prevent blisters in humid conditions?

Training Happy

Learning new bike routes away from Boulder.
Peddling to Mile High stadium

It was in the early 80's when I first heard the expression Drive for Five.  

A respectful shout out to recently deceased and our legendary Coach Al Arbour.  He led the New York Islanders to win four consecutive Stanley Cups from 1980 to 1983.  As an avid NY Islander fan the Drive for Five was our battle cry.  So when thinking about what I am now attempting to do, this was one of the first things that came to mind the expression.....Drive for Five. (BTW - No team in any of the four major sports has strung together four straight championships since. One of sports all time greatest dynasties that is very overlooked IMHO)  

Met's Captain David Wright, who wears #5 is seen here high Fiving fellow teammates after delivering a crushing blow to the Astros.  David has just returned from the injured reserve list and is gearing the NL East leading "Amazins" for their first playoff run since the Mets lost to the Cardinals in the NL Championship series in 2006.

I, like #5 David Wright and the Mets will move forward from injury or challenges to see how far we can go in this season.  I, like my NY Islanders am on a path to "Drive for Five".   The Islanders were not able to win that 5th Stanley Cup in a row.  Will the Mets win the World Series this year?  Will I be able to share in a celebration called Ironman Los Cabos? I've been racing for two years and in that time, this will be the second time I will attempt to do 3 Ironman events in a 12 month period.  I will attempt to complete five Ironman races in 22 months.  IM Cozumel - 12/13, IM Boulder - 8/14, IM Fortaleza -11/14, IM Boulder - 8/15......IM Los Cabos -10/15.  All that to me is another step, another day, another chance to be alive.

Drive 4 Five
Ironman Los Cabos 10/25/15

I would like to say that I shall complete #5.  I don't know what challenges lie ahead or what direction life will take me.  For now I will be on that path to hold a celebration of this journey and if it should come to be.... on October 26th, I will be sitting on a beach with Jess by my side, a drink in our hands, looking back on this Chapter that is IM Los Cabos with smiles on our faces.

51 Days...20 Hours...15 Minutes...38 Seconds to IM Los Cabos....but who's counting??

#Letsdothis        #WarriorMode        #Drive4Five 

IM Boulder Race Recap 2015...2.0 ~ The Bike, The Run, The Bloody Mary

The Bike ~ Hey wait.....Where is the Start of this race??  If you find yourself wondering where the swim and start of the race is, check out my previous blog entry Boulder Ironman 2.0 ~ The Beginning then get back here.  I'll wait.

Coming into T1 from the swim, I knew I wanted to work on bettering my transition times for the race.  IM Boulder 1.0, in retrospect, I felt I lost some valuable time in transition and if I wanted to better my placement every minute would matter.  It would come to pass that this was my best T1 of the 4 Ironman races to date.  Not only because my time was the fastest but because while bent down putting on my shoes a volunteer came by to help us racers.  I thanked the volunteer and when he replied "No problem" I realized the voice sounded awfully familiar.  I gazed up to see my good buddy Kevin helping out.  Huge smiles and hugs.  It was great to see him.  I probably would have been a minute or two faster if we didn't engage in brief conversation but I'll take that exchange we had over a gained minute or two any day.  In T1 I was organized and knew every step I was going to take.  I think my only mishap was not getting suntan lotion put on the back of my neck.  As I was getting my legs lubed down with lotion, I was scouring the crowds for Team Marty.  There they were screaming and yelling.  I got kinda sidetracked and took off without having the neck area covered with Bullfrog.  Luckily, it did not come back to hurt me.  In my haste in trying to get through transition and to Bella, I had my head down and I was charging forward towards the bikes, I looked up and there was 303 Grand Poopah, Dana taking my picture with a huge smile on her face.  What a great honor it is to race, represent and be a part of Team 303 Triathlon.

T1 chute between swim and bikes

I went into this bike section feeling really strong...both mentally and physically.  Although I feel I had a shortened training season in preparation for IM Boulder my bike training rides and races leading up to this day had been pretty strong.  I was riding 5+ hours of wattage (power) on my bike unlike I had ever ridden before.  Coach Eric and I had reviewed what my numbers were going to be on the bike.  The game plan was to ride at a lesser wattage output then capable in order to have plenty of gas in the tank for the run.  In the end, it doesn't matter how fast you swam or rode your bike or cruised through transition areas, if you walk the marathon and give all that time back.  I knew this and agreed 100% with Coach E's assessment and game plan for me.  I was coming off of failures in my past few attempts at running off the bike with my lingering Hammy issues.  Just a few weeks prior, I pretty much walked the entire 10k at The Boulder Peak Triathlon. So let's save that leg for the run was the idea.  I got to the bike racks and much to my amusement, surprise and delight the vast majority of bicycles were still in place.  Had I had that good of a swim??  I looked down at my Garmin....Damn, I forgot to stop my watch after exiting the water.  I quickly clicked through the transition and went to the bike section on my watch.  I mounted Bella and started to head out.  But before I left the reservoir, I saw Jessica and my Dad and I shouted at them.  I think I caught Team Marty by surprise by the startled looks turned into big smiles on their faces.  I didn't see my Cousins or Mom but heard them as I peddled by on the other side of the road.  I hope they aren't on opposite sides of the roads all day as that will be too confusing to me.  Which side am I too look at and say hello??? I thought as I departed the reservoir and made the left onto 51st St.

The "You Da Man" point

In typical fashion, coming out of the reservoir and hitting those first few inclines people are pumped and bang those hills pretty hard.  I have learned that if I just stay disciplined and to my power numbers, I'll catch up to quite a few of those folks in time as they fade from going too hard too early.  So I worked on keeping my adrenaline in check and rode my numbers.  Got some fuel in me as I just swam for over an hour.  My nutrition plan for the bike was pretty simple.  Every 15 minutes I would drink.  On the :30 after the hour I would take edurolyte salt tabs and every hour on the hour I would ingest fuel.  I would grab 2 bottles of water at each aide station whether I needed or not.  One would refill my water bottle in my aero bars and one would go in my jersey, just in case.  If I did not use all my just in case water by the time I got to the next aide station, I would dump the remainder of that water over my head to help cool me down.  This nutrition plan has basically worked in some shape or form for me since IM Cozumel.  I learned some big nutritional lessons at that race and have adapted or adjusted accordingly race to race.  

The Hanging Loose and Rocking On Pose

The course was 2 approx 42 mile loops with a final out and back over some Boulder Hills before you head into downtown and to transition area #2 at Boulder HS.  At about mile 30 just after passing Mary's Deli in Hygiene you have a nice down hill that crosses train tracks as I hit those tracks my salt tabs went flying out of my aero bars.  This must have been a common occurrence as the road was littered with debris.  I put on my brakes after a milli second thought if I should stop or not and walked back carefully scouring the road for my container holding these salt tabs.  There was no way in the world I would want to ride another 80 miles with a marathon following without electrolytes in my system.  I just hoped the container didn't open and the pills would be thrown around the floor.  At that point I would have crawled on my hands and knees to get as many of those tabs back as possible.  I noticed a few water bottles amongst full nutrition canisters.  How in the world could people have dropped these items and not stopped to pick them up??  This was pure nuts to me.  Especially at mile 30, it wasn't mile 100 or so.  Oh well.  I found my undisturbed bottle of salt tabs on the edge of the road, put them back on my aero bars and made sure they were secured by my "I'm a babe" bracelet.  I thought to myself....I certainly am.  I chuckled and off I road.  Those bands were serving their purpose for sure.  It was great seeing Marian out on the first lap as we were leap frogging one another.  Seems like she took me on the inclines and I had the descents.  It was fun riding with her for a little while.   She was also racing a bit injured.  We shared thoughts of what would happen "if" and also what was next in our seasons.  It was a nice exchange and brief bond for me.  Unfortunately I later learned that Marian did have to pull out during the run because of such injury.  Mile 44 was approaching and I knew this is where I should see Team Marty.  A great location where the bike section passes by 3x and is around the corner from my buddy Nick and PF's house, where my family was roughing it to a buffet of food and wine while I peddled.

Mid Fives to Team Marty

Team Marty almost doubled in size as Chris & Erin along with Nick & PF joined my family and Jessica  in cheering me on.  I was totally thrilled to see everyone and made a wide right turn for lap #2 onto Rte 36 in order to give everyone a hand slap and mid Five.  Definitely one of the high moments for me in this race!  Up 36 and a right onto Neva Bella and Iwere riding. Exactly where we were supposed to be.  Then mile 55 happened approx. 3 hours on the bike and riding up on 63rd. My power started to drop. I felt like my energy was being sucked out of me.  I started running through the checklist in my mind. I am eating, I am drinking, I am riding on my numbers, I am taking in electrolytes.....why is this happening.  I could not conceive why after about 5 hours into the race I was being zapped.  This is the moment when the Demons caught me.  Coach Eric once told me when I first started racing, that the Demons will always get you out on an Ironman course.  The goal is to make it 10 minutes from the finish line not 10 minutes into the swim or in this case 5 hours into the race.  All I could do was watch as more and more people begin to pass me.  Dave was one of them and looking strong.  I recall thinking that he must have had a nice swim and was wondering if I'd see him again on the course.  He had just done IMNZ in March and I was curious if he was fully recovered.  I now had the long climb up Nelson Road.  My right side glutes and lower back began to hurt, badly and there wasn't a thing I could really do about it.  Suck it up Butter Cup, came to mind.  That and Warrior Mode.  I definitely did not feel like a Babe at this moment.  I came to the special needs bag drop area and knew there was nothing in there that could help me at this point.  A spare inner tube or C02 cartridge wasn't going to give me my power back.  Seeing Tricia dressed as a Super Hero for the 2nd time helped to lift my spirits as my appreciation for her and her volunteering was huge.   This is a big advantage of racing on your home turf.

Team Marty @ Mile 60

 

Being chased down to get dumped on

Approx. Mile 60 I got another boost.  Team Marty drove ahead of me to surprise me out on the course where I did not expect them to be.   Can I say it a billion times????.......huge appreciation.  Just after I passed my support crew a volunteer chased me down and sprayed me with ice cold water and handed me my 2nd water bottle from that aide station.  Chek it out here....Mile 60 on Bike Just listen to Team Marty scream even as I've passed and made the right turn up and on 36.  Awesome!!  I was slightly revived and feeling a little bit better though my power numbers were not showing it.   I noticed a little bit of salt forming on my shorts and decided to alter my salt intake.  Instead of 2 tablets every :30 after the hour I changed it to 1 tablet ever :15 and :45.  I also changed my food from every hour on the hour to a smaller amount but at every :00 and :30.  I continued to drink every :15.  Hours 3 to 4 were quite tough for me on the bike and about 1000 racers passed me by but around 4:30 I started to pick it up again.  I recall Nancy passing me by and thinking "great for her".  this was her 1st Ironman and she was having such a wonderful season racing and training for this event.  I recalled back in March leading a ride through the second half of the course with Nancy and how far she had come.  My power was still low but my spirits were higher.  I wasn't losing any more power but leveled it off.  At mile 85 or so, I came on 2 racers that were having a conversation.  One of the racers was telling the other guy that he ran out of salt tablets and was struggling.  Here we go again.  I've seen this at almost every Ironman that I've done and similar to the other times, I rode up to the guy once he was alone and offered him some edurolytes.  Not wanting to short change myself, I apologized that I could not give him more but handed over 4 edurolyte tablets. I believe I had enough to last the final 35+ miles on the bike.  I figured, at least bought the guy some time to find more and not to continue to drop in electrolyte deficit.  I bid him the best and I peddled away.  

Hour 6 crept up and in my original game plan I would have been at or about T2 by this time. I was still an hour or so out from that point.  Not happy with myself.  I was quite frustrated because I would easily ride close to 50 watts more of power on my easy long training rides but today it was not happening.  Again, I just kept thinking something was not right.  Besides the pain in my back and glutes now the outside of my left foot was killing me.  What the hell is this from??  I kept wondering to myself.  I loosened the velcro on my bike shoes in case the pain was coming from my feet swelling and my shoes were too tight.  This did nothing as I continued to ache in a spot that has never hurt before in my life.  What is going on??  I kept riding at my slow and powerless pace drifting back and forth from being mad and frustrated with myself to singing and smiling and being thankful that I am alive and out on this beautiful day.  Out on a more desolate part of the course two really cool things in particular made me thankful and smile.  The first was seeing an absolutely fantastic sign that read......

made by Sammi. The second was passing the 303 Snocone Tent.  Although I did not partake in a Scratch Snocone.  It was great seeing my dedicated team (Jen, Nicole, Sasha & Dana) from 303 out there.  I know what a difference 303 Triathlon made to the racers last year and seeing them out there this year with snocones I could only imagine how much joy they were bringing to the athletes.  Much appreciation for these wonderful folks in my life.

303!, 303!, 303!,303!

I'm guessing Sasha was a hit

Nicole & Jen making racers happy

303 Chief Dana was taking all the pictures

Here's the big difference between IM Boulder 1.0 and 2.0.  Version 1.0 I was non stop laughing and singing and having a blast while racing.  2.0 had a lot of this "frustration" of not being able to perform as I knew I should or believed I could.  Coach Eric's words of "Race with what you have on the day" kept ringing through but at times were drowned out by the sheer wonderment of "WHY?"   Why is this happening?  It shouldn't!

I hit the hill on 52.  I hit the hill on Lookout Road. I hit the hill on 57th where I over peddled and pulled some stuff in my groin in Boulder IM Version 1.0.    Just one more pass by Team Marty and I'll be heading down 26th and bringing it in off the bike.  I began to worry about the run.  I was supposed to be saving it for the run.  That was the game plan.  I couldn't even produce the low power that was supposed to be a breeze for me on the ride.  I was convinced that 2000 people passed me on the bike.  My lower back was aching, my glutes were hurting and the outside of my left foot was killing me.  I'm a wreck, I thought.  I can't wait to see Team Marty by Jay and 28th that'll at least lift my spirits.  But, they were not there.  My heart sunk.  Huh? What?  OK, maybe they are on Nicks corner just a block down.  But to no avail.  Dang, we must have missed one another and perhaps they are already at the run.  Oh well, I thought.  A left turn on 26th and about 300 yards down on the right side of the road there they were!!!! Loren was looking like he was having a blast.  Mom and Dad were screaming and rooting and hollering.   Nick was taking pictures, Chris was videotaping &  PF, Karen,Erin were ringing those cowbells as loud as they could.   Jess was beaming from ear to ear.  At first, I wondered if it was the affect of them having too much wine and that they were standing out in the sun too long.  But it wasn't.  What a great site this was too me.  I needed that.  They all should know      just     how     much     I needed that.  Let's do this.........

T1 

Boulder 1.0 - 10:00

Boulder 2.0 - 9:52

Ride (different course 2014 vs 2015)

Boulder 1.0 - 6:38:29  187/391 = 47.8%

Boulder 2.0 - 7:07:15   217/370 = 58.6%

The Run ~ Unlike in transition1, I was slow in transition 2.  So slow that this was the slowest transition to date of my Ironman experiences.  I didn't know what to do.  I could barely even walk let alone set off for a marathon.  Although my back and ass hurt this left foot thing, made it impossible to pretty much even walk.  I just sat there.  I changed my socks.  Put on some skin lube.  Thank goodness no blisters were forming as per in Cozumel and Fortaleza.  I took off my bike helmet and put on my running visor.  Loaded up with nutrition and got some suntan lotion applied and I hobbled off.  What can I do?  Can I run?  Can I jog?  Can I even walk?  I started out on my exploration of ....what can I do?  I did my best to try and figure it out.  I began to try and work out whatever was going on in the lower half of my body.  I was thankful for being off the bike.  While jogging, I could try and work things out.  Alter my gate, adjust my stride, move and stretch and wiggle unlike you can do while being in the saddle.  About 5 miles in my trying to figure it out and make the pain go away shuffle I came across one of the biggest smiles out there.....it belonged to Sammi.  What a joy seeing her and then to my surprise, Kevin again.  Surprise because I was unaware he was finished with his volunteering duties and now to be out on the course giving a boost to us all.  Big hugs to both and again another reminder of appreciation for such wonderful caring friends.  I made my out and back to both ends of the Y or Flux Capacitor as Race Director Dave calls it and passed Kevin and Sammi for another brief moment of joy.  Not too soon after that I saw Kenny.  He managed to get some shots of me for 5280 video and I was able to brag about how my Garmin watch had actually come together.  You can see that here 5280 Boulder IM Run Course at :50.  Kenny always brings a smile to my face.  Whether it's Tuesday morning morning swim or Sunday afternoon dragging my ass in Boulder Ironman.

Dude my watch is working!!!

My attempts at running really started to mess with my knees.  My left foot hurt so much that I had to alter my gate and stride.  But altering my stride I was putting pressure on my years of rugby knees and they began to hurt.  I pretty much felt my day was over as my body could not do what I had been training it to do.  Experience has told me that once I feel the pain in my knees danger and trouble is teetering on that tight rope and it had to be managed.   More and more I was coming to the resolution that there was no hope for a strong or even a decent marathon and that all my thoughts of best finish yet would have to be thrown out the window.

Leaving the Flux Capacitor

Bridge to Scott Carpenter Park

Mile 9 was approaching and that would mean meeting up with Team Marty.   The plan was that I was going to pick up a  passenger when I got to them.  Jess was going to run, walk, shuffle with me for the next 5ish miles till I got back to Team Marty again. 

Hi Fives with dad

Here is a video of a typical pass through Team Marty central.  Mile 9ish on marathon  Can you tell we are a hugging and kissing type of family??  Wouldn't want it any other way!!  So Jess and I were off and it was a great reprieve because I could share some of my thoughts and not dwelling on my knee hurting.  The right leg was dead.  Just not firing.  Similar to The Boulder Peak and every brick training session I've had since the injury just 6 weeks back.  You can see the barely a jog in the video as we left the group. About a mile later out popped Susan onto the course for a hug and kiss.  Super fantastic to see her out there.  A year ago we trained together weekly for this race so it was wonderful to see her out there in support for me and the rest of the racers. She decided to join Jess and I for our casual Sunday Stroll.  A few hundred yards after that, I saw Coach Eric come out on the course.    When I think about the people in my life that I am concerned about disappointing with my athletic performance or should I say lack there of, besides myself, Coach Eric ranks right up there.  A good coach knows who you are and what you have got to offer.  He should be with you every day. Wondering and thinking about your mental and physical state.  He should be with you for every training session even if he is a million miles away as he reviews your data on Training Peaks and plans out what is best for you for your next session etc.  Maybe that is an unrealistic expectation for a Coach.  I can only speak of how I was when I coached for all those years.  You put so much of your time, energy, heart, mind and plain old hours into your athletes.  They become an extension of yourself out there with their performance.   When I don't or can't perform, after the routine of beating myself up, I immediately feel bad that I have let down my coach and feel a great weight of disappointment.  When I saw EK it was dual emotion that went through me.  It was great to see him out on the course.  It was also a bit of a fear to see him.  Not unlike a dog after their guardian returns home after he rummaged through the trash.  A feeling of guilt and wanting to hide.  I have not had a solid or even semi decent marathon in my past Ironman races.  Always some reason or "excuse".  In Cozumel and to a greater extent in Fortaleza. my feet were like hamburger meat, all chopped up with multiple blisters and with ripped off toe nails.  Boulder Version 1.0 saw a pulled groin and really tight leg muscles from the last hill on 57th st while riding and now here I am again failing at the marathon section of the race with leg issues from hammy injury from playing "Kickball".  Something my coach did not want me to do and warned me against doing.  I think we both felt that Boulder 2.0 would be different.  That monkey was finally going to get off my back.  This obviously wasn't the case and this was the first time I had seen Coach E since my poor ride and now a walking marathon. Here comes Marty with his tail between his legs to his Coach.  Coach Eric was great.  He didn't rub my nose in it or whack me with a newspaper, but he clumped along with me as he was wearing his bike shoes down the Boulder Creek Path.  He spoke words of encouragement and even discussed the idea of stopping the pursuit of finishing Ironman Boulder.  We decided that I would keep going as long as my knees did no hurt to any greater extent.  He wanted to keep me on a short lease and for me to pull myself if it felt worse.  Better to end it today and rehab then to push it and be out for a long time.  I know he was 100% right but it was difficult to hear and I knew that it would even be more difficult for anyone to pull me off the course, pain or no pain.  I am typically not the smartest athlete when it comes to that sort of thing.  Jess and I left Eric and Susan and continued our way to Eben G. Fine park.  After my chat with Coach Eric, I felt that weight lifted off my shoulder and began to enjoy myself much more on the course.  Unlike I had felt thus far in Version 2.0 and more like that all day from Version 1.0.  Passing through the masses of spectators downtown, out of no where, I spotted, my cousin from another family, Dianne.  I hadn't seen Dianne in almost 30 years, but she was out here as her husband George was also participating in the race.  A hug and kiss and I was off shuffling again with Jess.  A mile or two up the road was Laura, Charles, Cisco and a few more BTC members.  And so began silly face making during photos on the run.  I used the open mouth one a lot on the course and for the rest of the day.  

Charles grabbing a shot of Jess & I

Somewhere on the course, I ran in to Travis.  This was his first full IM and we've had nice exchanges leading up to the race.  Sharing of newbie advice etc.  He was having some nutritional issues but hanging in there.  We spent some time on and off for the remainder for the race supporting one another.  Heading back towards the family, we ran into Susan again for one last hug, kiss and selfie.

With Susan @ mile 13ish

Back to the family mile 14ish

What a special treat it was for me to be able to spend these last 5 miles or so with Jess by my side.  She endures the daily grind of my training and preparation and it made it extra special for her to be literally taking part of this journey with me.   I dropped Jess off with the family and was more than 1/2 way through the marathon.  Insert another hugging and kissing video here.......Mile 14ish on the marathon  Two great quotes from friends about my experience with my family out on the course were "The Great Ironman Kissing Bandit" was John's and "It's so great that your races not only have water stations to stay hydrated but love stations to keep the love going." from Jane.  That was so true as my family and friends kept the love going all day.  Another pass of Sammi and Kevin with more hugs and kisses.  Heading out to the Baseline point of the flux capacitor, fellow newbie IMer Susan passed me by.  We chatted for a little bit, both in our 4th Ironman in 20 (me) and 22 (Susan) months.  I hit the turn around at Baseline and to my surprise there was Team Marty with Ice cream and Gelatto, none was Vegan for me of course.  They picked up Jim, Erin's Dad to add to the party and fanfare.  This was truly turning into a party for me.  Then I ran into the Iron Tiara herself Kristina and she shot this picture and quote....."Always the best smile out here!"

Thanks Kristina.  It's easy to smile when there is so much support and love from our community and in my life.  The run section wasn't all smiles to me as it was tough seeing fellow triathletes and coaches out there watching me walk.  They'd cheer words of encouragement to me to pick it up and get moving but they had no idea what was going through my body.  I hate excuses and wasn't about to stop to try and explain what was going on.  Let them think I am weak, I thought.  I really couldn't care less at that point.   I'd politely nod or shake their hands but wanted to hide in the same breathe.  I saw plenty of fellow local athletes out there struggling as well. We'd exchange pleasantries or perhaps shuffle by one another stone faced almost like we couldn't say a word to one another.  Too pissed off to acknowledge or more like embarrassed to be seen in such a state.  It is all good as we each go through our journeys, our highs and lows or demons of the race.  I saw several racers being tended to by medical staff and a few laid out along the course.  You simply knew their day was over.  Mile 18 something changed in me.  I wasn't quite sure what it was at the time.  I was able to pick up my shuffle to an easy jog.  I caught up and saw Dave again and we chatted briefly.  He was having GI issues but hanging in there.  We high fived and off I went.  I than began doing 30 x 30 or 30 x 1 min.  Basically running for 30 seconds and walking for 30 seconds or running for 30 seconds and then walking for 1 minute depending on the terrain or how my body felt or if I met up with people and chatted. Russell, Brian, Amber, Esra, Jonathan, Darren, Colleen, Pete, John, Katie, Jen & Jen....the list just goes on and on as to how many wonderful people I knew that were out there racing, volunteering or supporting.  I almost feel bad listing folks, as I know I missed about a billion people but the point is that everyone was part of this final step that is my Boulder Ironman Version 2.0 journey.  The celebration as I called it of completing my 4th Ironman race in 20 months as a triathlete newbie.  I was running.  I wasn't blazing but running at mile 19 of the marathon of an Ironman race.  Something I have not done yet to date with exception of when you get to the finisher shoot filled with adrenaline.  My numbers show that my last 6 miles I actually descended in my splits meaning I was running each mile faster and faster.  I passed Team Marty one final time in the dark for yes another round of hugs an kisses.   It felt like it was darker earlier this year than last and became tougher to see people on the Creek Path.  I caught up and passed Susan and Travis and wished then each a successful finish.  Welcomed Travis to the exclusive IM Finishers club and made my way to Eden G Fine Park one last time.  Along the route I heard people make comments like "holy shit, this guy is motoring for so late in the race", "Fantastic Pace"  In the aftermath, I have come to learn that my body was getting back to its regular state.  Meaning, earlier in the day most of my right upper leg muscles had shut down.  My quads, glutes, back were working overtime to pick up for the lack of being able to use my hamstring and stopped firing. Once my right leg went, my left started working double time to make up for the difference, hence the foot pain from all the extra weight and work on the bike it had to do.  My 5 hour nap while marathoning enabled my body to get back to it's somewhat  "normal" state and I was able to start running.  Pretty friggen interesting no?  Again, I didn't realize the whys at the time, I just knew I could run again and I did.  I also didn't want to push too much hence I continued to do the 30 x 30 rather than just an all out run.  I felt great.  I reflected a bit on the day during this time and thinking, Yes, I am doing it.  I've never experienced a race like this.  It certainly was not what I was expecting.  I was overwhelmed with feelings of appreciation.  I thanked every volunteer all day long, that I came in contact with as I am in awe of them giving of their time and energy to take care of me.  I appreciate and am humbled by my fellow athletes and their journies to get to the starting line.  I couldn't even put into words my thoughts of appreciation for my family, my girl and my friends for being there all day for me.  Running all over the course, traveling halfway across the country and supporting me every day just to be there for and with me to be a part of this final celebration.   It sounds so cliche, but truly there are no words that can describe the love and appreciation I have for all of them.   Coach Eric and my training partners with Boulder Tri Club, EK Endurance and my 303 Triathlon Family all came to mind.  It takes a village is the saying and it speaks the truth.  I took that right turn the one that takes you off the Creek Path and towards 13th St.  Dark and desolate, I noticed I had the runway to the finish line pretty much to myself.  I ran into Kristina again and then Kenny.  He asked if I would take his Go Pro with me through the finishers shoot as he was working for 5280 Elite and 303 Triathlon.  My mind went to, "Will I be disqualified?"  then "How do I work this thing?" Sure, let's give it a try, I figured.  Up 13th and crossing Canyon Dr. I ran into Charles and the gang one last time. 

Taking flight to the finish

The lights got brighter and the crowds got bigger and louder.  Version 2.0 felt like a more festive finish line than 1.0.  I entered the chute and it was time to take flight......I was now flying to the finish.  Unable to really see anyone or anything I was in my own mind.   I raised my hands in the air. 

As I was approaching the finish line I thought about my traditional heel kick that I have given  in my 3 previous IM Finishes.  My original thought was to do the same.  But it didn't feel right to do that right now.  This race was different.  The celebration wasn't about me but about the appreciation and love and thanks I had for everyone that was with me.  I chose not to click my heels bringing attention to myself but to just finish and cross the line in appreciation for everyone else.  So silently I gave thanks once again to everyone and I crossed the line for us.  What a journey, my best celebration finish.  

 

Here's the Flight to Finish Video.....Flying to Finish.  Crossing the line I was greeted with, yes, more hugs and kisses and more friends with huge smiles on their faces.  Some of them were sweaty delicious hugs....Finish line Hugs.  It was my mom's 1st live Ironman journey.  Although she has been with me on every step for the previous three finishes it is something else to be there live.

Sangue....with my girls

Fantastic to share such an experience with my Cousin Loren.

All smiles after the race!

Immediately after I was greeted by my family and friends it was back to business.  Straight to the medical tent for ice for the knee.  Keep the swelling down as it's back to work on Tuesday morning swim with Coach Eric.

Much thanks to Coach Eric as we've finished
4 Ironman Races in 20 months together

One last Goofy Faced Photo....for now.

But before Tuesday comes there is one more tradition to follow through with.  Coach Eric along with two fellow training partners, Jessica and Anush, joined Team Marty and we made our way to the nearest bar for a tradiional post race Bloody Mary.

Here's to Boulder Ironman 2015.  All in all a fantastic day filled with 15 hours of me managing my inability to race to my potential and having full appreciation for those sharing the day with me.  Version 2.0 was slower and more difficult in many ways.  Tougher to get to the starting line and definitely tougher to get to the finish line.  In the end my smile was just as big and my heart just a full.

"Be in a state of gratitude for everything that shows up in your life. Be thankful for the storms as well as the smooth sailing. What is the lesson or gift in what you are experiencing right now? Find your joy not in what's missing in your life but in how you can serve." - Wayne Dyer

T2 

Boulder 1.0 - 11:55

Boulder 2.0 - 17:07

Run (different course 2014 vs 2015)

Boulder 1.0 - 6:27:17  

Boulder 2.0 - 6:32:15   

Finish

Boulder 1.0 - 14:45:08  203/391 = 52%

Boulder 2.0 - 15:26:10   214/370 = 57%