I’m
going to the World Championships in 2013
The Hawaiian Ironman!
Result:
Overall
Time – 8 hours 53 minutes
Category
Rank – 14th from 404 finishers
Overall
Rank – 107th from 1,837 finishers
Swim 00:25:58 1:43/100m 31st
in category
T1 00:04:45
Bike 04:51:59 36.99km/hr 13th
in category
T2 00:02:41
Run 03:28:31 4:56/km 27th
in category
But
do I deserve the Kona slot? This was my first Ironman. Was it just a lucky year? What about the more deserved
athletes who have been doing it longer? Did I simply “buy” a Fluid Movements winning training
formula?
These
are the questions I asked myself when the euphoria dissipated and the “post
Ironman blues” set in.
The answer…
For everyone who is working towards an Ironman, it means juggling work, family and training. I was out of bed early, well before anyone else in my household was awake. My wife would often comment that it would be nice to have one morning where we could all wake and have breakfast together. I had to
explain to my son, Stirling, that his Mum will have to take him to... because I won’t be back from
my ride. And when I got back, I was too tired to chase him, kick the footy, keep a conversation or go out with friends. It's not just the early mornings, at least two nights out of the week I'd arrive home around 8.30pm after work and a run. This along with long work hours, meant I often missed putting Stirling to bed in the evening. I was left with about an hour at home to eat my dinner, say hello to my wife and then hit the sack around 9.30pm because I was exhausted. It's a juggling act and Lauren was the one taking care of all the details behind the scenes.
I
sacrificed for it, my family sacrificed for it. I did the
training, my family put in the alone time. I
put in the hours all week, every week. I pushed myself outside my comfort
zone…..and I qualified for Kona!
Training in the rain at the Tan
THE RACE REPORT
In this race report I've tried to articulate what I was going through and thinking at notable times throughout the race. This was my first Ironman and one thing I learned was that nothing can fully prepare you for this event. It might be a bit long in some areas but that's how it felt. At one stage in the run I never wanted to do another Ironman, but like many others athletes, I got through it.
What inspired me?
To participate in a competitive sport. Greg Welch's win in '94 [very cliche]. To compete in one of the toughest one day events in the world. To do an Ironman. To win a spot and compete in the Hawaiian Ironman... All of the above.
THANK-YOU’s
Thanks
to my intelligent, witty, strong and creative wife Lauren [description by Lauren] and the centre of my world, our son Stirling . Your sacrifices were incredible and you made this all
possible. It broke my heart to see Stirling's sad face when I told him "I can't because I'm training...". Lauren was there to hold the fort.
Thanks
to my training mates, the athletes, Ironman and sprinters for pushing me on the
days I didn't want to be pushed. Publicising it on Facebook when I missed
training. Giving me their advice on what works for them. Making me ride hard
when I didn't want to ride. Making me run when I didn't want to run. Sharing
the feeling of fatigue when I thought it was just me. Sharing that moment when
we became an Ironman.
Thanks
to Ben Street for his swim coaching. For teaching me to 'churn the butter'. His pool side butterfly
kick demonstration still haunts me at night.
Thanks
to Steve Davis for his winter run training that helped improve my running 10
fold. "If it's not raining it's not training."
Thanks to Richard Squires for punishing me with his remedial massage, kept my body
alive and recovering through all the tough weeks.
Last but not least, thanks
to Sean Foster the awesome head coach, with the experience to deliver a winning Ironman formula. Thanks Foz for the program, the advice,
the planning, the comments, the kick in the ass and the encouragement.
Let’s
do it all again!
PRE-IRONMAN
Throughout
school I was a swimmer, although you’d never pick it. I did a few triathlons
but never really too serious. Spent 10 years in the Army Reserve (1st
Commando Regiment) and did triathlons to keep me fit. After finishing up with
the Army I focused on cycling. Enjoyed the week by week racing and Beach Rd smash sessions but after a big
crash in 2010 (right in front of Lauren and Stirling) my heart was never really into it.
While
I was living in Ararat during 2011 for work, a local triathlete (Cam Evans) got
me into the Gatorade series. We drove 2 ½ hours to Melbourne from Ararat to
race then drove 2 ½ hours back. It was a long day but I actually started
enjoying this multi-sport stuff. Meanwhile, I was still cycling at Ararat doing
the rural winter road series and track (velodrome) summer series. After doing the Portarlington long
course we decided that an Ironman was on the cards.
Melbourne
Ironman here we come!
In
2012 I moved back to Melbourne. I had the entry, I had the bike (which got me
the entry), all I needed was the training program. I searched the internet,
downloaded all these training programs that I was going to put together in the
‘masterplan’. Then it dawned on me. This is not a weekend criterium or local
graded bike race, this is serious! I need a coach.
I
started ringing around then got Sean’s name from a cyclist I knew. Looked him
up, yeah he’s done ok. Gave him a call and got on board in May 2012.
At that stage I could sprint really well on the bike but swam like a rock, ran like
a cyclist and had very little endurance. So the run phase training started.
This was the best thing for me, I just started running. I also started swimming
again. I thought that because I was a former swimmer this would be easy. Not
so!
Knowing
the task ahead I put in a hard winter’s training and came out of it feeling
great. The group training sessions were awesome. By spring I actually felt like
a runner. My swimming had also improved.
While
the individual elements had improved remarkably, I struggled to put them all
together in a race. I needed race time. Did
Hazzelwood Olympic and a Gatorade race. Didn’t smash them as far as the result go but did well. Kept on
training.
Geelong
was the real test for me. Did it in 4:23 which was 15th in my
category (35-39).
I’m
now a triathlete! I’m the fittest I’ve ever been and I’m ready for Melbourne.
KONA?
Prior
to December 2012 Kona was not on my horizon for 2013. I just wanted to
train hard, do really well in Melbourne in order to set a base for maybe
qualifying for Kona in 2014. But then training was coming along really well –
by December Kona 2013 was on my list.
I
discussed it with Lauren…”I’ve got a chance here, want to go to Hawaii? It will
be a great family trip” or something like that. It worked! Lauren was on board!
So much so that over Christmas she announced it on Facebook by posting “Here we come
Hawaii”. I created a monster. "Lauren, tone it down, it's harder than you think."
This
was great until March 2013 when things became real. No more training would
change the outcome of the race. This event I’d been training a year for was now
here. I had friends, family, neighbours, work mates, acquaintances all coming to see me
race. This was a really emotional time for me. What if I fail?
THE
RACE
Although
it was the right decision, shortening the swim disappointed me. The whole ‘not
a full Ironman swim’ didn’t bother me. My first thought was all the better
runners in the field are going to catch me. I wasn’t so sure that this shorter swim would
really suit me. Foz spoke to me just before the start, gave me the last piece of advice....and then it was time to race!
SWIM
It
was a tough swim. Got kicked in the face, I kicked others, goggles
got kicked off and kept filling with water (will put them under the cap next
time) swallowed heaps of water. Couldn't see
any buoys, just swam with the pack. As it was I was going in the right
direction. Got to the turn around, time to get on top of it! I slapped, pushed
and climbed over anyone in my way as I turned at the buoys. I was now on top of
it…Then swam back into the head on traffic. What a shambles! This is Ironman.
Saw
Gra Gra on the beach. We exchanged words about that being shocking swim. Then
proceeded to run back up the beach after being taken away by the current. Grabbed
my bag in transition and ran into mayhem. Transition 1 was full! The volunteer
tried to help me pull my wettie off but just managed to pull me off the chair. "Don't worry, I'll do it" I said.
A bit slow getting the gear on but ok. Bike was in an awesome position – second
from the end of the rack right near the exit. Took on a gel and grabbed the
bike waving to Lauren and John (father in-law) as they yelled out. What a rush!
Jumped
onto the bike inspired by all the people yelling “go Dale” and rode right into
a traffic cone – one of the BIG one’s! More embarrassed than anything, no harm,
didn’t fall off, kept riding over it and got going acting like it never happened.
BIKE
My
heart rate skyrocketed as I knew it would. Time to take it easy and bring it
down. Stick to the race plan – 78% MHR until the 20km mark. I planned a steady
start.
Got
passed by a heap of riders. Am I going too slow? Am I dropping too far off the
pace? Steve Natoli passed me and said “don't do anything stupid”. Good words. I stuck to my
plan, let them all go, I’ll see them later.
The
head wind was tough, this along with the shorter swim made it hard for riders to get
away. Lots of packs formed. The officials had a hard time, but I saw a lot of
yellow cards and a lot of people in the penalty box.
Got
the first cheer from family and friends just before the tunnel. Awesome.
Cleared the tunnel, the Ringwood turn around and the tunnel again. It was now
back to 'Frankytown' with the wind behind me. Waved to my supporters and headed
back at speed. Averaged 45km/hr and passed a lot of riders. They were no longer
in packs. Ran out of gears in a few spots (knew I should have got a bigger
chainring). Started feeling good, like I was doing the pace I should.
Into
Frankston and saw Foz. He told me to “...think” (that's all I heard as I rode past). Ok!
Down
to the round-a-bout and the Melbourne Triathlon Club (MTC) crew erupted. Heard my name called over the
speaker so I saluted the crowed. They roared! It was awesome, felt great.
Turned
at the round-a-bout and headed out for my second lap. Waved and acknowledged
the MTC crew who made some noise. Sabina waved her pom poms. What a crew! Back
out onto the freeway I powered back into the headwind, this time with a much higher heart rate, but not too high. I was always conscious of the run and didn’t want to smash
myself. While the ride was my strong leg I wanted to leave something in the
tank.
Started
passing pro women and a stack of guys that passed me on lap 1 - 'remember me?'
Feeling good all the way to the Ringwood turn around. Passed my supporters
again, gave them a big wave and took off at pace. Started feeling tired on this
lap. Lowered the heart rate at around the 150km mark but still kept a solid
intensity. Up until now I was setting my own pace and always passing. I now started 'sharing' the
lead (maintaining a 15m buffer to be safe). My heart rate really dropped so I
picked it up again until the 165km mark.
I
forced down an extra gel at this point which was uncomfortable but I wanted to
stock up for the run. My stomach felt full for the whole bike leg. I had 1
energy bar and 1 gel per hour up to 120km mark then did 3 gels per hour. On the
ride I ate every 20 minutes all as per my race plan. I did feel like I ate too
much as I felt "sickly full."
I
took a salt tablet at the 170km mark as the legs were feeling tired. I'd never
had cramps before riding or running so this I saw as being a precaution. Pretty
much took it easy all the way back to transition. But was it enough to hold off
the runners? Should I have pushed harder on the bike leg?
Got
off the bike ok, through transition no issues. Grabbed my bag of gels and read
my message on the bag - "run like you stole it". Then I started running.
RUN
On
the Frankston board walk I saw a lot of MTC athletes. I was amazed how close we all
were off the bike. I had only run about 2km when I knew this was going to be
the toughest run of my life. 40km to go and I was already feeling it. The soles
of my feet started to hurt and my legs felt tired. But the crowd
was great. Saw plenty of familiar faces. And plenty of strangers that read my
number tag and yelled my name. Got
out of the main street and found some rhythm. Got passed by a couple of runners, I
passed a couple of runners. Then got a pinch from behind, Steve Natoli passed me. We yo-yo'd during the bike leg but I knew
that’s the last time I’ll see him this race.
Saw
the Tokyo Smack Down funky trunks of Travis Tremayne. He was very popular with
the crowd.
Took
on 'water in a bag' at the aid station. What am I supposed to do with this? I drank it - It tastes
disgusting but easier to hold and run with than a cup. I could feel myself
gradually slowing earlier in the race than planned. I wanted to keep a higher
pace but struggled. I was struggling getting the gels down. As with the bike
leg I planned to take a gel every 20 minutes. It was 45 minutes before I could force a gel down.
Ben
Street and film crew drove past tooting and cheering. Thanks guys!
Ran
as close to the cones on the right hand side as possible to even out the camber in the road. Was
around Chelsea when my feet really started hurting. But that had nothing on how the
legs were feeling. Richard Squires road past with some encouragement. Once
again it was great to see a familiar face. “Good running Dale, you're just out
of the top ten.” Right, this could mean I'm somewhere between 11th and 15th (I
was actually 13th at the time). Right then I knew I was running for Kona! What
an inspiration that was. Time to keep my form, run strong and hold my position...but can I keep the pace? The legs were starting to really hurt.
Got
past Mordi - 20km done, what a milestone. Heard my name called over the
speakers as I ran through the crowd. Picked up the pace as everyone cheered,
but then felt a sharp pain in both hamstrings that came on all of a sudden -
cramps! This was something I've never experienced. And not even half way
through the run. I was concerned. Backed the pace off to keep the cramps
manageable. I took a salt tablet to try and hold them off.
This
is were the run started getting 'lonely'. The crowds from Nepean Hwy were behind
me and I was now on the running path. This is where the mind games
started. I made it to the 21km sign. Half way and it was hurting. This is
where everything I trained for started/needed to kick in. Time to start on the
cola. Probably should have started earlier, it gave me the boost I needed.
Still struggling with eating gels.
Now
the 'hills' started. I was running kilometer by kilometer counting them
down and ticking off aid stations. The cheering crowds were no more, just
sporadic groups offering occasional encouragement. No family, no friends, just
me, the pain, the sick stomach, the cramps and my mind telling me there's still
a long way to go. Never did I want to stop, I just wanted it to end, but the end was so far away.
That was the hard part. If I felt this bad now how am I going to feel as I go
further? This is Ironman.
Tried
to hold form. Got to 30km. It was hurting. 12km to go, not far. I’ve run that
distance plenty of times. It's easy. Just not now.
Passed
Sandy footy ground. Another milestone in my race plan. 10km to go and the hills
are almost over. Still trying to hold form. Got to the 35km mark. Aid stations
consisted of 2 colas for the mouth and 2 waters for the head and body. Maybe
only had 1 gel from here. Relied on the sugar from cola. That stuff is magic!
Cramps had really set in. Was taking more salt tablets but it didn't seem to be
helping. Ran a pace that was just keeping them on the edge. My feet felt wet
and blistered. One voice in my head was telling me it's not far, the other was
saying it's a long way feeling how I feel. Then another was asking me if I could
make it with these cramps. Runners around me were stopping grabbing their
hamstrings. Is this going to stop me? Could this be the beginning of my race
being ruined? “No!” I was telling myself. “Push through, push through, push
through!”
I
turned a corner, saw a friend from work. A person I know!!! YES, I'm back in
the game! Slapped his hand and said “thanks mate” as I ran by. What a boost.
Around the next corner and I saw all my family - mum, dad, my sister, the
in-laws, aunty, uncle, cousins...Stirling and Lauren. Their faces were bright
and wide eyed. What an inspiration. High fived all. Stirling was so happy, the
smile on his face made it all worth it. Hearing him say “go dad” while wearing
his 'run dad' tee shirt made me pick up the pace. Lauren ran beside me telling
me I'm doing great. All I could say was “it hurts” as I grabbed my hamstring.
By this stage the cramping set in because I was running faster from everyone
cheering. Had to slow it down again.
Saw
Geoff White who offered some awesome encouragement. I told him I never thought
it was going to be so hard. Right now I never wanted to do another Ironman...it
was just too much. I’d forgotten about Kona, I just wanted the finish line, the end.
37km
mark, 5km to go. Just over 1 lap of the Tan, a warm up distance, not far at
all...but this was the hardest 5km of my life! I was running a trail I'd done
many times before in training. Glad I made the effort to St Kilda SLSC. Then I heard someone yelling at me
from behind. “GO DALE, JUST LIKE THURSDAY NIGHT TRAINING....” It scared the
hell out of me! I thought Geoff White had came back to give me a serve. No...It
was Red Bear!!!!!! G'day Bear as he passed me. What a run he was having! It
felt like everyone was now catching me. This hit me hard. Are they in my age group? When is this last 5km
going to finish?
I
reached the 40km mark, only 2km to go. Saw Foz, he yelled “Kick now Dale! Don't leave it to
the last 100 meters!” Tried to push harder, geeeze it hurt. Leave nothing on
the course! Kona was back on my mind.
Ran
past The Great Provider restaurant where the Giant Bikes supporters were. They
erupted, cheering, ringing bells closing right over the path. The noise was
deafening. They opened up just enough to let me through, it was awesome. I've
made it! I'm home! I ran onto the foreshore. The finish line was just ahead.
The cheering spectators were back. I've made it.
I
picked up the pace. It hurts, but I've made it! Ran past the MTC tent where the cheering team was. Zipped up
my vest and slapped my chest as I went by. What a feeling. One more U-turn and
I'm there. Saw my family again. High fives as I went by. They've been great.
Turned
the corner into the finishing chute...WHAT A FEELING!!!!! All eyes were on me, the camera
followed me, everyone was cheering, the noise was deafening. I heard my name
over the speakers “DALE MARTIN YOU ARE AN
IRONMAN!”. This was EPIC!
I crossed the finish line...I made it. At
that moment I felt great...
Then the hamstrings cramped!!!!!! I
stood up straight and grabbed then both. 2 'catchers' grabbed me, one on each
arm. “You ok?” One asked. “I’m cramping, I'm cramping!” I said. Just then I saw a guy
who finished behind me being trolleyed off to medical. Then another being
dragged by 2 catchers, he was on his knees and couldn't walk. Red Bear came
running up. All I could think was don't jump on me, I'll fall over. We shook
hands and hugged...or was it more of a 'manly embrace'? Who cares, we've trained hard together these last months. Great to
celebrate.
The volunteers took me to medical. “Sorry, but medical is full and so is
massage, you'll have to wait” they told me. “I'll be ok, I just need to stay standing” I said. So I
hobbled off with straight legs and went over to the fence where my family was
waiting. Showed them my medal and celebrated through the fence. Found out I
placed 14th which I was confident would get me through to Kona. I said to
Lauren “we're going to Hawaii!” This was a great moment. Security let Stirling
through the fence and I placed the medal on him. He loved it, I loved it.
 |
| Stirling and I at the finish line |
I
returned to the athlete’s recovery area. My initial impression was carnage, like a war zone. There
was a queue to massage, people were lying everywhere, people covered in space
blankets shivering, not many smiling faces. This is Ironman!
 |
| Athlete's area with Nick & Gra Gra. "That was tough!" |
THE AFTERMATH
It was great to celebrate finishing with all the Fluid Movements athletes I'd been training so hard with leading up to the event. Many of them first timers like me. What a moment, congratulations and thanks to you all.
The next day we returned to check the World Championship Kona Qualifiers. It was official, I qualified! We're going to Hawaii!
 |
| It's official, I've qualified! |
I now look forward to 3 weeks off before embarking on the next phase - training for the World Championships.
To the other Fluid athletes that qualified, lets make it happen!
Kona here we come!
