IMWI Run Segment

The run segment was amazing!  From the first block I felt great...who knows the 12 minute "rest" while fixing my tire may have actually helped my legs recover from the bike ride.   Going into the race my goal was to not walk during the marathon.  Having never run a marathon I wondered if it was naive to think I could endure the distance without walking, especially following a 112 bike leg.  Even though I felt good, I held back for the first 6 miles, then, increased my effort into a relaxed pace that I thought I could sustain.  Between mile 18 and 23 I found more energy and maintained a solid pace…I finished the 26.2 marathon having only walked at a few aid stations to eat and drink, perhaps 10-15 seconds per aid station.  My goal was 4 hours and my actual time was 4:14, again I felt really good about this.

Post race I learned that my feet bore the brunt of the long day...I developed severe blisters, blood blisters and torn toenails.  Despite the feeling that my feet were on fire towards the end of the marathon...I had virtually no other pain throughout the day.  I often felt fatigue, but no hip pain, no leg or calf pain...none!  Glory to God.  All of our prayers were answered! Thank you Lord, Thank You Lord.  

I received a very encouraging note after the race..."I could see the joy of the Lord in you throughout the day and it not only inspired us...but others as well!"    

My total time including the transitions was 12:30:30.  Subtracting 12 minutes due to the flat tire, I was 6 minutes off my goal time of 12:12!  Not bad and no regrets!

112 Mile Leg

My bike segment for the most part was relaxed and I managed my effort quite well.  My strategy included biking easy for the first 25 miles in order to ease into the pace and then, bike moderate for the balance of the 112 miles.  I was told that many people mismanage the bike leg and bonk on the run (there were hundreds of people walking the marathon) as the result of burning up their legs on the bike and not having enough energy saved for the marathon. 

Spectator support is unreal.  Often times there were hundreds if not thousands of people cheering us on.  There’s an iconic series of hills, some 10 miles, that resembles Tour de France.  The fans gather on the hills from bottom to top, dress in costume, blow horns, ring cowbells, hold signs, and cheer each athlete up the hill.  The energy is contagious!  I saw my two cheering squads (family & bike club) numerous times…they gave me much needed encouragement and lifted my spirit.  It can be quite stressful and a very long day for spectators to navigate the course in an effort to catch a  glimpse of their athlete.  I wore a special GPS tracking devise that allowed my family to better track my position and progress on the course. 

By design my goal was to average 17.5 mph. Knowing that this pace was well below my ability I figured it would allow for strong legs on the run.  My bike computer indicated a 17.2 average at mile 82.  Feeling good I decided it was time to pick up the pace for the remaining 30 miles. All was good until mile 110.  Two miles from being done with the bike segment, my back tire blew as I rounded a corner causing a fishtail and a near crash…what are the odds of that?!  Fortunately, I was prepared for a bike mechanical, and had the tools, replacement tube, and C02 cartridge to fix a flat tire. Unfortunately, I was visibly flustered and struggled for some 12 minutes with the repair.   The delay caused my average bike split to fall well below my goal pace.  Nonetheless and somewhat surprising, I remained calm and kept a positive spirit!  My goal was 6:24 and my actual time including the flat tire was 6:41.

IMWI Swim Leg

The IM swim leg was challenging due to wind, waves and lots of athlete contact throughout the entire 2.4 mile.  The wind was fairly heavy causing rolling waves bigger than I have experienced.  Athlete contact wasn't too aggressive like getting kicked in the face, punched or having my swim goggles ripped off.  Rather, disruptive annoyances like locking arms, having my feet and legs grabbed, or, having an athlete try to swim over me from the side or the back.  And one that irritates me the most, encountering a swimmer that is careening off course that forces me to slow down and drop below them in order for me to stay my course.  

Despite the waves and swimmer contact I had a strong swim (1:18) and beat my goal time by two minutes!  By sheer coincidence I entered the water with my friend Brett and came out of the water with him as well…what are the odds of that?

IMWI - More Than I Hoped It Would Be

I thought it best to break my race recap into parts over a couple of days...it may be easier to read this way.    

• Ironman Wisconsin was all (and more) that I hoped it would be
• Prerace logistics (athlete check-in, bike check-in, transition bag check-in athlete meeting, etc. etc.) went smoothly.  I had a bit of anxiety during it all but none the less all went well.
• Having Liz and the kids, Liz’s father and brother and Ginger & Heather from KCF was super encouraging…In addition, I was fortunate to have my biking friends Travis, Marta, Derrick, Danny, Jeff & Mary…great friends and support team!  Derrick & Travis volunteered on the swim leg, Jeff & Mary on the bike course and Danny on the run.   Major energy comes from seeing a familiar face on the course.
• During the entire race I tried to give encouragement to the volunteers and spectators.  I tried to smile and interact with the athletes, spectators and volunteers…it helped to keep me lighthearted and enjoying the day! It was fun to see their face light up when they felt acknowledged and appreciated! 
• I was focused on the mission but also relaxed and felt calm.
• I was clear minded, balanced and present during each hour of the race.
• It was a spiritual day for me.  I often sang, prayed and gave thanks. 
• I received many comments on my bike shorts that have the bible verse Philippians 4:13 printed on the back of them…”I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.”  Also, lots of people commented on the Kenya Children’s Fund race top I wore. 

  
• Run to the Glory of God was my main mantra throughout the race.  I used several others as well but relied on this one very often.  In the very difficult times I simply said…I need you Lord, I need strength and endurance, now…and it came, every time! 

KCF Sponsors

Wanted to give you a quick update on our Kenya Children’s Fund sponsorships...they continue to roll in!

Neighbors Jay & Debbie stepped up big time in support of the kids.  Good friend, training partner and race day support crew Marta showed her love as well.  Lifelong family friends Doug & Kathy generously sponsored.  And last but not least Dave and Pam & Cy came to the rescue to help curb the acute poverty of Kinyago Dandora.

The continued support is really meaningful…we’ve now raised $7,112 for the kids of KCF!  This is a blessing and a gift of life to these kids – thank you.

Ironman Wisconsin - In The Books

Wanted you all to know that I'm alive and well!  The outpouring of prerace well-wishes and postrace congratulations is overwhelming, thank you! 

The race exceeded my expectations - I loved every mile of it!  The on-course support was humbling, uplifting and meant more to me than can be imagined.  I'm still in a bit of a daze as the race took it's toll on my body, but with each day I'm feeling better.  I'll provide much more detail (about the nasty waves on the swim, my flat tire at mile 110 and an awesome run!) in the coming days but here's the first snippet of the event!     

I was fortunate to have two support teams with me on race day!  This is my family and friends from KCF...my training partners support team are not pictured, yet.

The KCF kids that are being blessed by your gifts!

Half of the bike transition area

Minutes after the swim start

 Bike course photo

Run course photo

Team Hoyt - I can only imagine

Click on the image to see two men with amazing courage.  Inspirational for sure

Enjoy,

Lee

KCF sponsorships continue to be strong

A day or two ago I posted that there was more to report on the Kenya Children's Fund...sponsorships were strong this week; we received several more that will make a significant difference to the kids of Kinyago Dandora! 
Special family friends, colleague, neighbors, dentist, spiritual warrior and chiropractor...Mike & Kerry, Jan & Gary, Brent, Jerry & Diane, Greg, Aaron, and Valeo Health and Wellness.  To all I'm grateful and feel blessed by each of these generous gifts. 

Drum roll...to date your sponsorships have raised $6,354, now enough to sponsor 14 kids for an entire year! 

I sent a progress report this week to several that have been following this journey.  In return, I received many notes of encouragement.  I've placed these along with the notes received in the mailed-in sponsorships in my "Ironman workbook" and often draw confidence from the well-wishes. 

Less than a week away!