Ironman World Championship Race Report

It's hard trying to sit here and think about what to write, who to thank, and where to go from here. My journey can't be expressed in any amount of words, or feelings. It's something that only I will know the feeling of, and anyone else that lines up on that magical beach in Kaliau-Kona. This race is everything I had ever dreamed about since I got introduced to Ironman racing in 2004. This race is the pinnacle of triathlon. Not one single day had passed in the previous four years where I didn't think about this race. I wanted to race with the best in the world. I wanted to say that I raced in the lava fields. I wanted to feel that incredible head wind up to Hawi. I wanted to feel those famous cross winds on the Queen K Highway. I wanted to race Hawaii!

I didn't grow up admiring Dave Scott, Paula Newby-Frasier, and Mark Allen. Heck I didn't even know what an Ironman was until I got back into running and met some of these crazy people doing these crazy events. I thought they were all nuts. You mean you have to swim 2.4 miles, bike 112 miles, and run 26.2 miles. How many days do you get to do this? I had so many questions, but at the same time it was intriguing to me. Once I got hooked on Ironman racing, I quickly saw how strong and dedicated this sport can make you. The sport has changed my entire outlook on life, and the drive it takes one to be the best you can be.

On Saturday October 13th, 2007 at 7:00 AM Hawaiian standard time, I lined up for the biggest race of my life on Dig Me beach in front of the Kona pier. The professionals had gone off fifteen minutes early, and it was now our turn. As I swam out to the start line, emotions filled my head. "I can't believe I'm here", I thought silently. Mike Rilely, the Ironman announcer said quietly to the starting pack, "Enjoy your day guys, have a great one out there", then BANG!

Feeling helpless, 1800 of the best athletes in the world searched for open space, open water, and simply try to get free. I've often tried to express what the start of one of these things feels like exactly, but until you're in one, let me tell you there's nothing else like it. If you've ever ridden the Boston or New York Subway or been crammed into a small bus or confined space, that's sort of close. Just add water, kicking, grabbing, and more kicking. Anxiety and frustration filled the bay that morning, and I was one of those lost souls getting pulled in every direction. I started on the inside hoping to swim on the right side of the buoy's, similar to what I've done at other Ironman races. I soon to find out that this wasn't feasible. Here I was swimming in the middle of the pack just trying to hang on and make some sort of arm and leg movements that resembled swimming. It took me about 10-15 minutes, but I finally got comfortable and set into my own pace. By now my mouth was completely raw. I must of taken in 3 or 4 big gulps of fresh pacific ocean water, which was the most salty water I've ever tasted. The swim takes you out 1.2 miles, makes two quick right turns and heads back to the pier. The water was crystal clear the entire way and was probably the only highlight of the swim.

I exited the water in 1:14:50, almost 10 minutes off of my estimated time of 1:05, and tore off through transition. I couldn't believe how far behind I fell. I was in 1111 place, and the bike area looked like a ghost town. I'm used to being in the middle of the pack, so I knew I had a lot of ground to cover on the bike. My dad was waiting for me in transition, and it was a great boost as he said "go get em". As I headed out onto the bike I looked for the sunscreen volunteers, but they were MIA. I have no idea how I missed them, but I did. All I could hope for was the SPF50 that I put on that morning hangs in there through the duration.

The bike course begins with a 7 mile segment in and out of the small town of Kona. It was during the first 7 miles where I got to see the rest of my family. Loud screams arose each time I buzzed past them, and I gave them a quick wave, or simply a thumbs up! After you make the last turn out of town, the bike course is out and back through the lava fields and up the north west side of the Island to Hawi. The first 30 miles were fast and a blur. I was passing people left and right, and felt great. I had already downed 300 calories, and was having a great ride. By mile 40 however something changed. After you turn off of the Queen K Highway, you head up to the little rural town of Hawi. Prior to the turn-around at Hawi, you are challenged with 10-15 miles of the toughest terrain I had ever rode. The 10 mile climb to Hawi was out of this world. The heat by this time was radiating off of my skin, and the winds were ever so strong. At times I had to come out of the aero position in order to not get blown off of my bike. Once at the turn around, I was ready for my special needs bottle exchange. You are allowed to stash one bag with whatever you may need at the halfway point on the bike. As I screamed out my number "1706, 1706", I heard this little voice say, "We don't have it for some reason, would you rather a gel? Shit, I thought. Now what? There goes 600+ calories that I needed for the ride back. I had to switch to plan B. In Ironman, you always need to plan for the unexpected. The race provides you with Gatorade, water, banana's, and gels so that was my plan B. I had to try and stay hydrated with Gatorade, and hope that I don't take in too much sugar in the process. As I started back downhill from Hawi, I thought "alright, now where is this tailwind?" It was non-existent. Wait a minute, didn't I just have a headwind for 10 miles coming the other way? Little did I know, the winds must of shifted slightly on me and that tail wind that I should of had, was now a cross wind blowing diagonally from behind. Miles 60-90 went better for me, as I got my average back up to 20mph. That all soon changed however as I made a right turn back onto the Queen K. Ahh, the cross winds! Have you ever stuck your head out the car window doing 50mph? Well that's what it felt like. That whistling noise of the wind puncturing your eardrums. Just hang on I thought. By now the heat was unbearable. It simply sucked the life out of me. Never have I ever felt this bad before on the bike. So far the course beat me in the swim, and now had beat me on the bike. I was 0 for 2, but I didn't care. Just getting to that finish line was all I ever wanted, and I'm going to get there no matter what I thought.

As I pulled into transition every muscle in my body ached. As I slipped on my shoes I thought how in the world am I going to run a marathon? The mind does some very weird things while you're on that course. You have to overcome those negative thoughts and turn them into positives. I did just that. I was living the moment and loving every second of it.

The first 10 miles of the run are very welcoming. You run out and back Alli drive to mass crowds cheering and rooting you on. That all changes however when you get to mile 11. At mile 11 you can hear even the slightest little pin drop. It's you verses the lava. All I felt was the sweat dripping down me at a rate unimaginable. By mile 14, my pace had suffered dramatically. I was no longer running 7:50 miles, but was running 9:00-9:30 miles. My knees hurt, my feet ached, and I just wanted the day to be over. Those next 15 miles would be the hardest 15 miles I had ever ran in my life. The body wants to shut down and call it a day, but the mind won't let it. As I pushed and pushed from mile to mile, from aid station to aid station, I reflected back on my journey. I needed you to get me to the finish. I reflected back on everyone and everything that inspired me to get to this point in life. I couldn't have gotten here without my wife Jennifer. She is my everything, and without her I wouldn't be the person I am today. I couldn't have gotten here without my parents who are so proud of everything that I've accomplished. Alan and Lisa who introduced me to this crazy sport. My brother Rob and sister Stacy for believing in me. My entire family and all the moral support they provided. To Drew and Sandy. The two of you continue to inspire me to the day. I also thought about all those training miles and the people that helped me when times got hard. I thought about my long rides up Chestnut Ridge with Paul, and our long ride out to Mingo Park. How he stuck with me every step of the way even when my legs bonked hard 90 miles in on one lonely Sunday morning. I began to think that this isn't a race about myself, it's a race for everyone involved to enjoy.

As I made that last turn onto Alii drive, thrusted my arms in the air and crossed that finish line in 11 hours, 6 minutes, and 38 seconds, not only did I accomplish my dreams, but hopefully inspired others to the point that "Anything is Possible".

The feedback and encouraging responses have been overwhelming. Remember to live your dreams!

posted by Chad Holderbaum @ 9:10 PM Comments: 2