Half-Ironman Recap

Before I share my experience from the Great Western Reserve Triathlon in Ravenna this past Sunday, I'd just like to say that I have an amazing support network! I am very blessed to have the amount of support that I do from my friends and family. My wife, Ashley, hung with me from 4:00am all the way through till the finish line.  My cheering section, which included my mom, my brother, Scott; my sister, Rose: my brother-in-law, James, and my nephew, Reese weathered the entire storm. My brother Brian, his family, and my cousin Sarah attempted to make it for the finish but, the rain came in before they could make it. I'd just like everyone to know how much I appreciate all of the encouragement and backing!

My beautiful "Support Crew Captain"

Mom & Scott wishing me luck before the gun.

James "weathering" the storm.

Reese and I after the finish.

The morning of the race was a brisk 60° for June, perfect weather for a triathlon or so I thought. I'd soon find out what "perfect" triathlon weather was really like. 

The swim leg of the race went as good as I had hoped. I pace myself early and swam with my normal cadence. The wave start format that the organizers setup made navigating through traffic easy, especially when I was the one getting passed. Just as with my previous tri's the swim seemed to last forever. Although, I did end up posting a PR! 

I cannot say enough about the bike course for this race. It was flat, seamlessly paved, and had only one true hill that I had to climb twice for each 27 mile loop. I posted another PR for my bike splits, even though I ran into some rain on the second loop. When I say rain, I really mean monsoon-pummeling-end of the world rain. It was literally like God opened up the flood gates and unleashed the waters of heaven. At first, I wasn't quite sure what to do. I had never rode in rain, let alone a downpour. I quickly gained my composure and told myself to ease up on the speed, make good decisions, and stay off the brakes. I trusted my tires to shed the water like the we're designed to do and I kept pedaling, it was all I could do at that point. 

Then came the run.

"Never, ever give up." That was the first thought that came to me when I was told the race was cancelled. I couldn’t give up. I had come too far and trained for too long to just stop.

I was one quarter-way through the run portion of the triathlon when, the race was cancelled due to lightning from the storm. Although I may not have liked the decision, the race officials had an obligation to the participants, who were still riding the bike course, to get them to safety. These people were virtually riding lightning rods with wheels and continuing the race in the storm was not an option.

I on the other hand, like I said, was ¼ through the run course and not in any imminent danger. I was first approached by a spectator, who slowly drove up to me, rolled her car window down, and yelled “they cancelled the race!” “I’m not stopping for a little rain” I said to myself as the first cracks of thunder echoed behind me. How could I have conceivably stop running after completing 61 miles of a 70 mile race? There was no way I was going to stop; I only had 9 more miles to go.

I kept running even after the park ranger, the ambulance, multiple people in their cars, and even my own wife drove passed me. I couldn’t stop, it just wasn’t right.

I kept running for many reasons. First, the race was part of my training for IRONMAN Louisville and knowing that my race strategy and nutrition would work was important. Second, having an official race time was not important to me. All that mattered to me is that I knew I finished and I completed all 70.3 miles and an actual “half-ironman”.  Why would I care if my name and time was listed with “DNF” or “Unofficial” next to it? Third, I have run in the rain many many times and a little precipitation was not going to stop me. Although, I did say after the race that “no lightning was going to stop me”, I was corrected by my brother Brian that yes lightning would have stopped me; it would’ve probably killed me for that matter. Finally, I know my Dad wouldn’t have stopped either. I asked myself if he would’ve stopped in the same situation and I knew deep down he would have kept going. He would have stubbornly pushed on regardless of the rain and finished because, that was just his nature.  I suppose I get his stubbornness honestly because, even though the aid stations where deserted, the traffic cones were gone, and I was the last person to cross the finish line, I completed the race.