Kevin Sven “Ironman”

 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Text Box: Training went well, especially the hydrating done in NZ (See photo #1). But the weather didn't want to cooperate with MY plans (Photo #2 is Auckland Bay 7 days before INMZ). Two of the 6 days we spent in Auckland were nice - One was spent at a Hot Springs/Spa area...Kelly got a facial in the afternoon while I took a nap. The drive down to Taupo (285 Kilometers in 4 hours) was good, and I wondered if my name would go on their wall (Photo #3). We checked out the far turn-around on the run course (just off the lake) and although it was sunny, you'll notice that Kelly has her hooded jacket on (Photo #4). My brother is the manager of Spokane's House of Hose, and he had given me a T-shirt to work-out in a couple of years ago. I wore it to the water in CdA, and wore it again this time (Photo #5). But I was anything but calm Saturday morning....I had swam a little Thursday morning, and Friday morning, but neither day felt very good. Looking down the lake at the buoys 1.2 miles away WIGGED ME OUT like I haven't ever been. Mentally I knew I had the stamina to swim for 2 hours (remember my B-Day celebration work out in January), but I couldn't control myself....I had to sit down in the parking lot, and quit crying...It ain't cool to fill your goggles up with salt water when you're 300Km from the ocean. Luckily, all the butterflies got into formation after the cannon sounded (Photo #7) - That's me in the orange cap and black wetsuit), and I just tried to relax. I started with NOBODY behind me, and since we had half as many people as CdA (1,198 vs. 2.450) it was calmer. The course parallels the beach in about 10 feet of water, so you get to look at the sand all the way down, and then it's about 12 feet deep on the return leg, and just as pretty. I tried to implement all those things that Misako worked on during my swim lessons, and tried to draft off a couple of folks...yes, it can be done quite easily. Got to the far end and checked my watch for reference, and it was at 45 minutes. I did the first half in CdA at 48, so I was going a bit faster, but I didn't let it get to me. The swim back was steady pacing (thanks to #989, who I stayed next to for 95% of the time). When I got out of the water, and the clock was at 1:26, I figured that they had some sort of malfunction. Then I looked back in the water, and there was still several hundred caps out there....maybe the time was right. IMNZ has a 400 meter run to the bike transition tent, and Kelly was stationed along that route....I had told her I was shooting for a 1:40, so when I showed up at 1:28, she wasn't even ready with the camera. I stopped and joked, and got a photo (turned out blurry), and off to get changed. Even with the additional 1/4 mile run, my transition time was still almost 2 minutes faster than last time. Got on the bike, and headed out to see Kelly 300 feet down the road. Got another kiss, and headed out to Raparoa. The bike course at IMNZ is supposed to have as much climbing as CdA, but they put it all in the first 15% of the course...and it didn't seem to be as steep as CdA. The one long hill is only 1.2 Km long (3/4 mile), and I didn't have to go into my small chain ring (Granny Gear) to get over it easily. The one negative thing about the IMNZ bike course is the wind. 75% of the time it's directly from Raparoa...and today wasn't any different. Cameron Brown (Male Winner) said that they (the pros) went out at 30 KM per hour, and came back at 55 KMPH...so you know it was kinda wicked. The roads are also quite rough on 75% of the course...which was actually good after the rain started at the 60Km mark. I don't like riding in the rain, but at least this wasn't a horribly cold rain. Stopped and gave Kelly a kiss after the first of two laps (Photo #8). I was pretty well knackered at this point, and wasn't mentally looking forward to riding back to Raparoa on the rough roads in the rain AGAIN! But off I went because it wasn't midnight, and I still had a cool-down run to do eventually. Head down and arms on the aerobars, ignoring the pitifully slow speed on the speedometer. Just keep the rotations up, and the mind wandering. I tore out the ceilings in our bedroom in the house in Georgia, and then re-installed new treyed ceilings. I also put a bonus room over the garage. When I finally got to the turn-around, I knew I wasn't setting a new bike leg time, but I was fairly close to my CdA time. But I remembered how horrible my legs felt getting off the bike that time, so didn't push hard coming home that last 1:45. Just concentrated on using the wind at my back when I could, and relaxing on the down hills. (I did get a warning from a motorcycle referee for following another rider to close...I think he took pity on my mental state.) Got another kiss from Kelly with 4 Km to go, and then rolled into the Bike-to-run transition. Another 2 minute faster transition, and off I was on a little "Cool-Down" run. To get the runners onto the correct side of the semi-bust street, they erect a temporary pedestrian bridge to get you over...metal grating (WET WHEN RAINING) made me take it easy, but I broke into a steady (COMFORTABLE!!) 6 minute per kilometer pace (10 minute miles). Got another kiss from Kelly at the 2Km point, and headed out past the airport, up and down rolling rises. Nothing too steep to force a walk, but not very comfortable at that point in the day. Hooked up with another guy who wanted 6 minute kms, and we stayed together most of the first lap. First 10Km in 61 minutes; second 10Km in 65 minutes; bring me back to Kelly's kiss again (Photo #9). At this point my mind thinks that I'm going too fast, and it convinces my belly to start grumbling. I told Kelly that I was going into "Survival Mode", and started a 100 meter walk/100 meter jog pace. Ate just about anything at each of the "Support Stations", and worked on keeping the jogging going. About halfway out to the airport, I did a mental check (no pun intended this time) and realized what my brain had done. I REALLY wasn't feeling that bad, and if I went faster, then it would all end quicker. Plus, with that 62/65 opening 20KM time, I've got something special going on here. So I gradually jogged more before doing my 100 meter walk...100/125, 100/150, jog ALL the downhill's (easier on the knees). Did the third 10K in 81 minutes, and made the turn-around for home. The sun was still up, so I was feeling REALLY good (a sunlight finish is a goal for us back-of-the-packers). I wasn't feeling great, but seeing folks who were a WHOLE LAP behind me remind me that I didn't feel as bad as they did. I got GREAT JOY from their discomfort, and used it to my benefit. As I was getting nearer the end, I could tell my marathon time was gonna be close to 5 hours. (I did 6:11 at CdA.) I knew this was going A LOT better than I had given myself credit for, and I was gonna have a blast hearing Mike Reilly call my name AGAIN! Kelly was waiting at the top of the chute, and she knew what I was experiencing. I got SEVERAL kisses before making the last turn, and we slowed down so there was GOOD spacing between the person in front of us...This was OUR TIME to celebrate!!! Holding hands and getting a kiss made it all worth while. Almost 1:28 faster in worse riding and running conditions, what more could I have done? NOTHING on that day. I gave it all, and left satisfied. Is there another IM in the future? - Absolutely! Which one? Depends on where Kelly wants to vacation next. Kevin IronMan New Zealand Registration - $472.90 Air Fare and accommodations for 12-day holiday - $3,791.50 Crossing the IMNZ finish line with the best IronWife holding my hand - PRICELESS