Well, Ironman Florida 2006 is over and now I can officially proclaim...I am an IRONMAN. It wasn't a pretty race and at one point it looked like I maybe out of the event all together (before and during the race) but it sure was memorable.
And the story goes...
It all started the weekend before race day. After finalizing the last of my training with my friends, I developed ANOTHER infection in my thigh. By Tuesday, I could barely walk and people were asking how I was going to race. On Wednesday I went to the Doc and he performed minor surgery on my leg and cleaned out the infection. I asked if I could race and he gave me the green light.
Race morning I was cool as a cucumber and ready to go. The swim went well and I found out what it was like to be laundry in a washing machine. It was fun and when we gathered at the first turn buoy folks were laughing, hooting, and hollering. The first lap was finished and we hit the beach and made the turn for the next lap. Adjusting my timing chip and goggles I hit the water again and was feeling pretty good. I even managed to smile for the camera and ended up on the highlight DVD.
Out of the water and it was into the CROWDED changing tent. I found an empty chair and was shortly off on the road. During our training it was emphasized to start off slower than normal and you would catch people later. I stuck with that philosophy and made comments to other riders like, "nice bike" and "beautiful day for a bike ride". Everything was fine except for the headwind the entire length of the back side of the course. Then at mile 45 something was wrong. Front tire went flat. I pulled over and started the process of changing it. A few riders asked if I had everything I needed and I told them "yes, thank you". I'm not the fastest at changing a flat so I took my time and got it done. Some fluids and I was back on the road. Only 5 more miles and I would be out of the wind. Making a right turn I knew I could make up some time. I started to cruise at this point and picking off people. At mile 56 there was an aid station and I needed to refill my aero bottle with water. A young man was ahead of me and he was slowing down. I called out for water, pulled over to grab it, focused on the water bottle to make a clean grab and did it. As I looked forward again, the young man was moving very slowly and was right in front of me. With a water bottle in my hand I could not grab the brake and basically cringed waiting for the impact. WHAM...I rear ended him and we both went down. He laid in the road for awhile and they were going to call the ambulance. (???) Eventually he got up and he said he was bonking real bad in the race. I ended up with a bloody elbow, bruised hip, bloody knee, and a bruised forearm. Gathering my stuff I checked out my bike and it seemed okay but the front wheel was rubbing the brake pad. I took it off and spun the wheel and it was still true (I was worried baout it being bent) so I was not sure if my fork was bent or not, then I saw it. One of my spokes was broke on the front wheel. I figured my race was over and the volunteers even called the SAG wagon to pick me up and take me back to the transition area. I was a little upset that all of my friends would get finisher medals and I wouldn't but then again, it is only a race. I waited there at the aid station and ate my combos and reassured the volunteers I was alright. The other guy went on but only had one gear. After about 45 minutes of waiting the Tech Support vehicle came up and I asked if they could fix a spoke. They said no but they did have another wheel I could use. YEA!!! I could at least finish the race. They swapped the wheels and I was off once again. I came upon our only female training buddy and told her what happened. We rode together for awhile and then she told me to go ahead and go on without her, so I did. Finally, topping the bridge on hwy 79 and heading back to the transition area I noticed another racer on the side of the road with mechanical problems and a volunteer. I pulled over, went back, and as others had done for me, I asked her if she had everything she needed. She was crying and said that she had a flat and changed it but could not figure out how to inflate the tube. She had rented some race wheels just for race day with valve extenders on them and was unfamiliar with how they worked. The volunteer could not help because the racer would be disqualified for outside help. I said I would take a look at it, even though I too am not familiar with how valve extensions work...I buy the extra long valve stems. I played with it and she explained how the volunteers requested tech support but I told her that could take awhile. I used my CO2 gun with her cartridge and the tire partially inflated before we started losing air out of the side of the extender. I took her second CO2 cartridge, played around some more and started to fill it again when, WHALA, it fully inflated. I told her that would get her home. She was very thankful and happy that she would get to finish the race. I headed off again and finally made it back to T2.
The first 13.1 miles of the run were okay. I stayed with my 3 minute run 1 minute walk plan and it worked out fine until about mile 11. At that point I was getting a little queasy and was reduced to a walk. Not a problem but it would be cutting it close to the cutoff. I mentally did the math and tried to keep a pace that allowed me enough time. The walk was painful because my ankles, knees, and feet were hurting. Oh yeah, did I mention the burning sensation along with some occasional sharp pains in my thigh from my surgery? Even so, I was able to talk and joke with several people along the way and enjoy the experience.
On my final lap in, I saw a lady carrying some of the road signs that were made for race participants and figured she was a family friend or volunteer, but she kept walking. I overheard her talking about her friend who would probably not make the cutoff so she picked up the signs as a memento for her. Then I realized that this lady was ALSO in the race, carrying the signs. As I caught up to her I offered to carry the signs for her. She handed them over and we started to talk. HEr name was Ellie and she was from Canada. I asked if they could just pick up the signs tomorrow or if she wanted to hide them in some bushes so they could pick them up later but she was going to carry them to the finish line where she could hand them off to some other friends. I asked if she wanted me to take them to the finish line for her but she declined. After awhile we came upon a water station and she said she was going to sit down and rest for awhile. She took back her signs, thanked me, and I headed on with only 2 miles to go.
Getting close, I could hear the music and I started to trot as I rounded the chute that lead up to the finish line. My mother was right there with her home made sign that said "YOU DID IT...YOU ARE NOW AN IRONMAN" and ringing her cow bell. I prepared for my picture and as I rounded the final turn at the top of the hill and headed under the inflatable arch, the music and crowd energized me. I started to RUN, slapping spectators hands along the way down the final stretch. I never heard my name but only heard "Panama City" so I assumed he was talking about me. In my mind all I could think of was that through all the pain and the obstacles of the day that this moment made it ALL worthwhile.
I crossed the finish line in 16:16...WAY off my goal but as I heard someone say, "it's not the time I finish but the time I had" and I had a GREAT time!!! After crossing all I remember is commotion. People wrapping me in a solar blanket, giving my a T-shirt and a hat and directing me toward the massage tents. Some guy grabbed me from behind and was smiling saying something to me but I can't remember a thing he said.
I made it to the massage tent, which was nice but as soon as she finished and I sat up I got the chills and could not stop shaking. Covered in blankets and drinking chicken broth I soon warmed up and was allowed to go. I headed back to the condo and forgot about my "Finishers Picture" in front of the banner but that is okay. There is always next year.
Well, that is about it for my story. Sorry it was long and not well written but my mind and body are both not working very well yet. See everyone later.
Jim "Ironman" Campbell
