UM Canada

"Truly great friends are hard to find, difficult to leave, and impossible to forget."

Ultraman Canada is over....but the feeling, the vibration of the race has yet to subside. Intentionally waiting a few days to write my race report has served me well in the past, and, I hope it serves the reader well also with this re-cap.  I get so jumbled up sometimes -- the heart gets in the way of my brain and typing fingers along with chewed cheeks pay the price. Not this time. This time will be different.

Yeah...right...

I want to approach this like a high school book report. 

1. I'll tell you what I am going to tell you.
2. I'll tell you.
3. I'll remind you what I told you.

I've actually tried to imagine what someone would want to read and this has helped pick a few highlights I will share.  As a 'hook', you've got torn perineum, vomit, high speed chases, wrong pacing,  flat tires.... But first a word from my sponsors....

Before I start, I ache to thank the people responsible for providing me the resources and encouragement to compete in Canada this past week.

I know belching "thank you's" to sponsors is standard. This is not meant to be that. It can't be. Why? Because my sponsors seem more like family. Seriously. Example?? I was at a BBQ with RYU two weeks before this race with "Go get 'ems", and "You can do its" shot at me like I was dodging spit wads in high school.  It gave me chills.  It gave me strength. 

The family of Respect Your Universe/RYU is special.  Yes they have an amazing product. Yes, they serve the athlete and warrior in all. Yes it is the most functional and comfortable casual wear I have ever had. Yes I wore their compression shorts for the final 52.4 mile run leg of Ultraman. Yes-all this is true.  But the most important thing is they care. CARE. Like many that Just do it.. RYU lives it, eats it, breathes it, gives it, and expects it. Expects sacrifice. Expects commitment, and promises in return the same.  Thank you everyone at RYU. I had you with me.

Vuelta Wheels and my Orbea Ordu gave my 2-day bike split a smile leading into the run.  It was sweet.
My Ordu is fast. My Vuelta wheels are fast.

This provided me with confidence and assurance that I could push hard, and, I did. I am grateful for what they have done for me.  I mean it with everything that I am when I say I will NEVER forget the kindness you have shown me.

Living Fuel is nutrition that really helped me recover. It was necessary to take in clean burning fuel, not only leading into the race itself, but in between stages.  Thanks KC for everything!

The Athletes Lounge here in Portland Oregon had me dialed.  My bike, gear, kit, nutrition was DIALED. My crew had them on speed dial the whole time, but never had to call.  Thanks, Athletes Lounge, for getting me totally set for this race.


I'm fortunate to have these companies behind me.  Not only do they take an interest in my races, but also support the causes that strike a nerve in me.  These companies know my motivation for racing lies in bringing awareness to the devastating poverty experienced by children around the world.

 Working with Chris and More Than Sport has been a blessing.  He supports my passion to help the people of Haiti and my love for them.  My 'Taxi Initiative' for Mountian Top Misistries raised $2,500.00. Yes short of my goal, but the awareness, attention and hope to show others that there is More than Sport to endurance racing is cool.  That money will be used to change lives.  I emphasize...It will truly CHANGE LIVES. Thank you to those who donated and took an interest.

                                     

               

It's a blessing.


My crew were amazing. I was reminded over, and over, and over, just how important others are as I traveled deeper into the hole. Running next to my son, I kept thinking..."He's never, ever going to forget this.  It's going to be something he tells his kids." I thought how I wished I could have done something like this when I was his age.  I was overcome with the moment-all the time. Then I realized "I'll never forget this"...I also realized how much I was loved. I have been married to my best friend...BEST friend, for close to 21 years. We have known each other for over 25 years, and watching her crew me taught me how to love her in yet a different way.  It was incredible.  Eric. I love you.  Your sacrifice and service will never be understood fully if I just keep trying to say it in words. I will follow your example of action, and always be there for you.

Now back to our show...

So as not to stray from the key points too much, let me just say as a quick summary that the days leading into the race were perfect.  The trip driving up was a long day and I shook the fatigue off pretty quick.  In-processing, briefings, and pre-race meetings were awesome.  Actually, flawless is a better word.  The Ultraman Canada race crew is by far the most professional, well organized, accommodating, and interested people I have EVER been exposed to.  Amazing. Steve Brown the race director, along with his daughter Alexis were incredible. Steve King, Jane Bockus, Rick Kent, -- the list goes on...were incredible. Thank you, Thank you, Thank you. I can't say it enough. This would be a perfect spot to mention the athletes, with their families and crews also.  It's easy to get over-saturated sometimes at races.  People (myself included) get so locked into "us, me, I," that "them, they, the others" are lost.  Both Rhonda and I agreed that it was a refreshing change to spend time with individuals who were kind.  I'm not kidding.  Athletes who had every right to stick to themselves decided instead to share thoughts, feelings, and time with my family. Humble is a word often used to describe people, but unfortunately, is less often a true reflection. But it's like beauty.  You know it when you see it, or experience it.  Here are a few examples--(sorry to embarrass some of my new friends but, too bad)--Dave Matheson, and Craig Percival.  These two gentlemen basically controlled a large portion of the race, but are as level headed as they come.  Yes, they'll slice your throat during the race, but after ensure you have a ride to the ER for stitches and neosporin to put on after you leave.  The stretch of athletes that were well accomplished and never bragged about it was refreshing.  Bad water 135 athletes, RAAM finishers, Death race, resumes that require being screamed aloud while read were instead whispered under breath and mumbled while walking away.  Pretty cool.  Examples   of action speaking louder than words were everywhere. 

Day 1-

I slept OK.  Normal tossing and turning but overall I felt rested.  Into the water with Eric in his kayak, and I was off.  The first 1:15 was crap. I just felt "blah."  Picking my head up to get a view, it was obvious that I was up in front-just was not sure where. I did my best not to worry about it and just kept swimming. Fueling was OK. I really did not feel like eating but managed to make sure every 25/30 I was taking in some calories. Hitting the 4 mile mark I finally started to feel solid and put in a good effort. I felt really strong but still was conservative.  Plan was to stay around an hour per 2 miles.  Felt like I could've pushed more, but my lack of experience in this was something I wanted to respect. I wanted sub 3 hours, and to feel good getting out of the water.  Did both--2:59 and a spring in my step.  I was a little sad it was over, but excited to get on my Ordu and roll.  Looking around I saw I had one athlete that completed the swim with me and until Rhonda said-- "A new swim record was set today!!"-I thought I was in a good position. "Relax...No way you can win an Ultraman in the swim.-Right??"  Thinking about what Rhonda had just told me, I knew I was already 25 min's down! "Crap...I'm going to be racing already". Yep....That's what I did. On the bike my idea of easing in was out the door and I hit the gas.  I had it too.  I felt awesome, and, I wanted to stay somewhat close to the leaders. It was out of respect, not fear. Guys like Dave and Craig can back up what they don't say. In other words-I was not at all surprised to see them up front.   So-my Watts/Power were higher than I planned, but I had no problem holding, so I rolled. Talking with my coach the overall plan was to be as dynamic as I could in each day, each moment. Adjust to what the moment called for. It's second by second-seriously. I found that out, too, in a three day race losing 3rd place by only six seconds is...funny. And, OK, maybe a little sad...but, it's cool.

 Nutrition, pace, fluid, whatever..I just had to flex. Every. Single. Second. It was awesome, and I learned A TON. I really understood a few things about myself I've managed to ignore over the past years racing. This, along with a massive, swollen, torn perineum, is something I brought home with me.  More on that later...

The bike on day 1 was fast.  We were racing and I LOVED it.  Getting splits from my crew-I would have third locked in and if my nutrition could continue solid I would be sitting decent for day 2. Heat started to pick up a little in the last twenty miles and I could feel my stomach a little off-- the cumulative fatigue was sinking in, but my attitude and mind were focused--  bypassing the rough patches was easy. 
It was a good day. 2:59:22 swim 4:21:33 bike day 1 total 7:20:55 

The evening of the day 1 was spent relaxing.  I felt good and was excited.

Day 2- 

The nerves were sleeping this morning.  Relaxed but excited after day one, I was placed up front at the start.  The chess game began early and played out for the first few hours as the lead group hopped back and forth watching each other like stalkers.  I was patient and even more importantly, happy. Despite a few surges and moves from others we arrived at "the wall" together.  2.5 hrs in and I felt good.  "Ok, let's go."  I broke away and pushed the pace thinking (and hoping ) that a few of the leaders may have some fatigue brewing from the day before.  I felt good and climbed well knowing the backside would be a good opportunity to open things up a little.  Cresting the top I felt strong and kept the gas on...then..I thought..."Oh, crap..Hey there..Hello hidden fatigue.  Peek-a-boo, I see you".  My body bit back and I slowed.  It was not horrible really, just enough to make me breath a little heavy and concentrate more than I expected.  I was passed by 1, then 2...Percival rode next to me, "Good climb mate..now c'mon, lets bridge the gap."  I had nothing.  I tried to hang on close but he and the leaders were slipping. Ok-I thought, no biggie.  Fuel, fluid, recoup, and catch up. 

I could still see the pack ahead but had work to do-I felt good and feeling settled in again I pushed. No sooner had I thought my rhythm was nestling back in cozy and warm--my chain popped off, and during a climb too. "Alright, chill"...I re-set it and 3 min's later same. "Crap!!" The first one was OK, but the second one hurt a bit. Seemed like getting going took a bit this time. I felt like the "re-set" this time was a bit more needy-and, I gave in.  In addition I was on a portion of the course that felt like I was in the freaking Twilight Zone. Conversation went something like this..."Hey cool, a down hill...nice, spin out the..le..wait, why am I going down hill..but, 3.2 mph? huh?, Uhhh....OK wait..Am I going up hill?? Where did everybody go?  Help me Tom Cruise..."  It was the first serious little 'dip' for me and I mentally stepped back, swallowed my ambition and just relaxed. Ultimately things were OK and for 1.5 hours I worked hard to catch the leaders again, all the while just repeating to myself "I am racing Ultraman." It's amazing what smiling can do--really.  I was talking with my crew captain, Eric, later in the week. His advice? "The only, only way to erase, advance, get through pain, anger, discomfort...is with gratitude. That's it...just be thankful." I found my self doing that a lot. 

example/problem-"Holy crap I'm so thirsty. Where is my crew? This is pissing me off-I have not seen them, in like....4 minutes?!"  Solution/thankfulness. "I could be in /Haiti right now with no crew at all. 
No automobile full of food and people that love me, serving me, giving me a choice of any number of drinks, food, and encouragement."  I found my self throughout UM telling Christian Isakson to "Just shut up and go."  I felt shame at times too.  We are so, so, so, blessed and I forget way too often. 

sidetracked....

So--despite a few things--I felt decent. Fuel/fluid were OK, but with the speed/pace being much faster than planned, my nutrition had to be adjusted.  I was able early on to get in some good solid food. Quinoa wraps, chicken wraps, banana's, potato's...felt good.  I pushed much more liquid/gel/cliff blocks/skratch near the  middle and end. I was processing the solids well, but still felt worn the last 30 minutes and resorted to a few chocolate nibs to bring me home.  The "fullness" was encouraging and the idea to try to keep the stove "stoked" to help recovery was working.  
Again--at the end of day 2 I was in third but,  the leader board was tight and the caliber of athletes here left no doubt that tomorrow's run would be a battle.   8:04:33

Day 3-

My nerves were up this morning and I felt a bit queasy. That night I woke at 1:40 thinking it was time to get up.  I was so happy until I saw my watch & realized I had hours before the run.  I tossed and turned and my stomach was sour and cramping. "No way this is happening."  Not worried at all, I just lay there and thought my gut was stressed from the two days prior.  My wife told me "It's nerves, suck it up, and I love you."  In part it was nerves, but the 'physcial' feeling of it felt more like gas. Oh, yeah....my jacked up sack...I almost forgot.

The ride from the day before was kind enough to let what I call "A sack monster" take a good bite out of me.  Sometimes these cute little guys sneak into your race kit and take a little bite....right from between your legs. Actually, with my medical background I feel like I can tell you this without sounding like a psycho. Medical term for today,class is ....perineum.


I had no idea I was in bad shape until I lost my chain yesterday during that climb.  As I dismounted to fix it I saw the little "sack monster" slip out from my shorts--and scurry off, complete with my flesh in it's mouth and a grin on his grill. I was in trouble.  It hurt. I really had no idea how bad it was.  Eventually I was able to get creme on it and get home--but waking up for the run, was sore. Wait, a better word would be raw.  Ripped, torn, you get it.  It's funny how Ultraman removes all barriers...my crew and I spent the morning inspecting it. "Ah crap Dad, that sucks." was my son's response. Rhonda and Eric both winced.

I smiled a smile--of gratitude. 

"Thank you Lord I have a chance to show my swollen, half near severed scrotum to my family"....Ahhhhhh....Ultraman.

Treating my injury as bakers treat cakes for children's birthdays, I frosted it like a pro. It felt much better and throughout the run I would need to be careful. I think I just sat wrong on a fold and didn't realize it till it was too late.  A good lesson.  Keep locked in on  EVERYTHING while racing-small things, can become big things. Or feel like big things....real, big, painful, enlarged, ok...you get it.

"You're running too slow babe!! Your pace is too slow!!"  Rhonda  told me this a few times inside the first three hours.  I told her I was good and forced...forced, myself to be patient.  Eventually...I realized it--She was right, and....it crept in..."Dang it, I should have listened". Talking with Craig post race we discussed the "carrot" of racing...Should have, would have, could have--right??  What if I did start fast, faster, tried to stay with the pack from the beginning???  Then how would I have fared?  Either way The top 4 guys were out front the second the cannon went off-and they were moving fast. I just relaxed.  I actually had a good conversation with Rich Roll before the run and he reinforced my gut feeling. "Patience. Patience. Patience." It worked for the most part really, but.... I refuse to blame it all on my pace-The athletes in front of me were just so very strong. Dave is ridiculously fast and smart. Craig, Inaki, Mike, John--my hat's off to you guys. You are amazing athletes. 

 I moved from 14th, to 10th, to 6th, to 4th and sat in. I was solid til 33, and went though a few rough patches on and off. Bergen--who I had gone back and forth with pretty tightly for the three days-- had a good lead.  I had to stay close if I wanted to keep third, and I actually thought to my self early on, "If I hold strong I could maybe jump into second."  The splits were coming back to me from my crew, and I noticed his crew car circling back.  They even asked me how I felt.  It was not a mean tactic by any means, either. His crew was cool, & I liked the idea of battling.  

My deficit was dropping..18 minutes, 14 minutes, 12, 10...9...and...That was it. With 6 miles to go Rhonda said I was just over a mile behind and the gap would not close.  I tried, and  the pace I "thought" I was running vs. my actual pace was way off. No kidding, had you had asked me I would've told you I was on my way to break the 4 minute mile. Honestly, I could barely hold pace. It hurt. I felt together for the most part, and I was doing my best to suspend judgement till the end, but knowing I had put a ton of time into Craig and Inaki, and lost time to Bergen..I thought "Ok-focus...try to stick in 3rd".  Eventually I would finish and see 3rd place slip by six seconds.  Craig came over and hugged me while I was on the massage table. I was so freaking happy for him. I was happy for all of us. 

The remainder of the week would bring the awards banquet, hugs, hand shakes, and Thank yous. It was glorious. It was incredible. It was Ultraman.

To the athletes....David, John, Craig, Michael, Inaki, Alexey, Shane, Aaron, Michael, Shlomi, Andrew, Alan, Greg, Michael, Iona, Stacey, Christopher, Lucy, Paul, Brian, Devon, Kathleen, Peter, Peter, Ariane, Rory, Bruce, Nick....

Thank you.

Meeting one of my favorite athletes in the World.
Here is a link to my Video Blog also.