Post
Race
After the race I got a message and tried to take in some fluids. I called my folks and was having problems getting my head together. Melanie made the good recommendation to hit the medical tent. I spend an hour or so in there wrapped up in blankets trying to get fluids and sodium. They were bringing in a steady flow of people and several left on stretchers. It was somewhat terrifying to see but also somewhat inspiring. This aint easy, and when they brought in the lady who had passed out and was throwing up on herself it really hit home….this is nuts, absolutely nuts.
I
Did It
When the results came out I
learned that I won the 29 and under Clydesdale division and I had place
128th over all of the males.
During the race I remember thinking that I might never do another ironman
race. As I sit her now I am already
wondering if I could do 3 next year.
This really is nuts. Another
thing I remember running through my headed during the race. No matter what respect you ever had for
someone who has done this, it likely is not enough – especially for those who
finish in the back of the pack.
After leaving the medical tent I went home, took a shower and talked
about the race. Finally about 12:00
I decided to call it a night. As I
looked at my watch I realized that there were still people on the course. I had been done for nearly 5 hours and
there were still people out there!!
There are not enough superlatives to describe those people. Someone told me once…..”what will they
call the last place finisher at your race?” “uh, not sure what?”
“…an ironman”.
Many thanks to everyone who helped out at all along with the way with words of wisdom, encouragement, or support. Thanks to all those I trained with and pushed me to push myself. Thanks to Maarten for bringing me strong into the finish. And finally a big thanks to my girlfriend Melanie who is just as much of an ironwoman as I am an ironman. She put up with a lot and was a huge part of my success.
See you all on the back side
of the mountain!!
IronMike
mguzek@yahoo.com