Guest Blog Post: Matthew Sessions Race Report from Rev3 Cedar Point

I have a special treat for this post - a race report from my friend Matthew Sessions.  Matthew is now officially a fellow "Recreational Ironman" - he's got a good job, he's a great parent and husband, and manages to train for and compete in endurance events.  He had a long road to his first Ironman distance race, paved with injury and uncertainty, but as you'll read had a great experience.  Enjoy the report, and congratulations Matthew!
-Matt Rodgers
===============

 

Race Report - Matthew Sessions

Full Rev3 Cedar Point
Sunday, September 9, 2012
Cedar Point Amusement Park
Sandusky, Ohio on the southwest shore of Lake Erie between Detroit and Cleveland

Pre-Race

I flew Frontier Airlines as they are on the only domestic carrier to accept hard-shell bike boxes as a standard luggage (no b.s. $175 United Airlines fees).  For just a few $$$ extra at time of booking, you can upgrade to priority seating & boarding, in-flight DirectTV, and two checked bags R/T…a no-brainer.

SFO/DEN/CAK on Thursday and stayed with my Mom and step-Father for the weekend in Cleveland (Hilary and the kids stayed home with the school year just starting).  Bike box made it fine but getting it into the ‘full size’ rental car took a bit of origami.  Successfully assembled the bike Thursday night which is a bit stressful but fun.  Friday I worked remotely and hoped to get a light Lake Erie swim and 5m ride but a massive late afternoon thunderstorm ended those plans.  Did not want to swim in the Lake just after a rain or take my bike puddle-hopping.  My Mom joined me Saturday to drive the hour to Cedar Point for the mandatory bike drop / athlete check in / athlete meeting.  The process was quick and efficient.  Friday night’s storm brought clear skies & cooler temps but 30-40 knot winds on Saturday.  Summer humidity was gone but washed out were the new Olympic distance and KidsTri events.  The good news is we had another 18 hours for the High pressure system to blow through. 

Race Morning

Went to bed at 9pm; fell asleep about 1:30a; alarm woke me up at 3:45a.  After three days of huge meals and no exercise, my stomach felt like sh*t.  I could barely eat my planned pre-race meal of yogurt with granola & fruit; toasted bagel w/honey; a glass of OJ; and lots of water.  Showered, shaved, and then drove to C.P. at 4:40a with Eminem blaring in my iPod.  I decided to stop force-feeding myself and just relax and get focused.  Sipped some more water and my crap stomach eventually progressed to just pre-race butterflies.  My mood was a bit negative as I dropped off my Transition and Special Needs bags – thought that was a good sign. 

Swim – 2.4 miles

·         2.5x triangle shaped course on Lake Erie

      ·         73 degree water - didn’t need a wetsuit but everyone was wearing them
      ·         1:12 chip time
      ·         6^th of 48 in Age Group
      ·         43^rd of 359 overall

I walked in darkness down the beach at 0635 and was hoping the sun would rise soon.  Good news was Lake Erie was completely tranquil and the air temp was about 10 degrees cooler than the water. 

The 0705 mass start was about 50 yards offshore on a knee-deep sand bar.  To entertain those on shore, it was a running start…i.e. we ran in waist deep water / dolphin dove the first 50 yards of the swim.  Mark1 seemed WAY far out and the sun was just rising.  Fortunately a Coast Guard vessel had a flashing strobe at Mark1 which helped my spotting.  Mark1 was located at a 45-degree angle to the left – not straight out.  Utilizing my sailing skills and basic geometry, I walked about 75 yards to the left of all the starters pre-start.  I was the most left on the starting line by 10+ yards.  This was great as I sight/breath right and it was the shortest route.  I swam solo the first 75% of the leg, and best of all, my stomach was settling too as the blood started to pump for the first time in days.  The next five legs were just a matter of settling into a groove and thinking about the few hundred-thousand yards I’ve swum with North Bay Aquatics Masters.  I had some short-lived demons around Leg 4 of 6 thinking that 2.4m of continuous swimming is indeed pretty long.  Those thoughts went away when I could see a stream of fellow swimmers already a leg behind me.  I knew I was doing great and not ‘burning any of my pack of matches’.  Running up the beach at the swim exit was sweet with a few hundred cheering spectators. 

Bike – 112 miles

·         Course – First ~17 miles southeast away from Lake Erie to rural (and gorgeous) OH farm country; 2 x 39 mile loop; then return to C.P.

      ·         Roads were open to traffic but every single intersection with a Stop or traffic light was shut down for our right-of-way.  H/T to the local & state police!
      ·         6:18 chip-time (17.7mph).  Strava riding time of 6:11.  http://app.strava.com/rides/21520431
      ·         Fell from 6^th to 20^th in Age Group; 43 to 140 overall

I took my time in T1 (8:24) and lost 23 overall spots from entrance to exit.  Sprinting T1 was not in the plan.  I changed from full swim clothes to full bike clothes…even took the time to de-sand my feet, apply sunblock, drink some water, etc.  I wasn’t going to win the race in T1 but rushing could cost me dearly.  I was definitely heading into the unknown for the rest of the race (this was my first century ride in 3+ years). The first five miles were focused on lowering my HR from the high-150’s.  This was the first time in the race when I started talking to myself – not in my head – but aloud.  I find it much more effective when the ears hear it.  My first words on the bike were, ‘Slow-the-fuck-down-and-relax!’ 

Miles 0-45’ish were consistent…I got dropped by fancy TT bikes.  No worries I kept reminding myself…the race does not start until M80 of the bike, ‘Stick to the plan’.  And it was good to know each of them suck at swimming.

I braked at the 22M Aid station as I did not want to ride further with a full bladder.  Everything came out clear (TMI but relevant).  When I came back to the bike 90 seconds later, my new 3-hour bottle of Perpetuem had been topped off as well as bottle #2 with plain water…these volunteers rocked.  Around the corner, the locals were going crazy as we raced through their town square (remember the vuvuzelas at the last World Cup?).  I left Milan, Ohio with an ear-to-ear grin.

Racing an IM bike leg for the first time was interesting.  I noticed how quiet the race is…most athletes were not too chatty.  A few words here-and-there but it was usually me initiating.  After hearing horror stories of 2,000+ drafting cyclists at WTC events, it was great to not see a single cheater all day.  Everyone was respectful and stuck to the rules.  Despite the relatively small field, a minute did not seem to go by all day when I was not being passed or passing.  One female athlete and I passed each other about 20X - it became humorous by the end.  On the flat rural roads of Ohio, it was great to shift gears often (of speed & HR)…a few minutes to wind up the HR to mid-130’s followed by a few minutes to pace back down.  

My 3^rd of 4 stops was at the 71M Aid station.  I pulled up to a volunteer to help me to make my 2^nd and final 3-hour bottle of Perpetuem.  In about 2 minutes, I learned that Roxy had just lost 120lbs with more to go and training for a 5K run.  I told her what she is doing in life is a 10X greater accomplishment than anything I was doing.  We High-5’d and I told her that I was going to keep giving my best today on her behalf.  Keep focused Roxy…

My nutrition plan was working well – fantastic actually.  Perfect weather conditions of a mild tailwind for the first 40 miles, 70 degree air temp, no humidity, high clouds, and miles of cornfields kept me in a good mood.  I had a small pouch of Advil, salt tablets, Gas-X, and Tumms that I consumed on a consistent manner…no panicking of being behind the nutrition curve.  Around 75M, I did exactly what no-one should do on an IM race day - I experimented with new nutrition.  The Perpetuem was getting boring and my stomach was only about 75% so I decide to start switching over to EFS Liquid Shot.  It was going to be my run nutrition and I figured now was the time to see how the vanilla flavored gel would absorb.  Within miles, my stomach bounced back from 75% to 95%.   About M95 I dumped the last of my Perpetuem and switched over to just EFS + Water at the prescribed dosages. 

Another interesting thing happened starting around 80M - The Race Started.  I had become the passer and not the passee.  Around me hips were starting to rock and shoulders drop.  $7,500 TT bikes were going backwards.  Some who blew by me at M15 were now in my sights.  The best part is that I was not doing anything different…’keep it up’.

Overall, my feared demons never really came out on the bike leg.  The wheels rolled (SRAM S80 - thank you Dr. Mark!) and miles clicked along better than planned.  The headwinds back to T2 for the last 15 miles died too.  In the last five miles, I passed at least ten riders.  At M109.5, I kicked it up to 21mph – to get off my bike sooner as century rides are really long.  At 1450 (10 minutes ahead of schedule) I pulled around the last corner going into T2 and stated, ‘I feel amazing…bring it’.

 

Run – 26.2M marathon

·         Double 13.1M loop into Sandusky

      ·         Aid stations every mile with water, ice, bars, Gatorade, pretzels, etc. and great volunteers
      ·         4:47 chip time
      ·         Strava run time of 4:41  http://app.strava.com/runs/21520421
      ·         Total non-run time was therefore ~6 minutes for two toilet breaks & two band-aid stops

My T1 plan was the same for T2 - full change from bike gear to running gear which took 7:30.  Yes – I just lost nine more people here.   

I started the run course in a great mood.  I had run most of the course about six weeks prior so I knew it was going to be pancake-flat.  The run course into Sandusky is a mix of abandoned factories, a nice waterfront on Sandusky Bay, sailboats in new marinas, and a rust-belt town of locals who were gracious, welcoming, and a bit confused why any human would want 140.6 miles of continuous exercise. 

The first 10m or so could not have gone better.  As planned, I ran to each aid station and then walked 25-50 yards to take in the EFS shot + water; topped off by a few ice chips.  Where the bike course was quiet and focused, the overlapping runners in the Half & Full distance courses were mostly upbeat…the end is in sight and it’s time to celebrate making it this far. 

At M12, the usual toe blisters came on very fast. I thought I had some Band-Aids in my belt but no luck.  Fortunately I put one blister Band-Aid in my Special Needs Run bag along with a new 5oz EFS flask which I grabbed just a mile later.  Hit the mid-run mark at about 2:05-2:10 – sweet. 

By M17, I had moved up from 149^th overall to 113.  Knee was starting to hurt but I was already 2/3’s of the way done with the run.  Bad news is I still had a 1/3 of a Marathon to go and the pain factor on my left knee jumped quickly.  Coincidentally (not!) this distance was about 10% longer than I have ever run in my life.  I thought of the term ‘Hurt Locker’ and realized I had just become the poster-child.  My great race was crumbling along with dreams of a 12:00 Finish.  The splits recorded by Strava confirmed it…10:53 (M16), 12:06 (M17), 12:20 (M19), 13:56 (M20 & 21 each).  Eating some food for the first time of the day – pretzels – seemed to help. 

I am going to finish – but this really hurts.  Athletes I passed in the first 15 miles were trotting away.  Speed walking was an instant solution for the pain.  (I found out post-race that I was suffering from a very tight IT band on my left knee for the first time in my life). 

I was literally shrieking aloud in pain but had to continue.  Run ten race cones; walk three.  Run two telephone poles, walk a minute.  I had to play games with my left knee as I was not going to let a great day die at M135.  The pace improved for the last few miles but the pain did not – 13:50…12:50…11:50 splits.  I can see the finish line, ‘keep going’. 

The last full mile at 10:30 pace was just a game with some athletes near me…I wanted the finish chute for myself to savor the moment.  A marathon is 26.2M but it ended for me around M26.0.  The last few hundred yards were a pain-free dance ten feet off the ground.  Spectators cheered, music blared, and here was the finish line.  Tears were choked back as I-DID-IT!!! 

The Finish – 12:35 race time

·         20^th of 48 in Male 40-44 age group

      ·         131 of 359 overall
      ·         http://rev3tri.com/cedar-point/2012-results/

I sat down immediately after finishing and was given an ice wrap for my left knee.  My pre-race photo was plastered on the jumbo-tron and it was awesome to have my Mom and step-Father Dave right there.  Bad news is Mom ‘forgot her camera in the car…’ WTF? Don’t make me do this again so it can be properly documented…

The Race Staff offered to help me in any way but I felt great.  It was as much fun to watch others finish behind me as my own finish…we did it together and everyone was in a great mood.  I had an ear-to-ear grin.  WOW!

I took my time to hobble over to Transition and find my cell phone.  Just as I reached into my backpack, the phone was ringing and it was Hilary and the kids.  We were thrilled to connect.  Hilary reminded me of the Nice, France McDonald’s adjacent to the Finish of Ironman France packed with athletes…she said I deserve that too.  Volunteers helped me carry my gear the few hundred yards to my car (in a very short lived downpour) and then it was straight to McD’s for the first time in 5+ years.  A Big Mac, cheeseburger, and large fries never tasted so good.  It got even better to wash it down with a 24oz can of Corona from the next gas station.  I’m not sure if open containers are legal in Ohio but talking away on the phone is while driving.  The next hour was celebration calls to family & friends – and still smiling.

Pro’s & Con’s

·         Great location, weather, and overall event organization by Rev3.  Volunteers were fantastic

      ·         Reasonable entry fee, easy travel logistics, affordable housing options if required
      ·         Safe swim start with less than 400 athletes on the line
      ·         Super flat bike & run course
      ·         As much as they tried to rally the spectators, blast great music and emcee, the Finish Line was low-key…IM events have them on this element.  If the Finish line was 200 yards earlier, it may attract some of the thousands of Cedar Point visitors who may hang out and get sucked into the celebration. Instead, the finish area was tucked around the corner a few yards out-of-sight…apparently too far for your average park goer to investigate
      ·         Post-race food provided by C.P. sucked…was widely agreed to be inedible
      ·         Best wheel-based bike racking in Transition – every athlete gets a reserved spot with name.  Transition volunteers took bike security very serious
      ·         Easy check-in, nice sponsor village w/merchandise store.  Cool jumbotron with my photo, name, and hometown for all to see at Finish. 
      ·         I would HIGHLY recommend Rev3 to anyone looking to do a Half or Full Ironman distance race.  We need to support non-WTC events to make the sport better.  Rev3 C.P. is great for veterans to chase a PR but manageable for under-trained athletes like myself.

Just like you don’t decide one Tuesday to become a vegan monk, I never set a goal to become an Ironman.  These decisions and fate just evolved over a long period.  I am not that great of an athlete.  I’m mediocre at three sports and stubborn.  My failed attempt at Ironman France 2011 ended up with significant physical pain and emotional scars.  I think I succeeded just a year later by being more mentally open, less rigid on training, taking the time to learn race-day nutrition, and a lot of luck staying injury free.  I believe anyone can do this with the proper commitment. 

I could thank about fifty of you but the ones that matter most are Hilary, Alexandra, and Nicholas.  To achieve these goals, a lot of selfish decisions have to be made.  I love them more than anything in life and owe my family a lot of makeup parenting.  I don’t know if I’ll ever get back to this fitness level again but I’ve got a lifetime of memories to savor. 

Thank you for motivating me to the Finish. 

Matthew Sessions
Mill Valley, CA
mcsessions@gmail.com