ULTRAMAN Support

Darwin Holt, me and Barbi Brochu at the start of the 52.4-mile double marathon, the third day of ULTRAMAN Canada. Barbi set a new world record for the 6.2 mile swim and shattered the prior women's record for the overall event. And Darwin is one of only a handful of athletes in the world who has completed the ULTRAMAN event in both Canada and the World Championship ULTRAMAN in Hawaii!


In March 2009, the reality of the daunting task of training for the ULTRAMAN hit me hard. Reviewing the credentials of those athletes who had been invited to compete at ULTRAMAN was incredibly intimidating because they had achieved so much and many were literally world-class athletes. I seriously doubted my ability to complete this event.

Both Darwin and Barbi contacted me completely out of the blue and were very encouraging from the start. These two heroes are responsible for me toeing the line at ULTRAMAN more than anyone else, and for that, I am deeply grateful.

In April, I nearly gave up this crazy ULTRAMAN dream altogether, but Darwin pulled me back. I had just completed the CA Ironman 70.3 and had a truly miserable day. The worst ever. I could barely complete the event, and in less four months, I would have to go 4.5 times that distance for ULTRAMAN. I sent Darwin an email and said, "Forget it. NO way I can do ULTRAMAN, I cannot even do this 70.3 event without nearly dying."

Three minutes later, the phone rings with a gentle soothing Canadian telling me that I CAN and that I WILL complete ULTRAMAN.

Darwin believed in me when I did not believe in myself. He helped me improve my confidence and then set out to custom-design a training regime like none other. In fact there are no training plans available anywhere on what or how to train for ULTRAMAN, so Darwin built mine from his own experience and his extensive ultra endurance background. We exchanged perhaps hundreds of emails and he got me ready both physically and mentally for the challenge.

But I saw another side of Darwin in the last 1.5 miles of ULTRAMAN.

I had severely hurt my foot at mile number 7 of the run and had 45 more miles to go. I believed that the foot was broken. The pain was excruciating. Every step it got worse and worse. But strangely, it was less painful to jog slowly than it was to walk. So I kept at it, but over time it became unbearable and reached a crescendo just before the finish line.

I lost the will to fight any more. I cannot explain it, but I did give up. I just could not take it anymore. By favoring the other foot, my bio-mechanics were all screwed up for 45 miles. This caused severe hip pain in the other leg. I was a mess and in extreme pain.

Out of nowhere, Darwin shows up.

He was calm at first, but that didn't last long. He would not hear of my complaints, he would not tolerate my yelps, my whincing, my grunts or my crying. None of that mattered now.

All that mattered was that he get me across that line under my own power.

He yelled at me. He was extremely serious. The nice, soothing, reassuring, calming influence and voice was gone. He shook me to the core by raising his voice and somehow shook me out of my stupor of pain to regain my focus. Miraculously, we crossed the line together, with literally just minutes to spare...I BARELY made the 12-hour cutoff and I owe that final push and final finish to Darwin.

My sincere thanks to Darwin and Barbi for pushing me and encouraging me. While I owe my ULTRAMAN start to them both, I owe my ULTRAMAN finish to Darwin. He got me over the line when I had lost my will and my fight to continue.

ULTRAMAN SUCCESS

My incredible crew and I as we cross the finish line at the third day and conclusion of ULTRAMAN Canada. (click on photo)


Crossing the line are: My great friend and Crew Chief Kelvin Shields, my terrific son Connor, me, Darwin Holt - the patient and selfless hero that guided and coached me from the dream to an ULTRAMAN finish, and finally, my indefatigable nephew Ryan Weber. Not shown, but hugely instrumental in my finish, was my kayaker and outstanding swim pacer Marcel Allaire. Without this group of men, there would have been no possibility that I would have ever finished this 3-Day test of endurance. This should really be billed as a team-sport because it really takes a team to get the athletes through so much during the three days.

Day 1: 6.2 mile swim followed by a 90 mile bike
Day 2: 170 miles on the bike
Day 3: 52.4 mile double marathon run

It is claimed that over 50,000 people complete an Ironman Triathlon each year, and it was my dream to be one of those finishers; I'm still proud of that milestone. However, fewer than 60 people in the world will finish an ULTRAMAN under the cutoff times in any given year. That makes this event very special.

More than a "race" ULTRAMAN is an event that highlights the Hawaiian values of Aloha, Ohana and Kokua. Aloha means hello and goodbye. But it is so much more than that. Anyone who has stayed in the Islands understands instantly the friendly spirit, the easy way and the "feeling" of Aloha. Ohana means family, extended family or any group with a common bond, something that is very clearly evident at ULTRAMAN; it is a brotherhood for life. Kokua relates to generosity and to selfless giving, something that is critical from the crews in order for the athletes to complete the event. It also means that athletes are supportive of one another and generous in their encouragement, even to last place finishers like me!

There will be much more to say about ULTRAMAN, as I am still trying to process what I have just done. But one thing is clear: There is no possible way I could have completed this event without the Ohana, Kokua and Aloha of my ULTRAMAN family and especially from my incredible crew and Darwin Holt's patient, calming influence over these past six months while I was very worried about ever finishing.

On paper, there was no possible way for me to finish the 170 mile bike event under the 12-hour cutoff. I had never ridden that far or that fast for that long; never. In fact, it wasn't even close. But somehow, with the help of my crew and Darwin's belief and encouragement, we pulled off a miracle on Day 2 which kept this event, and my ultimate finish, alive.

Thanks to all of my new ULTRAMAN Ohana and to my incredible crew. Thanks a million times over!

Aloha.

Ultraman Crew Finalized

My luck and good fortune continues with the addition of my Ultraman Crew!

This photo was taken in November 2008 at about 5:30 am, just before I entered the chilly water of Tempe Town Center Lake for the Ironman Arizona race. That's my son Connor and my great friend, Kelvin Shields.

I am so glad to have my 16-year old son Connor to be on my crew. Connor will be assisting our Crew Captain, Kelvin Shields. Those of you who read my book, Iron Ambition, know all about Kelvin and how he has been a big part of my professional life and an ardent supporter of my ultra endurance ambitions. Kelvin has completed the Ironman 70.3 and multiple marathons. So Kelvin can relate to what I will be going through and that's really important.

Kelvin is not just a dear friend, but he is also an exceptionally well organized person, a great athlete, he loves to plan and most of all, he is trained in emergency medicine, which is reassuring. Kelvin is scrambling to get everything in order for our trip to Penticton, British Columbia, Canada and is talking with Darwin Holt about what it takes to be a great crew chief.

We have secured all the plane tickets, the hotel rooms, the Crew Vehicle. We need passports to enter Canada and are getting those updated as well. At this point, with only seven weeks remaining we are focused on learning as much as possible about how the crew can assist me through each leg of the three-day event. We will arrive in Penticton on Wednesday July 29th and return on August 5th.

My biggest concern is to just finish each day within the 12-hour cutoffs. Connor will make sure I am well hydrated and eating and Kelvin will navigate from our Crew Car / Support vehicle and make cetain that I am staying within a safe band of time that will insure I finish prior to the cutoffs, but not so quickly as to risk burning out later that afternoon or the next day.

Having Kelvin worry about the cutoffs is likely the most important thing of all for me because my mind will not be constantly racing making calculations about what it will take to finish under the wire every day.

My biggest concern used to be the bike, and still is. But my confidence is gaining rapidly that I can complete the 170 miles under the 12-hour cutoff.

Race Schedule

My schedule of events this summer includes:

- June 6, 2009: Blue Canyon 50K trail race (Santa Barbara)


- June 13, 2009: Lake Merritt 12-Hour Ultra run (Oakland, CA)

- June 27, 2009: Western States 100 Mile Endurance Run (Pacing Darwin Holt for 38 miles)

- August 1 - 3, 2009: Ultraman Canada (6 mile swim, 260 mile bike, 53 mile run)

Big emphasis on running in June, but these are nice, easy, comfortable run-walks (more like jog-walks) where I will average 11 - 13 minutes per mile over rough terrain.

Cycling is another big focus lately. I have to get comfortable with 170 miles in a single day, and to finish so relaxed and fresh that I am strong enough to finish a 53 mile run the next morning.

The Ultraman Team of Advisors

I'm a lucky guy. Period.

I'm blessed with a terrific wife, a remarkable son, the world's best business partner and a team of people who have recently come out of the woodwork to help me with Ultraman.

My only regret about finishing Iron Ambition (now up live on Amazon.com) is that I cannot talk about these great people who are helping me with this new adventure.

First and foremost is Darwin Holt. Who is this guy and why would he help me with Ultraman?

After accomplishing my goal and dream of completing the full Ironman, I was a bit down for a couple of months. I had some terrible injuries that were really holding me back. I doubted my ability and my head wasn't straight.

Darwin picked me up from the ashes and got me thinking clearly again. I was so focused on the incredible distance of the Ultraman event (swim 6.2 miles, bike 260 miles and run 52 miles) that I just doubted my ability to finish. Darwin patiently explained how to train for this event and assured me that I have ample time to prepare for the event (August 2009).

Darwin should know. He's completed both Ultraman Canada (2007) and the Ultraman World Championships in Hawaii (2008). Further, Darwin has completed 6 Ironmans (IMC '99,'04)(IMFLA '02)(IMLP '03)(IMCDA '06) and the Ironman World Championships (lottery '04). Darwin and his wife have also run 10 marathons together including New York, San Diego and Chicago. He really knows his stuff and has been very generous with his time to help me and my coach develop a sane training approach to this unique distance.

Darwin is a math teacher from Canada and about the nicest guy I've ever met. I've taken detailed notes of his advice and turned them into a plan which I plan to follow to the tee.

I also am grateful to Scott Gower, who again, has helped me be more confident about my ability to complete Ultraman. In fact, it was Scott who got me into Triathlon in the first place, Scott that introduced me to Ironman and it was Scott who first told me about Ultraman when I ran into him at the vendor Expo at the Santa Barbara Tri.

I recently spoke to Scott on the phone and told him that I thought I could accomplish the swim and perhaps the run-walk, but that the 260 miles on the bike really had me worried. He just came straight out and told me to get my head screwed on right. He said my confidence was shot and that I needed to get out there and get that bike distance accomplished so that I would just know that I could do it.

He's right.

Once I went out and did a 106 mile bike ride in a single day, I had the ultimate confidence that I could complete the 112 miles in the full Ironman. So I'm certain that once I get out there and complete 10 - 12 hours on the bike, I will have the confidence to complete the bike leg of Ultraman.

Next Posts will talk about the training for Ultraman, which is much different than anything I've done to prepare for Ironman.

Accepted to Ultraman Championships 2009!!

Incredible news!!

I was invited to participate in the Ultraman Canada Championship race!

Ultraman Canada is a 3-day, 318.6 mile individual ultra-endurance event.

Entry is limited to 30 solo participants and 5 relay teams and is by invitation only. The event is more than 2.25 times longer than a full Ironman Triathlon.

Day 1 starts with a 6.2 mile open water swim immediately followed by a 90 mile bike ride that traverses the Richter Pass and concludes in Okanagan Falls. Cutoff times are 6 hours for the swim and 12 hours for the entire day.

Day 2 is a 170 bike that begins in Penticton and concludes in Princeton. Cutoff time for the bike leg is 12 hours.

Day 3 is the final stage and consists of a 52.4 mile double-marathon run from Princeton to Summerland. Cutoff time for the run is 12 hours.

This is an international event and athletes are expected from around the world. Each athlete must be accompanied by an individual support team of at least two persons over the entire course, and I am hoping beyond all hope that my great friend Kelvin Shields can crew for me as he did in Tempe. I’m also very hopeful that Connor will be able to leave summer camp and join me in this incredible pursuit.

I intend to train smart and remain disciplined. This is not necessarily about training super hard, it’s more about putting in the long hours to build up an aerobic base. David Warden, my world class triathlon coach who got me from corporate sloth and coach potato to Ironman, has agreed to stay on for this event and to plan all aspects of my Ultraman training. I am also seeking input from any and all past Ultraman finishers that they might provide fitness benchmarks that I should try to achieve prior to the event. (There is very little information available about how to train for such a long event.)

No doubt, I am in over my head. And that’s exactly how I like it. Race Director Steve Brown courageously and generously invited me to participate and I don’t intend to betray his trust or confidence.

So What's Next?

It's now been about a full month, so here's an update.

Consistently training for the Ironman was the hardest thing I every did, and completing the Ironman has been not only a highlight of my life, but quite likely, my greatest physical accomplishment. Just tonight, I finally removed my race-day wrist band and put it in a box for my wife. I'm giving it to her to recognize her vital role in my achievement.

But now what? Where do I go from here?

Well I have my sights set on a few major goals:

1. Ultraman Canada in 2009.
2. A couple of 50 mile runs
3. The Western States 100 Mile Ultramarathon
4. The Badwater 135 mile Ultramarathon

The goals must always be harder and bigger. As hard as this is going to be for so many to understand....after all this work and struggle, the Ironman event no longer holds enough excitment for me to stay motivated. Been there. Done that. What's next?

When one only enters these events "to finish" then the allure, excitement and draw of the event quickly fades. It was never my objective to place high in the rankings, although I certainly would like to place higher in my future races, and I know that I can.

I am drawn more toward the Ultra endurance events. Long, slow distances; that's where I'm most comfortable versus the raw speed. Don't get me wrong, I would love to be quick, but I've come to understand that I may be better suited for endurance events than the shorter, faster races.