~ Guest post by CLPT athlete David Harkey
Cindy asked me to write a race report about my experience in Chattanooga. Friends, family and colleagues at work have all been asking me about my experience as well. What I am learning, is that there was so much that I took away from the entire journey it has made it difficult to narrow down to a concise story. Here goes my attempt!
The real journey began in 2001 when I participated in the K-Town (Kingston) Triathlon – my first! I know that’s a little too far back but the important fact is that I have completed more than 35 triathlons since that race. It’s been a part of my life for more than 18 years and has been my primary source of motivation when it comes to staying healthy, both physically and mentally.
I held off on competing in Ironman for at least 15 years. Thinking to myself “maybe next year”, “maybe when I have more time” or “maybe when I am 35, 40, 45, or 50”. But last fall was different. At a group track workout, my friend Michelle and I were talking about IM. She was shocked that I had not yet completed one yet and assumed that I had, since I had been around the sport for so long. We talked about having the gift of health and doing special things – because we can. It made me reflect on why I do this…for my health. That conversation was the trigger that resulted in me signing up that night. 
I originally signed up for IM Canada (taking place in July) and started training in January. However, a back injury greatly impacted my ability to train in February and March. It was a devastating setback but it made me realize that it’s not about the destination, it’s about the journey. So, I made the decision to defer my race to IM Chattanooga (late September) so that I could take my time and work through my injury. By the end of March, I was feeling good and was back into full training mode. Around August, I suffered another setback that impacted my ability to run…I was diagnosed with athletic pubalgia. Working with Cindy, Leah (my RMT) and my sports medicine doctor, we came up with a plan that would get me through IM with the goal of just completing the event.
When I reflect back, I had an amazing summer of training. My highlight of the summer was definitely going to a training camp in Mont Tremblant with Cindy and the gang. I loved it so much that Angela (my wife) and I decided to travel there again so that we could take advantage of the amazing training. I have so many great memories from both of those experiences but most of all it was getting to know some of my fellow athletes a lot better, including Greg who I ultimately raced with in Chattanooga. He was the main reason I chose IM Chattanooga when I made the decision that IM Canada was not possible.
In my opinion, any great journey must include a road trip! That’s why Angela and I decided early on that we would drive down to Chattanooga. When the time came, we took our time and split the 13 hour drive into two days, spending the night in Columbus, Ohio…home of the Buckeyes!. On a side note, we love staying at hotels that have breakfast included especially if I get to make my own waffles!!
Late in the afternoon on the second day, we were passing through Cleveland, Tennessee. It reminded me of last year when we stopped for a big pasta dinner with our good friends Todd and Brandi, prior to racing Chattanooga 70.3. Memories of that race started to flood back to me and how that race was a bit of a disaster for me. First, I had a massive panic attack on the swim, to the point where the Sheriff’s boat came over and wanted to pull me out. I refused and slowly made my way to the swim exit. Second, I had some issues in my back which greatly impacted my bike and run. All in all, I finished. Most importantly, I had an amazing time with friends and family. We spent the next week introducing Todd and Brandi to Southern life, visiting my cousins in Georgia who live about an hour away from Chattanooga. My cousin Ed actually drove to Chattanooga watch us race, but missed all of us and drove back home after cheering on athletes for a few hours. He was back again this year and did not miss me! He and Angela had a great time – despite a lost wallet at Krystal – mmmm…..Krystal burger….
Anyway….back to the swim. Like I mentioned, I had issues in Chattanooga last year and was back to redeem myself. Leading up to IM, I wanted to see how my swim training was coming along and if I would be able to overcome my fear of having another panic attack. My first test was at Muskoka 70.3. Let’s just say it did not go well! I ended up on a pontoon boat, which is a much slower way to finish the swim. After they dropped me off at shore, I found Angela and we sat and chatted about what had just happened. She convinced me to get on the bike and finish the day. I knew it wasn’t going to be easy getting on the bike but none of this is supposed to be easy, right? It’s not always about pushing physical limits. Mental strength, however it is built, is well worth the effort.
I spent the next three months doing as much open water swimming as I could possibly manage, often alone. I started swimming back and forth in the “shallow” end of Gulliver’s Lake and worked my way up to swimming a 1,000 metre loop, passing through the “deep” end. After a while I could do 3 to 4 loops no problem. I was slow but I had no panic issues. I also raced in the Rose City Triathlon in Welland as a relay team and completed the swim and bike portions. I felt great in the water…my training was paying off! I even entered a 5,000 meter swim event in Welland but that’s a story for another day. Overall, it went well. I swam and finished what I needed to do that day. I felt comfortable again in the water.
Back to the car. We are 30 minutes outside of Chattanooga and our phones start receiving warnings for flooding in the area. This immediately prompts me to check the IM Chattanooga social media sites for race updates only to find out that they cancelled the swim. The water was just too dangerous and the e-coli levels were 20x any safe limits. At that point, I am g
utted and absolutely beside myself. I have dreamt about competing in Ironman for last 10 years and over the past year, I struggled with how I was going to get through the swim. I put so much into training and testing myself in the open water so that I’d be ready to go. It took me a couple days to process this situation. I had to remind myself why I was doing this event. It wasn’t about this single event, it was about the journey and my physical and mental wellbeing.
I often get too caught up in achieving results but think back to all the amazing experiences I had this year alone. So, leading up the race I took a step back, took a deep breath and reminded myself how much enjoyment I get from the overall experience, not just the complete race itself. It afforded me the opportunity to spend more relaxed time with Angela; we also hung out with Greg and got to know his sister, who flew in to cheer on her brother! The four of us even did some touring around the day before the race. We may or may not have gone out for a drinks the Thursday night before the race.
Not sure how to end this, but when Coach Cindy tells you that you can bike 5:45, you can bike 5:45….even when there is an extra 6kms on the course! Not all was lost. And a 5 hour marathon, prior to coming home for a pre-scheduled MRI, was ok too….I guess. Hills and my injury do not go well together!
There was so much more to getting me there and having a successful first Ironman. Cindy is not only an amazing triathlon coach, she is also an amazing life coach. I learned a lot. And I use what I learned every day. It will just take some practice to engrain the positive thinking.
Enjoy the race! Sometimes it is the main focus. But sometimes circumstances change and you have to take a step back and realize there is a greater context. And it’s always a journey, no matter the race.
