Ironman Louisville 2013

The big news for me is that last Sunday, August 25, I completed the Ironman Louisville.     It took me 16 hours and 13 minutes to complete it.     Three quarters of an hour to spare. (smile)

That was one of the great thrills of my life.   People ask me how it was and my immediate response is to say "great" but really a one word response does not do it justice.    It was a tremendous thrill to cross that finish line but it was not an easy journey.  

The Ironman competition, if you do not know, is a 2.4 mile swim, a 112 mile bike, and a 26.2 mile run.    (hence the car stickers of 140.6)    In Louisville, the swim is in the Ohio River.  

The journey is different for every athlete.  One of the things I am most proud of is the swim.   The swim was the part that scared me the most.   I ended up having my best time ever for a swim that distance BUT just the fact that I jumped in that river and swam the distance, even though I was scared, is what means the most.

Normally, I would expect the bike to be the easiest part for me.  I expected to finish the bike in about 6.5 hours.   But that ended up being the hardest part instead.   I started having abdomenal cramps almost immediately when I mounted my bike, which lasted the entire 112 miles.    I really felt terrible the entire time and because I couldn't eat or drink nearly as much as I needed, I am sure that I was dehydrated and undernourished.  

When I went into the bike to run transition, one of the volunteers told me that they thought I needed to go to the medical tent and withdraw from the race.  Honestly, I felt so terrible that I wondered if that wouldn't be best.   But I really did not want to quit.  I asked them for some water.  I dumped 2 cups over my head and drank 2 cups.   Then I asked if I could have a coke.   After drinking some of the coke, I began to feel a little better for the first time in 8 hours.  I didnt feel great but I felt like I could continue.

Then I made 2 decisions.  I would walk the marathon and I would not try to take any more solid food.  I stopped at every aid station and got coke, chicken broth and water.    At every aid station, I felt better and better.

At mile 6, I realized that the bottoms of my feet were badly blistered.    I resolved not to stop to rest because I wasn't sure I would be able to continue if I ever stopped.  At mile 17, roughly 2/3 of the way through the marathon, I looked at my watch and knew that I was going to make it.    The last 3 miles was pure joy. 

When I could see the finish line, I jogged in that last block and across the finish line. The spectators cheered wildly high fiving me all the way down the line.  When I crossed the line and they proclaimed me an Ironman, my friends and family were there cheering.   It was an unbeleivable thrill.

One of the amazing things about the experience is the other athletes, the volunteers and the spectators.   The other athletes are so inspirational.  While there are definitely athletes there with some bravado, more often I heard stories of people competing for a cause.   Some had survived cancer.  Some had survived a heart attack.   Some had lost huge amounts of weight.  Some competed for a friend who was ill.  Everyone wants everyone out there to finish.  Athletes are constantly encouraging each other and helping each other whenever possible.   I would have to say that the most impressive thing about this group is that it is a group with big hearts.

Also the people of Louisville are some of the finest people there are.   More than 3,000 people volunteered to help with the race.   Countless spectators lined the routes.     All of them cheering the athletes on and offering words of encouragement.   I've heard story after story from athletes about how someone offered them encouragement at just the right moment.    It is a very emotional journey.

I didn't finish because I am great athlete. In all honesty, I was just lucky. There were competitors who were much better athletes than me, who did not make it.    But I am very proud to be a part of this group of Ironmen.

Anyway, that's what I did last week.   

Hope everyone has a great Labor Day holiday weekend!

David

David W. McCoy
Associate Broker
Commonwealth Commercial Real Estate
10444 Bluegrass Pkwy
Louisvile, KY  40299

ofc: (502) 379-6005
cel: (502) 905-5274
e-mail: DMcCoy@ccre.biz

BTW - when I am not doing triathlons or marathons (smile), I am working with Commercial Real Estate and International properties.   I handle Office, Industrial, Land, Investment and Retail properties.  I work with Buyers, Sellers, Tenants, Landlords and Investors.   I can even hook you up with Residential realtors.   Give me a call if I can help.