Joe Motz IM Wis. Race Report
Background:
Over my past marathon running years I used to noodle with the notion of going for the “big one” one day. Mixed in a couple duathons, cause I couldn’t swim worth a damn, learned in our pond growing up back on the farm. But before anything real materialized I ended up blowing the cartilage out of my right hip (due to arthritis) and was told by my local hip doc, “Your running days are all behind you”. After getting up off the floor in 2007 I searched for 3 years for an alternative and ended up having Hippy Resurfacing done by Dr. Thomas Gross in Columbia SC Jan1st 2010 who as it turns out gave me my life back! Started swimming as part of the rehab for the first yr. post and then gradually got back on the bike, my second love. After a year I also started “sneaking in” some short runs…..
Fast forward to fall of 2012: I shared with a few people around masters swimming that I was contemplating a HIM when either my best or worst nightmare developed in the form of Jeremy Behler ENer (one of the young bucks over in lane “kick ass&rdquo
who starts laying on the praise relative to my fitness and work ethic and comes out with, “why don’t you just go for the full IM?” Well with his devious “praise” the seed was sowed, in the most skillful of ways like a pumpkin now sprouted in my head.
As it turned out just days after I was in front of my company team at The Motz Corp leading a strategic session around stretching our goals by really going after that which we might only dream about, “because life really is short”. The outcome of that “Think Tank” was filled with some cool stuff. Workwise; through a lot of hard drive, tear down and rebuild, focusing teams on the present, sticking to our plan, and remaining patient and disciplined throughout this yr. we are now being rewarded with a record breaking year of corporate growth! Individually there have been inspirational dreams realized as a result of that power session as well. And yes, this was the forum where I set myself up to be accountable to my personal S.M.A.R.T dream goal of completing the IM. Jeremy told me about the EN way and again had me hooked. And so it began on Oct 25th 2012 my companies quest as well as my personal goal to chart new frontiers.
I’m sure I’m not the first business management person in IM’ing to see the direct correlation between the disciplined athletic self, and the focused business self, a definite, prerequisite to stretching well beyond the norm. I must say under the EN plan of long distance training, I found the correlation’s to be even more dramatic however. Through the year I found myself applying what I was learning in EN to my leadership day job as well. Great teaching points throughout the program, right down to doing the opposite of what 90% of the crowd is doing
Need to stop here in order to share my race experience. But I’ll just say in another life, what coach RnP are bringing to us here could equally be parlayed into motivating organizations in ways they have never been exposed to before. For now I’m certainly enjoying putting “being in the present and staying the box” into practice with my team!
Finally: The Race My day started at 3:45a with the CP plan of 4.5cups applesauce unsweetened, whey protein, banana and sport drink followed by one GU prior to swim start.
Swim 1:41 76 in AG All in all, I was happy with this time as The Swim leg was a major hurdle for me to break through. Had never gone that far before in OWS, was freaking out with the heavy chop I saw, and near panic for 15 min of forced water treading till the start, feeling more and more pressure in the middle of what had to be “thousands” (2,852). Stayed in the box by bobbing with eyes closed and blowing bubbles- really helped, but found myself thinking, damn I’ve got to go to my “One Thing” that "Special Place" already- it’s going to be a long day! Well when the cannon boomed I got a more complete taste of what near panic really was as I flailed away along with all my NBF’s- wasn’t swimming it was grab ass, got kicked around and did my share too I’m sure. The full body search wasn't as bad on the 1’700 leg back. But it was fricking 1,700yds into the heavier chop, and my sighting was by then for not. Afraid to learn how far I really did swim with all the crescent moons I was carving out. Land ahoy and staggering up through the arches was a great feeling. Looking back though I’m amazed how quickly that nightmare erased from memory- by the time I was up the helix I was "in the present" and it was “in the past”, a good thing.
T1 9:19 Uneventful and long. Had kit on under wetsuit so was ready to go when stripped, jogged lightly from the changing area with biking shoes in hand, no socks, skipped sun screen greasers- clouds looks to be set in for the day. On to bike and continued with bike and shoes to transition where a volunteer held the bike while I slipped the shoes on and out I went.
Bike 6:22 46 in AG Loved the bike portion (my high point of the day) thanks to knowing the EN way. Followed the script nutrition wise by sticking with all liquid. Started off with 2 throw away bottles on bike one between aero’ s and one on drop tube and a small binto bag on top bar with one power gel, and spare tube inside. Stuck to water for the first 20min of “just riding along”, did the gel about 30min out and then just rotated bottles with the Perform on the course, 1 Perform and a water for cleanup and salt tabs on the hr. also picked up Gu Blocks at the end of each loop. Peed the bike 3 times, once per loop and finally on the stick trail. Thought I was alone there but a gal comes by with an IM tat on her calf and said, “bet that felt good”, then “ I just did the same thing was GOOD”! Felt I had joined the club!
Relative to pace I was pretty steady throughout. My FTP is 225 so I rode at 70% target resulting in splits of 17.9, 18.03, 17.1, 18.07, for 17.56 avg. Do feel like I came late to the party though on overall power awareness as I finally just purchased a PM just prior to the Racine HIM and was slow on the information uptake. Thinking back to the OS work where I was kind a “flying blind” I now believe I could have benefited a lot with working on more base strength from this tool if I had it earlier and used all its features. Also need to upgrade my Garmin components as I only use a G310, with HR and 3 sec power readouts. Don’t’ yet have awareness of the VI and other stuff I hear of from EN masters.
Two near misses on the bike, 1) on second loop water stop, RnP were right about these areas being sketchy with both volunteers and riders getting tired. Didn’t need anything so I stuck to the left rolling through pretty fast but it was crowded and dodgy so hands back by brakes. Was halfway by the stop when a water bottle came skidding across the road on an angle timed perfectly with my front wheel. Ran over it on an angle at the same time I was instinctively applying brakes which immediately started to take my front wheel sideways. Released immediately and the wheel was off but a hell of a scare- as much for the volunteers as me. Second was coming way too fast into the hard left leading into Verona. Stupidly started “looking” where I was going to bail out in the grass rather than around the turn where I needed to go, and at the same time, hit the brakes hard,- another no-no’ but luckily the result was the rear slipped around a bit on the stone chip at the same time I left off the pressure and pulled it out ridding the berm with the traffic cop yelling at me from behind. Got through both unscathed but they served to keep me focused, "back in my box" and in a “sick sort of way”, in the game! Unclipped for the first time in 112miles coming up to T2 feeling good in the stomach and the head. Little did I know just how fast things can change!
T2 9:15 A Disaster: Once I got past the chaos of too many helpful volunteers at the top of the ramp. Upon coming up and stopping they immediately held the bike as I swung off and pointed me toward the inside changing area while others took the bike. Started off too fast but got my composure back quickly with pulling helmet as I fast walked in with bike shoes through a bit of a maize to the right room and my appropriate row and bag with my running gear no sweat, simple smooth methodical steps (or so I thought). Took a seat along the exist wall to pull off bike shoes, slip on socks and running shoes, hat and shades. All was smooth and was thrilled to hook up with buddy Steve from Ames Iowa (sorry no last name, not an ENer yet, but came to the bike camp and met him there- great guy- friend of B Thompson) We both headed out together in good spirits at which point “lightning” struck me as we both reached down to set our G…, I had no Garmin, as it was still on the BIKE. I yelled WHAT! And Steve realizing the gaff said “your Fucked, no way you get to it now!” After thinking for a millisecond of going on I yelled BULL SHIT wished him luck did a 180 and started swimming back “upstream” a fiasco, but did ultimately find my bike and the watch. But not before feeling I had the longest T2 time of the course!
Run5:08 43in AG 13:30:43 Total Two layers of adding insult to the injury which really messed with my head at this point 1) I did the same thing at Racine (Garmin left on bike) how the Hell could I have done it again? I coach my team not to worry about making a mistake, but DO'NT make the same one twice. 2) After getting to the watch I was back in the “water start panic” moment and couldn’t get the functions to work correctly for a long time. Not a way to start a marathon! Came up on coachR whining about my watch and it not picking up the satellites and he goes; “just forget about it, if in doubt run slower until the satellites come in”. This helped a lot however I never really felt I could find my pace over the course of the run.
Splits were 12:03, 10:55, 9:19, 9:28, 11:57, 12:48, 12:04, 11:11, 11:43, 13:59 for avg. of 11:46. Felt like by the half turn around the “suck” had settled in and I harkened back to coachR comment at the 4 keys and thought “ yes, it’s going to be a long day”. Did stick to the plan though with never stop running determination, except for water stops. Although I was actually slower than a walker going up Observatory Hill, mentally I just couldn’t stop as I knew the way my pseudo run was going, once I gave myself that leeway it would be over. Did Perform at every station till 17 or 18 then a cold chicken broth uugh which I had to follow with a coke then coke from there on out. Also GU’s at 6 and 13, one small pretzel, quarter banana and continued salt tabs on the hr. throughout, all in all couldn’t blame lack of finding my run grove on stomach .
I found the darkest LINE in the sand at mile 19 where we went under a roadway and through a construction zone with rough gravel in place of the asphalt. It was (unfortunately) dark out by then and especially so under there as well as in my head. As I went through I spotted a construction port-o-let off to the side there in the dark and dove for it. Inside it was super dark, quiet, warm, and peaceful…… I was standing in there, leaning my head against the hand gel dispenser, not doing any business at all, trance like, drifting, and started feeling, “I might just crash right here for the night” When my racing self screamed GET OUT NOW YOU DOG OR IT’S OVER! Freaky as I definitively saw and felt the “other side” and had to fight through a tug-a-war as to whether to pull the door slide or not. Luckily I crossed over "the line" and continued on especially for my family’s sake at the finish line. What a feeling to see them as I trudged down the shoot at the end of the long road! As I crossed my family heard the words we all long for (Mike Riley saying "Joe Motz of Cin. Oh. You are and Iron Man") but strangely, I have no recollection of hearing them......
Arguably this was just as grueling for my family (Jane, Michelle, Eric, and Nicholas) as they had to live with me through the highs and lows of many months training putting off a lot of family stuff for the sake of my training. Then over the course of the race weekend, putting up with me on the lead-up to the start call. And then throughout the race seemingly being all over the course throughout the 13:30hr. day rooting me on and freaking out, because I hadn’t come by yet and/or passed and they missed me. They and all the spectators out there along with them are invaluable and truly the unsung hero’s which collectively make this such a grand event.
Lastly a shout-out to all the ENer’s what I learned through the course of my short tenure with you all is: this really is a team sport which comes to a climax on race day. IMoo affords lots of chances to loop back and see each other so many times to cheer and be cheered. Sometimes just with a thumb up as we got more tired, but that was just as strong. For the bond felt was huge to my getting through. It is indeed a team sport!
Postscript For any still readingJ Sorry but the writing really is therapeutic. In the end I felt I achieved my goal of becoming IM but know I couldn’t have done it without the tools learned from RnP of EN and the family within who I learned from and competed with- great people, each with inspirational stories. A special shout out goes to Jeremy Behler- You Dog! Although what he (intentionally I’m sure) neglected to tell me is: once infected there is no cure! I’m now enjoying some time off- the calm before the storm. But then…..Yes I signed up for another IM in 2014. Now that all of you fast EN guys (aka. Bruce Thompson) in my then new AG a young 60 -65 have moved on I’ve circled back and re-upped for IMoo. This time I’m ready to be made accountable with some time goals on the line when the OS starts. I plan on being “Loaded for Bear”. For reaching new territory with my biz as well as with EN and IM #2. We’re going to Rock It in 14 Ruth Ann Subach!!!
Comments
And you dog....IMMOO 2014 too!!! Hook, line, and sinker!
As far as the race, excellent job executing and staying disciplined. It seems like yesterday you were dropping by my house asking how to pair your garmin and PT, or how to read your Garmin, or how to download your Garmin, or any number of things. I remember one night I came home late from work and there was a 310XT next to a note from my wife...it was your first ride with power and you had no idea how to download the ride!! How far you've come! While IM is out for me in 2014 I'll be paying close attention to you and watching your progress.
Joe, great reading your race report. I'll never forget our time in T2....the look of horror on your face was something to see when your Garmin was missing. I wonder how that guy in front of us that had the road rash back and side looking like hamburger fared?
I felt your pain on the run, my stomach was so extended and hurt so bad, I was a mess first 56 miles of the bike and last 10 miles of the run. I must have really sucked in air and not exhaled enough on the swim? I got stung by bees on the bike course and didn't have any benedryl with me. Ellen (my wife) jogged/speed walked with me the last 8 miles to get me thru to the finish, we shouted at you out on the bike trail but i'm not sure it registered who we were, I told coach Rich on the second loop I was in trouble, so frustrating to have such pain when it never happens in race rehersals....WTH? I joined EN today to help figure this execution thing out. I ended up an hour and 3 minutes slower this year than last year and I too will be joining you next year. My first IM in 2012 at Wisc., I finished in the daylight........I'm not finishing in the dark again!!!!!