They both signed up for this grueling day on September 13, 2007. Since that day, they swam, ran, and biked their way through training injuries, miles of pavement, and countless laps in pools and lakes. Training involved swimming in the NC State pool and nearby Lake Jordan, running half and full marathons, and spending hours on the bike - both in the frigid cold and the blistering sun. As of three weeks ago, they were as strong as they were going to be. The final long workouts were scheduled before beginning a two-week taper in timid anticipation of race day.
On Thursday at noon, the team departed Raleigh (along with supporters Taylor Hinson and EYE of the World member Anna Blount - they were later joined in Louisville by NORSA veteran Julie Brockman) in the decorated team car, and drove nine hours to northwest Kentucky.
Friday and Saturday were spent registering, prepping gear, checking in equipment, and previewing the bike and run courses by car. After a final carb-loaded dinner Saturday night, the racers went to catch a few hours of sleep. They awoke at 4:30 in the morning, made their way down to the transition area to do final preps to the bikes, and then headed to the swim start.
This race is unique in that the age groupers have an individual time-trial start. Instead of a mass start which features much unintentional grabbing, kicking, and fondling in the water, the racers stepped over a timing mat one by one before jumping in the water. The swim was a 2.4 mile up and back in the Ohio river. The water temperature was 83 degrees making it non-wetsuit legal (which are allowed up to 78 degrees and help with buoyancy).
Out of the swim and into the transition area, racers were handed a bag with their bike apparel and headed to a changing tent where helpful volunteers took their swim gear and sprayed the racers with sunscreen.
Leaving the transition area, bikers headed northeast for 112 miles in the rolling hills of Kentucky horse country. Temperatures were in the mid-90s with a triple-digit heat-index. Both the hills and heat took their toll on the racers, but were fortunately supported by 9 aid stations and 1 special needs bag hand-off. The two-lap course passed through a thick cheering crowd in the town of LaGrange twice before beginning the 30 mile descent back to Louisville.
Special note needs to be given to the Team NORSA IRONMAN support team featuring Alan's parents Dawn and Paul, Alan's sister Tana, Adam's parents Piotr and Maria, SWH3 member Doug/A.C., and of course, the 'That's What She Said" cheering squad of Julie, Taylor, and Anna. Seeing them at the transitions, in LaGrange, and throughout the run course was incredibly motivating.
This motivation came in greatest need on the run. After a beautiful and fast bike, the racers changed into running shoes and began the final portion of the event. They headed out to cheers of "You're almost done!" which were both appropriate and lies at the same time. The majority of the event had already been completed - both in time and mileage - but the thought of that didn't ease the fact that they still had to run a marathon - 26.2 miles.
Aid stations were positioned every mile. Sometimes, even that was too far. The greatest pain the racers felt wasn't in their legs or knees, but rather in their stomachs. Nutrition and hydration were the biggest challenges of the day, and it took every bit of effort to keep putting countless packs of PowerGel and Gatorade-Endurance down.
As night fell, the racers were given glowsticks, but as the night approached, so did the finish. The ultimate goal was to cross the finish line alive, standing, and ahead of the 17-hour limit. Alan and Adam both succeeded.
The Race
Thanks again to the support team at the race and everyone who followed online. Thanks to everyone who spent miles on the bike and pavement training with us. A super NORSA thank-you goes to the team host, David Wicks. David is a
Watertribe member and three-time Everglades Challenge competitor who hosted the team at his wonderful house, took them kayaking late at night, and introduced them to the wonders of Kentucky.
And by the way, if you think an IRONMAN teeters on the brink of absurd, how about a double, triple, quadruple, or even
15X IRONMAN? That's right, a 36 mile swim, 1680 mile bike, and 393 mile run. The current world record is 312 hours and change.
What's the next grand feat for Team NORSA? Who knows, but we'll try and keep it interesting.
NORSA member Tom Saffell participated in the annual Kensington 8K to benefit area schools. The very hilly running course begins by the old Kensingon armory, which is now the town hall, and immediately spills out on to historic Antique Row as it follows Kensington Parkway. After the runners approach their first mile marker, they then enter Rock Creek Park and run on Beach Drive up to Connecticut and then back down until it hits Old Spring Road. Once there, the course then cuts into the neighborhood of Rock Creek Hills and up a monster hill on East Bexhill Road until it re-joins Kensington Parkway. The home stretch is around the circle at the Noyes Library for Young Children and then a sprint down the flat straightaway of Armory Avenue.
