When I could finally see the lights of the Energy Lab I began to get excited. I knew that the turn around was near. My excitement faded quickly when I realized that you didn’t just get to the corner and turn around. I had to run down into the area about a mile before the actual turn around. When I hit the turn around Joe and his friend Collin did some quick math. I needed to do under 14 minute miles the rest of the way in to finish. There could be no walking.
I jogged through another ice bath and caught up to another athlete. At the same time I saw him there was a flashing sign that said “Raise the Bar Matt!” I am a member of an awesome tri team in Seattle called Raise the Bar and my local coach Patty Swedeberg must have put that up there for me to see. I was literally getting words of encouragement in the most unlikely places.
After the sign I looked over and noticed that the man next to me wasn’t your typical athlete. He only had one leg and one arm. I realized that I didn’t have much to complain about at that moment. We stayed together for a while before he began to fall back. I found out later that his back began to seize up and he didn’t get to finish.
If it was possible for it to get and darker it sure seemed like it did as I got back on the Queen K to head back to town. At this point I began to pray for strength and an improved attitude. Thoughts began to enter my mind that were not helping my cause. Thoughts like “Hey you tried”, “Maybe that guy was right, you could lose some weight”, “Try again later”, and many others were flowing freely. It’s funny because right as I was starting to let some of those thoughts take hold, Joe said “It’s gonna hurt just as bad if you run or walk and you still have to get back to the finish somehow!” He was right. Even if I gave up right then I would still have to get back to town on my own two feet. I picked up again.
When I was about 3.5 miles out a crowd of people came running out and surrounding me. I couldn’t see who they were, but it turned out to be some of my friends and family. They had come out to encourage me at 11:30 at night in the middle of nowhere. They shouted positive words and stayed right with me. I didn’t show it, but I really appreciated what they did.
As I popped a hill I could see the lights of the finish and the announcer calling out finishers. Joe, who was in front of me yelling and thoroughly pissing me off now was screaming the time I needed to make and I thought to myself “Leave it all out here or you are going to regret this moment the rest of your life!” I took off. I ran as fast as I could, I don’t know where it came from but I know God was moving me forward. I didn’t hurt, my feet didn’t bother me I wasn’t breathing hard, I was just running. I was running to become an Ironman!
As I made the turn onto the famous Alii Drive, there were people lining both sides of the street going crazy. Two little boys ran beside me for a minute screaming that I could do it. I don’t remember much beside thinking “Keep running and don’t thow up right now! Keep running!” I saw the finish shoot and kept going towards it. There are to arches as you come through the chute. I stopped at the first one thinking that was the end. It wasn’t and I took off for the next one, the real finish. I raised my arms as I crossed the line and thanked God for the life I have and all he has done for me.
I looked up at the clock and saw a 16 with some numbers behind it as I fell into my wife’s arms and then sat down. I sat for a moment and then felt amazing. I had just become an Ironman, or so I thought. I got up and walked to the med tent to get some IV fluids. Several of my friends were there telling me what a great job I had done. I still thought I had made the cut-off when I asked where I should pick up my medal. That is when some one said “I don’t think you get a medal Matt, you have to finish under the 17 hrs. You were 17:03.” I was sad for a minute, I thought I had made it and was now an Ironman. I hadn’t.
3 minutes doesn’t sound like a lot. It’s not a lot, but it kept me from being able to call myself an Ironman. Although it kept me from being able to call myself an Ironman, it did not keep me from crossing the finish line like everyone else who did become Ironmen and women. I did the distance!
Over the next couple days I am going to share my thoughts on coming so close, what I really learned, and what’s next. I hope you will come back for what I consider the best part….
#1 by Joe Lotus - October 21st, 2009 at 16:28
Please say it was a good kind of “thoroughly pissing me off”!
I’ll never forget that moment as long as I live….”100, 99, 98, 97….” And then you said, “Joe, shut the Hell up.”….and I continued, “97, 96, 95…” and before I knew it you took off running 9 minute miles….
#2 by Michelle Campbell - October 22nd, 2009 at 12:45
way to go Matt. You completed an Ironman at the biggest (and likeliest one of the tougher) ironman events in the world. You may have been down on yourself at times – but that is what makes IM special – the highs and the lows, no one completely escapes those low spots….Congratulations! Thing is, regardless of your finish time you have set yourself up with a great base to work from in the future. They say that consistency is key – you are well on your way. i look forward to hearing what your next choice of IM will be. I hope the recovery is going well and you’re enjoying time with your family
#3 by Jay Carpenter - October 22nd, 2009 at 14:13
Matt: I have been doing the “Ironman” game for 13 years; I have been where you were in Kona and I appreciate the pain and struggle-I am impressed that you persevered through all of that. In my book, you are an Ironman, you did the distance [even though part of it was on your hands and knees] and do not let anyone ever tell you otherwise-let no one diminish the valor that you demonstrated. BTW: There is a set of railroad tracks right near the Maltby Cafe that sound like your “tracks” and yes, I took a hard fall on those also and have the scars to show for it. My “group” of fellow travelers are preparing for Vineman at the end of July and Ironman Canada at the end of August- we all live in the Issaquah/Bellevue/Woodinville area and you are more than welcome to come train with us. [We are also doing the Carlsbad Marathon on Jan. 24th]. Just let me know. jay
#4 by Ana - October 22nd, 2009 at 18:53
If NBC called me and asked if I wanted an entry into Kona, I would say yes no matter what. No matter that I’ve never done more than a sprint and that I know I would probably be last to finish. Considering that most other competitors are the best of the best in the sport, it would especially intimidating. I’d do it because it’s Kona, and that’s probably a once in a lifetime opportunity. I’m very much with you there.
Congrats for finishing the distance and thanks for writing about it. I imagine you are going over every mile in your mind and finding little bits of time here and there that easily add up to 3 minutes, too. That’s only natural.
Good luck on your next attempt. We’ll be at Ironman Canada 2010 so if you choose that one I’ll shake a cowbell and cheer you on as you go by.
#5 by Trent Hicks - October 24th, 2009 at 13:52
Great effort Matt. I threw up on the bike and then on the run 3 times, like you could not keep anything down. But you DON’T QUIT….Great job…keep up your efforts and keep inspiring others…!
#6 by Carmen - October 25th, 2009 at 14:44
Congratulations!! You finished. No matter the time. I had the pleasure of hearing you speak in San Diego (tri club meeting). You are very inspiring. NO ONE can take away the fact that you finished. I think you are a great role model for your sons and also those of us that struggle with weight issues. I hope you come back to San Diego, I’d love to hear you speak again. You are a great asset to the tri community!!! Good Job!
#7 by Micha Johansen - October 25th, 2009 at 23:53
Hey Matt. Well done on going the distance! I have never done an iron man but did an event called the Coast to Coast here in NZ (243km of cycling, mountain running, and kayaking – I did the 2 day version). And I came last. Had the trophy to prove it too
Unfortunately my ‘glory day’ was over 18 months ago and since then I have achieved nothing, except gain 10kgs (and I could have stood to lose 5kg before I started). However I am attempting to get back into training now, and your blog about the lead up to Kona, and of Kona, has provided me with more inspiration to get stuck in. So thank you and good luck with your next IM!
#8 by candle - October 26th, 2009 at 15:56
Were so proud of you Matt, and it was so awesome that you chose to share it with Paul and I! ll never forget it! Boy you can sure achieve anything that you put your mind too, and Il take that with me forever.
#9 by Jon - November 17th, 2009 at 13:45
Good work gutting it out to the finish. I did my first IM this year, and I can appreciate just how hard it is to get to the finish line, 3 minutes or not. It’s impressive stuff. You definitly have it in you – if you had even a single pound less you’d have had the energy to come in sub-17h, I hope you try it again!