September 9, 2004

Track North Web Site

Ron Poirier and Firecracker 5k Support our Community

Over the last few years (9 or 10) Ron Poirier and friends have diligently organized the Firecracker 5k Road race in Walden and it has become quite a success. Everybody raves about the the experience of running the course every July 1rst evening and they really rave about the prizes. What you may not know is the amount of time and effort Ron puts in canvassing local businesses for donations to help in the Events main reason for existence. Through the generous support of businesses and your registration fees, Ron has been able to provide needed support to local cancer centres and running clubs. Believe you me, the support is much appreciated.

This year Ron was able to help the following Organizations:

Steve Matusch Experiences Subaru IronMan Canada

by Steve Matusch

After six months of obsessing over electrolyte powders, nutrition plans, sports gels, aero equipment and way too many 5AM workouts, it’s all over. As I’m sure Sheila and Jan will agree, training for your first Ironman Triathlon is something you have to experience to understand – it’s a really big deal. When you’re getting close to the race date, it becomes an obsession – almost like you’ve joined a cult.

When I finally got on the plane to BC, I had an incredible sense of anticipation and dread. I was convinced that I was a sham – that I didn’t train enough, that I wasn’t prepared for it, and that I’d be best off to get off the plane and go home with my tail between my legs. Oblivious to my anxiety, the plane took-off anyway and there was no turning back.

Race morning, I got up at 3:30 AM for breakfast and to make final gear preparations before heading down to the course for the 5AM sign-in. At 6:45, when I finally paraded down to the beach with the rest of the Iron wannabees, I knew that I was at the start of one of the most exciting and memorable days of my life – something special that I’d never, ever forget.

For me, the swim and bike sections went wonderfully – just like it was a scripted play. I now know what it feels like to be in a school of herring. I swam the entire 3.8kms with swimmers literally inches in front, behind and to either side of me. Navigating was never really an issue – it was impossible to go off course and downright hazardous to slow down. And, other than narrowly avoiding being part of a bike crash, the 180km cycling leg went perfectly. Okay, I got passed a lot, but I consoled myself that it gave me a bit more time to enjoy the spectacular scenery. There were an incredible number of cheering volunteers and spectators egging us on – which really helped as my legs were screaming near the top of Richter’s pass. Imagine Long Lake hill, but 8kms long.

After a combined 184 km of swimming and cycling I ran out of the bike-to-run transition at 7 hours and 38 minutes – just seconds behind my target time. I was feeling fantastic - thrilled to say the least. That’s when I made one of the worst mistakes a newbie Ironman racer can make - I got greedy. You see, before the race I had set myself three secret (four really) targets – which I called my gold, silver and bronze medals. The bronze medal was to finish the race; the silver was to finish under 12 hours; the gold was to beat Mike Coughlin (my coach)'s time from the same race last year (11:14:30). I also had a fantasy “platinum” medal which would have been to finish under 11 hours - but I didn’t expect to have a realistic shot at that.

So, as I was coming out of T2 with 7:38 on the clock, my muddled brain got greedy. I decided that I could run a personal best 3:30 marathon to finish around 11:10, beating out Mike for the gold. Stupid, stupid, stupid, stupid, STUPID – Mike had specifically warned against doing EXACTLY this – although I was always a bit suspicious of his motives. So, against all of his repeated advice, I threw out my thoughtfully prepared race plan, disregarded my heart rate targets and started running 8 minute miles. For the first 10 miles it was great - passing racers by the boatload, getting cheered on by spectators as I blew past the walking and stumbling masses, and pitying the odd dejected soul vomiting on the roadside. Then, as I climbed a small hill out of town, it all went to hell (yes Vince, I blew up on a marathon again). Inside of 30 seconds my digestive system went south and I too was standing in the ditch dry-heaving and dizzy. The next 11 miles were a blur - a mix of walking, slow jogging and bouts of nausea, all the while cursing myself for having ever having decided to attempt this. But at least here I had lots of sympathetic company - the road was littered by racers in the same condition or worse. Very few people were truly running any more.

As I stumbled along I kept watching my goals evaporate. Under 11:00 hours? Nope - not without a cab ride. Beat Mike C's time? Forget about it. Then as the clocked ticked toward 11:15, still 5 miles out, I knew that I had a choice - to run solid 9 minute miles all the way in or finish over 12:00 hours. Against the wishes of every inch of my intestines, I decided that I could deal with 45 minutes of misery better than with several years of feeling like I gave up on it. So off I ran, cursing every step but at least feeling better that I was passing people again. By the final turnaround, a half mile from the finish, I still felt awful. But the huge cheering crowds gave me the energy to pass three more runners over the final 100 meters and to drag my sorry butt across the finish line with raised arms. My final time was 11 hours and 57 minutes… for my first Ironman triathlon! I haven’t seen the pictures yet, but I think I was smiling… and if not on the outside – then at least on the inside.

The Aftermath.

After you cross the line, the medical staff triages the racers into two streams – into the transition area for pizza and beer or into the med tent. When the nurse asked me how I felt, I opened my mouth, gurgled a bit and stumbled sideways; so pizza and beer was not on the books just yet. In the med tent I remember being told to sit on a chair for an IV next to a lineup of other pathetic looking specimens who were already plugged in. Instead I tried to lie on the ground - and the nurse politely told me that I couldn't - I absolutely had to sit on the chair. So I stood up, mumbled something about feeling better and stumbled out the back door of the tent to lie on the ground. I think I actually fell asleep for a bit. Some while later, the nurse came back to check on me and found me shivering under my shiny foil sheet. She kindly helped me hobble over and into to one of the waiting hot tubs where I was handed a cup of the best chicken soup that I've ever tasted and had a great opportunity to tell horror stories and swap lies with my fellow athletes. As physically drained, sore and as repulsively stinky as we were, we were all grinning – because we had just completed the Ironman!

I want to say thank-you, thank-you, thank-you to a few people who helped in me in this undertaking. Firstly to my coach Mike Coughlin, who provided me with a ton of information, advice, motivation and inspiration – best of luck at Ironman Wisconsin Mike! Second and most importantly to my very supportive wife Christina and my son Brendon who had to put up with me (and a lot of neglected yardwork) over these last six months. I publicly promise not to do this again! At least for a few years anyway! Editors's Note: Steve plans on running the Ramsey Tour 1/2 marathon this weekend and then do the Toronto marathon in October in an attempt to qualify for next years Boston marathon. So much for promises....and the best of luck to you.

Steve Matusch

Click Here for All the Results

Update on Lake Nepahwin Crossing Sept 6th.
- by Bob Jeffery

Monday morning Sept 6, 10 am 15 swimmers ranging in age from 13 to....lets say over 45, waded into the relatively warm water (67 degrees) and set across Nepahwin. The water was warm enough to allow a few of the swimmers to shed their wet suits at the other side. The paddlers in three canoes did a great job tracking the swimmers as a gusty wind shifted around throughout the swim. The choppy water gave more than a few of us mouthfuls of water and challenged our ability to hold a line. Despite these sometimes challenging conditions everyone did a great job and for a number of people it was their longest lake swim, way to go. After the swim a hungry somewhat cold and tired group treated themselves to a hot meal at Gloria's Restaurant.

Expanded Masters Swim Program - by Mike Coughlin

The 28th Annual Ramsey Tour Runs on Saturday, September 11

THIS SATURDAY!!

Same day registration is available from 8:30am to 10:15am. The first 140 participants will receive t-shirts

Volunteers are always welcome and needed. If you're NOT running and are available, please give Jesse Winters a call and he will arrange a spot for you. Thank you in advance. Vince

Click Here for A "Word" Registration Form

For Race information contact Jesse Winters
E-mail Address(es):
jesse.winters@nbf.ca

(B) 705- 688-7738

Click Here for 1/2 Marathon Course Map

Click Here for 5k Course Map

Mike Coughlin Goes to Ironman Wisconsin This Sunday

Mike will attempt to improve on his Ironman Canada time of 11:14:30 set last year when he toes the line in Madison Wisconsin this Sunday. You can track his progress at  http://vnews.ironmanlive.com/

Good luck Mike!

FiTFRiENDS

8 Km Trail Run/Walk

for Team Diabetes

Location: Starts at Laurentian University track and winds through the local single track trails

On-Site Registration Available from 8:30-9:30 a.m.

Race Date/Time: September 26, 2004 @ 10:00 am
Race Kit Pick-up: Running Room Cedar Pointe Plaza September 25, 2004 from 9:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
On-site Registration until 9:30 a.m. sharp

Click Here for Registration Form