Rocks!! Compete in Ironman Florida

Panana City Florida November 4, 2007

The IM Florida Experience

by Jan Weeres

Hi, Vince! I wanted to share my Iron Man Florida experience with you and
fellow Sudbury Rocks.
I flew down to Panama City, Florida on October 30. My support crew consisted
of; my husband, Brent, my sister, Moira and my good friend, Dale. We arrived
to beautiful, sunny weather. I could hardly wait to swim, bike and run.

The next few days were busy with registering, picking up my bike ( which had
been transported down by a bike shop from Toronto, Dornello's, I highly
recommend it. When I picked up my bike it was washed, tuned up and race
ready!). There were organized swims in the morning leading up to the race.
This was very beneficial as the only ocean swimming I had done was on
holidays and that usually consisted of paddling my feet in the ocean while
sipping some exotic drink! The swims went well. The water was beautiful!
Very clear with little marine life. I only saw a couple of jelly fish each
time I swam. I had heard stories about how difficult it could be swimming in
the ocean.

Jody Nadjiwon and Becky Olacke also arrived and we did some training
together. This was Jody's first IM and Becky's second as well as my second.
It was comforting to have them to hang out with.

Dropped off my bike and bike and run gear the day before. Rob Masih and Jim
Lung and friends had given me a WonderWoman figurine! (that's what they
called me!) Brent and Dale managed to attach her to my hydration bottle on
my bike. There were lots of comments when I dropped my bike off! She looked
great! and I hoped she would help me.

I also was carrying a little Lego figurine that my 13 year old nephew, Ian,
had given me. Ian is moving down to Toronto in preparation to have a double
lung transplant. Ian has a rare lung disease and this is his only hope to
live. Ian's RT at Sick Kids Hospital wanted Ian to start a walking/strength
training program to try and make his body as strong as possible. So all this
past summer as I was training for IM Florida , I would also walk with Ian to
help him with his "training". He really has improved from walking for only 5
minutes to walking 22 min. I told him his little Lego guy would really
inspire me race day!

Race day arrived with calm winds and temperature to reach the mid 70's. I
actually had a good sleep the night before, which is very unusual for me.
Anyhow, I woke up at about 3:30 and had my breakfast. One of the things I
think is so important with IM training is consistency in race prep. Luckily,
my mind can go into automatic mode and I can function very well. I really
only became nervous as we left the condo. Once we arrived at the race site,
I was more excited then nervous.

Saying goodbye to Brent and friends was very emotional. But I knew I would
see them throughout the day. Brent, Moria and Dale had volunteered to be
"peelers". I know what you are thinking, but no, they helped people out of
their wet suits. I would see them on the swim exit.

The swim started with the pros leaving at 6:50 and the age groupers at 7:00.
It was pretty exciting to see the pros start the swim. Then it was our turn
and off went the cannon! I was being conservative and did not jump into the
swim at the front. The swim course was a two lap course and you had to exit
the water on the first lap. It was like spring smelt season!!! or like a
washing machine!! I kept calm and tried to maneuver my way through swimmers.
Half way through the course I had my goggles kicked off. Darn! I lost the
seal on the goggles. Salt water is not gentle on the eyes, so I would swim
as long as I could then would have to empty them and try and get a seal.
Once I was out of the water for the second loop I was able to "dry" my face
and get a seal once again. The second loop went much better.

Out of water, wet suit stripped (by a very Marine like looking young man,
didn't mind that too much!) and on the transition tent. I took a little
longer in transition then I should have, (or as Brent said after: "What the
#$% were you doing in there???).

The bike course was rated as flat and in comparison to Lake Placid it was.
However, there were false flats and the wind was a bit of a factor. Give me
hills any day! The bike went well and uneventful (thank god, no flats, other
than the false ones). I think it was the combination of having Wonder Women
and Ian's Lego guy that helped.

Back into transition (much quicker this time!). Saw Brent and the gang when
I came out. That was nice.

The run course was flat and ran through residential neighbourhoods and also
had a 2 mile in and out through the State park. It was a double loop. Lots
of aid stations and great volunteers. I saw Jody and she looked great!

The run was going well until about mile 19. Unfortunately I was hit with
some intestinal issues, but managed to run through with many pit stops. I
was thankful that it didn't happen earlier. Just shows you that you never
know what race day will bring.

Running down the chute to the finish line and hearing the announcer say your
name and the crowd roaring, it just makes all those long hours and months
training well worth it. My sister was crying; she had never come to one of
these events and was just over whelmed. I was so happy to see Brent and all
my friends.

Now comes the active rest and getting back to a normal life (for awhile! IM
Canada '09 is the next IM I would like to do).

I also want to take this opportunity to thank Steve Tremblay for once again
helping me achieve my goal. I appreciate the time and effort he puts into my
training schedule and I enjoy working with him very much. Also, to all my
training buddies - Rob, Jim, Lawrie, Andrea, Dale, Jody, and all you other
Rockers who supported me throughout the year - what a great season and
thanks so much! I look forward to the next season!