Ironman Wisconsin - TriathlonFull Ironman

I had hoped for a much better swim than this. I purposely started very wide hoping to get some clear water so I could find my stroke and make up lost time due to distance by swimming free. This did not work. I took so many shots on the swim I thought I was in a boxing match. I took one in the calf that still hurts right now as I type this. I heard of others who said they started right near the buoys and barely got touched. Despite not being happy with time I was still doing great and was not worried about a few lost minutes. Running into transition I see Wizzzzz right on my tail and have a little conversation with her.

I guess I should have started in a little closer.

As most people know this is a really long transition. After the wetsuit peelers get done with you it is a long run up the helix into transition. Knocked about 4 minutes off last time so I am happy with that.

Nada

So here is where I make my mark. Had a real good summer of biking with several loops of the course done. Legs were feeling strong and I was ready for a great ride. Get on my bike and within seconds I know something is wrong. Bike is screaming like a skinned cat every time I apply more pressure or torque. Apparently as I was leaving the helix my brother made the comment about how something was wrong with my bike. As I was leaving I couldn't get any power and I knew something was majorly wrong. After a few minutes of eye balling it and listening to the noises I determined it was the front brake. Got off and adjusted the brake and opened it up a little. Get going again and still no power. First small hill and I can hear and feel rubbing again. Get off and mess with rear brake. As I watch people flying by me all I can think is "what the he'll is going on?". Get going again and still the rubbing continues. Eventually a guy rides up to me and we start talking about the bike. He tells me he thinks my tire is rubbing on the rear wheel cut out. I check it out Nd sure enough that is the problem. I had a set screw get bent and was causing the wheel to track all kittywompus. This was a two person fix so I waited until an aid station to get help but ended up seeing my brother first. He was with Kelly and my good friend Darrel who came to watch. I was so tired and disgusted by then that I just jumped off my bike and yelled at my brother to hold it up while I tried to fix it. This was after climbing into Mt Horeb after riding 30 miles with a rubbing tire. I only hope my support crew knows how bad I feel for not treating them better. We figured out how to get it fixed and after that off I went. Unfortunately to fix it I had to pull the wheel out and eyeball it to make sure it was even before tightening down the skewer. Without the drop out to rest on the wheel was basically floating. Eventually the wheel settled back in and started to rub again. Got off the bike and made another repair. By then I was at mile 35 and both my legs and attitude were both gone. I cranked the skewer with all my strength and decided if that wasn't good enough I was in a lot of trouble. Fortunately the fix held and the only thing holding me back was the heat and my bodies inability to deal with it.

It started to get real hot out there after the first loop and the wind picked up. I couldn't believe that I had finally got my bike fixed and now I didn't have the strength to generate any power out of my legs. The heat had shut my stomach down and I was living on Gatorade and water. By the time I was heading back on the stick I was in a real dark crappy place and really did not want to go on with the race. My back was spasming keeping me from going in the aero position, I was so hungry I couldn't see straight, and my entire body was hurting. For some reason I was craving a beer more than I ever have in my life. I am not a big drinker but for some reason that last our on the bike all I could think of was a frosty glass of beer. I think it was my body craving carbohydrates because I honestly could NOT get it out of my head. Eventually the craving moved over to a cold Coke or Mountain Dew. I just wanted sugar and carbs so bad but couldn't stomach Gatoraid anymore.

At my very worst point when I was truly ready to give it up a fellow Donkey came to my rescue. DJDavey rode up to me right around Whalen Road which is about 8 miles from the finish and we talked a bit. I must have said something to him or he sensed something because all of a sudden he just goes off on me about how we were going to finish and I just needed to Donkey The F@&$ Up. Since he didn't appear to be ready to end his tirade soon I decided I had better kick it down and ride away from him. It was exactly what I needed at the time and I greatly appreciated him being there for me when I needed a kick in the ass. Donkeys-Ass, get it? Never mind.

So I did finish the bike and manage to get through transition. This was by far the worst experience on my bike I have ever had and was grateful to hand it over to the bike catchers.

I don't even know. Should have checked bike over better but it seemed pretty good the day before.

Didn't care about speed anymore. Just focused on moving through transition and not letting quitting enter my mind.

I knew this would be bad. I didn't think it could be this bad. Saw my fan base coming out of T2 and I didn't know what to say. Go watch a movie and grab some dinner seemed appropriate but I wasn't sure it would burn enough time. Still just seeing them made life so much better as I went by. Got out on the run course and told myself to take it easy. I had not eaten anything solid since mile 56 on the bike and didn't for see the ability to get anything down now. Wanted to try running for 4 minutes and walking for 1 minute at a very easy pace. Sadly this was not going to happen. Every time I started to run stomach went crazy. I kept thinking eff you stomach. What are you going to throw up? Nothing is in there. Instead I was given major cramps. At the State street turn around after 6.5 miles I knew Kelly and Kevin would be waiting for me. I just kept thinking how bored they must be waiting and waiting. After almost an hour and a half I finally made it and when I saw then I almost broke down. I was just so physically and mentally exhausted I couldn't imagine moving on and I dint know how to say it without disappointing them. In that quick moment before actually reaching them I decided I would finish even if I had to crawl. I had one DNF before and it took me a long time to get past it. I had notes that I had written for both of them just saying thank you and a few other things. Unfortunately I couldn't find them because my mind was gone. I had a race belt with a pocket and a small pocket in my running shorts. Where else could it be. So I left them behind without giving my notes of thanks and knew I would see them in another 6 miles or so. After half an hour I did find the notes in my pocket and had to laugh at how badly we can lose it sometimes. Eventually fellow Donkeys Chris and Clint were walking at a slightly faster pace than me and they caught up to me. We walked together for a long time and it did make the miles go by faster. Eventually the sun set and in the darkness it was just me, the miles ahead, and shadows in the night wishing you good luck. I tried to run off and on again but the extreme dizziness, hunger and nausea told me the only way I was going to finish was walking.

After 6:15 I finally came to the of another IM run. As I started to jog the final mile I said to hell with everything I am going to finish this the way I want. I started running and as I saw all those smiling cheering faces I couldn't help smiling also. I gave some fist pumps and possibly busted out a double bicep pose for the crowd and heard those magical words as I crossed the finish line "Bryan Logue from New Prague Minnesota YOU ARE AN IRONMAN!

As I crossed several things crossed my mind. The first was redemption. My DNF in 2009 never sat well with me and I needed this. My second was elation, gratitude and a sense of accomplishment. Those things were not there in 2008 when I finished. I don't know why, maybe I was too immature back then to respect what I had accomplished. Finally I had an overwhelming need to find Kelly and Kevin. I was and am so appreciative of the long day they went through and I wanted to thank them. Kelly went through a lot during this round of IM training as did my awesome kids Aly and Nik.

I played the cards I was dealt and don't regret the outcome.

Found Kelly and Kevin after the best finish line catchers in the world took care of me. Once again it was a fellow Donkey. Thank you so much. Walked the few blocks back to the hotel and took an ice bath and then a warm shower. Crazy thing was I didn't have a problem with the ice bath until after a warm shower. Body just kind of went into shock and I started shivering so bad my whole body locked up. Kelly got me under every blanket in the hotel room and eventually the shivers stopped. This was actually pretty scary and I was glad she was around to help out. Ended up walking back down to the race and watching the last two hours of the race. So inspirational to see the last finishers come in.


Weather and mechanical issues.


I still love this race but believe I will be taking a hiatus for awhile. During the race I swore off IM racing, but you know how that goes. I will more than likely do the distance again, just not sure it will be Madison. Can't wait to come back next year as a spectator and volunteer. I want to thank The Donkai Nation for all they did. The friends I have met have been incredible and it was so helpful to see them so often in the course. My friends Darrel and Heidi Barlage who drove all the way to Madison the morning of the race to see this crazy event. Of course my brother Kevin for taking off work and spending so much time on the course. Finally Kelly, Aly and Nik. Without all they do for me and all their support I could not do this. I love you guys.