First Triathlon - Challenged Athlete category

Stoneman Triathlon

This was my first triathlon competing on the Challenged Athlete category
I and my challenged Masonic brother Jeremy decided to try the Stoneman Triathlon in Springfield, IL

We only had 3 months to train together and that included all equipment and logistic development and planning. I had kept my personal training at about an Olympic distance level for this year due to the birth of my first child (I promised my wife nothing longer than an Oly or Half marathon this year). With the financial help from our Masonic lodge we purchased a racing wheel chair that was modified by local auto body shop Dick Taylor so we could attach it to the bike and then push it on the run. But I quickly found out racing with Jeremy was a different beast all together. Obviously things would be slower but there were several unforeseen challenges.

Swim 500yards 13:15 (2:39/100yards)
Seemed to go well. The RD let us go 15mins before the rest of the racers. All I could think was must get out of the water before the others start. The lake was smooth and it was a clear day. It was simple out and back course and there was a huge yellow buoy to mark the turn around. The swim was pretty smooth with almost no tracking problems out. Had to take the turn around wide to make sure Jeremy cleared the buoy but still no problems.

The swim back was a little rougher as the normal swim exit was well marked with another large yellow buoy, but we were to exit to the left near a dock. I kept finding myself fixating on the return buoy and had to keep correcting to find the unmarked dock. Luckily once we were within about 100 yards I could see the announce and race director wearing their bright yellow vest. When we made it to the dock I was still so focused on exiting and getting out of the way of the other racers I totally blocked out all the cheering and didn't even notice the next wave right next to me. This is despite the fact that there is a picture of me high fiving a racer about to leave. With the help on a fellow racer, a MD, and some rugby players we got Jeremy out of the boat and onto his wheel chair to move on to T1

T1 2:14
Billy the rugby player is awesome. He transferred Jeremy from his wheelchair to the racing chair. I went through my normal T1 routine then gave Jeremy his water bottle. Jeremy would not have an hydration for the bike so it was important for him to get a bunch in T1. After downing a good portion of the bottle we headed out. So far so good.

Bike 12 miles 45:36 (15.8mph)
The bike is always my strong point. We were biking out with the fast Oly swimmers who started 6-15mins before us. I normally race the Only distance so I knew these racers. Even alone I wouldn't be able to keep up with the fastest. The course was rolling hills for the midwest with one short step hill and two quarter mile long climbs. I knew the course well but had to mentally check myself when being passed and not catching the bikers in front. This race was all about RPE. We had designed the bike connection to the chair to be off center and to my left. This kept the chair from falling off the curb, kept most debris off of Jeremy, and let him see the race like he was racing and not just staring at my back wheel.

Jeremy was a total trooper. There were some rough sections and turns that he kept encouraging me to take at "speed". We had practiced before and he was well strapped in, but knowing that there is a guy behind you who has NO way to hold on to the chair and that chair is about to bounce due to a rough part in the road, you always worry. Jeremy just said, "Go I got this." He reminded me that it was our race at that we didn't have to catch anyone. When digging on the hills and looking straight down he could tell me how close we were. He also knew the course so he would point out, "only a mile to the turn around" or "after this hill all we have left is 2 miles along the lake." It makes a big difference when it is not just your head telling you these things but a really person and a friend.

On a side note we were the second sprint distance racer to hit the turn around point. Sure we started 15mins ahead of all the others but still, we were number #2!

T2 2:57
Once again rugby Billy was there to help us. The RD has specifically assigned Billy to help and he was great. Also there were MD's all on the course and the transition area in case we or anyone else would need them (44 in all). Once again water to Jeremy (he could get water on the run course but he was still thirsty). We disconnected the bike attachment and then put front wheel to the chair on.
Took off the helmets, switched shoes and off we went.

Run 5k 31:01 (10:01min/miles)
Ok this is where it gets funny. God Bless the Garmin 405 but that stupid touch bezel and water just don't get along. Since this was a sprint I used it for the swim (under the swimcap) and bike so it was wet. Because of the water the bezel wasn't working right, so I thought I put it in the pace screen, looked down to see 12.3 mins/mile. It was pushing hard and thought man I need to train way more (training was down this year due to first baby). Kept running and watched my speed slowly drop.

The run course was great. A nice rolling path in a public park then flat roads along the lake. Jeremy was 100% there with support and encouragement. Naturally people were encouraging us (it was a triathlon after all) but having him right there rocked. It was a great time, I was running conservatively because I wanted us to finish strong and my legs though tired were not showing any signs of cramping. Sadly I watched out speed drop 13.4 min/miles, then all the way down to 14 something. I kept thinking just maintain the RPE, Jeremy doesn't know how slow we are going and he is having the time of his life. The last few yards were up hill to the finish. We made our last turn and could see it. At the bottom of the hill I let it all out and we sprinted at a 4:50min/mile.

Only after the run did I realize that I was looking at distance and not pace!

Finish 1:35:08
This race rates up there with my first triathlon and first Ironman. We are definitely racing again. My only regret was that I was so focused on doing the race well for Jeremy and making sure everything was safe and great for him that I totally blacked out parts of the race. This has only happened once before and that was during my first Ironman finish. For this race I never saw or heard the cheering crowds. They were like trees or obstacles to avoid accidentally hitting. All I remember of the finish was the push and thinking must not run into the finish arch. No cheering. Just adrenaline and Jeremy. I remember his voice, encouraging me on and cheering us to the on to the finish. In the end all there was, was just Jeremy and the race. Thank you.













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