What a Day!

Sunday October 17, 2010


I woke up giddy this morning as in my books today was a big day.  I set out on a journey earlier this year to accomplish two thing.


1) Raise awareness and funds for a Charity called In our Own Quiet Way and their Give a Dam project


And


2) Break the World Record for the most half Ironman events done in a year.


Today I did #2.  It has been a crazy year and I wanted to thank some key people that have helped me get here (So sorry if i miss anyone, just know there were a lot of people who helped me make this happen)


Thanks so much to my awesome wife Sunny and all my kids for allowing me to get out there and do my thing.  I have been away a lot this summer and it hasn't be the easiest thing to do.  In my opinion Sunny had the harder job.  I would not be here today without their love and support.  My sponsors have been very supportive and have also been a great support on my journey.  Please check them out on my sponsors page.  I can't thank my close fiends enough (you guys know who you are) for helping me train and push me to keep going.  I also have to thank all my new friend out there from Daily Mile, Facebook and Twitter.  You guys have also really kept me going.  The list is huge and know that this is all of our record.  The big picture is the cause and the need for water in Africa.  I know I have been a "ME" monster lately but I had to do something that has never been done before so people would look my way.  You would not believe how big the impact is with just one water retention system and I will keep doing everything I can to help as many people as I can.  People have asked me "What is next?"  Well the short answer is 2 more 70.3 races this year, Miami and Clearwater.  Then what?  Well 2011 will be a prep year for me and some quality time at work (I'm outta cash yo) and with my family.  In 2012 we will take this thing to the next level, 24 full Ironman races in 12 countries... I'm sorry what?  That's right you read that right....... 

SO; 

The big day was finally here.  I'm sure this was only a big day in my little world but still a big day.  Race start was at 7:30 and I got a good nights sleep in. I woke up once at 3 o'clock and went right back to bed.  I was so excited to get going I was actually disappointed it was only 3 am.  In the morning I wanted to make sure that I kept my same routine.  I filled up my bottles with Hornet Juice, Carbo Pro and Prolytes.  Just to be clear none of these companies pay me, I actually like their products.  I grabbed all my gear and my Rokitfuel and headed out.  It was about a 30 min drive that took us 1:20 minutes due to a car crash and over 2600 excited athletes and spectators all going to the same road being fed by three roads.  I tried to relax and just enjoy the calm before the storm.  We finally made it to the shuttles and pulled up to T1 minutes before transition was about to close.  I wasn't flustered as I had done this 19 previous times this year.  I did feel bad for the hundreds of first time athletes who were caught up due to the car crash delays.  The anxiety in the air was thicker than normal.  A guy beside me blew a tire in the night and didn't have the valve extender needed to get the air pressure he needed into his tires.  He was panicked so I took the opportunity to save the day and pulled the solution of of my bike tire kit.  He was very grateful and I was happy to help.

ASEA,,,,,, It's gotta help right.....

Since I was racing in Texas I shaved my beard into a traditional bull horn mustache and sported it proudly.  I had a new goal for the day - win the foo man chou division.  I had to way to validate this race inside a race but felt strong I could take home this title.  Al and I watched as the parachute man flew in carrying the American flag as they sang the national anthem.  It was almost go time!  

This was a cool sight.

I just couldn't resist doing the facial hair!

It was now my turn to get in the water and I just wanted to have a confident swim.  At this point of my quest I get that I'm not the fastest swimmer but wanted to thanks BlueSeventy for helping me out with my gear.  The water was calm and warm and I didn't have any problems managing the groups of people in the water.  I have managed to become very comfortable with open water swimming.  Next years goal; swim faster, masters here I come!  I wanted to swim around 32 minutes but had to settle for a 35.  It was great to have someone there cheering and taking a few pictures.  Thanks again big Al. 

Me and Big Al before the race. 

Swim waves as far as you can see.  The pro's are out of the water and long gone on the bike!

It is finally my turn... only 1:30 after the pro's....

I put this picture up to celebrate the athlete in red with his awesome Aviator shades, mountain bike and running shoes - you gotta love it!

There I go.  Does anyone have any extra sun screen?  Oh wait.. that guy took it all;)

 I quickly found myself on the bike and pushing the pace early.  I really wanted to have fun on this ride and take in the day.  I'm not sure why I think Texas is flat but this course wasn't and I wanted it to be.  I was shooting for my first ride under the time of 2:20 but quickly realized that this was not that course.  I was still determined to push my Ellsworth and see what she could do.  

On the second half of this 56 mile ride the winds started to swirl and it didn't seem to matter which directing I was heading it seemed to be into the wind.  The road was also very rough and I would consider to be dangerous on some of the country roads during the middle to latter stages of the ride.  It considered myself luck today as it seemed around every corner there were 2 or 3 athletes who were changing flat tires due to the road conditions causing pinch flats.  With about 15 miles to go on the bike I passed a Hispanic gentleman who asked if there were any more water stations coming up on the bike?  I told told him that I didn't think so and he pleaded for some of my water.  I had about 3/4 of a bottle left and was again happy to help a fellow competitor in need.  He was extremely grateful and thanked me profusely.  Two good deeds in one race, I wonder if that means that I will get through the race with no issues.  

I wanted to head out onto the run with a total time of 3 hours which included swim, T1, bike and T2.  As I ran out of transition I heard big Al yell 3:04!!  I had a solid ride and couldn't have been happier with my Coefficient.  I felt really good going into the run and knew it was going to be a great finish for me and a glorious day, the triathlon gods were paying me back for some past sufferings.... Or so I thought.

I took in my little plastic bag of pill which consisted of DUB muscle and youth formulas, some salt tablets and some sport legs.  I also slammed a DUB energy shot and carried one more shot for the second lap.  I felt great as I moved through the field and took down the miles.  I got to mile 4.5 of the first lap where they had a timing mat and an announcer announcing the names of the competitors as they crossed the matt shouting out encouragement.  I know its silly but your name being called is always motivating and I'm sure helped many.  He called my name followed by my city and state.  

"There's James Lawrence from Lindon Utah"

He was just reading the names off of his computer but then all of a sudden I had a fun moment.  A racer about 20 yards ahead of me turns around and yells;

"James Lawrence?  World record right there,  #20 baby!!!  He slowed up just a bit and let me catch up to him.  He reached out for a High five and told me good job and that he was proud of me.  

That was a very cool moment in my year.  I just do my thing hoping to reach a few people.  Hoping to make an impact.  Before I started  this year that guy didn't know me from 'Adam' and now he has heard of me.  And this isn't about me... But I had to do something bigger than anyone had done before me in hopes to turn some heads.  The goal is he will hear of QuietWay and the needs of my project.  I guess what I'm trying to say that despite my frustrations and sacrifices this year I think it's working.  I'm getting out there and people are recognizing my efforts.  And hopefully not for my benefit but for the greater good.  I just wanna impact lives,  motivate and inspire people and have a good time... Is that too much to ask?

I rounded the first loop still felling good and still knew that this was my day.  The run course was half on roads and half cross country (which was nice).  It was a fair yet challenging course.  I continued on until I ran into a problem at mile 8.  With 5 miles to go and with no warning I felt sharp pain shoot through my right leg.  It stopped me dead in my tracks.  I bent over grasping my knee wanting the pain to stop.  It appeared that my day was done.... No way, not today I thought.  Todays race was suppose to be different, I helped other athletes in need.....  Today's race was suppose to be easy.  Today's race was suppose to be a personal best.  I analyzed the situation and knew what the problem was.  My IT band had locked up on me.  I possibly pushed too hard on the bike.  Looking back at the ride I think it was my best performance of the year.  Not in speed or time but I bet had I been running a watt meter I would have posted the highest watts of the year.   I now have a knee that felt like a medal rod was being pounded into it with every step.  I dug my fingers into my hip trying to unlock my wound up muscles.  I started to run again hoping that they would let go.  It just wasn't to be.  My body was resisting every step and shuttered in pain with every pounding step.  It hurt so bad and I couldn't even take advantage of the down hill sections due to the increase of pounding.  I ran as fast as my body would allow and stopped looking down at my Garmin as my all out pace was down right depressing on what was suppose to be a perfectly executed world record day.

The finish of the race was very cool and located inside a stadium used for horse racing and other events.  We ran into the big double doors at the east end of the stadium and ran the length of the floor.  It was cool and shaded and the stands were loud and cheering for their athletes.  I thought this was a perfect finish area.  Triathlon is not the best spectator sport and to have a nice shaded finish area with a place to sit is a welcome treat to all the dedicated viewers.  It is just as big of a sacrifice for the spouses and designated cheerer and it is for the athlete.  It's a long day for all involved.  I finished with my head up and mustered up a jump at the finish line.

I finished the day with a time of 5:01.  I wanted to go under 5 hours but was happy considering all that had happened.  My number one fan in Austin was there to greet me at the finish line.  Thanks for all the cheers and the sign big Max.

Max waiting for the big finish!

Two happy campers right there!!

I wasn't in the mood for any post race food and really wanted to get a massage and get my leg some immediate attention.  I am grateful for all the volunteers that gave their time and expertise for the athletes.  Sometimes the massages are good and others times are a waste.  This time it was AWESOME.  I could have layed there for hours but alas there was a nice big line of deserving athletes behind me.  I was tired and just wanted to watch some football.  The rest of the evening we just chilled and did just that!!  In the morning we golf.... hope I can make a good turn on the ball.

Hooked me a world record today!

Woke up early (no rest for the wicked) and headed out to the links.  Austin has some great rates.  28 bucks for breakfast, cart, golf, drinks at the turn and post round lunch.  Oh ya!!!  Al and I hacked up the course but had a great time doing it.  It was a serious battle for hacker bragging rights.  I only tagged a few house but no broken windows!

Awe yah!  The good old days... collard shirts and khaki pants.... and bad mustaches.