Why Do The Ironman? (Part 3)

Julie Moss's epic crawl towards the finish-line stopped hearts and started a revolution.

Holes in our heads: That’s what it is. Perhaps, finishers of the day-long triathlon are attempting to patch a gapping hole in their heads. Or, are they merely filling a need for personal accomplishment and achievement?

Let’s be clear: we can do a lot more with the time these long-distance athletes invest into their training. Who would rather spend their time sleeping than push off on their bikes for a 60-100K ride? If you ask these dedicated athletes, I am sure that they would rather elect sleep than spinning. The roads are none too safe these days for the knights on iron-steads. I was hit by cab while riding in 2010 (one month before Ironman New Zealand, and I ran into the back of a parked van two months ago. Both were costly exercises in training, yet I learnt to be resilient and re-focus my mind and recovering body on my goals.

Having completed my first Ironman triathlon in 2006 (and a few more along the way), I can vouch for the intense and immense joy and exhilaration of completing the event. You experience another burst of adrenaline which mask your pain as you dash across the line, to receive your medal, beach-towel (wrapped around you like a king’s cape) and the announcement ‘You’re an Ironman!’ (and that applies to both genders). Then, reality sinks in and your flood of emotions get mired with the cramping, and decidedly convenient time for your body to go limp with exhaustion.

The ultra-marathoners know no differently. Anything upwards of a full marathon adds to the challenge factor. I interviewed Singapore’s Kua Jarn Wei and American, Wayne Kurtz – these amazing Deca-Ironman finishers are tough as nails, and just as nuts as the rest of us. However, they are also great guys to hang out with. Every post-race conversation describes, invariably, the toughest parts of the course, but scarcely any reference to how tough these competitors were. Also, the on-course civility and rendering of assistance to your struggling fellow competitors reveals much about such a 'crazy sport'; also, the legion of volunteers who make these races all possible and purposeful. Such is the humility and humanity we get to observe at these obscure and seemingly unimportant events.

I applaud my fellow competitors for attempting and completing. Sometimes, you make the cut-off times, sometimes you don’t (due to a variety of reasons; mainly illness, infection and crippling fatigue). It is the journey that matters and which may have taken 6-12 months to lead you to your destination. The real drama of athletic competition expresses itself through the courageous exploits of the Everydayman doing their first Ironman. I am also inspired by the physically-challenged athletes who pedal their way purely by their hands and arms to complete their races; others who hop and run on carbon-blades (and who I hope do not catch up with, and they have) during the marathon. These episodes in life’s soap-opera are unmatched for their spontaneity, spirit and seriousness. It was also Julie Moss’s crawl to complete her near-win race that captured the hearts of thousands around the world. Perhaps, it is this spirit of wanting to do something, regardless of the implications and consequences, or getting to the finish-line is all that matters!

As Fox would reiterate before each race: ‘The pain is temporary, but the memories are endless!’ And in Ironman, there are numerous stories and an abundance of memories to rely on. 

(Continued tomorrow: Part 4)

PASSIONATE ULTRA TRI-GUY (PART 1): Wayne Kurtz Interview

‘Wayne is a high-powered corporate achiever who has the rare ability to transfer his high-octave motivation to ultra triathlon. Come to think of it, to compete and complete an ultra, you need nothing less than the most powerful of motivation - the fire in the gut! Wayne's methodological race preparations, willingness to share, friendly disposition and humble nature make him an ideal ambassador of ultra triathlons.’ ~ KUA HARN WEI, SINGAPORE’S ONLY DECA-IRONMAN FINISHER

The notion of doing an Ironman triathlon astounds many. Co-founder of Ironman triathlons, John Collins explained: ‘Swim 2.4 miles, Cycle 112 miles, then run a full marathon – brag for life!’ Life’s biggest challenges are not for the foolish or the foolhardy, yet those who attempt and complete them emerge reassured and recognised for their achievements. Now, do the DECA and it positions you in the rarified stratosphere of insanity or unbridled adventurism.

A Deca-Ironman triathlon (DECA) is, essentially, an Ironman triathlon TIMES 10. That means, the participant of this race swims 38K first, then follows up with 1,800K of cycling, and caps it off with a 420K run. In the past, the format was to complete one Ironman triathlon a day for 10 days. Each race must be completed within 24 hours, failure to do so resulting in disqualification – a very painful situation to be in. The least, aggregate timing taken yields the eventual winner.

WAYNE KURTZ hails from Wexford, PA, USA. I first heard about him through Singapore’s only Deca-Ironman (DECA) finisher, Kua Harn Wei. I stumbled upon Wayne through his tweets, and that’s where I made the connection proper, with him, on Twitter.

An avid reader, Wayne’s favourite books focus more on positive thinking, relationships and leadership - traits necessary for his long endurance races, and its rich experiences and amazing but narrow field of athletes. Wayne is a leader in his field, and as an author his new book Beyond The Iron - A Training Guide to Ultra-Distance Triathlons will be launched this month. His passion being endurance racing, he competes and has completed specifically in ultra-distances including the Double, Triple, Quintuple and DECA.

Enrico Varella: Congratulations on your recent racing achievements! You did well on your DECA. Thank you for agreeing to be interviewed. You could not have been a formerly overweight, chain-smoking, workaholic. Tell us a bit about yourself before becoming a serious ultra-endurance athlete.

Wayne Kurtz: My passion for triathlons and endurance sports started in 1985 while in college. I was a swimmer by background and remember asking my mother when she came to visit me at college to drive out to a five-mile running course in the college town. I just decided to buy some New Balance running shoes (only ran with sports, not track or cross-country running) and that was the beginning. A few months later, I was home for a few days and was at the local golf course and saw an entry form for a Bud Light Triathlon in my hometown county park in Pittsburgh. So, after painting my grandmother’s house and doing some other odd jobs, I saved up enough money for my Centurion racing bike. I still recall the conversation with my parents where I said, 'Well now I have my bike, which is the major expense, and the majority of my costs are now gone.'

WK: Well, as we have seen over the last 25 years, new technology, time-trial bikes, mountain bikes, racing bikes, clip-less pedals, aero-bars, aero-wheels, wetsuits, so many pairs of running shoes, all the clothing for each season, etc. made my statement to my parents inaccurate to say the least! In my mind, however, spending the money, over the years, has been a worthwhile lifestyle investment — and triathlons have been my passion ever since. My parents, sister and my lovely bride, Jan has a few classic quotes about me, and among them are: ‘Wayne beats to his own drum.’ and, ‘Was Wayne dropped on his head when he was a baby?’ I hear this a lot now, especially with competing in Ultra-triathlons.

WK: Twenty-five years later and hundreds of endurance races in many different sports, traveling all over North America and Europe, and meeting lifelong friends has been an absolutely amazing experience. I still get nervous at the start of a marathon, ultra-running race, triathlon, snowshoe race, adventure race, cycling race, etc. — and that’s what keeps it so fresh and fun for me.

EV: What is your sporting background?

WK: I am a swimmer by background. 

EV: What got you started on endurance sports?

WK: Being competitive in sports for all my life, after college there was a void and I picked up the sport of triathlon.

EV: What was it like racing the DECA last year?

WK: This past year was the continuous version of the DECA (each year switches from a 1 Ironman per day format to the continuous). The 24-mile swim, 1120-mile bike, 262-mile was the format this past year. The weather was hot during the day for the bike and run which switched my strategy and I did most of my sleeping during the day to get out of the heat.  The race was significantly harder in my opinion than the one-per-day Ironman format last year.  

EV: Why the DECA format?

WK: This race is my favorite mainly because of the mental challenge to keep on going.   Mentally, there is nothing like it in any of my 100's of races of I competed in over the last 25 years.

EV: What do you enjoy most about racing?

WK: The competitive nature of the event and, of course, being able to use my greatest strength - which is my mental strength come race day. I train my mind daily just like my body in my normal training.

EV: How long do you take to prepare for an Ironman, and DECA?

WK: For an Ironman I can get myself ready to race it hard in about 8-10 weeks. The DECA is a longer buildup with a series of Double-Iron, 100-mile and 24-hour running races throughout the race season to get prepared for the race. It is months of training and racing.

EV: Phew! I am tired after hearing all that. What is your preparation for the DECA like?

WK: A normal week for me consists of around 20 hours. This includes swimming, biking, running, functional/strength training. I spend about another 15 hours per week with my mental training process. My key workouts (all highlighted in the training plans within Beyond The Iron) include weekly 10-12 hour all night workouts to get my body, mind and sleep deprivation - ready for the DECA.

 Photo-Credits: Wayne Kurtz, Endurance RacingReport.com

Get Packing For the Pecking Order

Prior to your next Ironman or 70.3 race, here are some packing considerations:

1)    Get a ‘what-to-bring’ list drawn up first.

2)    Place your race-kit aside (racing attire, helmet, race-belt, shoes, heart-rate monitor, speedometer, Bento-box, sun-shades, wetsuit, Ziploc bags, and nutrition).

3)    Check the condition of your race-kit for potential wardrobe malfunction or mechanical malfunction.

4)    Bring extra socks, energy gels, goggles, and salt-tablets.

5)    Pack your bike into bike-case (dismantle/loosen cockpit, saddle/seat-post, pedals).

6)    Nutritional package for your Special Needs bag (including solid/comfort food to be purchased from the supermarket).

7)    Prepare both wet-weather/cold-day attire and nutritional support.

8)    Pack your tools in the bike-case (Allan-keys, spare-tubes/tyres, duct-tape/masking tape, foldable scissors, and old water-bottles to discard at aid-stations).

9)    Re-check your list (see if you left out anything).

10) Buy your CO2 canisters at the race-fair (anything else, bring from home. Bring enough money for the pre-race and post-race merchandise shopping. If you are an iPod person, bring your digital music along.

While we are on the subject of preparation, here are some splendid short articles worth your attention.

Here are useful open-water swimming considerations by Swim coach, Kevin Koskella.

What is like to complete a Deca-Ironman? Results of this year’s races here.