IRONMAN FLORIDA RACE REPORT (November 4th, 2006: 3.8km swim, 180km bike, 42km run)
by Scott Curry, 5th place (8:45:12)
This race will go down in my books as an emotional rollercoaster ride. Leading up to the race I had a period of 12 days whereby it was impossible for me to run. This occurred following a fall off my bike, hurting my left knee upon impact. I did however salvage 10 days worth of important Ironman specific training – I banked on the hope that these 10-days along with the fitness I gained from training for Ironman Canada would be enough to pull off a great day in Florida.
While in Panama City Beach, I was set up with a homestay – Doug Welling and his cocker-spaniel Hadely were my most excellent hosts. After a couple of boring days of sitting around watching movies, feasting on food, and some more resting, I was getting anxious to start racing. Following the pro-meeting the day before the race, Greg from Versus/Outdoor Life Network interviewed both Kyle Marcotte and myself as the Canadian representatives in the pro-field. It will be added to the TV coverage when it is broadcast in Canada (I think Nov 26th and 27th).
Race morning welcomed us with 4°C air temp, and a stiff 20km/hour wind. I made my way down to the transition area where I dropped off my special needs bags, pumped up my tires, added my waterbottles to my bike etc. When it was time to walk down to the swim start, I met up with my Mom and Dad who were waiting on the beach – it was a final time for me to say goodbye to them before starting the day of racing.
The swim was rough, I’ve never raced in the surf, with breaking waves before. I found that I had to sight at the top of the crests for any hope of seeing the bouys and markers. Prior to the race start, I envisioned myself having a good swim – emphasizing it more than I did at Ironman Canada. Unfortunately, my best efforts were not enough to knock off a good swim. While I was exiting the water, I had a sinking feeling in my gut that I had a poor swim. My fears were acknowledged with a glimpse of the pace clock reading 55minutes! I became very concerned,…
”How could I slip up that bad in the swim??!! DAMN!!”, I thought. 
I ran off, through the transition area, knowing that I had a big time deficit, and needed to make it up on the bike. Early on the bike at approximately the 40km mark, I received a split that I was 11minutes down from the leader.
As this point, I couldn’t help to think, “What is going on with me??!! Am I losing touch with my bike as well?”.
I was concerned, and quite frustrated but carried on thinking that I’ve sacrificed so much to be here,…just focus and have the best day possible. Just keep focus,….just keep focus,…go go go GO!
Soon after this split, Christophe Bastie from France caught and passed me. I kept in touch with Christophe,…his pace was close to mine. We ended up catching Lother Leder from Germany (a legend in the sport, and one of the pre-race favorites). After a few rounds of cat and mouse, Lother ended up falling off our pace around the 60km mark,…slowing I was starting to gain some confidence back. I started to pick up the pace a notch. My plan was to break down the 180km ride into 3 equal parts and slowly build strength and speed from sets one to three. Special needs on the bike was at 80km,…while exchanging my waterbottles at this point, I completely lost touch with Christophe Bastie who decided not to use a special needs bag – he just blasted through this section. Soon thereafter, I received another split that I was 26minutes down.
“How did I lose 15minutes in 40kms???”, I thought.
Part of me didn’t believe him, but small part of me did however – contributing to a mix of emotions. At this point I was getting mad,…thinking that I was completely losing it! Thankfully I’m stubborn by nature, and continued putting force to my pedals –
I was thinking, “COME ON GO GO GO,…MAKE UP THE LOST GROUND YOU IDIOT!!!”.
The next 30km wasn’t fun for me,…I was fuelled on anger and frustration – at a time when I should’ve been thinking “relax,…go fast”, and all those positive thoughts. Thankfully for my sanity and much to my surprise given the day I thought I was having, I ended up catching three more guys, one being triathlon legend and another pre-race favorite Spencer Smith. Soon thereafter, I entered the out-and-back section – a finger in the race course whereby you have a chance to see your competitors allowing to gauge your position and placement. This is when I found that I was 10minutes back and in 6th place. And so the emotional rollercoaster continued…I was feeling better about my race then,…
I was thinking, “Yeah, that’s better,…let’s go,…keep it up”.
Somewhere in there, I picked up 2 more places, and was in touch with 3rd place, Christophe Bastie. Overall I found the bike ride very lonely,…I was spoiled in my experience at Ironman Canada where I had my wife Allison and friends out on the course cheering me on. My experience here in Florida was much different, and became a good experience as I’ll now be stronger for knowing for next time to 1) disregard splits unless they are from your own source or friends who you know, 2) think positive always, and 3) Go for it, while following your pre-race plan to your best ability. 
I started the run in good shape – thankfully leading up to this point, I had no low energy periods. My friend Jonathan Caron was at the run start and gave me a boost by cheering me on – he said the leader looked to be in rough shape. I drank my waterbottle of CarboPro mix starting the run – then settled into a groove. I timed my first mile in 6:30,…then 2miles where done in 13min,…I felt smooth and happy with the pace I was hitting. Somewhere in these 2 miles, Jim Vance passed me – he looked smooth and light,…I tried to pick up my pace to match his better but with little avail,…he easily pulled away. I was however catching Christophe Bastie,…I was feeling so good, I knew it was just a matter of time before I’d catch him.
Interestingly, all the while, my right foot was completely numb – I had NO SENSATION in it even with striking the ground,…all I felt was a constant intense numbness. I felt better about this situation when I recalled Jasper Blake telling me once that during Ironman Canada (the year when he finished 2nd place) he had a numb feeling across half his body during the run.
I timed the first 10km split in 39 minutes – I was quite encouraged at his point as I felt very good. I split the 21km mark in 1hr28min – Jonathan was cheering for me, pointing out the fact that I was on sub-3hour marathon pace.At the turn-around,…I guzzled down another waterbottle of custom drink from my special needs – I passed Christophe Bastie at this point,…and started to distance myself from him.
The last 5km was tough for me,….I was sitting in 4th place,…I felt as though I probably had 4th sealed up – and just tried to hold form, keeping things together. My legs were starting to feel the distance of the marathon,…they were trashed, feeling like they were ripped up. About 2km to go, Stephan Bayliss passed me,….he was moving well, and had good spring in his legs still. I made a 10second effort to try to go with him, but alas my legs were unable to respond.
I ended up finally getting to the finish line in 5th place in a time of 8:45:12. I was happy to finish,…and it was neat having my parents at the finish line seeing the pride in their eyes.
I spoke with my coach Peter Reid today,…we’re talking about next year already. I’m excited about 2007 – working with Peter, with his guidance and plan, I have no doubt that I’m going to be racing at a new level.
Thanks everyone for reading.
Scott