Ironman Wisconsin 2016 Race Report

September 11, 2016

Madison Wisconsin

Ten years ago, with the sponsorship and encouragement of GU Energy, I entered into my first ever triathlon. I (barely) survived the half mile swim, was middle of the pack on the 18 mile bike course, and ran the 4 mile run.  Who would have thought that 10 years later I would have more than 50 races including 2 IRONMAN finishes on my resume?!

Last September, I stood in line the morning after IRONMAN Wisconsin with two friends/teammates to register for the 2016 event.  For both Marc and Mike, it would be their first IM.  Both had completed their first triathlons the year before.  This was the beginning of our journey together toward one huge personal challenge.  Throughout the year, we followed similar training plans each with our own goals for the big day.These guys always kept me in check!

As we pulled into Madison on Thursday afternoon, the excitement started to hit. I felt ready for this. The training was done. It was time to celebrate!  We completed all of then check-ins at the hotel and race. Let me tell you how much nicer it is to check in to the race on Thursday! After dinner, it was back to the room to start getting things organized.

On Friday, I woke up and was checking Facebook when a post came from a friend (who was the registration captain). She was frustrated by volunteers canceling at the last minute.  What was I doing on Friday morning? Weather wasn’t great outside, so a bike ride was not a top priority. A few quick messages back and forth & I was volunteering for the morning shift!  When I arrived, Kitty gave me my assignment.  I was the first person people came to in the check-in process.  My “job” was to greet athletes as they came in, verify their name & birthday off their license, write their race number on a piece of paper, and send them to the next station.  I got to meet so many athletes!  From first timers to very experienced, nervous to excited. The “Hey, I know you!” from people I have met or trained with along the journey. I will have to say though, my favorite was checking in Eric Duda.  While I had never met him before (and no, we are not related), it was great to talk to him for the few moments I was able.  That’s right, there were two Duda’s in the same division!  Glad I had the opportunity to meet him!

After my shift, lunch, the athlete briefing, and catching up with a couple friends, it was time for a quick shake out ride….or at least that was the plan!  What would Ironman be without a little mechanical excitement? Fortunately, Machinery Row Bicycles was just a couple blocks from where I had issues, they had the part in stock, and had me back up and riding in less than 30 minutes! Huge thank you to them for keeping me in the game!  Unfortunately, due to this hiccup, we missed the athlete dinner, but we had a great dinner at the Great Dane and met up with some our support crew that was in town. 

Saturday is a lay low and rest type of day.  After breakfast, it was off to the IronKids race with my son.  It was so much fun to run with him and see him get a high five from Mike Reilly as he crossed the finish line! The rest of the day was very low key! The biggest effort of the day was taking a drive around the bike loop to introduce my family to it.   Now they knew I was crazy!

Race day was an early morning, but I was ready.  I was in my zone! Bag drop offs, check my bike and put all my nutrition, etc on board, walk through my transitions, then found a quiet area to “relax” and get ready. Mike, Marc, and I started to make our way down to the water.  As we hit the water, I got in a quick warm up in, then headed to claim my start spot. 

In the last 30 seconds before the start, my previous front row seat was closed in on.  I found myself in the second row as the cannon shot off.  In 2014, my swim was fairly “clean.” This year, I started closer to the buoy line expecting a little rougher (and faster) swim, but I got more than I bargained for!   The first part of the swim was a lot of bumping as the crowd spread out and settled in. I was far enough forward that I was mostly clean around the first corner through the Mooo! Then things started to get rough!  At corner 2, I took a solid whip kick to the jaw!  On the back stretch, I was grabbed and pulled more times than I could count!  I expected taps, slaps, bumps, and brushes.  A few times I just sat up, looked for clear water (or where the best place to get away from a couple of jerks).  The last couple corners came and went and I was pulling myself up on the mats and out of the swim. I finished in the top 10% of the field with a swim with a few minutes faster swim than before.

Transition 1 was as advertised! I went to see the strippers to pull off my wetsuit. The run up the helix was just as I remembered!  The energy is phenomenal!  I quickly grabbed my T1 bag, changed, and ran out toward the bikes.  This year, I stopped to see the sun screen station on my way out.  As I ran down the long rows of bikes, a volunteer was getting mine off the rack and ready for me.  A quick grab and keep running.  Just before the mount line, a volunteer grabbed my bike so I could put my bike shoes on.  Away I went.

The first loop of the bike was great!  I held my own window and focused on staying on my goals.  As I turned onto the new course at Barlow, I saw a pair of LAMS shorts ride by.  It took me a second to recognize Nate Waech and give a shout on the way by.  Being on the front end to the crowd, there were only a few people walking up the big hill as I went through.  I tried to pay attention to as many of the costumes and signs as I could during the ride.  As I came into Verona, I heard and saw our LAMS Crew out cheering. After the aid station heading into town, I saw my Dad and sister enjoying the party.  I made a quick stop at special needs to grab my second half nutrition and headed out on my way.  The wind had definitely picked up for the second loop!  Loop 2, we didn’t get to do the big climb up Barlow, but Emery’s Midtown Party did not disappoint! Looking at my data afterward, I had my two best times on record up the Midtown hill on race day! As I came back into Verona, the constant headwind/quartering wind was taking its toll. The good news was it would be a tail wind the rest of the way home! As I spun up the last hill at about mile 100, Kitty was giving me a swift kick in the butt to get home.  I came into the helix in a crowd.  The ride up was not bad at all.  As I approached the line, the volunteers grabbed my bike and I ran inside.

T2 was uneventful for me.  A quick change and I was on my way.  Again, I stopped for sunscreen. As a note to everyone, spray sunscreen and sunglasses are not a good combination! After trying to clean my glasses off, having a volunteer try to clean them on his shirt, and a couple other attempts, I found out after a few aid stations that the sponges worked really well at cleaning the grease off!

My run started with a quick stop with my wife and son, then I was on my way.  Around the first mile, a stabbing sensation started in my lower abdomen.  I kept going.  As I hit State Street, I saw my family  and got a slight boost.  As I came to the end of the street, My Ironfriends Michelle and Sara were there pushing me on! I can’t wait to watch them in Kona (wish I could be there)!  As I was hitting the end of the bike trail, the pain became unbearable!  I cut back to mostly a walk. I saw Mike at about his mile 5/my mile 8 and he was looking great! As I kept adjusting my intake at aid stations, I was playing a balancing act, but headed in the right direction. I found Marc around my Mile 11/ his Mile 2. He too was having GI issues, but still looking strong!

As I came back on Dayton around mile 12, I found the LAMS crew. Jan, Sherry, Mark, and Jacqueline were out pushing us along! As I hit the 13.1 mile turn, I still wasn’t feeling great, but felt better than I did in 2014. Only 13 miles to go!  As I was coming back on Dayton, I again came up to the cheers from the LAMS crew.  I was able to grab Michelle’s ear for a little advice and encouragement. What would I do without such great friends? I had been leapfrogging with my friend Ben since Mile 3 and continued to do so the entire second loop.  Push and pull!  Each time we switched spots, words of encouragement were exchanged.

After my last turn on State Street, my family let me know that Dell was just about 2 blocks ahead. He was way ahead of his previous paces!  I finally caught up near the marina.  I gave a few words of encouragement on my way by.  Just in front of him was Eric.  We talked a little as I came by. Eric’s actions that day truly embody the spirit that I love in the triathlon and IRONMAN Family.  Eric is one of the admins of a Facebook group that has helped bring together many in the IMWI family.  I had the privilege to ride with him on the WIBA training weekend in July.  He is a really cool and humble guy.  On this day, he was pacing, pushing, encouraging (sometimes a little tough love), and guiding Dell to the finish line.  Dell had two previous DNF’s in this race and Eric was keeping him in line to make the finish line!

As I came into about mile 21 (about his 17), I saw Mike headed the other way.  Just hundred yards later, Marc was at about mile 9 with his family.  I was feeling much better by this point. I had figured out the issues and had (mostly) corrected them.  I was about a mile behind Marc on the loop.  If I could push it, I could run with him into his 13.1 turn as I ran for the finish.  How awesome would that be? I pushed forward.  I had constant calculations in my head. I had to keep pushing!  The aide stations kept clicking by.  The run up Dayton was much more crowded with both athletes and spectators than it had been in previous years.  On that stretch I got my final LAMS shout out to the finish.  I started floating up State Street.  As I finished my last shot of nutrition from the Capitol aide station, I saw Marc headed out on his last loop.  He was looking strong.  It was the final push I needed.  I started to stride out a little to give myself room from the group I was in.  As we were going through the special needs station it started to hit home.  The final turn to the finish was no less spectacular than it was in 2014.  The crowd is amazing! 

“Josh Duda, You are an IRONMAN!”

 What an amazing sound!  As I crossed under the arch, I hear my name to my left.  Shawn is outstretched for a huge “high 10.”  Under my arms I had Kitty on my left and Ilissa on my right there to “catch” me.  In 2014, I said it was great to have a friend catch you at the finish line. Well, two is pretty amazing! Learning from experience, I kept moving this time.  No Medical Tent for me!  I was able to celebrate with my family as I exited the chute.  We headed back to the hotel.  After a quick shower and change of clothes, it was back to the finish line.  I still had work to do!

As I waited, I cheered my friend Susan in to her second finish.  A few minutes later, Mike made his way in!  We celebrated his finish, then Mike’s wife Dayle, my Dad, and I went to collect all of our stuff.  With our bikes and transition bags in hand, we all headed back to the hotel.  My family had been great and had done an Ian’s Pizza run and had it waiting for us in the room! (My son’s new favorite pizza is Ian’s Mac & Cheese!)

A quick check of my tracker showed Marc approaching State Street.  As I was sprinting downstairs and down the street, I fired off a quick text to Mike to let him know.  I was able to slide into a spot just before the chute narrows down.  It was not very long before Marc rounded the corner.  All three of us had started this journey a year ago, and all three had made it to the finish line!  I'm so proud of these two!

Rather than head back to the hotel, Mike, Dayle, and I stayed at the finish.  The emotions of the last hour were incredible.  We saw the Team Triumph crews cross.  We saw the soldier carrying his ruck and an American Flag cross.  We saw Eric and Dell round that final corner and Eric sprint ahead.  This was Dell’s moment.  I have not heard the finish line crowd that loud! The last hour is something I am glad I stuck around for!

Thank you to all of my family and friends that made this day possible!  I am truly blessed to have such an amazing group of support.