I often get asked, "Why do you blog?" The answers are many (too many to list). Like most enjoyable things in life that you may want to be good at, they take work, effort and time. But hopefully the rewards are worth all of those sacrifices (sort of like Ironman?)
Every once in a while I get a special message or email that sticks out. Often it's from people that I have never met personally and/or could be from any corner of the earth. I recently received one of those "special" emails. Rather than summarizing the key points, I thought I would just share as it was written to me. It's from Mr. Kelly Duhig from just around the bend in Australia. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.
"G'Day Paul,
Must say I found your website by accident, but paused to have a look through it.
I have since sent the link to my Ironman buddies, one in particular who I am sure related to many of the things you have written about.
It is unusual for me to feel compelled to write to a stranger across the globe, but maybe I can give you the added belief to finally get that ticket to Kona.
Heres a quick bit of background. As a kid played aussie rules footy, competed in Judo, fit healthy kid, but nothing serious, (no state champs or anything like that).
Got lost my way in teen years in more ways than one. After a series of nothing jobs, joined the police where I have been working for over 20 years now, and currently a Sergeant.
When I first joined the police I fell into the shiftwork trap of bad food, alcohol and put on a stack of weight. (No donut jokes !!). I weighed around 110 kilograms roughly. At that weight and size you tend not to weigh yourself. Woke up in mid 90's started running and losing weight, but still ate garbage and drank too much, but at least my pants weren't exploding. No racing just running by myself mainly.
In 2001 I did my first triathlon and thought this is pretty cool. I had decided to try out for our Special Ops unit so was looking for a cross training type sport. Short story is I didn't get into Special Ops, but discovered tri's. Like so many people heard about this Ironman thing, sounds nuts. After sulking for a week or 2 about the Spec Ops, decided to do something that no-one could take off me. Regardless of whose mates with who etc etc.
So Ironman campaign started in June 2001. Did a couple of sprint distance, 2 half IMs and then fronted up at Ironman Australia in April 2002. Rode the first 90 far too quick (2.30 hrs what a dill), back half in 3 hrs, and crawled home in the run. Went 10.48 so very happy really. Next day decided - Kona is the goal.
Researched place for a race, decided IM New Zealand would be the go. Trained my butt off, and March 2003 was ready to get my ticket to kona. That was until I got geographically confused on the bike course. I take responsibility for this error, eventhough I was told by a marshall to go the wrong way, unreal. Determined not to DNF I asked Technical Official what I had to do to finish. Go back to where you left the course and go from there he said. OK then. After a 240k bike in a 7.52 split I was so angry I ran a 3.40 odd.
Determined not to be defeated March 2004 back to IM NZ. Went 10.38. Gee 10 min PB in 2 yrs not what I had planned. After this race I had personal difficulties, my wife worked out on me, (not IM related she had raced IM NZ in 2003 so she knew what it was about). We had decided to race IM Germany that year with another mate, (all 3 of us). So my mate Dave and I went anyway. Neither performed well at Germany, but it was a great mental break, I spent 2 months in Europe, (followed the TDF, etc etc).
Returned somewhat fatter 2 months of good food and wine, renewed and Kona bound. Lost the weight trained super hard. IM NZ 2005 would be my ticket to Kona. Well it would have been if I was around 90 seconds quicker. Went 10.09 and just missed out. No roll downs nothing.
IM NZ 2006 pumped beyond belief, ticket to kona time. Weather went bad, they cancelled the swim, and halved the bike and run. I did ok, but I train for IM not a 90 bike and 21 k run. Didn't get close to a spot. Gutted.
Talked a couple of mates into doing IM Korea. Check out the times, these guys can't swim over there. There bikes are ok, we've just gotta hold on in the run, I said. The three of us go to Korea, and yep, the weather came in, no swim. It poured with rain for entire bike, I flatted, and then the run. 42 deg C and 90% humidity. Finished in some terrible time and collapsed into wheelchair and medical for a couple of hrs. Hyponatremia. Lesson learnt.
IM NZ 2007, yeah I know it's my year. Well that was the plan training well, new swim squad, had PB'd the half marathon and marathon in since Korea. New girlfriend, bought a house together all is great. At start of November, on the way yo swim squad, had bike accident. Simply lost the front wheel going thru unfamiliar area, and lost it. Spent around 20 to 30 mins unconscious laying in a carpark in an industrial zone. After a while a guy helped me, made sure I was ok and I was able to ring Tracey to get her to pick me up. I knew I had hurt my left wrist and certainly was in pain. Trace arrives about 10 mins later and the pain is really kicking in. "Would you mind if we pop by hte hospital for a check I say. Shortly after arrival, I am given morpheine and undego series of CT scans etc. I have managed to not just break my arm, but shatter my entire wrist and arm. The orth surgeon comes and looks at scans and says, "are you an acitve person". Yes, what sort of question is that, isn't my arm just broken. He then goes on to tell me that they might be able to get some limited use of my arm back, if I'm lucky and do a solid rehab.
You could have knocked me over with a feather, the thought that I'd really done something that serious never really occurred to me. The short version is, I underwent re-constructive surgery, I now have 9 bolts holding my arm together, (but are they are titanium, woohoo), and they did some bone grafts as well. I returned home about a week after the crash, and was on heavy pain medication for 2 months. Couldn't work, the meds aeffected my thinking capacity, I'd be tired all the time. Now most guys racing ZIM would be rapt to get 2 months off to train. I am no exception, the more peolple told me that there was no point in even going to NZ the more determined I became.
I was back in the 2 weeks after the stack. Complete with plastic arm brace. Couldn't swim, but could kickboard and one arm drill. After a few days of that, bored, on the magtrainer, you don't need 2 arms to ride one of those. First set was 5 mins before my arm swelled up and started throbbing. Well you can guess the rest 5 mins became 10, blah blah blah. Then with arm in a sling started to walk, then jog and walk, and eventually started running. In between these weird IM session I also went to rehab and did my wrist exercises. They guy at the rehab joint must have thought I was mad, he'd say to 3 sets of this or that. I'd say can I do 10 or 20 sets, or will that have anegative effect. No he said, the more the better. Never say that to a guy who races IM, All I did was do my weird IM sessions, and work do rehab.
Back to work in Jan, and off the meds. Agai shall we change your leave you aren't going to do that race again are you. The again bit really hurt I've got to say. Yes I am, I could feel what they were thinking (you couldn't get a spot last time you've got no hope this time). He have little faith I say.
IM NZ 2007, I PB'd went 10.08 came 6th in age group. PB'd the swim and run, bike was ok. Kona bound, and so IM NZ was one of my other mates, (the one who came with to NZ and Korea in 2006). One of the best days in my life. My girlfriend was there to cheer me on, I was so proud, so much work, disappointment, did I mention hard work. All those guys at work, did you qualify this time? Yes yes yes, it was hard not to jump around like a lunatic.
Kona 2007 was a great experience. My girlfriend Tracey, my 2 kids, my mum, a good mate Dave (who is still trying to qualify), and even Trace's parents came to watch. I had a difficult day, cramped in the swim, rode ok, and really fell apart in the back half of the run - Energy Lab. Or lack of energy lab as I like to call. I must say the best part was Allii Drive with my kids, I was so happy. Worth everything I had been through.
Since October the monkey is really off my back. I've done the Hawaiian IM. I love it, it's the self knowledge. I love the spirit and the philosophy of life of IM. Not so much the commercialism. I don't agree with the brag for the rest of your life bit either. You don't have to grab, you know. Who cares what someone else thinks. You know that's it."
Now there is just a bit more to the story. Kelly (Kel) is competing at Ultraman in November. For those unfamiliar, Ultraman is sort of like a supersized Ironman over many days. It finishes with a double marathon. One of my favorite role models, the Big G, G-giddy, Gordito,
Gordo was Ultraman World Champion a few years ago.
Anyway, Kel is participating in Ultraman for a very special cause in November. If you watch
this video you'll quickly realize what kind of guy Kel is. He's a guy who is making a difference in this world.
If the video impacts you the way it impacted me, you'll understand Kel's request for help and will
go here and do your thing. Our friend around the corner needs some help.
G'day mates!
By The Numbers
- Injured pretty much the entire year so far between plantar fasciitis and achilles problems on the left leg.
- 148 - Days in a row of consistent training
- 3 - Days missed of training at least 30 minutes in 2008 (goose-eggs in 2008)
- 56 - Days remaining until Ironman Canada
I also have to keep in mind that these shots are taken during strides rather than my normal endurance form (which is far more important). During strides, we tend to get a lot more tense and stiff (you could see how "unrelaxed" my upper body is.) That wouldn't be efficient at all for the last few hours of an Ironman.
Matt also wanted some swimming today, so I did about 30. Laps??? NO! Minutes??? NO! Cannonballs??? YES!!!
After plenty of play time in the pool, the kids started to get pooped. 
