So my journey of Ultraman Florida started February 2015 when I got an invitation to crew for my friend Randy Latza (RL) who was entered into this race, of course I was up for it and who couldn't turn down a week in Florida. I had no idea of what to expect and was so blown away by whole experience. I remembered having a discussion with Randys wife Mary who was going to sign up first. If I hadn't crewed for this race and witnessed the camaraderie and energy I do not think I would of entered. It did give me a good insight of what it is like to crew and seeing the course first hand. It is most definitely a different experience being the athlete.
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| Randy finishing UMFL 2015 |
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| Getting my race band from RD Sway Lively with Team Captain Mary Latza and Crew |
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| This was a reunion with Jessica Deere and her crew. |
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| All coached by Chuck Kemeny |
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| Athletes Photograph at Pre-Race Meeting |
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| Team Limey heading out to the Swim Start |
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| Thirty minutes before the swim start |
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| RD Sway Lively leading a group prayer, very cool moment. |
What is an Ultraman
Ultraman Florida is a 3 day athletic endavour guaranteed to test any athletes physical and mental limits. The race covers a total distance of 321.6 miles (517.5 kilometers)around Central Florida. It requires each participant complete a 6.2 mile (10K) open water swim, a 263 mile (423 K)bike ride, and a 52.4 mile (84 K) ultra-marathon run. Day 1 is a 6.2 mile swim and 93 mile bike, Day 2 is a 171 mile bike, and Day 3 is a 52.4 mile run.
Pre Race
February 16th Tuesday
I arrived in Orlando on the Tuesday afternoon, I had left Nantucket on Saturday. I made stops in Philadelphia and in Myrtle Beach. Had given myself an extra day of travel to help me deal with any emergencies or bad weather. I emptied the car and I got in a 30 minute run, nice and easy just to get the blood flowing and stretch the legs out. I attended the meet and greet that evening with fellow athletes and crew. I had a lot to do on Wednesday
February 17th Wednesday
There was a practice swim set up at Lake Conway at 8.00am,I wanted to check out the water temperature, it was predicted to be around 61 degrees, I wanted to test out the booties and thermal skull cap. This was my first swim outside since November, I had been doing all my swims in the pool I swam a 1000 yards, the water felt good. I changed into my bike gear, I rode around 10 miles. I wanted to make sure the bike was running smoothly and also wanted to see the first 5 miles of the bike course.
Two of my crew were flying into Orlando, I had to pick them up. I had crewed for Randy last year and his wife Mary (ML) was my team captain. I had seen Mary in action the year before getting Randy over the finish line. It was really good to see them.
Randy and I headed off to the designated bike shop to get my bike and my spare race wheels inspected, I had to get the bike inspected and signed off before I headed off to registration.
We all headed to registration to meet with the RD Sway Lively, team captain and athlete has to check in at the same time. It was beginning to sink in seeing the band around my wrist.
We received the race binder which including all race the course maps, safety materials and all contact information for all the athlete and crew members. We all headed down to Disney to get some lunch, we ended up going to Morimoto which was freaking awesome.
We had dinner planned that evening with eventual women champion Jessica Deere and her crew. She had raced last year and had the same crew. It was just like seeing old friends, we were all looking forward to the upcoming weekend. Jessica and I had kept in contact and we were keeping tabs on each other as we trained for this race
February 18th Thursday
I had planned to do a small brick workout, I met up with Jessica for a quick spin on the bike, one more final check to make sure the bike was race ready, we then head out for 25 minute run. I showered up and we headed over for the pre race breakfast meeting which was mandatory for all athletes and team captains. Steve King opened up the meeting welcomed all the athletes. RD Sway Lively then went over the rules and regulations, she gave advice to all the crews and explained leapfrogging the athlete. She had a captain for each segment of the race, each took there turn going over the course map, you get a detailed map of each turn. You had to obey all road rules as this wasn't a closed course. This meeting takes about three hours to go over the course.
Pedro who was fourth member of my crew arrived after the meeting.
We went to pick up the van for the crew, I was focusing on fueling and hydrating. I was definitely getting more tense and jumpy. I wanted the race to get started.
The whole crew started focusing on getting the van race ready, having past race participants and crew was super important to me. In this race the crew is more important then the athlete, I basically want the crew to become the brains and me just focus on executing the race.
I went to get a haircut to try and take my mind of the race, it did help me calm down a little.
That evening we had an early dinner and discussed my nutrition plan, we also prepared my clothing for the next day. We discussed the communication plan to keep everyone up to date. I had set-up a Facebook messenger group, this was the easiest way to keep people informed. After dinner the crew started preparing the race nutrition and final preparations.. I headed to my room to make sure I was fully prepared and jumped into my Normatec leggings. Set my alarm for 4.30 am, we had to be at swim start by 6.00am, the swim start was at 7.00am.
February 19th Friday
Swim6.2 Mile Swim and 93 mile bike.
Stage One
I woke up before the alarm didn't sleep that well, I made sure to lube necessary body parts. My pre-race nutrition was 4 cups of apple sauce mixed with 1 scoop of protein powder, 1 banana and Gatorade.I try to do this 3 hours before the race start, but will adjust if I can get my rest.
5.30 am We were on the road, we had about a twenty minute drive to the swim start. The majority of the athletes were already there, Mary had to confirm with the Race Director that I was starting.
6.00am I had a Picky Bar(200 calories) and a salt stick, Randy grabbed my bike and when I turned around he was dressed as a lime. He is well known for this and lightened my mood , and in that moment I was extremely appreciative he was on the team.
You have to remember the longest swim I had done in training was 8500 yards and that was in a 25 yard pool, if I had any doubts about me finishing this race it was about the swim. I was basically having an internal dialogue within myself. The swim cut-off time was 6 hours
All athletes had to report for photographs and for the traditional ohana prayer led my Sway Lively. All the athletes held hands in a big circle and she wished us safe passage over the next three days.
6.45am One Mandarin Orange Gu with 8oz water I then got into my wetsuit, we body glided my neck, shoulders and chest. I put in ear plugs and thermal skull cap and then a swim cap to deal with the water temperature.
I had four bottles of Infinit drink mix with one scoop 140 calories per bottle, on the kayak, with a flask of warm water in case I started to suffer from the cold water. Each swimmer had a kayak escort. The plan was to take in 4-6oz every twenty minutes, if you don't fill the whole bottle up it will float on the water, which he would he would throw to me and I would launch back at him I only breathe on the left so it was somewhat easy to sight Kurt. If he wanted my attention he would put his arms up. My goal on the swim was about 4 and half hours based on my swim time in the pool and counting for fatigue factor.
6.55 am The moment was upon us, I got into the water and took a few strokes and peed in the wet suit. Felt nice and warm :) It was a beautiful morning, sun was coming up. Hugged a few friends before the start, was trying my best to control the nerves and just enjoy the moment.
7.00 am The final countdown was happening and here we go no more talking about it, time to do it. I pushed forward through the water and started swimming, found my stroke. The water didn't feel too bad for 61 degrees. In a few minutes Kurt found me and he was given instructions to lead/guide me through the swim course, so all I had to do is focus on swimming.It was really important to me bring some fun energy to help deal with this challenge. Hence why Limey the Turtle was added to the boat and it actually helped me sight Kurt really well.
So first couple of miles went really well, I was relaxed and just focused on the task at hand. I got cold several times where we were going through some 50 degrees areas of the lake. Kurt and I were working real well, the first time we actually talked is when we went under the bridge for the second time. We were over halfway about 3.4 miles in, I felt good and I was in a good place mentally.
The next couple miles was mentally the most challenging for me, we were heading into an under current and bit of a chop. I was clearly struggling and at one point had a total meltdown under the water. My triceps were starting to get real sore and painful, I had no choice to suck it up and just push through. I made the mistake of looking up the lake and seeing how far the buoy was, it did not help me mentally. At no time did I think I wasn't going to finish, I was just fatigued and desiring to finish the swim.
I couldn't been more happy to finish the swim, total time was 5.09, my goal was 4.45. But I got through my weakest discipline, it literally took me about a minute to crawl up the ramp and walk towards Randy and Pedro. Whilst I was walking to the changing area they were undoing my wetsuit,gave me some water to wash my mouth out. I had a turkey wrap and a banana in transition, washed down a couple of salt sticks
Within ten minutes the guys had me on the bike, I was very motivated and felt the urgency to make up time. I was just happy to be out of the water. I focused on getting more food into me, the plan was for me consume about 486 calories per hour which was a picky bar and my infinit mix, every 90 minutes I would take a salt stick.
To keep track of me I had my cell phone on me, I wouldn't see my crew until mile 6 or 7. The bike course is clearly marked and there are volunteers around the course. It is not a closed course and you have to obey all traffic signs. I felt like I had stopped at every traffic light in the first 10 miles. There was an out and back by Orlando airport, I was able to see a couple of other athletes ahead of me, it actually settled me as I was concerned that I was so far behind after the swim.
Mile 12 got a puncture, luckily the crew was close by. They switched out the rear tire, updated my nutrition and got me going again. We winded our way to this major road, and we were in this swirling headwind. The only challenge here was that I was unable to get all my gears when we changed the wheel. I was struggling to get into aero position due to my triceps, this was my only physical issue. At one point I had the guys massage my arms and it actually helped. I clearly remembered this road from last year, and knew we had a left turn coming at mile 63, and to be honest it was all I could think about whilst we were in the headwind.
When we eventually made the turn it was like a new lease of life, it also meant we had 30 miles to go and I knew then I was going to finish day one. This smashed all my concerns of not making it pass day one. Received a massage at end of day one, drank my recovery drink. We headed back to the hotel, the good news no rubs or body sores to deal with. I cleaned up, started hydrating, been drinking a lot of maple water. Kurt had dinner ready, jumped into my Normatec recovery system. We were starting to focus on Day two. Bike Day ONE 5:43 Total for Day one for 10:52:50 30/36
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| Day one Done |
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| Team Limey Day One Done |
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| Think I said I love my bike. Great Team Photo |
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| Hugs From Sway( Best Hugger) |
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