<img src="https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/ironman-cozumel-logo.jpg" alt="Ironman Cozumel Logo"  class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-43" />

<p class="text-center"><strong style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 23px;">November 25, 2012<br>
2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike, 26.2 mile run</strong></p>

<p>After finishing this race last year, I was back again to try and beat my time of 2011 time of 14 hrs. 4 mins and 7 sec. And with much pride, I am happy to announce that I did; finishing in 13hrs, 50 mins and 27sec.</p>

<p>A physical and mental challenge like no other. And although I had trained countless hours to get my body physically prepared, the day was all about staying mentally focused. If your mind got the better of you, the day would be over.</p>

<p>My day began at 4am, when I awoke to have breakfast. After getting to the transition area and re-checking my bike several times, I was ready to go. I then went down to the beach to begin the race with over 2300 swimmers (1700+ men and almost 600 women) from over 42 countries.</p>
<p>It was a beautiful day; air temp about 74 degrees, clear skies and not a cloud in sight. Now, after all the months of training, my journey was about to begin.</p>

<p><img src="https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/cozumel-2012-swim.jpg" alt="Cozumel 2012 Swim" width="160" height="213" class="alignleft size-full wp-image-123" /><strong>THE SWIM</strong></span><br>
The water was a bit choppy and there was a strong current too. This did not bother me as swimming is my best event. After one last gel, I lined up with the others and then jumped off the pier into the ocean. One has to jump about 7-10 feet off the pier into the water. I positioned myself in a good spot up front and along the shore. The current would be flowing against us for the first 800 meters, so it was best to be close to the shore where the current is less. After treading water for 10 minutes or so, the horn went off. I go pretty fast at first to get away from the crowd. Due to the chop, I altered my stroke a bit to clear this. This brings ones arms slightly closer to the boy and I did develop a bit of an underarm chafe but this was soon forgotten. Once we turned around the first buoy, the current was with us and I let the current work with me for the next mile or so. The water was clear and you could see schools of fish swimming around as well as the scuba lifeguards, positioned on the bottom about 30 feet down. When I got to the final turn, the current was against me again, so I had to work a bit harder. There was no balloon or marker marking the pier so I just followed the crowd and sighted off the lifeguard paddlers and boats. Overall I was about 8 minutes slower than last year (one hour and nine minutes this year) but still felt pretty good. Later I was to learn that most people were 15 to 30 minutes slower than last year. In Ironman races (avg. participants about 2300), there is usually about 10-15 who do not make the 2 hrs. and 20 minute swim cutoff time. This year there was over 240! Very disappointing for them as they take your timing chip away as you exit the water. Some chose to do the race anyway; this was unofficial of course.</p>
<p>As I exited the water, I ran quickly into the change tent (T1). I was determined to cut down my transition time this year – big time. I had opted to wear a Tri Suit under the speed suit (like in the Olympics) I swim in. This meant I did not have to change into separate clothing for the bike and run since the Tri suit is a two piece suit that one can ride and run in.</p>
<p>Once inside, I quickly stripped the speed suit off, put on my helmet and bike shoes and was off to get my bike. You did not have to re-apply sunscreen as they had helpers in the change tent lathering your shoulders and upper arms (the exposed areas) with sunscreen. This was a big help.</p>

<p><img src="https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/cozumel-2012-bike.jpg" alt="Cozumel 2012 Bike" width="160" height="196" class="alignleft size-full wp-image-125" /><strong>THE BIKE</strong></span><br>
The first loop (it is a three lop ride) on the bike went well as there was not a lot of wind when we got to the back of the island. I also had changed my nutrition from last year and did not have the dreaded stomach problems that many triathletes have on the bike. The second loop, the winds really picked up. It was a tough 15-18 mile section with 15-20 mile an hour wind hitting you broad side. I did develop some left foot pain which happened sometimes when I ride over 70 miles. I wear a special bike shoe orthotics that keeps me from having right foot pain after I run and after riding. This had happened last year. So I removed my left orthotic. But shortly thereafter the right foot also bothered me so I removed that orthotic too. This essentially eliminated the pain. At mile 62 there is a special needs station where one leaves anything that they might want. Last year I rested there a bit but this year just grabbed what I needed from my bag and kept going. The third lap the wind got even more brutal and we were all slugging it out on the backside of the island. As I turned to head back into town at the 100 mile maker I went to slip the orthotics back in as it prevents me from having foot pain on the post ride run. The left one had fallen out of my bike jersey pocket but at least I had the right one. All in all I rode 12 minutes faster than last year.</p>

<p><img src="https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/cozumel-2011-run.jpg" alt="Cozumel 2011 Run"  class="alignleft size-full wp-image-60" /><strong>THE RUN</strong></span><br>
When one leaves the tent, you cannot think marathon, since with over eight hours of working out, that would be too much to comprehend. No, instead, you focus on just going for a run. The foot pain that I had on the bike disappeared as soon as I started to run. There where puddles everywhere (it was still raining lightly) and my feet did get a bit wet. Then about three miles into the run there was a street crossing with the water about knee high. So at that point the puddles did not matter anymore and my socks and shoes were just soaked. I did develop a blister on my left foot under the shoe tongue, but did not let it bother me - at least until the race was over.<br>
I just kept telling myself to keep running. I only walked through the aid stations for a quick sip of water or coke, to bite an orange (the gels I carried with me), or to get some ice to put under my hat or down my shirt. My mantra - just keep running; do not walk. It was a three lap run, so it was out and back 6 times. Tedious, but every time we would come back through town, the crowds where going wild along a two mile stretch (along with my cheering squad!).</p>
<p>With each lap, it became more of a mental game to staying "in it". The third and final lap was the toughest mentally as well as physically; not only because of over 12 + hrs of working out, but it was dark out and still at least 82-84 degrees. It was "Just Do It!" time. So I just kept focusing on the next mile. And once I hit the final turnaround (only 4.4 miles to go), I knew that I had it.</p>

<p><img src="https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/cozumel-2011-finish2.jpg" alt="Cozumel 2011 Finish2"  class="alignleft size-full wp-image-59" /><strong>THE FINISH</strong></span><br>
As I entered the final 50 meters leading to the finish line, a big smile came across my face. At this point I finally knew that I had accomplished what I had set out to do many months ago. I felt wonderful; no pain or exhaustion - only euphoria.</p>
<p>As my coach told me, race day is all about crisis control. So when I crossed the finish line, after 27 years in the sport, the announcer said what I had not heard before: "Peter Fields, you are an Ironman!"</p>
<p>After a moment or two of realization of what I had just accomplished it was time for food, water, and a post-race massage</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p>
<p class="text-center"><strong>Peter A. Fields, MD DC</strong></span><br>
<strong>The Athletic Doc<sup style="font-size: 14px;">®</sup> and Ironman Finisher</strong></span></p>


