(225,8,'2019-06-17 08:25:31','2019-06-17 08:25:31',',div class=\"col-md-8\">\n<img src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Ironman-Cozumel-Mexico-2015-Logo.jpg\" alt=\"Ironman Cozumel Mexico 2015 Logo\" width=\"250\" height=\"126\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-224\" />\n\n<h6 class=\"text-center\">Sunday November 29, 2015\n2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike, 26.2 mile run</h6>\n\n<strong class=\"subhead\">PROLOGUE</strong>\n[caption id=\"attachment_231\" align=\"alignright\" width=\"115\"]<img src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/cozumel-2015-initials-115.jpg\" alt=\"Cozumel 2015 Initials 115\" width=\"115\" height=\"241\" class=\"size-full wp-image-231\" /><strong> Dr. Fields with his parents initials written on his forearms</strong>[/caption]<strong>Never say never</strong>\nMy parents taught me to never to give up no matter how difficult it may seem.\nThis, and all my races, are dedicated to their memory.\n\nThirteen years ago three different neurosurgeons told me that if I did not have surgery on my low back, exercise would no longer be an option in my life.\nThen I found out about the wonderful world of Regenerative Orthopedic Medicine. Sunday November 29th, 2015, I finished not only my 2nd Ironman race in 2015, but my sixth Ironman race overall.\n<strong><em>Regenerate First; Surgery Last!</em></strong>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<strong class=\"subhead\">RACE DAY</strong>\nThe day started off like any other Ironman competition day. I woke up about 3:30 in the morning so that I could have enough time to have breakfast and get everything ready before I went down to the transition area around 5 o\'clock a.m. After getting everything settled at the transition area where my bike was, I then boarded a bus that took me approximately 2.4 miles down to where the swim started. This is because this race is a point-to-point race. That means you start at one point and end at another point on the swim. The same is for the bike. So after getting down to the swim start I put on my very thin and tight speedsuit (a suit similar to what they wear in the Olympics) over my racing suit. Wetsuits are not allowed in this race due to the temperature of the water. I then went to get in the appropriate corral for the start. \n\n<strong class=\"subhead\">THE SWIM: 2.4 Miles</strong>\n[caption id=\"attachment_243\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"160\"]<img src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/cozumel-2015-swim-275.jpg\" alt=\"Cozumel 2015 Swim 275\" width=\"160\" height=\"301\" class=\"size-full wp-image-243\" /> Dr. Fields after the 2.4 mile swim[/caption]The start was being done in waves this year so to avoid the cluster of over 2500 competitors starting all at once.I seeded myself in the second corral, which is for competitors swimming between 1 hour and 1 hour 10 minutes. Most people told me that I should seed myself faster but I was very true to my time knowing I would finish between 1 hour and 1 hour 6 minutes. Due to the small size of the pier that we to go off of, they only let about five to seven competitors in at a time. This made for a very easy start since you did not have to swim over a lot of people. As soon as I got into my stride, which only takes me about 5 minutes or so, I started passing people. And ended up passing probably 50 people, which meant that a lot of people had seeded themselves faster than they actually were. The water was very warm at about 82 degrees and very clear. You could see the frogmen/lifeguards and photographers down below and also many colorful fish along the way. Halfway through the swim I looked at my Garmin watch, which I wear on my left wrist, and noticed it was glowing slightly green. I figured some water had leaked into it. I was going to stop and take a look but then realized that I was in the middle of the ocean and there was nothing I could do about it anyway!\n\nI swam very well and passed over 50 people, which was a lot as not many had started before me. As I made my way towards the finish and made the final turn two headed towards the pier I really picked up my strokes. My final time was about 1 hour and 4 minutes, which was good enough to make me first in my age group in the swim. As I climbed out of the water and looked down a my Garmin, I realized that the whole front face had somehow become detached and I was actually looking at the circuit board. Well, at that point, I knew the watch was useless. I ran through the shower and then grabbed my transition bag and into the transition area. I quickly dried off and stripped off my speed suit. Underneath this I had my tri suit so just I had to put on my socks, shoes, sunglasses, suntan lotion and grab some nutrition to carry on the bike and I was off to find my bike. I also left behind my Garmin watch, which was useless at this point.\n\n<strong class=\"subhead\">THE BIKE: 112 Miles</strong>\n[caption id=\"attachment_248\" align=\"alignright\" width=\"160\"]<img src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/cozumel-2015-bike-2-275.jpg\" alt=\"Cozumel 2015 Bike 2 275\" width=\"160\" height=\"301\" class=\"size-full wp-image-248\" /> Dr. Fields during the 112 mile bike ride[/caption]\nI ran as quick as I could with my bike shoes on to my bike. You could carry them but then you end up getting gravel on your feet. I took the bike off the rack and ran towards the exit. You\'re not allowed to get on your bike until you leave the transition area. Immediately upon exiting, the transition area, I mounted my bike and took off to start the 112 mile ride.\n\nI had my power meet on the bike, which in addition to power, would provide me with my heart rate and speed which are essential when riding long distance. The roads were dry and the sun was shining bright and the temperature was in the low eighties. I felt pretty good on the first lap. As you head towards the back of the island the winds pick up. For this approximately 15 mile stretch the winds were about 20 miles an hour blowing on shore. It was tough but not that bad. As you turn towards town to end your first loop the winds were pushing you forward. This was a much needed relief. As you get to town, there were hundreds, if not more, people yelling and cheering. It was very exciting and invigorating. For lap two you again go by some of the hotels and there were people out there cheering.\n\nAs I got to the back of the island again, the wind picked up and was close to 30 miles an hour. It was getting pretty tough and you just hung in there. Unfortunately this meant that you were down on your triathlon riding bars ( the extended bars you put your forearms on so you can just about lie flat while riding) all the time so as not to let the wind hit you in the chest. It put a tremendous strain on my neck, which I found out later that everybody had the same. You just kept going and going. During this loop, I also stopped at the special needs station at mile 56. This is where you can pick up your nutritional supplies for the second half of the race so you do not need to carry all of them at once. Again as I looped through town the crowds were cheering and it was very nice to get words of encouragement.\n\nFor the third loop the temperature has risen towards the upper 80\'s and low 90\'s and the winds really were kicking in. Now they were close to 40 miles an hour. It was really brutal. I had ridden this course three times in the past but this time the winds were the strongest . But somehow I kept going and going and managed to endure it. As I made the last turn to head the 9 miles back to town I knew that I had completed this part. Slightly slower than I expected but with the wind it was a slower time for everyone. \n\n<strong class=\"subhead\">THE RUN: 26.2 Miles</strong>\n[caption id=\"attachment_263\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"160\"]<img src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/cozumel-2015-run-160.jpg\" alt=\"Cozumel 2015 Run 160\" width=\"160\" height=\"301\" class=\"size-full wp-image-263\" /><strong> Dr. Fields during the 26.2 mile run</strong>[/caption]\nAs I came into town again the crowds were cheering and yelling loudly. I handed off my bike to one of the volunteers there and quickly grabbed my transition bag and ran into the tent. Off with the biking shoes, on with the running shoes, throw some water over myself to help cool me down, put on my running hat, grab some nutrition, go to the bathroom and I was out the door.\n\nOf course when you transition out of this tent there are thousands of people out there yelling and screaming. The sun was still up so it was still pretty hot with it being in the 90s, But I felt pretty good. For about the first four point 4.4 miles, which is the length of the course (you do this back and forth 3 times) I was a little tight and not so fluid in my running. Along the way of course there are people cheering for about a mile and a half as you get outside of town and then sporadically there were people at hotels who would come out along the road to cheer us on. When I hit the turn around I felt really good and for the next 8.8 miles my legs and body felt really strong. As I got back to town and finished the first 8.8 mile loop the sun was going down which was a blessing because it had been very hot outside.\n\nThe next 8.8 loop I felt good but the energy was starting to be drained. The bike had taken a tremendous toll, not only on me but on other runners too. But I persevered and kept going. The best thing was my hamstring was not bothering me which had slowed me down during my last two Ironman races. And in May 2015, I had raced Ironman Brazil, where I had a lot of feet problems. None of this came around this time.\n\nI saw many people out there that I knew from the Los Angeles area or other races. The camaraderie amongst the athletes is tremendous and it\'s something that we all rely on and count on. As I came into town finishing the second loop I knew I only had one more loop to go. I was tired and drained having been racing for almost 12 hrs., but just kept going. Of course along the way I took lots of nutrition and keep myself as hydrated as much as possible. There was no rain this year, which was also nice since the prior previous time I had done this race we were running through knee high puddles.\n\nAfter leaving town and getting to the final around, I knew only had 4.4 miles left to go and realized that it was in the bag for me. As I came back into town and saw the crowds again, I felt the exhilarating feeling that one can only feel when finishing an Ironman. At this point I only had about a mile to go and knew I have finally done it. That is not only finish my 6th Ironman but my second one in six months . This was a challenge that I set for myself. Like my parents had always told me, set your goals and go for it.\nNever say never.\n\nThe final 100 meters are unbelievable feeling. All ones aches and pains fade away. As I approached the finish line, which is slightly elevated and bathed in lights, I heard the announcer say for the sixth time,\n\"Peter Fields, you are an Ironman\".\nIt never gets old.\nI finally knew that I had completed my conquest of doing two Ironman races in one year.\n\nOf course the whole way during the race, I never forgot about my parents. I had my mom’s initials written on my left arm and on my right arm I had my dad\'s initials. Both of these people were so special in my life and I have never forgotten them for even one day since each of them passed. Whenever it got tough, I would place my hand on either forearm and feel their presence within me and hear their words of encouragement telling me never to give up. I know they would have been as proud of me as I am of them.\n\nI want to thank everybody who sent me good wishes, those who kept me in their thoughts and those who followed me on the internet. All your thoughts and wishes kept me strong the whole race.\nThere were a few very special people that never stopped thinking about me the whole race. You know who you are and words cannot say thank you enough. \n\n<strong>Peter A. Fields, MD DC\nThe Athletic Doc® and 6X Ironman Triathlete</strong>\n</div>\n<div class=\"col-md-4\" id=\"sidebar2\">\n\n</div>','Race Report 6th Ironman','','inherit','closed','closed','','217-autosave-v1','','','2019-06-17 08:25:31','2019-06-17 08:25:31','',217,'https://www.drfields.com/uncategorized/217-autosave-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(226,8,'2019-06-07 10:07:12','2019-06-07 10:07:12','[caption id=\"attachment_224\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"250\"]<img src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Ironman-Cozumel-Mexico-2015-Logo.jpg\" alt=\"Ironman Cozumel Mexico 2015 Logo\" width=\"250\" height=\"126\" class=\"size-full wp-image-224\" /> Ironman Cozumel Mexico 2015 Logo[/caption]','Race Report 6th Ironman','','inherit','closed','closed','','217-revision-v1','','','2019-06-07 10:07:12','2019-06-07 10:07:12','',217,'https://www.drfields.com/uncategorized/217-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(227,8,'2019-06-07 10:10:08','2019-06-07 10:10:08','<img src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Ironman-Cozumel-Mexico-2015-Logo.jpg\" alt=\"Ironman Cozumel Mexico 2015 Logo\" width=\"250\" height=\"126\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-224\" />','Race Report 6th Ironman','','inherit','closed','closed','','217-revision-v1','','','2019-06-07 10:10:08','2019-06-07 10:10:08','',217,'https://www.drfields.com/uncategorized/217-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(228,8,'2019-06-07 10:10:42','2019-06-07 10:10:42','<img src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Ironman-Cozumel-Mexico-2015-Logo.jpg\" alt=\"Ironman Cozumel Mexico 2015 Logo\" width=\"250\" height=\"126\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-224\" />\r\n\r\n<h6>Sunday November 29, 2015\r\n2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike, 26.2 mile run</h6>','Race Report 6th Ironman','','inherit','closed','closed','','217-revision-v1','','','2019-06-07 10:10:42','2019-06-07 10:10:42','',217,'https://www.drfields.com/uncategorized/217-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(229,8,'2019-06-07 10:35:48','2019-06-07 10:35:48','<img class=\"alignleft size-full wp-image-1685\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Stem-Cell-Doctor-Peter-Fields-MD-DC.jpg\" alt=\"Stem Cell Doctor Peter Fields Md Dc\" width=\"218\" height=\"350\" />\r\n<h4>Prolotherapy Doctor</h4>\r\nPeter A. Fields, MD DC, is a Los Angeles Prolotherapy Doctor and the founder of OrthoRegen<sup>®</sup>. Dr. Fields is a leading expert in using Cellular Regeneration (aka Cellular Prolotherapy) treatments to resolve painful conditions and sports injuries to help people avoid full joint replacement. He treats patients from around the US and the world; from non-athletes to weekend warriors to competitive athletes and professional athletes. Dr. Fields helps people avoid unnecessary orthopaedic surgeries whether arthroscopic or conventional fully invasive surgery.\r\n<h4>What is a Prolotherapy Doctor?</h4>\r\nA Prolotherapy Doctor provides regenerative orthopedics by offering non-surgical alternatives to joint and spine repair. Dr. Fields offers prolotherapy treatments to relieve pain by treating the underlying conditions. He stimulates the body’s natural ability to heal and repair by encouraging the growth of new tendon fibers and ligaments.\r\n<h4>What is Prolotherapy Treatment?</h4>\r\nProlotherapy treatment is a natural non-surgical method of assisting the body to heal weakened or injured joints, tendons and ligaments. A Prolotherapy Doctor injects the weakened areas with a solution that stimulates the growth of healthy, strong tissues. As the ligaments and tendons grow stronger and vibrant, the motion is restored and the pain is alleviated.\r\n<h4>How Prolotherapy Treatment Works</h4>\r\nOur Prolotherapy treatment is an innovative treatment that stimulates the immune system to repair damaged tissue. ”Prolo” comes from the word “proliferate.” Prolotherapy then describes the therapy which utilizes proliferation of fibroblastic cells that grow the ligaments and tendons. By proliferation of the fibroblasts, new, strong, collagen tissue is formed. This new tissue is what is needed to repair ligament and tendon sprains and injuries. Receive treatment from our Prolotherapy Doctor for your injuries with comprehensive Prolotherapy Treatment at <a href=\"https://orthoregen.com/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">OrthoRegen<sup>®</sup></a><br />\r\n<br />\r\n<a class=\"buttonlink\" href=\"https://www.drfields.com/contact/\"> Schedule Your Appointment Today!</a>\r\n<h4>Is Treatment by a Prolotherapy Doctor safe?</h4>\r\nProlotherapy is an extremely safe procedure. The risks are far less than those associated with surgery for your chronic joint pain or acute joint injuries. The risks are often also less than taking Ibuprofen ( Motrin) for a lifetime to temporarily alleviate chronic pain. As with any procedure, there are risks and side effects which will vary depending on the area being treated. Dr. Fields will discuss these possibilities fully with patients during the pre-treatment consultation.\r\n<h4>What Conditions Can Dr. Fields Help You With:</h4>\r\nDr. Fields has had great success in treating his patients with hundreds of different injuries, conditions, and complaints, including:\r\n<ul>\r\n 	<li><strong>Chronic Conditions like…</strong>\r\n<ul>\r\n 	<li>Arthritis Pain</li>\r\n 	<li>Sciatica Pain</li>\r\n 	<li>Pinched Nerves</li>\r\n 	<li>Athletic Injuries</li>\r\n 	<li>Tension Headaches</li>\r\n 	<li>Migraine Headaches</li>\r\n 	<li>Herniated Discs</li>\r\n 	<li>Degenerative Discs</li>\r\n 	<li>TMJ syndrome</li>\r\n 	<li>Weak Joints</li>\r\n 	<li>Sore Muscles</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n</li>\r\n 	<li><strong>Knee Injuries:</strong>\r\n<ul>\r\n 	<li>ACL Tear</li>\r\n 	<li>Runners\' Knee</li>\r\n 	<li>Radial Meniscus Tear</li>\r\n 	<li>See a complete list of Knee Injuries Treated with Prolotherapy here.</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n</li>\r\n 	<li><strong>Hip Injuries:</strong>\r\n<ul>\r\n 	<li>Torn Labrum</li>\r\n 	<li>Acetabular labrum Tear</li>\r\n 	<li>Labral Tear</li>\r\n 	<li>See a complete list of Hip Injuries Treated with Prolotherapy here.</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n</li>\r\n 	<li><strong>Neck Injuries:</strong>\r\n<ul>\r\n 	<li>Whiplash</li>\r\n 	<li>TMJ Syndrome</li>\r\n 	<li>Migraine Headaches</li>\r\n 	<li>See a complete list of Neck Injuries Treated with Prolotherapy here.</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n</li>\r\n 	<li><strong>Shoulder Injuries:</strong>\r\n<ul>\r\n 	<li>Labral Tear</li>\r\n 	<li>Rotator Cuff Tear</li>\r\n 	<li>Swimmers Shoulder</li>\r\n 	<li>See a complete list of Shoulder Injuries Treated with Prolotherapy here.</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n</li>\r\n 	<li><strong>Back Injuries:</strong>\r\n<ul>\r\n 	<li>Herniated discs</li>\r\n 	<li>Sacroiliac injury</li>\r\n 	<li>Lower back pain</li>\r\n 	<li>See a complete list of Back Injuries Treated with Prolotherapy here.</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n</li>\r\n 	<li><strong>Elbow Injuries:</strong>\r\n<ul>\r\n 	<li>Tendonitis</li>\r\n 	<li>Tennis elbow</li>\r\n 	<li>Golfers elbow</li>\r\n 	<li>See a complete list of Elbow Injuries Treated with Prolotherapy here.</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n</li>\r\n 	<li><strong>Foot and Ankle Injuries:</strong>\r\n<ul>\r\n 	<li>Achilles tendinopathy</li>\r\n 	<li>Ankle Sprains</li>\r\n 	<li>Plantar Fasciitis</li>\r\n 	<li>See a complete list of Foot Injuries Treated with Prolotherapy here.</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n</li>\r\n 	<li><strong>Hand Injuries:</strong>\r\n<ul>\r\n 	<li>Carpal tunnel</li>\r\n 	<li>Overuse injury</li>\r\n 	<li>Finger pain</li>\r\n 	<li>See a complete list of Hand Injuries Treated with Prolotherapy here.</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<h4>Are You A Candidate for Prolotherapy Treatment?</h4>\r\nCall <a href=\"tel:+[phone_raw]\">[phone]</a> today for a free phone consultation with our Prolotherapy Doctor to see if Prolotherapy treatment can get you pain-free and ‘back in the game’ or help you resume your normal lifestyle. You can also <a href=\"https://www.drfields.com/contact/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">contact Dr. Fields\' office</a> to set up an in-person consultation.\r\n\r\n<a class=\"buttonlink\" href=\"https://www.drfields.com/contact/\"> Schedule Your Appointment Today!</a>','Prolotherapy Doctor','','publish','open','closed','','prolotherapy-doctor','','','2020-06-30 17:07:16','2020-06-30 17:07:16','',0,'https://www.drfields.com/?p=229',0,'post','',0),(230,8,'2019-06-07 10:14:55','2019-06-07 10:14:55','<img src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Ironman-Cozumel-Mexico-2015-Logo.jpg\" alt=\"Ironman Cozumel Mexico 2015 Logo\" width=\"250\" height=\"126\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-224\" />\r\n\r\n<h6>Sunday November 29, 2015\r\n2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike, 26.2 mile run</h6>\r\n\r\n<strong><u>PROLOGUE</u></strong>','Race Report 6th Ironman','','inherit','closed','closed','','217-revision-v1','','','2019-06-07 10:14:55','2019-06-07 10:14:55','',217,'https://www.drfields.com/uncategorized/217-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(231,8,'2019-06-07 10:17:44','2019-06-07 10:17:44','Cozumel 2015 Initials 115','Cozumel 2015 Initials 115','Dr. Fields with his parents initials written on his forearms','inherit','open','closed','','cozumel-2015-initials-115','','','2019-06-07 10:17:58','2019-06-07 10:17:58','',217,'https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/cozumel-2015-initials-115.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(232,8,'2019-06-07 10:18:36','2019-06-07 10:18:36','<img src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Ironman-Cozumel-Mexico-2015-Logo.jpg\" alt=\"Ironman Cozumel Mexico 2015 Logo\" width=\"250\" height=\"126\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-224\" />\r\n\r\n<h6>Sunday November 29, 2015\r\n2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike, 26.2 mile run</h6>\r\n\r\n<strong><u>PROLOGUE</u></strong>\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_231\" align=\"alignright\" width=\"115\"]<img src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/cozumel-2015-initials-115.jpg\" alt=\"Cozumel 2015 Initials 115\" width=\"115\" height=\"241\" class=\"size-full wp-image-231\" /> Dr. Fields with his parents initials written on his forearms[/caption]\r\n<strong>Never say never</strong>\r\nMy parents taught me to never to give up no matter how difficult it may seem.\r\nThis, and all my races, are dedicated to their memory.\r\n\r\nThirteen years ago three different neurosurgeons told me that if I did not have surgery on my low back, exercise would no longer be an option in my life.\r\nThen I found out about the wonderful world of Regenerative Orthopedic Medicine. Sunday November 29th, 2015, I finished not only my 2nd Ironman race in 2015, but my sixth Ironman race overall.\r\n<strong>Regenerate First; Surgery Last!</strong>','Race Report 6th Ironman','','inherit','closed','closed','','217-revision-v1','','','2019-06-07 10:18:36','2019-06-07 10:18:36','',217,'https://www.drfields.com/uncategorized/217-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(233,8,'2019-06-07 10:19:29','2019-06-07 10:19:29','<img src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Ironman-Cozumel-Mexico-2015-Logo.jpg\" alt=\"Ironman Cozumel Mexico 2015 Logo\" width=\"250\" height=\"126\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-224\" />\r\n\r\n<h6>Sunday November 29, 2015\r\n2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike, 26.2 mile run</h6>\r\n\r\n<strong><u>PROLOGUE</u></strong>\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_231\" align=\"alignright\" width=\"115\"]<img src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/cozumel-2015-initials-115.jpg\" alt=\"Cozumel 2015 Initials 115\" width=\"115\" height=\"241\" class=\"size-full wp-image-231\" /> Dr. Fields with his parents initials written on his forearms[/caption]<strong>Never say never</strong>\r\nMy parents taught me to never to give up no matter how difficult it may seem.\r\nThis, and all my races, are dedicated to their memory.\r\n\r\nThirteen years ago three different neurosurgeons told me that if I did not have surgery on my low back, exercise would no longer be an option in my life.\r\nThen I found out about the wonderful world of Regenerative Orthopedic Medicine. Sunday November 29th, 2015, I finished not only my 2nd Ironman race in 2015, but my sixth Ironman race overall.\r\n<strong>Regenerate First; Surgery Last!</strong>','Race Report 6th Ironman','','inherit','closed','closed','','217-revision-v1','','','2019-06-07 10:19:29','2019-06-07 10:19:29','',217,'https://www.drfields.com/uncategorized/217-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(234,8,'2019-06-07 10:20:25','2019-06-07 10:20:25','<img src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Ironman-Cozumel-Mexico-2015-Logo.jpg\" alt=\"Ironman Cozumel Mexico 2015 Logo\" width=\"250\" height=\"126\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-224\" />\r\n\r\n<h6 class=\"text-center\">Sunday November 29, 2015\r\n2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike, 26.2 mile run</h6>\r\n\r\n<strong><u>PROLOGUE</u></strong>\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_231\" align=\"alignright\" width=\"115\"]<img src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/cozumel-2015-initials-115.jpg\" alt=\"Cozumel 2015 Initials 115\" width=\"115\" height=\"241\" class=\"size-full wp-image-231\" /> Dr. Fields with his parents initials written on his forearms[/caption]<strong>Never say never</strong>\r\nMy parents taught me to never to give up no matter how difficult it may seem.\r\nThis, and all my races, are dedicated to their memory.\r\n\r\nThirteen years ago three different neurosurgeons told me that if I did not have surgery on my low back, exercise would no longer be an option in my life.\r\nThen I found out about the wonderful world of Regenerative Orthopedic Medicine. Sunday November 29th, 2015, I finished not only my 2nd Ironman race in 2015, but my sixth Ironman race overall.\r\n<strong>Regenerate First; Surgery Last!</strong>','Race Report 6th Ironman','','inherit','closed','closed','','217-revision-v1','','','2019-06-07 10:20:25','2019-06-07 10:20:25','',217,'https://www.drfields.com/uncategorized/217-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(235,8,'2019-06-07 10:20:45','2019-06-07 10:20:45','<img src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Ironman-Cozumel-Mexico-2015-Logo.jpg\" alt=\"Ironman Cozumel Mexico 2015 Logo\" width=\"250\" height=\"126\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-224\" />\r\n\r\n<h6 class=\"text-center\">Sunday November 29, 2015\r\n2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike, 26.2 mile run</h6>\r\n\r\n<strong><u>PROLOGUE</u></strong>\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_231\" align=\"alignright\" width=\"115\"]<img src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/cozumel-2015-initials-115.jpg\" alt=\"Cozumel 2015 Initials 115\" width=\"115\" height=\"241\" class=\"size-full wp-image-231\" /> Dr. Fields with his parents initials written on his forearms[/caption]<strong>Never say never</strong>\r\nMy parents taught me to never to give up no matter how difficult it may seem.\r\nThis, and all my races, are dedicated to their memory.\r\n\r\nThirteen years ago three different neurosurgeons told me that if I did not have surgery on my low back, exercise would no longer be an option in my life.\r\nThen I found out about the wonderful world of Regenerative Orthopedic Medicine. Sunday November 29th, 2015, I finished not only my 2nd Ironman race in 2015, but my sixth Ironman race overall.\r\n<strong><em>Regenerate First; Surgery Last!</em></strong>','Race Report 6th Ironman','','inherit','closed','closed','','217-revision-v1','','','2019-06-07 10:20:45','2019-06-07 10:20:45','',217,'https://www.drfields.com/uncategorized/217-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(236,8,'2019-06-07 10:21:31','2019-06-07 10:21:31','<img src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Ironman-Cozumel-Mexico-2015-Logo.jpg\" alt=\"Ironman Cozumel Mexico 2015 Logo\" width=\"250\" height=\"126\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-224\" />\r\n\r\n<h6 class=\"text-center\">Sunday November 29, 2015\r\n2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike, 26.2 mile run</h6>\r\n\r\n<strong><u>PROLOGUE</u></strong>\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_231\" align=\"alignright\" width=\"115\"]<img src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/cozumel-2015-initials-115.jpg\" alt=\"Cozumel 2015 Initials 115\" width=\"115\" height=\"241\" class=\"size-full wp-image-231\" /> Dr. Fields with his parents initials written on his forearms[/caption]<strong>Never say never</strong>\r\nMy parents taught me to never to give up no matter how difficult it may seem.\r\nThis, and all my races, are dedicated to their memory.\r\n\r\nThirteen years ago three different neurosurgeons told me that if I did not have surgery on my low back, exercise would no longer be an option in my life.\r\nThen I found out about the wonderful world of Regenerative Orthopedic Medicine. Sunday November 29th, 2015, I finished not only my 2nd Ironman race in 2015, but my sixth Ironman race overall.\r\n<strong><em>Regenerate First; Surgery Last!</em></strong>\r\n\r\n<strong><u>RACE DAY</u></strong>\r\nThe day started off like any other Ironman competition day. I woke up about 3:30 in the morning so that I could have enough time to have breakfast and get everything ready before I went down to the transition area around 5 o\'clock a.m. After getting everything settled at the transition area where my bike was, I then boarded a bus that took me approximately 2.4 miles down to where the swim started. This is because this race is a point-to-point race. That means you start at one point and end at another point on the swim. The same is for the bike. So after getting down to the swim start I put on my very thin and tight speedsuit (a suit similar to what they wear in the Olympics) over my racing suit. Wetsuits are not allowed in this race due to the temperature of the water. I then went to get in the appropriate corral for the start. ','Race Report 6th Ironman','','inherit','closed','closed','','217-revision-v1','','','2019-06-07 10:21:31','2019-06-07 10:21:31','',217,'https://www.drfields.com/uncategorized/217-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(237,8,'2019-06-07 10:22:39','2019-06-07 10:22:39','<img src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Ironman-Cozumel-Mexico-2015-Logo.jpg\" alt=\"Ironman Cozumel Mexico 2015 Logo\" width=\"250\" height=\"126\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-224\" />\r\n\r\n<h6 class=\"text-center\">Sunday November 29, 2015\r\n2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike, 26.2 mile run</h6>\r\n\r\n<strong><u>PROLOGUE</u></strong>\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_231\" align=\"alignright\" width=\"115\"]<img src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/cozumel-2015-initials-115.jpg\" alt=\"Cozumel 2015 Initials 115\" width=\"115\" height=\"241\" class=\"size-full wp-image-231\" /> Dr. Fields with his parents initials written on his forearms[/caption]<strong>Never say never</strong>\r\nMy parents taught me to never to give up no matter how difficult it may seem.\r\nThis, and all my races, are dedicated to their memory.\r\n\r\nThirteen years ago three different neurosurgeons told me that if I did not have surgery on my low back, exercise would no longer be an option in my life.\r\nThen I found out about the wonderful world of Regenerative Orthopedic Medicine. Sunday November 29th, 2015, I finished not only my 2nd Ironman race in 2015, but my sixth Ironman race overall.\r\n<strong><em>Regenerate First; Surgery Last!</em></strong>\r\n\r\n<p><strong><u>RACE DAY</u></strong>\r\nThe day started off like any other Ironman competition day. I woke up about 3:30 in the morning so that I could have enough time to have breakfast and get everything ready before I went down to the transition area around 5 o\'clock a.m. After getting everything settled at the transition area where my bike was, I then boarded a bus that took me approximately 2.4 miles down to where the swim started. This is because this race is a point-to-point race. That means you start at one point and end at another point on the swim. The same is for the bike. So after getting down to the swim start I put on my very thin and tight speedsuit (a suit similar to what they wear in the Olympics) over my racing suit. Wetsuits are not allowed in this race due to the temperature of the water. I then went to get in the appropriate corral for the start. </p>','Race Report 6th Ironman','','inherit','closed','closed','','217-revision-v1','','','2019-06-07 10:22:39','2019-06-07 10:22:39','',217,'https://www.drfields.com/uncategorized/217-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(238,8,'2019-06-07 10:24:06','2019-06-07 10:24:06','<img src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Ironman-Cozumel-Mexico-2015-Logo.jpg\" alt=\"Ironman Cozumel Mexico 2015 Logo\" width=\"250\" height=\"126\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-224\" />\r\n\r\n<h6 class=\"text-center\">Sunday November 29, 2015\r\n2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike, 26.2 mile run</h6>\r\n\r\n<strong><u>PROLOGUE</u></strong>\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_231\" align=\"alignright\" width=\"115\"]<img src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/cozumel-2015-initials-115.jpg\" alt=\"Cozumel 2015 Initials 115\" width=\"115\" height=\"241\" class=\"size-full wp-image-231\" /> Dr. Fields with his parents initials written on his forearms[/caption]<strong>Never say never</strong>\r\nMy parents taught me to never to give up no matter how difficult it may seem.\r\nThis, and all my races, are dedicated to their memory.\r\n\r\nThirteen years ago three different neurosurgeons told me that if I did not have surgery on my low back, exercise would no longer be an option in my life.\r\nThen I found out about the wonderful world of Regenerative Orthopedic Medicine. Sunday November 29th, 2015, I finished not only my 2nd Ironman race in 2015, but my sixth Ironman race overall.\r\n<strong><em>Regenerate First; Surgery Last!</em></strong>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n<strong><u>RACE DAY</u></strong>\r\nThe day started off like any other Ironman competition day. I woke up about 3:30 in the morning so that I could have enough time to have breakfast and get everything ready before I went down to the transition area around 5 o\'clock a.m. After getting everything settled at the transition area where my bike was, I then boarded a bus that took me approximately 2.4 miles down to where the swim started. This is because this race is a point-to-point race. That means you start at one point and end at another point on the swim. The same is for the bike. So after getting down to the swim start I put on my very thin and tight speedsuit (a suit similar to what they wear in the Olympics) over my racing suit. Wetsuits are not allowed in this race due to the temperature of the water. I then went to get in the appropriate corral for the start. ','Race Report 6th Ironman','','inherit','closed','closed','','217-revision-v1','','','2019-06-07 10:24:06','2019-06-07 10:24:06','',217,'https://www.drfields.com/uncategorized/217-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(239,8,'2019-06-07 10:24:23','2019-06-07 10:24:23','<img src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Ironman-Cozumel-Mexico-2015-Logo.jpg\" alt=\"Ironman Cozumel Mexico 2015 Logo\" width=\"250\" height=\"126\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-224\" />\r\n\r\n<h6 class=\"text-center\">Sunday November 29, 2015\r\n2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike, 26.2 mile run</h6>\r\n\r\n<strong><u>PROLOGUE</u></strong>\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_231\" align=\"alignright\" width=\"115\"]<img src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/cozumel-2015-initials-115.jpg\" alt=\"Cozumel 2015 Initials 115\" width=\"115\" height=\"241\" class=\"size-full wp-image-231\" /> Dr. Fields with his parents initials written on his forearms[/caption]<strong>Never say never</strong>\r\nMy parents taught me to never to give up no matter how difficult it may seem.\r\nThis, and all my races, are dedicated to their memory.\r\n\r\nThirteen years ago three different neurosurgeons told me that if I did not have surgery on my low back, exercise would no longer be an option in my life.\r\nThen I found out about the wonderful world of Regenerative Orthopedic Medicine. Sunday November 29th, 2015, I finished not only my 2nd Ironman race in 2015, but my sixth Ironman race overall.\r\n<strong><em>Regenerate First; Surgery Last!</em></strong>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n<strong><u>RACE DAY</u></strong>\r\nThe day started off like any other Ironman competition day. I woke up about 3:30 in the morning so that I could have enough time to have breakfast and get everything ready before I went down to the transition area around 5 o\'clock a.m. After getting everything settled at the transition area where my bike was, I then boarded a bus that took me approximately 2.4 miles down to where the swim started. This is because this race is a point-to-point race. That means you start at one point and end at another point on the swim. The same is for the bike. So after getting down to the swim start I put on my very thin and tight speedsuit (a suit similar to what they wear in the Olympics) over my racing suit. Wetsuits are not allowed in this race due to the temperature of the water. I then went to get in the appropriate corral for the start. ','Race Report 6th Ironman','','inherit','closed','closed','','217-revision-v1','','','2019-06-07 10:24:23','2019-06-07 10:24:23','',217,'https://www.drfields.com/uncategorized/217-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(240,8,'2019-06-07 10:24:42','2019-06-07 10:24:42','<img src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Ironman-Cozumel-Mexico-2015-Logo.jpg\" alt=\"Ironman Cozumel Mexico 2015 Logo\" width=\"250\" height=\"126\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-224\" />\r\n\r\n<h6 class=\"text-center\">Sunday November 29, 2015\r\n2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike, 26.2 mile run</h6>\r\n\r\n<strong><u>PROLOGUE</u></strong>\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_231\" align=\"alignright\" width=\"115\"]<img src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/cozumel-2015-initials-115.jpg\" alt=\"Cozumel 2015 Initials 115\" width=\"115\" height=\"241\" class=\"size-full wp-image-231\" /> Dr. Fields with his parents initials written on his forearms[/caption]<strong>Never say never</strong>\r\nMy parents taught me to never to give up no matter how difficult it may seem.\r\nThis, and all my races, are dedicated to their memory.\r\n\r\nThirteen years ago three different neurosurgeons told me that if I did not have surgery on my low back, exercise would no longer be an option in my life.\r\nThen I found out about the wonderful world of Regenerative Orthopedic Medicine. Sunday November 29th, 2015, I finished not only my 2nd Ironman race in 2015, but my sixth Ironman race overall.\r\n<strong><em>Regenerate First; Surgery Last!</em></strong>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n<strong><u>RACE DAY</u></strong>\r\nThe day started off like any other Ironman competition day. I woke up about 3:30 in the morning so that I could have enough time to have breakfast and get everything ready before I went down to the transition area around 5 o\'clock a.m. After getting everything settled at the transition area where my bike was, I then boarded a bus that took me approximately 2.4 miles down to where the swim started. This is because this race is a point-to-point race. That means you start at one point and end at another point on the swim. The same is for the bike. So after getting down to the swim start I put on my very thin and tight speedsuit (a suit similar to what they wear in the Olympics) over my racing suit. Wetsuits are not allowed in this race due to the temperature of the water. I then went to get in the appropriate corral for the start. ','Race Report 6th Ironman','','inherit','closed','closed','','217-revision-v1','','','2019-06-07 10:24:42','2019-06-07 10:24:42','',217,'https://www.drfields.com/uncategorized/217-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(241,8,'2019-06-07 10:25:20','2019-06-07 10:25:20','<img src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Ironman-Cozumel-Mexico-2015-Logo.jpg\" alt=\"Ironman Cozumel Mexico 2015 Logo\" width=\"250\" height=\"126\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-224\" />\r\n\r\n<h6 class=\"text-center\">Sunday November 29, 2015\r\n2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike, 26.2 mile run</h6>\r\n\r\n<strong><u>PROLOGUE</u></strong>\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_231\" align=\"alignright\" width=\"115\"]<img src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/cozumel-2015-initials-115.jpg\" alt=\"Cozumel 2015 Initials 115\" width=\"115\" height=\"241\" class=\"size-full wp-image-231\" /><strong> Dr. Fields with his parents initials written on his forearms</strong>[/caption]<strong>Never say never</strong>\r\nMy parents taught me to never to give up no matter how difficult it may seem.\r\nThis, and all my races, are dedicated to their memory.\r\n\r\nThirteen years ago three different neurosurgeons told me that if I did not have surgery on my low back, exercise would no longer be an option in my life.\r\nThen I found out about the wonderful world of Regenerative Orthopedic Medicine. Sunday November 29th, 2015, I finished not only my 2nd Ironman race in 2015, but my sixth Ironman race overall.\r\n<strong><em>Regenerate First; Surgery Last!</em></strong>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n<strong><u>RACE DAY</u></strong>\r\nThe day started off like any other Ironman competition day. I woke up about 3:30 in the morning so that I could have enough time to have breakfast and get everything ready before I went down to the transition area around 5 o\'clock a.m. After getting everything settled at the transition area where my bike was, I then boarded a bus that took me approximately 2.4 miles down to where the swim started. This is because this race is a point-to-point race. That means you start at one point and end at another point on the swim. The same is for the bike. So after getting down to the swim start I put on my very thin and tight speedsuit (a suit similar to what they wear in the Olympics) over my racing suit. Wetsuits are not allowed in this race due to the temperature of the water. I then went to get in the appropriate corral for the start. ','Race Report 6th Ironman','','inherit','closed','closed','','217-revision-v1','','','2019-06-07 10:25:20','2019-06-07 10:25:20','',217,'https://www.drfields.com/uncategorized/217-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(243,8,'2019-06-07 10:27:19','2019-06-07 10:27:19','Cozumel 2015 Swim 275','Cozumel 2015 Swim 275','Dr. Fields after the 2.4 mile swim','inherit','open','closed','','cozumel-2015-swim-275','','','2019-06-07 10:27:46','2019-06-07 10:27:46','',217,'https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/cozumel-2015-swim-275.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(244,8,'2019-06-07 10:29:06','2019-06-07 10:29:06','<img src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Ironman-Cozumel-Mexico-2015-Logo.jpg\" alt=\"Ironman Cozumel Mexico 2015 Logo\" width=\"250\" height=\"126\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-224\" />\r\n\r\n<h6 class=\"text-center\">Sunday November 29, 2015\r\n2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike, 26.2 mile run</h6>\r\n\r\n<strong><u>PROLOGUE</u></strong>\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_231\" align=\"alignright\" width=\"115\"]<img src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/cozumel-2015-initials-115.jpg\" alt=\"Cozumel 2015 Initials 115\" width=\"115\" height=\"241\" class=\"size-full wp-image-231\" /><strong> Dr. Fields with his parents initials written on his forearms</strong>[/caption]<strong>Never say never</strong>\r\nMy parents taught me to never to give up no matter how difficult it may seem.\r\nThis, and all my races, are dedicated to their memory.\r\n\r\nThirteen years ago three different neurosurgeons told me that if I did not have surgery on my low back, exercise would no longer be an option in my life.\r\nThen I found out about the wonderful world of Regenerative Orthopedic Medicine. Sunday November 29th, 2015, I finished not only my 2nd Ironman race in 2015, but my sixth Ironman race overall.\r\n<strong><em>Regenerate First; Surgery Last!</em></strong>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n\r\n<strong><u>RACE DAY</u></strong>\r\nThe day started off like any other Ironman competition day. I woke up about 3:30 in the morning so that I could have enough time to have breakfast and get everything ready before I went down to the transition area around 5 o\'clock a.m. After getting everything settled at the transition area where my bike was, I then boarded a bus that took me approximately 2.4 miles down to where the swim started. This is because this race is a point-to-point race. That means you start at one point and end at another point on the swim. The same is for the bike. So after getting down to the swim start I put on my very thin and tight speedsuit (a suit similar to what they wear in the Olympics) over my racing suit. Wetsuits are not allowed in this race due to the temperature of the water. I then went to get in the appropriate corral for the start. \r\n\r\n<strong><u>THE SWIM: 2.4 Miles</u></strong>\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_243\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"275\"]<img src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/cozumel-2015-swim-275.jpg\" alt=\"Cozumel 2015 Swim 275\" width=\"160\" height=\"301\" class=\"size-full wp-image-243\" /> Dr. Fields after the 2.4 mile swim[/caption]The start was being done in waves this year so to avoid the cluster of over 2500 competitors starting all at once.I seeded myself in the second corral, which is for competitors swimming between 1 hour and 1 hour 10 minutes. Most people told me that I should seed myself faster but I was very true to my time knowing I would finish between 1 hour and 1 hour 6 minutes. Due to the small size of the pier that we to go off of, they only let about five to seven competitors in at a time. This made for a very easy start since you did not have to swim over a lot of people. As soon as I got into my stride, which only takes me about 5 minutes or so, I started passing people. And ended up passing probably 50 people, which meant that a lot of people had seeded themselves faster than they actually were. The water was very warm at about 82 degrees and very clear. You could see the frogmen/lifeguards and photographers down below and also many colorful fish along the way. Halfway through the swim I looked at my Garmin watch, which I wear on my left wrist, and noticed it was glowing slightly green. I figured some water had leaked into it. I was going to stop and take a look but then realized that I was in the middle of the ocean and there was nothing I could do about it anyway!\r\n\r\nI swam very well and passed over 50 people, which was a lot as not many had started before me. As I made my way towards the finish and made the final turn two headed towards the pier I really picked up my strokes. My final time was about 1 hour and 4 minutes, which was good enough to make me first in my age group in the swim. As I climbed out of the water and looked down a my Garmin, I realized that the whole front face had somehow become detached and I was actually looking at the circuit board. Well, at that point, I knew the watch was useless. I ran through the shower and then grabbed my transition bag and into the transition area. I quickly dried off and stripped off my speed suit. Underneath this I had my tri suit so just I had to put on my socks, shoes, sunglasses, suntan lotion and grab some nutrition to carry on the bike and I was off to find my bike. I also left behind my Garmin watch, which was useless at this point. ','Race Report 6th Ironman','','inherit','closed','closed','','217-revision-v1','','','2019-06-07 10:29:06','2019-06-07 10:29:06','',217,'https://www.drfields.com/uncategorized/217-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(245,8,'2019-06-07 10:29:48','2019-06-07 10:29:48','<img src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Ironman-Cozumel-Mexico-2015-Logo.jpg\" alt=\"Ironman Cozumel Mexico 2015 Logo\" width=\"250\" height=\"126\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-224\" />\r\n\r\n<h6 class=\"text-center\">Sunday November 29, 2015\r\n2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike, 26.2 mile run</h6>\r\n\r\n<strong><u>PROLOGUE</u></strong>\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_231\" align=\"alignright\" width=\"115\"]<img src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/cozumel-2015-initials-115.jpg\" alt=\"Cozumel 2015 Initials 115\" width=\"115\" height=\"241\" class=\"size-full wp-image-231\" /><strong> Dr. Fields with his parents initials written on his forearms</strong>[/caption]<strong>Never say never</strong>\r\nMy parents taught me to never to give up no matter how difficult it may seem.\r\nThis, and all my races, are dedicated to their memory.\r\n\r\nThirteen years ago three different neurosurgeons told me that if I did not have surgery on my low back, exercise would no longer be an option in my life.\r\nThen I found out about the wonderful world of Regenerative Orthopedic Medicine. Sunday November 29th, 2015, I finished not only my 2nd Ironman race in 2015, but my sixth Ironman race overall.\r\n<strong><em>Regenerate First; Surgery Last!</em></strong>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n\r\n<strong><u>RACE DAY</u></strong>\r\nThe day started off like any other Ironman competition day. I woke up about 3:30 in the morning so that I could have enough time to have breakfast and get everything ready before I went down to the transition area around 5 o\'clock a.m. After getting everything settled at the transition area where my bike was, I then boarded a bus that took me approximately 2.4 miles down to where the swim started. This is because this race is a point-to-point race. That means you start at one point and end at another point on the swim. The same is for the bike. So after getting down to the swim start I put on my very thin and tight speedsuit (a suit similar to what they wear in the Olympics) over my racing suit. Wetsuits are not allowed in this race due to the temperature of the water. I then went to get in the appropriate corral for the start. \r\n\r\n<strong><u>THE SWIM: 2.4 Miles</u></strong>\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_243\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"160\"]<img src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/cozumel-2015-swim-275.jpg\" alt=\"Cozumel 2015 Swim 275\" width=\"160\" height=\"301\" class=\"size-full wp-image-243\" /> Dr. Fields after the 2.4 mile swim[/caption]The start was being done in waves this year so to avoid the cluster of over 2500 competitors starting all at once.I seeded myself in the second corral, which is for competitors swimming between 1 hour and 1 hour 10 minutes. Most people told me that I should seed myself faster but I was very true to my time knowing I would finish between 1 hour and 1 hour 6 minutes. Due to the small size of the pier that we to go off of, they only let about five to seven competitors in at a time. This made for a very easy start since you did not have to swim over a lot of people. As soon as I got into my stride, which only takes me about 5 minutes or so, I started passing people. And ended up passing probably 50 people, which meant that a lot of people had seeded themselves faster than they actually were. The water was very warm at about 82 degrees and very clear. You could see the frogmen/lifeguards and photographers down below and also many colorful fish along the way. Halfway through the swim I looked at my Garmin watch, which I wear on my left wrist, and noticed it was glowing slightly green. I figured some water had leaked into it. I was going to stop and take a look but then realized that I was in the middle of the ocean and there was nothing I could do about it anyway!\r\n\r\nI swam very well and passed over 50 people, which was a lot as not many had started before me. As I made my way towards the finish and made the final turn two headed towards the pier I really picked up my strokes. My final time was about 1 hour and 4 minutes, which was good enough to make me first in my age group in the swim. As I climbed out of the water and looked down a my Garmin, I realized that the whole front face had somehow become detached and I was actually looking at the circuit board. Well, at that point, I knew the watch was useless. I ran through the shower and then grabbed my transition bag and into the transition area. I quickly dried off and stripped off my speed suit. Underneath this I had my tri suit so just I had to put on my socks, shoes, sunglasses, suntan lotion and grab some nutrition to carry on the bike and I was off to find my bike. I also left behind my Garmin watch, which was useless at this point. ','Race Report 6th Ironman','','inherit','closed','closed','','217-revision-v1','','','2019-06-07 10:29:48','2019-06-07 10:29:48','',217,'https://www.drfields.com/uncategorized/217-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(246,8,'2019-06-07 10:30:10','2019-06-07 10:30:10','<img src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Ironman-Cozumel-Mexico-2015-Logo.jpg\" alt=\"Ironman Cozumel Mexico 2015 Logo\" width=\"250\" height=\"126\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-224\" />\r\n\r\n<h6 class=\"text-center\">Sunday November 29, 2015\r\n2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike, 26.2 mile run</h6>\r\n\r\n<strong><u>PROLOGUE</u></strong>\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_231\" align=\"alignright\" width=\"115\"]<img src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/cozumel-2015-initials-115.jpg\" alt=\"Cozumel 2015 Initials 115\" width=\"115\" height=\"241\" class=\"size-full wp-image-231\" /><strong> Dr. Fields with his parents initials written on his forearms</strong>[/caption]<strong>Never say never</strong>\r\nMy parents taught me to never to give up no matter how difficult it may seem.\r\nThis, and all my races, are dedicated to their memory.\r\n\r\nThirteen years ago three different neurosurgeons told me that if I did not have surgery on my low back, exercise would no longer be an option in my life.\r\nThen I found out about the wonderful world of Regenerative Orthopedic Medicine. Sunday November 29th, 2015, I finished not only my 2nd Ironman race in 2015, but my sixth Ironman race overall.\r\n<strong><em>Regenerate First; Surgery Last!</em></strong>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n\r\n<strong><u>RACE DAY</u></strong>\r\nThe day started off like any other Ironman competition day. I woke up about 3:30 in the morning so that I could have enough time to have breakfast and get everything ready before I went down to the transition area around 5 o\'clock a.m. After getting everything settled at the transition area where my bike was, I then boarded a bus that took me approximately 2.4 miles down to where the swim started. This is because this race is a point-to-point race. That means you start at one point and end at another point on the swim. The same is for the bike. So after getting down to the swim start I put on my very thin and tight speedsuit (a suit similar to what they wear in the Olympics) over my racing suit. Wetsuits are not allowed in this race due to the temperature of the water. I then went to get in the appropriate corral for the start. \r\n\r\n<strong><u>THE SWIM: 2.4 Miles</u></strong>\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_243\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"160\"]<img src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/cozumel-2015-swim-275.jpg\" alt=\"Cozumel 2015 Swim 275\" width=\"160\" height=\"301\" class=\"size-full wp-image-243\" /> Dr. Fields after the 2.4 mile swim[/caption]The start was being done in waves this year so to avoid the cluster of over 2500 competitors starting all at once.I seeded myself in the second corral, which is for competitors swimming between 1 hour and 1 hour 10 minutes. Most people told me that I should seed myself faster but I was very true to my time knowing I would finish between 1 hour and 1 hour 6 minutes. Due to the small size of the pier that we to go off of, they only let about five to seven competitors in at a time. This made for a very easy start since you did not have to swim over a lot of people. As soon as I got into my stride, which only takes me about 5 minutes or so, I started passing people. And ended up passing probably 50 people, which meant that a lot of people had seeded themselves faster than they actually were. The water was very warm at about 82 degrees and very clear. You could see the frogmen/lifeguards and photographers down below and also many colorful fish along the way. Halfway through the swim I looked at my Garmin watch, which I wear on my left wrist, and noticed it was glowing slightly green. I figured some water had leaked into it. I was going to stop and take a look but then realized that I was in the middle of the ocean and there was nothing I could do about it anyway!\r\n\r\nI swam very well and passed over 50 people, which was a lot as not many had started before me. As I made my way towards the finish and made the final turn two headed towards the pier I really picked up my strokes. My final time was about 1 hour and 4 minutes, which was good enough to make me first in my age group in the swim. As I climbed out of the water and looked down a my Garmin, I realized that the whole front face had somehow become detached and I was actually looking at the circuit board. Well, at that point, I knew the watch was useless. I ran through the shower and then grabbed my transition bag and into the transition area. I quickly dried off and stripped off my speed suit. Underneath this I had my tri suit so just I had to put on my socks, shoes, sunglasses, suntan lotion and grab some nutrition to carry on the bike and I was off to find my bike. I also left behind my Garmin watch, which was useless at this point. ','Race Report 6th Ironman','','inherit','closed','closed','','217-revision-v1','','','2019-06-07 10:30:10','2019-06-07 10:30:10','',217,'https://www.drfields.com/uncategorized/217-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(247,8,'2019-06-07 10:33:07','2019-06-07 10:33:07','<img src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Ironman-Cozumel-Mexico-2015-Logo.jpg\" alt=\"Ironman Cozumel Mexico 2015 Logo\" width=\"250\" height=\"126\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-224\" />\r\n\r\n<h6 class=\"text-center\">Sunday November 29, 2015\r\n2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike, 26.2 mile run</h6>\r\n\r\n<strong><u>PROLOGUE</u></strong>\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_231\" align=\"alignright\" width=\"115\"]<img src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/cozumel-2015-initials-115.jpg\" alt=\"Cozumel 2015 Initials 115\" width=\"115\" height=\"241\" class=\"size-full wp-image-231\" /><strong> Dr. Fields with his parents initials written on his forearms</strong>[/caption]<strong>Never say never</strong>\r\nMy parents taught me to never to give up no matter how difficult it may seem.\r\nThis, and all my races, are dedicated to their memory.\r\n\r\nThirteen years ago three different neurosurgeons told me that if I did not have surgery on my low back, exercise would no longer be an option in my life.\r\nThen I found out about the wonderful world of Regenerative Orthopedic Medicine. Sunday November 29th, 2015, I finished not only my 2nd Ironman race in 2015, but my sixth Ironman race overall.\r\n<strong><em>Regenerate First; Surgery Last!</em></strong>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n\r\n<strong><u>RACE DAY</u></strong>\r\nThe day started off like any other Ironman competition day. I woke up about 3:30 in the morning so that I could have enough time to have breakfast and get everything ready before I went down to the transition area around 5 o\'clock a.m. After getting everything settled at the transition area where my bike was, I then boarded a bus that took me approximately 2.4 miles down to where the swim started. This is because this race is a point-to-point race. That means you start at one point and end at another point on the swim. The same is for the bike. So after getting down to the swim start I put on my very thin and tight speedsuit (a suit similar to what they wear in the Olympics) over my racing suit. Wetsuits are not allowed in this race due to the temperature of the water. I then went to get in the appropriate corral for the start. \r\n\r\n<strong><u>THE SWIM: 2.4 Miles</u></strong>\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_243\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"160\"]<img src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/cozumel-2015-swim-275.jpg\" alt=\"Cozumel 2015 Swim 275\" width=\"160\" height=\"301\" class=\"size-full wp-image-243\" /> Dr. Fields after the 2.4 mile swim[/caption]The start was being done in waves this year so to avoid the cluster of over 2500 competitors starting all at once.I seeded myself in the second corral, which is for competitors swimming between 1 hour and 1 hour 10 minutes. Most people told me that I should seed myself faster but I was very true to my time knowing I would finish between 1 hour and 1 hour 6 minutes. Due to the small size of the pier that we to go off of, they only let about five to seven competitors in at a time. This made for a very easy start since you did not have to swim over a lot of people. As soon as I got into my stride, which only takes me about 5 minutes or so, I started passing people. And ended up passing probably 50 people, which meant that a lot of people had seeded themselves faster than they actually were. The water was very warm at about 82 degrees and very clear. You could see the frogmen/lifeguards and photographers down below and also many colorful fish along the way. Halfway through the swim I looked at my Garmin watch, which I wear on my left wrist, and noticed it was glowing slightly green. I figured some water had leaked into it. I was going to stop and take a look but then realized that I was in the middle of the ocean and there was nothing I could do about it anyway!\r\n\r\nI swam very well and passed over 50 people, which was a lot as not many had started before me. As I made my way towards the finish and made the final turn two headed towards the pier I really picked up my strokes. My final time was about 1 hour and 4 minutes, which was good enough to make me first in my age group in the swim. As I climbed out of the water and looked down a my Garmin, I realized that the whole front face had somehow become detached and I was actually looking at the circuit board. Well, at that point, I knew the watch was useless. I ran through the shower and then grabbed my transition bag and into the transition area. I quickly dried off and stripped off my speed suit. Underneath this I had my tri suit so just I had to put on my socks, shoes, sunglasses, suntan lotion and grab some nutrition to carry on the bike and I was off to find my bike. I also left behind my Garmin watch, which was useless at this point.\r\n\r\n<strong><u>THE BIKE: 112 Miles</u></strong>','Race Report 6th Ironman','','inherit','closed','closed','','217-revision-v1','','','2019-06-07 10:33:07','2019-06-07 10:33:07','',217,'https://www.drfields.com/uncategorized/217-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(248,8,'2019-06-07 10:34:31','2019-06-07 10:34:31','Cozumel 2015 Bike 2 275','Cozumel 2015 Bike 2 275','Dr. Fields during the 112 mile bike ride','inherit','open','closed','','cozumel-2015-bike-2-275','','','2019-06-07 10:34:47','2019-06-07 10:34:47','',217,'https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/cozumel-2015-bike-2-275.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(249,8,'2019-06-07 10:35:23','2019-06-07 10:35:23','<img src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Ironman-Cozumel-Mexico-2015-Logo.jpg\" alt=\"Ironman Cozumel Mexico 2015 Logo\" width=\"250\" height=\"126\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-224\" />\r\n\r\n<h6 class=\"text-center\">Sunday November 29, 2015\r\n2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike, 26.2 mile run</h6>\r\n\r\n<strong><u>PROLOGUE</u></strong>\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_231\" align=\"alignright\" width=\"115\"]<img src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/cozumel-2015-initials-115.jpg\" alt=\"Cozumel 2015 Initials 115\" width=\"115\" height=\"241\" class=\"size-full wp-image-231\" /><strong> Dr. Fields with his parents initials written on his forearms</strong>[/caption]<strong>Never say never</strong>\r\nMy parents taught me to never to give up no matter how difficult it may seem.\r\nThis, and all my races, are dedicated to their memory.\r\n\r\nThirteen years ago three different neurosurgeons told me that if I did not have surgery on my low back, exercise would no longer be an option in my life.\r\nThen I found out about the wonderful world of Regenerative Orthopedic Medicine. Sunday November 29th, 2015, I finished not only my 2nd Ironman race in 2015, but my sixth Ironman race overall.\r\n<strong><em>Regenerate First; Surgery Last!</em></strong>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n\r\n<strong><u>RACE DAY</u></strong>\r\nThe day started off like any other Ironman competition day. I woke up about 3:30 in the morning so that I could have enough time to have breakfast and get everything ready before I went down to the transition area around 5 o\'clock a.m. After getting everything settled at the transition area where my bike was, I then boarded a bus that took me approximately 2.4 miles down to where the swim started. This is because this race is a point-to-point race. That means you start at one point and end at another point on the swim. The same is for the bike. So after getting down to the swim start I put on my very thin and tight speedsuit (a suit similar to what they wear in the Olympics) over my racing suit. Wetsuits are not allowed in this race due to the temperature of the water. I then went to get in the appropriate corral for the start. \r\n\r\n<strong><u>THE SWIM: 2.4 Miles</u></strong>\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_243\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"160\"]<img src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/cozumel-2015-swim-275.jpg\" alt=\"Cozumel 2015 Swim 275\" width=\"160\" height=\"301\" class=\"size-full wp-image-243\" /> Dr. Fields after the 2.4 mile swim[/caption]The start was being done in waves this year so to avoid the cluster of over 2500 competitors starting all at once.I seeded myself in the second corral, which is for competitors swimming between 1 hour and 1 hour 10 minutes. Most people told me that I should seed myself faster but I was very true to my time knowing I would finish between 1 hour and 1 hour 6 minutes. Due to the small size of the pier that we to go off of, they only let about five to seven competitors in at a time. This made for a very easy start since you did not have to swim over a lot of people. As soon as I got into my stride, which only takes me about 5 minutes or so, I started passing people. And ended up passing probably 50 people, which meant that a lot of people had seeded themselves faster than they actually were. The water was very warm at about 82 degrees and very clear. You could see the frogmen/lifeguards and photographers down below and also many colorful fish along the way. Halfway through the swim I looked at my Garmin watch, which I wear on my left wrist, and noticed it was glowing slightly green. I figured some water had leaked into it. I was going to stop and take a look but then realized that I was in the middle of the ocean and there was nothing I could do about it anyway!\r\n\r\nI swam very well and passed over 50 people, which was a lot as not many had started before me. As I made my way towards the finish and made the final turn two headed towards the pier I really picked up my strokes. My final time was about 1 hour and 4 minutes, which was good enough to make me first in my age group in the swim. As I climbed out of the water and looked down a my Garmin, I realized that the whole front face had somehow become detached and I was actually looking at the circuit board. Well, at that point, I knew the watch was useless. I ran through the shower and then grabbed my transition bag and into the transition area. I quickly dried off and stripped off my speed suit. Underneath this I had my tri suit so just I had to put on my socks, shoes, sunglasses, suntan lotion and grab some nutrition to carry on the bike and I was off to find my bike. I also left behind my Garmin watch, which was useless at this point.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_248\" align=\"alignright\"]<img src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/cozumel-2015-bike-2-275.jpg\" alt=\"Cozumel 2015 Bike 2 275\"  class=\"size-full wp-image-248\" /> Dr. Fields during the 112 mile bike ride[/caption]<strong><u>THE BIKE: 112 Miles</u></strong>','Race Report 6th Ironman','','inherit','closed','closed','','217-revision-v1','','','2019-06-07 10:35:23','2019-06-07 10:35:23','',217,'https://www.drfields.com/uncategorized/217-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(250,8,'2019-06-07 10:35:48','2019-06-07 10:35:48','<h4>Prolotherapy Doctor</h4>\r\n\r\nPeter A. Fields, MD DC, is a Los Angeles Prolotherapy Doctor and the founder of OrthoRegen. Dr. Fields is a leading expert in using Cellular Regeneration (aka Cellular Prolotherapy) treatments to resolve painful conditions and sports injuries to help people avoid full joint replacement. He treats patients from around the US and the world; from non-athletes to weekend warriors to competitive athletes and professional athletes. Dr. Fields helps people avoid unnecessary orthopaedic surgeries whether arthroscopic or conventional fully invasive surgery.\r\n\r\n<h4>What is a Prolotherapy Doctor?</h4>\r\n\r\nA Prolotherapy Doctor provides regenerative orthopedics by offering non-surgical alternatives to joint and spine repair. Dr. Fields offers prolotherapy treatments to relieve pain by treating the underlying conditions. He stimulates the body’s natural ability to heal and repair by encouraging the growth of new tendon fibers and ligaments.\r\n\r\n<h4>What is Prolotherapy Treatment?</h4>\r\n\r\nProlotherapy treatment is a natural non-surgical method of assisting the body to heal weakened or injured joints, tendons and ligaments. A Prolotherapy Doctor injects the weakened areas with a solution that stimulates the growth of healthy, strong tissues. As the ligaments and tendons grow stronger and vibrant, the motion is restored and the pain is alleviated.\r\n\r\n<h4>How Prolotherapy Treatment Works</h4>\r\n\r\nOur Prolotherapy treatment is an innovative treatment that stimulates the immune system to repair damaged tissue. ”Prolo” comes from the word “proliferate.” Prolotherapy then describes the therapy which utilizes proliferation of fibroblastic cells that grow the ligaments and tendons. By proliferation of the fibroblasts, new, strong, collagen tissue is formed. This new tissue is what is needed to repair ligament and tendon sprains and injuries. Receive treatment from our Prolotherapy Doctor for your injuries with comprehensive Prolotherapy Treatment at <a href=\"#\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">OrthoRegen</a>\r\n\r\n<h4>Is Treatment by a Prolotherapy Doctor safe?</h4>\r\n\r\nProlotherapy is an extremely safe procedure. The risks are far less than those associated with surgery for your chronic joint pain or acute joint injuries. The risks are often also less than taking Ibuprofen ( Motrin) for a lifetime to temporarily alleviate chronic pain. As with any procedure, there are risks and side effects which will vary depending on the area being treated. Dr. Fields will discuss these possibilities fully with patients during the pre-treatment consultation.\r\n\r\n<h4>What Conditions Can Dr. Fields  Help You With:</h4>\r\n\r\nDr. Fields has had great success in treating his patients with hundreds of different injuries, conditions, and complaints, including:\r\n\r\n<ul>\r\n    <strong><li>Chronic Conditions like…</li></strong>\r\n        <ul>\r\n<li>Arthritis Pain</li>\r\n        <li>Sciatica Pain</li>\r\n        <li>Pinched Nerves</li>\r\n        <li>Athletic Injuries</li>\r\n        <li>Tension Headaches</li>\r\n        <li>Migraine Headaches</li>\r\n       <li>Herniated Discs</li>\r\n        <li>Degenerative Discs</li>\r\n        <li>TMJ syndrome</li>\r\n        <li>Weak Joints</li>\r\n        <li>Sore Muscles</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n    <li><strong>Knee Injuries:</strong></li>\r\n        <ul><li>ACL Tear</li>\r\n        <li>Runners\' Knee</li>\r\n        <li>Radial Meniscus Tear</li>\r\n        <li>See a complete list of Knee Injuries Treated with Prolotherapy here.</li></ul>\r\n    <li><strong>Hip Injuries:</strong></li>\r\n        <ul><li>Torn Labrum</li>\r\n        <li>Acetabular labrum Tear</li>\r\n        <li>Labral Tear</li>\r\n        <li>See a complete list of Hip Injuries Treated with Prolotherapy here.</li></ul>\r\n    <li><strong>Neck Injuries:</strong></li>\r\n        <ul><li>Whiplash</li>\r\n       <li>TMJ Syndrome</li>\r\n        <li>Migraine Headaches</li>\r\n        <li>See a complete list of Neck Injuries Treated with Prolotherapy here.</li></ul>\r\n    <li><strong>Shoulder Injuries:</strong></li>\r\n        <ul><li>Labral Tear</li>\r\n        <li>Rotator Cuff Tear</li>\r\n        <li>Swimmers Shoulder</li>\r\n        <li>See a complete list of Shoulder Injuries Treated with Prolotherapy here.</li></ul>\r\n    <li><strong>Back Injuries:</strong></li>\r\n        <ul><li>Herniated discs</li>\r\n        <li>Sacroiliac injury</li>\r\n        <li>Lower back pain</li>\r\n        <li>See a complete list of Back Injuries Treated with Prolotherapy here.</li></ul>\r\n    <li><strong>Elbow Injuries:</strong></li>\r\n        <ul><li>Tendonitis</li>\r\n        <li>Tennis elbow</li>\r\n        <li>Golfers elbow</li>\r\n        <li>See a complete list of Elbow Injuries Treated with Prolotherapy here.</li></ul>\r\n    <li><strong>Foot and Ankle Injuries:</strong></li>\r\n        <ul><li>Achilles tendinopathy</li>\r\n        <li>Ankle Sprains</li>\r\n        <li>Plantar Fasciitis</li>\r\n        <li>See a complete list of Foot  Injuries Treated with Prolotherapy here.</li></ul>\r\n    <li><strong>Hand Injuries:</strong></li>\r\n       <ul><li>Carpal tunnel</li>\r\n        <li>Overuse injury</li>\r\n        <li>Finger pain</li>\r\n        <li>See a complete list of Hand  Injuries Treated with Prolotherapy here.</li></ul>\r\n</ul>\r\n<h4>Are You A Candidate for Prolotherapy Treatment?</h4>\r\n\r\nCall <a href=\"#\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">310-455-8242</a> today for a free phone consultation with our Prolotherapy Doctor to see if Prolotherapy treatment can get you pain-free and ‘back in the game’ or help you resume your normal lifestyle. You can also <a href=\"#\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">contact Dr. Fields\' office</a> to set up an in-person consultation.\r\n\r\n  Schedule Your Appointment Today! ','Prolotherapy Doctor','','inherit','closed','closed','','229-revision-v1','','','2019-06-07 10:35:48','2019-06-07 10:35:48','',229,'https://www.drfields.com/uncategorized/229-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(251,8,'2019-06-19 05:20:23','2019-06-19 05:20:23','<img src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Stem-Cell-Doctor-Peter-Fields-MD-DC.jpg\" alt=\"Stem Cell Doctor Peter Fields Md Dc\" width=\"218\" height=\"350\" class=\"alignleft size-full wp-image-1685\" /><h4>Prolotherapy Doctor</h4>\n\nPeter A. Fields, MD DC, is a Los Angeles Prolotherapy Doctor and the founder of OrthoRegen. Dr. Fields is a leading expert in using Cellular Regeneration (aka Cellular Prolotherapy) treatments to resolve painful conditions and sports injuries to help people avoid full joint replacement. He treats patients from around the US and the world; from non-athletes to weekend warriors to competitive athletes and professional athletes. Dr. Fields helps people avoid unnecessary orthopaedic surgeries whether arthroscopic or conventional fully invasive surgery.\n\n<h4>What is a Prolotherapy Doctor?</h4>\n\nA Prolotherapy Doctor provides regenerative orthopedics by offering non-surgical alternatives to joint and spine repair. Dr. Fields offers prolotherapy treatments to relieve pain by treating the underlying conditions. He stimulates the body’s natural ability to heal and repair by encouraging the growth of new tendon fibers and ligaments.\n\n<h4>What is Prolotherapy Treatment?</h4>\n\nProlotherapy treatment is a natural non-surgical method of assisting the body to heal weakened or injured joints, tendons and ligaments. A Prolotherapy Doctor injects the weakened areas with a solution that stimulates the growth of healthy, strong tissues. As the ligaments and tendons grow stronger and vibrant, the motion is restored and the pain is alleviated.\n\n<h4>How Prolotherapy Treatment Works</h4>\n\nOur Prolotherapy treatment is an innovative treatment that stimulates the immune system to repair damaged tissue. ”Prolo” comes from the word “proliferate.” Prolotherapy then describes the therapy which utilizes proliferation of fibroblastic cells that grow the ligaments and tendons. By proliferation of the fibroblasts, new, strong, collagen tissue is formed. This new tissue is what is needed to repair ligament and tendon sprains and injuries. Receive treatment from our Prolotherapy Doctor for your injuries with comprehensive Prolotherapy Treatment at <a href=\"https://orthoregen.com/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" >OrthoRegen</a>\n\n<h4>Is Treatment by a Prolotherapy Doctor safe?</h4>\n\nProlotherapy is an extremely safe procedure. The risks are far less than those associated with surgery for your chronic joint pain or acute joint injuries. The risks are often also less than taking Ibuprofen ( Motrin) for a lifetime to temporarily alleviate chronic pain. As with any procedure, there are risks and side effects which will vary depending on the area being treated. Dr. Fields will discuss these possibilities fully with patients during the pre-treatment consultation.\n\n<h4>What Conditions Can Dr. Fields  Help You With:</h4>\n\nDr. Fields has had great success in treating his patients with hundreds of different injuries, conditions, and complaints, including:\n\n<ul><li><strong>Chronic Conditions like…</strong></li>\n<ul><li>Arthritis Pain</li>\n        <li>Sciatica Pain</li>\n        <li>Pinched Nerves</li>\n        <li>Athletic Injuries</li>\n        <li>Tension Headaches</li>\n        <li>Migraine Headaches</li>\n       <li>Herniated Discs</li>\n        <li>Degenerative Discs</li>\n        <li>TMJ syndrome</li>\n        <li>Weak Joints</li>\n        <li>Sore Muscles</li>\n</ul>\n    <li><strong>Knee Injuries:</strong></li>\n        <ul><li>ACL Tear</li>\n        <li>Runners\' Knee</li>\n        <li>Radial Meniscus Tear</li>\n        <li>See a complete list of Knee Injuries Treated with Prolotherapy here.</li></ul>\n    <li><strong>Hip Injuries:</strong></li>\n        <ul><li>Torn Labrum</li>\n        <li>Acetabular labrum Tear</li>\n        <li>Labral Tear</li>\n        <li>See a complete list of Hip Injuries Treated with Prolotherapy here.</li></ul>\n    <li><strong>Neck Injuries:</strong></li>\n        <ul><li>Whiplash</li>\n       <li>TMJ Syndrome</li>\n        <li>Migraine Headaches</li>\n        <li>See a complete list of Neck Injuries Treated with Prolotherapy here.</li></ul>\n    <li><strong>Shoulder Injuries:</strong></li>\n        <ul><li>Labral Tear</li>\n        <li>Rotator Cuff Tear</li>\n        <li>Swimmers Shoulder</li>\n        <li>See a complete list of Shoulder Injuries Treated with Prolotherapy here.</li></ul>\n    <li><strong>Back Injuries:</strong></li>\n        <ul><li>Herniated discs</li>\n        <li>Sacroiliac injury</li>\n        <li>Lower back pain</li>\n        <li>See a complete list of Back Injuries Treated with Prolotherapy here.</li></ul>\n    <li><strong>Elbow Injuries:</strong></li>\n        <ul><li>Tendonitis</li>\n        <li>Tennis elbow</li>\n        <li>Golfers elbow</li>\n        <li>See a complete list of Elbow Injuries Treated with Prolotherapy here.</li></ul>\n    <li><strong>Foot and Ankle Injuries:</strong></li>\n        <ul><li>Achilles tendinopathy</li>\n        <li>Ankle Sprains</li>\n        <li>Plantar Fasciitis</li>\n        <li>See a complete list of Foot  Injuries Treated with Prolotherapy here.</li></ul>\n    <li><strong>Hand Injuries:</strong></li>\n       <ul><li>Carpal tunnel</li>\n        <li>Overuse injury</li>\n        <li>Finger pain</li>\n        <li>See a complete list of Hand  Injuries Treated with Prolotherapy here.</li></ul>\n</ul>\n<h4>Are You A Candidate for Prolotherapy Treatment?</h4>\n\nCall <a href=\"tel:310-455-8242\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" >310-455-8242</a> today for a free phone consultation with our Prolotherapy Doctor to see if Prolotherapy treatment can get you pain-free and ‘back in the game’ or help you resume your normal lifestyle. You can also <a href=\"https://www.drfields.com/contact/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" >contact Dr. Fields\' office</a> to set up an in-person consultation.\n\n<a class=\"buttonlink\" href=\"https://www.drfields.com/contact/\">  Schedule Your Appointment Today!</a>','Prolotherapy Doctor','','inherit','closed','closed','','229-autosave-v1','','','2019-06-19 05:20:23','2019-06-19 05:20:23','',229,'https://www.drfields.com/uncategorized/229-autosave-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(252,8,'2019-06-07 10:36:09','2019-06-07 10:36:09','<img src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Ironman-Cozumel-Mexico-2015-Logo.jpg\" alt=\"Ironman Cozumel Mexico 2015 Logo\" width=\"250\" height=\"126\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-224\" />\r\n\r\n<h6 class=\"text-center\">Sunday November 29, 2015\r\n2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike, 26.2 mile run</h6>\r\n\r\n<strong><u>PROLOGUE</u></strong>\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_231\" align=\"alignright\" width=\"115\"]<img src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/cozumel-2015-initials-115.jpg\" alt=\"Cozumel 2015 Initials 115\" width=\"115\" height=\"241\" class=\"size-full wp-image-231\" /><strong> Dr. Fields with his parents initials written on his forearms</strong>[/caption]<strong>Never say never</strong>\r\nMy parents taught me to never to give up no matter how difficult it may seem.\r\nThis, and all my races, are dedicated to their memory.\r\n\r\nThirteen years ago three different neurosurgeons told me that if I did not have surgery on my low back, exercise would no longer be an option in my life.\r\nThen I found out about the wonderful world of Regenerative Orthopedic Medicine. Sunday November 29th, 2015, I finished not only my 2nd Ironman race in 2015, but my sixth Ironman race overall.\r\n<strong><em>Regenerate First; Surgery Last!</em></strong>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n\r\n<strong><u>RACE DAY</u></strong>\r\nThe day started off like any other Ironman competition day. I woke up about 3:30 in the morning so that I could have enough time to have breakfast and get everything ready before I went down to the transition area around 5 o\'clock a.m. After getting everything settled at the transition area where my bike was, I then boarded a bus that took me approximately 2.4 miles down to where the swim started. This is because this race is a point-to-point race. That means you start at one point and end at another point on the swim. The same is for the bike. So after getting down to the swim start I put on my very thin and tight speedsuit (a suit similar to what they wear in the Olympics) over my racing suit. Wetsuits are not allowed in this race due to the temperature of the water. I then went to get in the appropriate corral for the start. \r\n\r\n<strong><u>THE SWIM: 2.4 Miles</u></strong>\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_243\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"160\"]<img src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/cozumel-2015-swim-275.jpg\" alt=\"Cozumel 2015 Swim 275\" width=\"160\" height=\"301\" class=\"size-full wp-image-243\" /> Dr. Fields after the 2.4 mile swim[/caption]The start was being done in waves this year so to avoid the cluster of over 2500 competitors starting all at once.I seeded myself in the second corral, which is for competitors swimming between 1 hour and 1 hour 10 minutes. Most people told me that I should seed myself faster but I was very true to my time knowing I would finish between 1 hour and 1 hour 6 minutes. Due to the small size of the pier that we to go off of, they only let about five to seven competitors in at a time. This made for a very easy start since you did not have to swim over a lot of people. As soon as I got into my stride, which only takes me about 5 minutes or so, I started passing people. And ended up passing probably 50 people, which meant that a lot of people had seeded themselves faster than they actually were. The water was very warm at about 82 degrees and very clear. You could see the frogmen/lifeguards and photographers down below and also many colorful fish along the way. Halfway through the swim I looked at my Garmin watch, which I wear on my left wrist, and noticed it was glowing slightly green. I figured some water had leaked into it. I was going to stop and take a look but then realized that I was in the middle of the ocean and there was nothing I could do about it anyway!\r\n\r\nI swam very well and passed over 50 people, which was a lot as not many had started before me. As I made my way towards the finish and made the final turn two headed towards the pier I really picked up my strokes. My final time was about 1 hour and 4 minutes, which was good enough to make me first in my age group in the swim. As I climbed out of the water and looked down a my Garmin, I realized that the whole front face had somehow become detached and I was actually looking at the circuit board. Well, at that point, I knew the watch was useless. I ran through the shower and then grabbed my transition bag and into the transition area. I quickly dried off and stripped off my speed suit. Underneath this I had my tri suit so just I had to put on my socks, shoes, sunglasses, suntan lotion and grab some nutrition to carry on the bike and I was off to find my bike. I also left behind my Garmin watch, which was useless at this point.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_248\" align=\"alignright\"]<img src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/cozumel-2015-bike-2-275.jpg\" alt=\"Cozumel 2015 Bike 2 275\"  class=\"size-full wp-image-248\" /> Dr. Fields during the 112 mile bike ride[/caption]\r\n<strong><u>THE BIKE: 112 Miles</u></strong>\r\n\r\nI ran as quick as I could with my bike shoes on to my bike. You could carry them but then you end up getting gravel on your feet. I took the bike off the rack and ran towards the exit. You\'re not allowed to get on your bike until you leave the transition area. Immediately upon exiting, the transition area, I mounted my bike and took off to start the 112 mile ride.\r\n\r\nI had my power meet on the bike, which in addition to power, would provide me with my heart rate and speed which are essential when riding long distance. The roads were dry and the sun was shining bright and the temperature was in the low eighties. I felt pretty good on the first lap. As you head towards the back of the island the winds pick up. For this approximately 15 mile stretch the winds were about 20 miles an hour blowing on shore. It was tough but not that bad. As you turn towards town to end your first loop the winds were pushing you forward. This was a much needed relief. As you get to town, there were hundreds, if not more, people yelling and cheering. It was very exciting and invigorating. For lap two you again go by some of the hotels and there were people out there cheering.\r\n','Race Report 6th Ironman','','inherit','closed','closed','','217-revision-v1','','','2019-06-07 10:36:09','2019-06-07 10:36:09','',217,'https://www.drfields.com/uncategorized/217-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(253,8,'2019-06-07 10:36:32','2019-06-07 10:36:32','<h4>Prolotherapy Doctor</h4>\r\n\r\nPeter A. Fields, MD DC, is a Los Angeles Prolotherapy Doctor and the founder of OrthoRegen. Dr. Fields is a leading expert in using Cellular Regeneration (aka Cellular Prolotherapy) treatments to resolve painful conditions and sports injuries to help people avoid full joint replacement. He treats patients from around the US and the world; from non-athletes to weekend warriors to competitive athletes and professional athletes. Dr. Fields helps people avoid unnecessary orthopaedic surgeries whether arthroscopic or conventional fully invasive surgery.\r\n\r\n<h4>What is a Prolotherapy Doctor?</h4>\r\n\r\nA Prolotherapy Doctor provides regenerative orthopedics by offering non-surgical alternatives to joint and spine repair. Dr. Fields offers prolotherapy treatments to relieve pain by treating the underlying conditions. He stimulates the body’s natural ability to heal and repair by encouraging the growth of new tendon fibers and ligaments.\r\n\r\n<h4>What is Prolotherapy Treatment?</h4>\r\n\r\nProlotherapy treatment is a natural non-surgical method of assisting the body to heal weakened or injured joints, tendons and ligaments. A Prolotherapy Doctor injects the weakened areas with a solution that stimulates the growth of healthy, strong tissues. As the ligaments and tendons grow stronger and vibrant, the motion is restored and the pain is alleviated.\r\n\r\n<h4>How Prolotherapy Treatment Works</h4>\r\n\r\nOur Prolotherapy treatment is an innovative treatment that stimulates the immune system to repair damaged tissue. ”Prolo” comes from the word “proliferate.” Prolotherapy then describes the therapy which utilizes proliferation of fibroblastic cells that grow the ligaments and tendons. By proliferation of the fibroblasts, new, strong, collagen tissue is formed. This new tissue is what is needed to repair ligament and tendon sprains and injuries. Receive treatment from our Prolotherapy Doctor for your injuries with comprehensive Prolotherapy Treatment at <a href=\"#\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">OrthoRegen</a>\r\n\r\n<h4>Is Treatment by a Prolotherapy Doctor safe?</h4>\r\n\r\nProlotherapy is an extremely safe procedure. The risks are far less than those associated with surgery for your chronic joint pain or acute joint injuries. The risks are often also less than taking Ibuprofen ( Motrin) for a lifetime to temporarily alleviate chronic pain. As with any procedure, there are risks and side effects which will vary depending on the area being treated. Dr. Fields will discuss these possibilities fully with patients during the pre-treatment consultation.\r\n\r\n<h4>What Conditions Can Dr. Fields  Help You With:</h4>\r\n\r\nDr. Fields has had great success in treating his patients with hundreds of different injuries, conditions, and complaints, including:\r\n\r\n<ul>\r\n    <strong><li>Chronic Conditions like…</li></strong>\r\n        <ul><li>Arthritis Pain</li>\r\n        <li>Sciatica Pain</li>\r\n        <li>Pinched Nerves</li>\r\n        <li>Athletic Injuries</li>\r\n        <li>Tension Headaches</li>\r\n        <li>Migraine Headaches</li>\r\n       <li>Herniated Discs</li>\r\n        <li>Degenerative Discs</li>\r\n        <li>TMJ syndrome</li>\r\n        <li>Weak Joints</li>\r\n        <li>Sore Muscles</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n    <li><strong>Knee Injuries:</strong></li>\r\n        <ul><li>ACL Tear</li>\r\n        <li>Runners\' Knee</li>\r\n        <li>Radial Meniscus Tear</li>\r\n        <li>See a complete list of Knee Injuries Treated with Prolotherapy here.</li></ul>\r\n    <li><strong>Hip Injuries:</strong></li>\r\n        <ul><li>Torn Labrum</li>\r\n        <li>Acetabular labrum Tear</li>\r\n        <li>Labral Tear</li>\r\n        <li>See a complete list of Hip Injuries Treated with Prolotherapy here.</li></ul>\r\n    <li><strong>Neck Injuries:</strong></li>\r\n        <ul><li>Whiplash</li>\r\n       <li>TMJ Syndrome</li>\r\n        <li>Migraine Headaches</li>\r\n        <li>See a complete list of Neck Injuries Treated with Prolotherapy here.</li></ul>\r\n    <li><strong>Shoulder Injuries:</strong></li>\r\n        <ul><li>Labral Tear</li>\r\n        <li>Rotator Cuff Tear</li>\r\n        <li>Swimmers Shoulder</li>\r\n        <li>See a complete list of Shoulder Injuries Treated with Prolotherapy here.</li></ul>\r\n    <li><strong>Back Injuries:</strong></li>\r\n        <ul><li>Herniated discs</li>\r\n        <li>Sacroiliac injury</li>\r\n        <li>Lower back pain</li>\r\n        <li>See a complete list of Back Injuries Treated with Prolotherapy here.</li></ul>\r\n    <li><strong>Elbow Injuries:</strong></li>\r\n        <ul><li>Tendonitis</li>\r\n        <li>Tennis elbow</li>\r\n        <li>Golfers elbow</li>\r\n        <li>See a complete list of Elbow Injuries Treated with Prolotherapy here.</li></ul>\r\n    <li><strong>Foot and Ankle Injuries:</strong></li>\r\n        <ul><li>Achilles tendinopathy</li>\r\n        <li>Ankle Sprains</li>\r\n        <li>Plantar Fasciitis</li>\r\n        <li>See a complete list of Foot  Injuries Treated with Prolotherapy here.</li></ul>\r\n    <li><strong>Hand Injuries:</strong></li>\r\n       <ul><li>Carpal tunnel</li>\r\n        <li>Overuse injury</li>\r\n        <li>Finger pain</li>\r\n        <li>See a complete list of Hand  Injuries Treated with Prolotherapy here.</li></ul>\r\n</ul>\r\n<h4>Are You A Candidate for Prolotherapy Treatment?</h4>\r\n\r\nCall <a href=\"#\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">310-455-8242</a> today for a free phone consultation with our Prolotherapy Doctor to see if Prolotherapy treatment can get you pain-free and ‘back in the game’ or help you resume your normal lifestyle. You can also <a href=\"#\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">contact Dr. Fields\' office</a> to set up an in-person consultation.\r\n\r\n  Schedule Your Appointment Today! ','Prolotherapy Doctor','','inherit','closed','closed','','229-revision-v1','','','2019-06-07 10:36:32','2019-06-07 10:36:32','',229,'https://www.drfields.com/uncategorized/229-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(254,8,'2019-06-07 10:36:35','2019-06-07 10:36:35','<img src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Ironman-Cozumel-Mexico-2015-Logo.jpg\" alt=\"Ironman Cozumel Mexico 2015 Logo\" width=\"250\" height=\"126\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-224\" />\r\n\r\n<h6 class=\"text-center\">Sunday November 29, 2015\r\n2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike, 26.2 mile run</h6>\r\n\r\n<strong><u>PROLOGUE</u></strong>\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_231\" align=\"alignright\" width=\"115\"]<img src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/cozumel-2015-initials-115.jpg\" alt=\"Cozumel 2015 Initials 115\" width=\"115\" height=\"241\" class=\"size-full wp-image-231\" /><strong> Dr. Fields with his parents initials written on his forearms</strong>[/caption]<strong>Never say never</strong>\r\nMy parents taught me to never to give up no matter how difficult it may seem.\r\nThis, and all my races, are dedicated to their memory.\r\n\r\nThirteen years ago three different neurosurgeons told me that if I did not have surgery on my low back, exercise would no longer be an option in my life.\r\nThen I found out about the wonderful world of Regenerative Orthopedic Medicine. Sunday November 29th, 2015, I finished not only my 2nd Ironman race in 2015, but my sixth Ironman race overall.\r\n<strong><em>Regenerate First; Surgery Last!</em></strong>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n\r\n<strong><u>RACE DAY</u></strong>\r\nThe day started off like any other Ironman competition day. I woke up about 3:30 in the morning so that I could have enough time to have breakfast and get everything ready before I went down to the transition area around 5 o\'clock a.m. After getting everything settled at the transition area where my bike was, I then boarded a bus that took me approximately 2.4 miles down to where the swim started. This is because this race is a point-to-point race. That means you start at one point and end at another point on the swim. The same is for the bike. So after getting down to the swim start I put on my very thin and tight speedsuit (a suit similar to what they wear in the Olympics) over my racing suit. Wetsuits are not allowed in this race due to the temperature of the water. I then went to get in the appropriate corral for the start. \r\n\r\n<strong><u>THE SWIM: 2.4 Miles</u></strong>\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_243\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"160\"]<img src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/cozumel-2015-swim-275.jpg\" alt=\"Cozumel 2015 Swim 275\" width=\"160\" height=\"301\" class=\"size-full wp-image-243\" /> Dr. Fields after the 2.4 mile swim[/caption]The start was being done in waves this year so to avoid the cluster of over 2500 competitors starting all at once.I seeded myself in the second corral, which is for competitors swimming between 1 hour and 1 hour 10 minutes. Most people told me that I should seed myself faster but I was very true to my time knowing I would finish between 1 hour and 1 hour 6 minutes. Due to the small size of the pier that we to go off of, they only let about five to seven competitors in at a time. This made for a very easy start since you did not have to swim over a lot of people. As soon as I got into my stride, which only takes me about 5 minutes or so, I started passing people. And ended up passing probably 50 people, which meant that a lot of people had seeded themselves faster than they actually were. The water was very warm at about 82 degrees and very clear. You could see the frogmen/lifeguards and photographers down below and also many colorful fish along the way. Halfway through the swim I looked at my Garmin watch, which I wear on my left wrist, and noticed it was glowing slightly green. I figured some water had leaked into it. I was going to stop and take a look but then realized that I was in the middle of the ocean and there was nothing I could do about it anyway!\r\n\r\nI swam very well and passed over 50 people, which was a lot as not many had started before me. As I made my way towards the finish and made the final turn two headed towards the pier I really picked up my strokes. My final time was about 1 hour and 4 minutes, which was good enough to make me first in my age group in the swim. As I climbed out of the water and looked down a my Garmin, I realized that the whole front face had somehow become detached and I was actually looking at the circuit board. Well, at that point, I knew the watch was useless. I ran through the shower and then grabbed my transition bag and into the transition area. I quickly dried off and stripped off my speed suit. Underneath this I had my tri suit so just I had to put on my socks, shoes, sunglasses, suntan lotion and grab some nutrition to carry on the bike and I was off to find my bike. I also left behind my Garmin watch, which was useless at this point.\r\n\r\n<strong><u>THE BIKE: 112 Miles</u></strong>\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_248\" align=\"alignright\"]<img src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/cozumel-2015-bike-2-275.jpg\" alt=\"Cozumel 2015 Bike 2 275\"  class=\"size-full wp-image-248\" /> Dr. Fields during the 112 mile bike ride[/caption]I ran as quick as I could with my bike shoes on to my bike. You could carry them but then you end up getting gravel on your feet. I took the bike off the rack and ran towards the exit. You\'re not allowed to get on your bike until you leave the transition area. Immediately upon exiting, the transition area, I mounted my bike and took off to start the 112 mile ride.\r\n\r\nI had my power meet on the bike, which in addition to power, would provide me with my heart rate and speed which are essential when riding long distance. The roads were dry and the sun was shining bright and the temperature was in the low eighties. I felt pretty good on the first lap. As you head towards the back of the island the winds pick up. For this approximately 15 mile stretch the winds were about 20 miles an hour blowing on shore. It was tough but not that bad. As you turn towards town to end your first loop the winds were pushing you forward. This was a much needed relief. As you get to town, there were hundreds, if not more, people yelling and cheering. It was very exciting and invigorating. For lap two you again go by some of the hotels and there were people out there cheering.\r\n','Race Report 6th Ironman','','inherit','closed','closed','','217-revision-v1','','','2019-06-07 10:36:35','2019-06-07 10:36:35','',217,'https://www.drfields.com/uncategorized/217-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(255,8,'2019-06-07 10:37:17','2019-06-07 10:37:17','<img src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Ironman-Cozumel-Mexico-2015-Logo.jpg\" alt=\"Ironman Cozumel Mexico 2015 Logo\" width=\"250\" height=\"126\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-224\" />\r\n\r\n<h6 class=\"text-center\">Sunday November 29, 2015\r\n2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike, 26.2 mile run</h6>\r\n\r\n<strong><u>PROLOGUE</u></strong>\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_231\" align=\"alignright\" width=\"115\"]<img src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/cozumel-2015-initials-115.jpg\" alt=\"Cozumel 2015 Initials 115\" width=\"115\" height=\"241\" class=\"size-full wp-image-231\" /><strong> Dr. Fields with his parents initials written on his forearms</strong>[/caption]<strong>Never say never</strong>\r\nMy parents taught me to never to give up no matter how difficult it may seem.\r\nThis, and all my races, are dedicated to their memory.\r\n\r\nThirteen years ago three different neurosurgeons told me that if I did not have surgery on my low back, exercise would no longer be an option in my life.\r\nThen I found out about the wonderful world of Regenerative Orthopedic Medicine. Sunday November 29th, 2015, I finished not only my 2nd Ironman race in 2015, but my sixth Ironman race overall.\r\n<strong><em>Regenerate First; Surgery Last!</em></strong>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n\r\n<strong><u>RACE DAY</u></strong>\r\nThe day started off like any other Ironman competition day. I woke up about 3:30 in the morning so that I could have enough time to have breakfast and get everything ready before I went down to the transition area around 5 o\'clock a.m. After getting everything settled at the transition area where my bike was, I then boarded a bus that took me approximately 2.4 miles down to where the swim started. This is because this race is a point-to-point race. That means you start at one point and end at another point on the swim. The same is for the bike. So after getting down to the swim start I put on my very thin and tight speedsuit (a suit similar to what they wear in the Olympics) over my racing suit. Wetsuits are not allowed in this race due to the temperature of the water. I then went to get in the appropriate corral for the start. \r\n\r\n<strong><u>THE SWIM: 2.4 Miles</u></strong>\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_243\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"160\"]<img src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/cozumel-2015-swim-275.jpg\" alt=\"Cozumel 2015 Swim 275\" width=\"160\" height=\"301\" class=\"size-full wp-image-243\" /> Dr. Fields after the 2.4 mile swim[/caption]The start was being done in waves this year so to avoid the cluster of over 2500 competitors starting all at once.I seeded myself in the second corral, which is for competitors swimming between 1 hour and 1 hour 10 minutes. Most people told me that I should seed myself faster but I was very true to my time knowing I would finish between 1 hour and 1 hour 6 minutes. Due to the small size of the pier that we to go off of, they only let about five to seven competitors in at a time. This made for a very easy start since you did not have to swim over a lot of people. As soon as I got into my stride, which only takes me about 5 minutes or so, I started passing people. And ended up passing probably 50 people, which meant that a lot of people had seeded themselves faster than they actually were. The water was very warm at about 82 degrees and very clear. You could see the frogmen/lifeguards and photographers down below and also many colorful fish along the way. Halfway through the swim I looked at my Garmin watch, which I wear on my left wrist, and noticed it was glowing slightly green. I figured some water had leaked into it. I was going to stop and take a look but then realized that I was in the middle of the ocean and there was nothing I could do about it anyway!\r\n\r\nI swam very well and passed over 50 people, which was a lot as not many had started before me. As I made my way towards the finish and made the final turn two headed towards the pier I really picked up my strokes. My final time was about 1 hour and 4 minutes, which was good enough to make me first in my age group in the swim. As I climbed out of the water and looked down a my Garmin, I realized that the whole front face had somehow become detached and I was actually looking at the circuit board. Well, at that point, I knew the watch was useless. I ran through the shower and then grabbed my transition bag and into the transition area. I quickly dried off and stripped off my speed suit. Underneath this I had my tri suit so just I had to put on my socks, shoes, sunglasses, suntan lotion and grab some nutrition to carry on the bike and I was off to find my bike. I also left behind my Garmin watch, which was useless at this point.\r\n\r\n<strong><u>THE BIKE: 112 Miles</u></strong>\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_248\" align=\"alignright\" width=\"275\"]<img src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/cozumel-2015-bike-2-275.jpg\" alt=\"Cozumel 2015 Bike 2 275\" width=\"275\" height=\"450\" class=\"size-full wp-image-248\" /> Dr. Fields during the 112 mile bike ride[/caption]\r\nI ran as quick as I could with my bike shoes on to my bike. You could carry them but then you end up getting gravel on your feet. I took the bike off the rack and ran towards the exit. You\'re not allowed to get on your bike until you leave the transition area. Immediately upon exiting, the transition area, I mounted my bike and took off to start the 112 mile ride.\r\n\r\nI had my power meet on the bike, which in addition to power, would provide me with my heart rate and speed which are essential when riding long distance. The roads were dry and the sun was shining bright and the temperature was in the low eighties. I felt pretty good on the first lap. As you head towards the back of the island the winds pick up. For this approximately 15 mile stretch the winds were about 20 miles an hour blowing on shore. It was tough but not that bad. As you turn towards town to end your first loop the winds were pushing you forward. This was a much needed relief. As you get to town, there were hundreds, if not more, people yelling and cheering. It was very exciting and invigorating. For lap two you again go by some of the hotels and there were people out there cheering.\r\n','Race Report 6th Ironman','','inherit','closed','closed','','217-revision-v1','','','2019-06-07 10:37:17','2019-06-07 10:37:17','',217,'https://www.drfields.com/uncategorized/217-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(256,8,'2019-06-07 10:37:19','2019-06-07 10:37:19','<h4>Prolotherapy Doctor</h4>\r\n\r\nPeter A. Fields, MD DC, is a Los Angeles Prolotherapy Doctor and the founder of OrthoRegen. Dr. Fields is a leading expert in using Cellular Regeneration (aka Cellular Prolotherapy) treatments to resolve painful conditions and sports injuries to help people avoid full joint replacement. He treats patients from around the US and the world; from non-athletes to weekend warriors to competitive athletes and professional athletes. Dr. Fields helps people avoid unnecessary orthopaedic surgeries whether arthroscopic or conventional fully invasive surgery.\r\n\r\n<h4>What is a Prolotherapy Doctor?</h4>\r\n\r\nA Prolotherapy Doctor provides regenerative orthopedics by offering non-surgical alternatives to joint and spine repair. Dr. Fields offers prolotherapy treatments to relieve pain by treating the underlying conditions. He stimulates the body’s natural ability to heal and repair by encouraging the growth of new tendon fibers and ligaments.\r\n\r\n<h4>What is Prolotherapy Treatment?</h4>\r\n\r\nProlotherapy treatment is a natural non-surgical method of assisting the body to heal weakened or injured joints, tendons and ligaments. A Prolotherapy Doctor injects the weakened areas with a solution that stimulates the growth of healthy, strong tissues. As the ligaments and tendons grow stronger and vibrant, the motion is restored and the pain is alleviated.\r\n\r\n<h4>How Prolotherapy Treatment Works</h4>\r\n\r\nOur Prolotherapy treatment is an innovative treatment that stimulates the immune system to repair damaged tissue. ”Prolo” comes from the word “proliferate.” Prolotherapy then describes the therapy which utilizes proliferation of fibroblastic cells that grow the ligaments and tendons. By proliferation of the fibroblasts, new, strong, collagen tissue is formed. This new tissue is what is needed to repair ligament and tendon sprains and injuries. Receive treatment from our Prolotherapy Doctor for your injuries with comprehensive Prolotherapy Treatment at <a href=\"#\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">OrthoRegen</a>\r\n\r\n<h4>Is Treatment by a Prolotherapy Doctor safe?</h4>\r\n\r\nProlotherapy is an extremely safe procedure. The risks are far less than those associated with surgery for your chronic joint pain or acute joint injuries. The risks are often also less than taking Ibuprofen ( Motrin) for a lifetime to temporarily alleviate chronic pain. As with any procedure, there are risks and side effects which will vary depending on the area being treated. Dr. Fields will discuss these possibilities fully with patients during the pre-treatment consultation.\r\n\r\n<h4>What Conditions Can Dr. Fields  Help You With:</h4>\r\n\r\nDr. Fields has had great success in treating his patients with hundreds of different injuries, conditions, and complaints, including:\r\n\r\n<ul><strong><li>Chronic Conditions like…</li></strong>\r\n        <ul><li>Arthritis Pain</li>\r\n        <li>Sciatica Pain</li>\r\n        <li>Pinched Nerves</li>\r\n        <li>Athletic Injuries</li>\r\n        <li>Tension Headaches</li>\r\n        <li>Migraine Headaches</li>\r\n       <li>Herniated Discs</li>\r\n        <li>Degenerative Discs</li>\r\n        <li>TMJ syndrome</li>\r\n        <li>Weak Joints</li>\r\n        <li>Sore Muscles</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n    <li><strong>Knee Injuries:</strong></li>\r\n        <ul><li>ACL Tear</li>\r\n        <li>Runners\' Knee</li>\r\n        <li>Radial Meniscus Tear</li>\r\n        <li>See a complete list of Knee Injuries Treated with Prolotherapy here.</li></ul>\r\n    <li><strong>Hip Injuries:</strong></li>\r\n        <ul><li>Torn Labrum</li>\r\n        <li>Acetabular labrum Tear</li>\r\n        <li>Labral Tear</li>\r\n        <li>See a complete list of Hip Injuries Treated with Prolotherapy here.</li></ul>\r\n    <li><strong>Neck Injuries:</strong></li>\r\n        <ul><li>Whiplash</li>\r\n       <li>TMJ Syndrome</li>\r\n        <li>Migraine Headaches</li>\r\n        <li>See a complete list of Neck Injuries Treated with Prolotherapy here.</li></ul>\r\n    <li><strong>Shoulder Injuries:</strong></li>\r\n        <ul><li>Labral Tear</li>\r\n        <li>Rotator Cuff Tear</li>\r\n        <li>Swimmers Shoulder</li>\r\n        <li>See a complete list of Shoulder Injuries Treated with Prolotherapy here.</li></ul>\r\n    <li><strong>Back Injuries:</strong></li>\r\n        <ul><li>Herniated discs</li>\r\n        <li>Sacroiliac injury</li>\r\n        <li>Lower back pain</li>\r\n        <li>See a complete list of Back Injuries Treated with Prolotherapy here.</li></ul>\r\n    <li><strong>Elbow Injuries:</strong></li>\r\n        <ul><li>Tendonitis</li>\r\n        <li>Tennis elbow</li>\r\n        <li>Golfers elbow</li>\r\n        <li>See a complete list of Elbow Injuries Treated with Prolotherapy here.</li></ul>\r\n    <li><strong>Foot and Ankle Injuries:</strong></li>\r\n        <ul><li>Achilles tendinopathy</li>\r\n        <li>Ankle Sprains</li>\r\n        <li>Plantar Fasciitis</li>\r\n        <li>See a complete list of Foot  Injuries Treated with Prolotherapy here.</li></ul>\r\n    <li><strong>Hand Injuries:</strong></li>\r\n       <ul><li>Carpal tunnel</li>\r\n        <li>Overuse injury</li>\r\n        <li>Finger pain</li>\r\n        <li>See a complete list of Hand  Injuries Treated with Prolotherapy here.</li></ul>\r\n</ul>\r\n<h4>Are You A Candidate for Prolotherapy Treatment?</h4>\r\n\r\nCall <a href=\"#\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">310-455-8242</a> today for a free phone consultation with our Prolotherapy Doctor to see if Prolotherapy treatment can get you pain-free and ‘back in the game’ or help you resume your normal lifestyle. You can also <a href=\"#\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">contact Dr. Fields\' office</a> to set up an in-person consultation.\r\n\r\n  Schedule Your Appointment Today! ','Prolotherapy Doctor','','inherit','closed','closed','','229-revision-v1','','','2019-06-07 10:37:19','2019-06-07 10:37:19','',229,'https://www.drfields.com/uncategorized/229-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(257,8,'2019-06-07 10:37:39','2019-06-07 10:37:39','<img src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Ironman-Cozumel-Mexico-2015-Logo.jpg\" alt=\"Ironman Cozumel Mexico 2015 Logo\" width=\"250\" height=\"126\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-224\" />\r\n\r\n<h6 class=\"text-center\">Sunday November 29, 2015\r\n2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike, 26.2 mile run</h6>\r\n\r\n<strong><u>PROLOGUE</u></strong>\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_231\" align=\"alignright\" width=\"115\"]<img src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/cozumel-2015-initials-115.jpg\" alt=\"Cozumel 2015 Initials 115\" width=\"115\" height=\"241\" class=\"size-full wp-image-231\" /><strong> Dr. Fields with his parents initials written on his forearms</strong>[/caption]<strong>Never say never</strong>\r\nMy parents taught me to never to give up no matter how difficult it may seem.\r\nThis, and all my races, are dedicated to their memory.\r\n\r\nThirteen years ago three different neurosurgeons told me that if I did not have surgery on my low back, exercise would no longer be an option in my life.\r\nThen I found out about the wonderful world of Regenerative Orthopedic Medicine. Sunday November 29th, 2015, I finished not only my 2nd Ironman race in 2015, but my sixth Ironman race overall.\r\n<strong><em>Regenerate First; Surgery Last!</em></strong>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n\r\n<strong><u>RACE DAY</u></strong>\r\nThe day started off like any other Ironman competition day. I woke up about 3:30 in the morning so that I could have enough time to have breakfast and get everything ready before I went down to the transition area around 5 o\'clock a.m. After getting everything settled at the transition area where my bike was, I then boarded a bus that took me approximately 2.4 miles down to where the swim started. This is because this race is a point-to-point race. That means you start at one point and end at another point on the swim. The same is for the bike. So after getting down to the swim start I put on my very thin and tight speedsuit (a suit similar to what they wear in the Olympics) over my racing suit. Wetsuits are not allowed in this race due to the temperature of the water. I then went to get in the appropriate corral for the start. \r\n\r\n<strong><u>THE SWIM: 2.4 Miles</u></strong>\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_243\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"160\"]<img src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/cozumel-2015-swim-275.jpg\" alt=\"Cozumel 2015 Swim 275\" width=\"160\" height=\"301\" class=\"size-full wp-image-243\" /> Dr. Fields after the 2.4 mile swim[/caption]The start was being done in waves this year so to avoid the cluster of over 2500 competitors starting all at once.I seeded myself in the second corral, which is for competitors swimming between 1 hour and 1 hour 10 minutes. Most people told me that I should seed myself faster but I was very true to my time knowing I would finish between 1 hour and 1 hour 6 minutes. Due to the small size of the pier that we to go off of, they only let about five to seven competitors in at a time. This made for a very easy start since you did not have to swim over a lot of people. As soon as I got into my stride, which only takes me about 5 minutes or so, I started passing people. And ended up passing probably 50 people, which meant that a lot of people had seeded themselves faster than they actually were. The water was very warm at about 82 degrees and very clear. You could see the frogmen/lifeguards and photographers down below and also many colorful fish along the way. Halfway through the swim I looked at my Garmin watch, which I wear on my left wrist, and noticed it was glowing slightly green. I figured some water had leaked into it. I was going to stop and take a look but then realized that I was in the middle of the ocean and there was nothing I could do about it anyway!\r\n\r\nI swam very well and passed over 50 people, which was a lot as not many had started before me. As I made my way towards the finish and made the final turn two headed towards the pier I really picked up my strokes. My final time was about 1 hour and 4 minutes, which was good enough to make me first in my age group in the swim. As I climbed out of the water and looked down a my Garmin, I realized that the whole front face had somehow become detached and I was actually looking at the circuit board. Well, at that point, I knew the watch was useless. I ran through the shower and then grabbed my transition bag and into the transition area. I quickly dried off and stripped off my speed suit. Underneath this I had my tri suit so just I had to put on my socks, shoes, sunglasses, suntan lotion and grab some nutrition to carry on the bike and I was off to find my bike. I also left behind my Garmin watch, which was useless at this point.\r\n\r\n<strong><u>THE BIKE: 112 Miles</u></strong>\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_248\" align=\"alignright\" width=\"160\"]<img src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/cozumel-2015-bike-2-275.jpg\" alt=\"Cozumel 2015 Bike 2 275\" width=\"160\" height=\"301\" class=\"size-full wp-image-248\" /> Dr. Fields during the 112 mile bike ride[/caption]\r\nI ran as quick as I could with my bike shoes on to my bike. You could carry them but then you end up getting gravel on your feet. I took the bike off the rack and ran towards the exit. You\'re not allowed to get on your bike until you leave the transition area. Immediately upon exiting, the transition area, I mounted my bike and took off to start the 112 mile ride.\r\n\r\nI had my power meet on the bike, which in addition to power, would provide me with my heart rate and speed which are essential when riding long distance. The roads were dry and the sun was shining bright and the temperature was in the low eighties. I felt pretty good on the first lap. As you head towards the back of the island the winds pick up. For this approximately 15 mile stretch the winds were about 20 miles an hour blowing on shore. It was tough but not that bad. As you turn towards town to end your first loop the winds were pushing you forward. This was a much needed relief. As you get to town, there were hundreds, if not more, people yelling and cheering. It was very exciting and invigorating. For lap two you again go by some of the hotels and there were people out there cheering.\r\n','Race Report 6th Ironman','','inherit','closed','closed','','217-revision-v1','','','2019-06-07 10:37:39','2019-06-07 10:37:39','',217,'https://www.drfields.com/uncategorized/217-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(258,8,'2019-06-07 10:38:05','2019-06-07 10:38:05','<h4>Prolotherapy Doctor</h4>\r\n\r\nPeter A. Fields, MD DC, is a Los Angeles Prolotherapy Doctor and the founder of OrthoRegen. Dr. Fields is a leading expert in using Cellular Regeneration (aka Cellular Prolotherapy) treatments to resolve painful conditions and sports injuries to help people avoid full joint replacement. He treats patients from around the US and the world; from non-athletes to weekend warriors to competitive athletes and professional athletes. Dr. Fields helps people avoid unnecessary orthopaedic surgeries whether arthroscopic or conventional fully invasive surgery.\r\n\r\n<h4>What is a Prolotherapy Doctor?</h4>\r\n\r\nA Prolotherapy Doctor provides regenerative orthopedics by offering non-surgical alternatives to joint and spine repair. Dr. Fields offers prolotherapy treatments to relieve pain by treating the underlying conditions. He stimulates the body’s natural ability to heal and repair by encouraging the growth of new tendon fibers and ligaments.\r\n\r\n<h4>What is Prolotherapy Treatment?</h4>\r\n\r\nProlotherapy treatment is a natural non-surgical method of assisting the body to heal weakened or injured joints, tendons and ligaments. A Prolotherapy Doctor injects the weakened areas with a solution that stimulates the growth of healthy, strong tissues. As the ligaments and tendons grow stronger and vibrant, the motion is restored and the pain is alleviated.\r\n\r\n<h4>How Prolotherapy Treatment Works</h4>\r\n\r\nOur Prolotherapy treatment is an innovative treatment that stimulates the immune system to repair damaged tissue. ”Prolo” comes from the word “proliferate.” Prolotherapy then describes the therapy which utilizes proliferation of fibroblastic cells that grow the ligaments and tendons. By proliferation of the fibroblasts, new, strong, collagen tissue is formed. This new tissue is what is needed to repair ligament and tendon sprains and injuries. Receive treatment from our Prolotherapy Doctor for your injuries with comprehensive Prolotherapy Treatment at <a href=\"#\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">OrthoRegen</a>\r\n\r\n<h4>Is Treatment by a Prolotherapy Doctor safe?</h4>\r\n\r\nProlotherapy is an extremely safe procedure. The risks are far less than those associated with surgery for your chronic joint pain or acute joint injuries. The risks are often also less than taking Ibuprofen ( Motrin) for a lifetime to temporarily alleviate chronic pain. As with any procedure, there are risks and side effects which will vary depending on the area being treated. Dr. Fields will discuss these possibilities fully with patients during the pre-treatment consultation.\r\n\r\n<h4>What Conditions Can Dr. Fields  Help You With:</h4>\r\n\r\nDr. Fields has had great success in treating his patients with hundreds of different injuries, conditions, and complaints, including:\r\n\r\n<ul><strong><li>Chronic Conditions like…</li></strong>\r\n<ul><li>Arthritis Pain</li>\r\n        <li>Sciatica Pain</li>\r\n        <li>Pinched Nerves</li>\r\n        <li>Athletic Injuries</li>\r\n        <li>Tension Headaches</li>\r\n        <li>Migraine Headaches</li>\r\n       <li>Herniated Discs</li>\r\n        <li>Degenerative Discs</li>\r\n        <li>TMJ syndrome</li>\r\n        <li>Weak Joints</li>\r\n        <li>Sore Muscles</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n    <li><strong>Knee Injuries:</strong></li>\r\n        <ul><li>ACL Tear</li>\r\n        <li>Runners\' Knee</li>\r\n        <li>Radial Meniscus Tear</li>\r\n        <li>See a complete list of Knee Injuries Treated with Prolotherapy here.</li></ul>\r\n    <li><strong>Hip Injuries:</strong></li>\r\n        <ul><li>Torn Labrum</li>\r\n        <li>Acetabular labrum Tear</li>\r\n        <li>Labral Tear</li>\r\n        <li>See a complete list of Hip Injuries Treated with Prolotherapy here.</li></ul>\r\n    <li><strong>Neck Injuries:</strong></li>\r\n        <ul><li>Whiplash</li>\r\n       <li>TMJ Syndrome</li>\r\n        <li>Migraine Headaches</li>\r\n        <li>See a complete list of Neck Injuries Treated with Prolotherapy here.</li></ul>\r\n    <li><strong>Shoulder Injuries:</strong></li>\r\n        <ul><li>Labral Tear</li>\r\n        <li>Rotator Cuff Tear</li>\r\n        <li>Swimmers Shoulder</li>\r\n        <li>See a complete list of Shoulder Injuries Treated with Prolotherapy here.</li></ul>\r\n    <li><strong>Back Injuries:</strong></li>\r\n        <ul><li>Herniated discs</li>\r\n        <li>Sacroiliac injury</li>\r\n        <li>Lower back pain</li>\r\n        <li>See a complete list of Back Injuries Treated with Prolotherapy here.</li></ul>\r\n    <li><strong>Elbow Injuries:</strong></li>\r\n        <ul><li>Tendonitis</li>\r\n        <li>Tennis elbow</li>\r\n        <li>Golfers elbow</li>\r\n        <li>See a complete list of Elbow Injuries Treated with Prolotherapy here.</li></ul>\r\n    <li><strong>Foot and Ankle Injuries:</strong></li>\r\n        <ul><li>Achilles tendinopathy</li>\r\n        <li>Ankle Sprains</li>\r\n        <li>Plantar Fasciitis</li>\r\n        <li>See a complete list of Foot  Injuries Treated with Prolotherapy here.</li></ul>\r\n    <li><strong>Hand Injuries:</strong></li>\r\n       <ul><li>Carpal tunnel</li>\r\n        <li>Overuse injury</li>\r\n        <li>Finger pain</li>\r\n        <li>See a complete list of Hand  Injuries Treated with Prolotherapy here.</li></ul>\r\n</ul>\r\n<h4>Are You A Candidate for Prolotherapy Treatment?</h4>\r\n\r\nCall <a href=\"#\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">310-455-8242</a> today for a free phone consultation with our Prolotherapy Doctor to see if Prolotherapy treatment can get you pain-free and ‘back in the game’ or help you resume your normal lifestyle. You can also <a href=\"#\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">contact Dr. Fields\' office</a> to set up an in-person consultation.\r\n\r\n  Schedule Your Appointment Today! ','Prolotherapy Doctor','','inherit','closed','closed','','229-revision-v1','','','2019-06-07 10:38:05','2019-06-07 10:38:05','',229,'https://www.drfields.com/uncategorized/229-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(259,8,'2019-06-07 10:38:42','2019-06-07 10:38:42','<h4>Prolotherapy Doctor</h4>\r\n\r\nPeter A. Fields, MD DC, is a Los Angeles Prolotherapy Doctor and the founder of OrthoRegen. Dr. Fields is a leading expert in using Cellular Regeneration (aka Cellular Prolotherapy) treatments to resolve painful conditions and sports injuries to help people avoid full joint replacement. He treats patients from around the US and the world; from non-athletes to weekend warriors to competitive athletes and professional athletes. Dr. Fields helps people avoid unnecessary orthopaedic surgeries whether arthroscopic or conventional fully invasive surgery.\r\n\r\n<h4>What is a Prolotherapy Doctor?</h4>\r\n\r\nA Prolotherapy Doctor provides regenerative orthopedics by offering non-surgical alternatives to joint and spine repair. Dr. Fields offers prolotherapy treatments to relieve pain by treating the underlying conditions. He stimulates the body’s natural ability to heal and repair by encouraging the growth of new tendon fibers and ligaments.\r\n\r\n<h4>What is Prolotherapy Treatment?</h4>\r\n\r\nProlotherapy treatment is a natural non-surgical method of assisting the body to heal weakened or injured joints, tendons and ligaments. A Prolotherapy Doctor injects the weakened areas with a solution that stimulates the growth of healthy, strong tissues. As the ligaments and tendons grow stronger and vibrant, the motion is restored and the pain is alleviated.\r\n\r\n<h4>How Prolotherapy Treatment Works</h4>\r\n\r\nOur Prolotherapy treatment is an innovative treatment that stimulates the immune system to repair damaged tissue. ”Prolo” comes from the word “proliferate.” Prolotherapy then describes the therapy which utilizes proliferation of fibroblastic cells that grow the ligaments and tendons. By proliferation of the fibroblasts, new, strong, collagen tissue is formed. This new tissue is what is needed to repair ligament and tendon sprains and injuries. Receive treatment from our Prolotherapy Doctor for your injuries with comprehensive Prolotherapy Treatment at <a href=\"#\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">OrthoRegen</a>\r\n\r\n<h4>Is Treatment by a Prolotherapy Doctor safe?</h4>\r\n\r\nProlotherapy is an extremely safe procedure. The risks are far less than those associated with surgery for your chronic joint pain or acute joint injuries. The risks are often also less than taking Ibuprofen ( Motrin) for a lifetime to temporarily alleviate chronic pain. As with any procedure, there are risks and side effects which will vary depending on the area being treated. Dr. Fields will discuss these possibilities fully with patients during the pre-treatment consultation.\r\n\r\n<h4>What Conditions Can Dr. Fields  Help You With:</h4>\r\n\r\nDr. Fields has had great success in treating his patients with hundreds of different injuries, conditions, and complaints, including:\r\n\r\n<ul><strong><li>Chronic Conditions like…</strong></li>\r\n<ul><li>Arthritis Pain</li>\r\n        <li>Sciatica Pain</li>\r\n        <li>Pinched Nerves</li>\r\n        <li>Athletic Injuries</li>\r\n        <li>Tension Headaches</li>\r\n        <li>Migraine Headaches</li>\r\n       <li>Herniated Discs</li>\r\n        <li>Degenerative Discs</li>\r\n        <li>TMJ syndrome</li>\r\n        <li>Weak Joints</li>\r\n        <li>Sore Muscles</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n    <li><strong>Knee Injuries:</strong></li>\r\n        <ul><li>ACL Tear</li>\r\n        <li>Runners\' Knee</li>\r\n        <li>Radial Meniscus Tear</li>\r\n        <li>See a complete list of Knee Injuries Treated with Prolotherapy here.</li></ul>\r\n    <li><strong>Hip Injuries:</strong></li>\r\n        <ul><li>Torn Labrum</li>\r\n        <li>Acetabular labrum Tear</li>\r\n        <li>Labral Tear</li>\r\n        <li>See a complete list of Hip Injuries Treated with Prolotherapy here.</li></ul>\r\n    <li><strong>Neck Injuries:</strong></li>\r\n        <ul><li>Whiplash</li>\r\n       <li>TMJ Syndrome</li>\r\n        <li>Migraine Headaches</li>\r\n        <li>See a complete list of Neck Injuries Treated with Prolotherapy here.</li></ul>\r\n    <li><strong>Shoulder Injuries:</strong></li>\r\n        <ul><li>Labral Tear</li>\r\n        <li>Rotator Cuff Tear</li>\r\n        <li>Swimmers Shoulder</li>\r\n        <li>See a complete list of Shoulder Injuries Treated with Prolotherapy here.</li></ul>\r\n    <li><strong>Back Injuries:</strong></li>\r\n        <ul><li>Herniated discs</li>\r\n        <li>Sacroiliac injury</li>\r\n        <li>Lower back pain</li>\r\n        <li>See a complete list of Back Injuries Treated with Prolotherapy here.</li></ul>\r\n    <li><strong>Elbow Injuries:</strong></li>\r\n        <ul><li>Tendonitis</li>\r\n        <li>Tennis elbow</li>\r\n        <li>Golfers elbow</li>\r\n        <li>See a complete list of Elbow Injuries Treated with Prolotherapy here.</li></ul>\r\n    <li><strong>Foot and Ankle Injuries:</strong></li>\r\n        <ul><li>Achilles tendinopathy</li>\r\n        <li>Ankle Sprains</li>\r\n        <li>Plantar Fasciitis</li>\r\n        <li>See a complete list of Foot  Injuries Treated with Prolotherapy here.</li></ul>\r\n    <li><strong>Hand Injuries:</strong></li>\r\n       <ul><li>Carpal tunnel</li>\r\n        <li>Overuse injury</li>\r\n        <li>Finger pain</li>\r\n        <li>See a complete list of Hand  Injuries Treated with Prolotherapy here.</li></ul>\r\n</ul>\r\n<h4>Are You A Candidate for Prolotherapy Treatment?</h4>\r\n\r\nCall <a href=\"#\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">310-455-8242</a> today for a free phone consultation with our Prolotherapy Doctor to see if Prolotherapy treatment can get you pain-free and ‘back in the game’ or help you resume your normal lifestyle. You can also <a href=\"#\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">contact Dr. Fields\' office</a> to set up an in-person consultation.\r\n\r\n  Schedule Your Appointment Today! ','Prolotherapy Doctor','','inherit','closed','closed','','229-revision-v1','','','2019-06-07 10:38:42','2019-06-07 10:38:42','',229,'https://www.drfields.com/uncategorized/229-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(260,8,'2019-06-07 10:39:30','2019-06-07 10:39:30','<h4>Prolotherapy Doctor</h4>\r\n\r\nPeter A. Fields, MD DC, is a Los Angeles Prolotherapy Doctor and the founder of OrthoRegen. Dr. Fields is a leading expert in using Cellular Regeneration (aka Cellular Prolotherapy) treatments to resolve painful conditions and sports injuries to help people avoid full joint replacement. He treats patients from around the US and the world; from non-athletes to weekend warriors to competitive athletes and professional athletes. Dr. Fields helps people avoid unnecessary orthopaedic surgeries whether arthroscopic or conventional fully invasive surgery.\r\n\r\n<h4>What is a Prolotherapy Doctor?</h4>\r\n\r\nA Prolotherapy Doctor provides regenerative orthopedics by offering non-surgical alternatives to joint and spine repair. Dr. Fields offers prolotherapy treatments to relieve pain by treating the underlying conditions. He stimulates the body’s natural ability to heal and repair by encouraging the growth of new tendon fibers and ligaments.\r\n\r\n<h4>What is Prolotherapy Treatment?</h4>\r\n\r\nProlotherapy treatment is a natural non-surgical method of assisting the body to heal weakened or injured joints, tendons and ligaments. A Prolotherapy Doctor injects the weakened areas with a solution that stimulates the growth of healthy, strong tissues. As the ligaments and tendons grow stronger and vibrant, the motion is restored and the pain is alleviated.\r\n\r\n<h4>How Prolotherapy Treatment Works</h4>\r\n\r\nOur Prolotherapy treatment is an innovative treatment that stimulates the immune system to repair damaged tissue. ”Prolo” comes from the word “proliferate.” Prolotherapy then describes the therapy which utilizes proliferation of fibroblastic cells that grow the ligaments and tendons. By proliferation of the fibroblasts, new, strong, collagen tissue is formed. This new tissue is what is needed to repair ligament and tendon sprains and injuries. Receive treatment from our Prolotherapy Doctor for your injuries with comprehensive Prolotherapy Treatment at <a href=\"#\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">OrthoRegen</a>\r\n\r\n<h4>Is Treatment by a Prolotherapy Doctor safe?</h4>\r\n\r\nProlotherapy is an extremely safe procedure. The risks are far less than those associated with surgery for your chronic joint pain or acute joint injuries. The risks are often also less than taking Ibuprofen ( Motrin) for a lifetime to temporarily alleviate chronic pain. As with any procedure, there are risks and side effects which will vary depending on the area being treated. Dr. Fields will discuss these possibilities fully with patients during the pre-treatment consultation.\r\n\r\n<h4>What Conditions Can Dr. Fields  Help You With:</h4>\r\n\r\nDr. Fields has had great success in treating his patients with hundreds of different injuries, conditions, and complaints, including:\r\n\r\n<ul><li><strong>Chronic Conditions like…</strong></li>\r\n<ul><li>Arthritis Pain</li>\r\n        <li>Sciatica Pain</li>\r\n        <li>Pinched Nerves</li>\r\n        <li>Athletic Injuries</li>\r\n        <li>Tension Headaches</li>\r\n        <li>Migraine Headaches</li>\r\n       <li>Herniated Discs</li>\r\n        <li>Degenerative Discs</li>\r\n        <li>TMJ syndrome</li>\r\n        <li>Weak Joints</li>\r\n        <li>Sore Muscles</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n    <li><strong>Knee Injuries:</strong></li>\r\n        <ul><li>ACL Tear</li>\r\n        <li>Runners\' Knee</li>\r\n        <li>Radial Meniscus Tear</li>\r\n        <li>See a complete list of Knee Injuries Treated with Prolotherapy here.</li></ul>\r\n    <li><strong>Hip Injuries:</strong></li>\r\n        <ul><li>Torn Labrum</li>\r\n        <li>Acetabular labrum Tear</li>\r\n        <li>Labral Tear</li>\r\n        <li>See a complete list of Hip Injuries Treated with Prolotherapy here.</li></ul>\r\n    <li><strong>Neck Injuries:</strong></li>\r\n        <ul><li>Whiplash</li>\r\n       <li>TMJ Syndrome</li>\r\n        <li>Migraine Headaches</li>\r\n        <li>See a complete list of Neck Injuries Treated with Prolotherapy here.</li></ul>\r\n    <li><strong>Shoulder Injuries:</strong></li>\r\n        <ul><li>Labral Tear</li>\r\n        <li>Rotator Cuff Tear</li>\r\n        <li>Swimmers Shoulder</li>\r\n        <li>See a complete list of Shoulder Injuries Treated with Prolotherapy here.</li></ul>\r\n    <li><strong>Back Injuries:</strong></li>\r\n        <ul><li>Herniated discs</li>\r\n        <li>Sacroiliac injury</li>\r\n        <li>Lower back pain</li>\r\n        <li>See a complete list of Back Injuries Treated with Prolotherapy here.</li></ul>\r\n    <li><strong>Elbow Injuries:</strong></li>\r\n        <ul><li>Tendonitis</li>\r\n        <li>Tennis elbow</li>\r\n        <li>Golfers elbow</li>\r\n        <li>See a complete list of Elbow Injuries Treated with Prolotherapy here.</li></ul>\r\n    <li><strong>Foot and Ankle Injuries:</strong></li>\r\n        <ul><li>Achilles tendinopathy</li>\r\n        <li>Ankle Sprains</li>\r\n        <li>Plantar Fasciitis</li>\r\n        <li>See a complete list of Foot  Injuries Treated with Prolotherapy here.</li></ul>\r\n    <li><strong>Hand Injuries:</strong></li>\r\n       <ul><li>Carpal tunnel</li>\r\n        <li>Overuse injury</li>\r\n        <li>Finger pain</li>\r\n        <li>See a complete list of Hand  Injuries Treated with Prolotherapy here.</li></ul>\r\n</ul>\r\n<h4>Are You A Candidate for Prolotherapy Treatment?</h4>\r\n\r\nCall <a href=\"#\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">310-455-8242</a> today for a free phone consultation with our Prolotherapy Doctor to see if Prolotherapy treatment can get you pain-free and ‘back in the game’ or help you resume your normal lifestyle. You can also <a href=\"#\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">contact Dr. Fields\' office</a> to set up an in-person consultation.\r\n\r\n  Schedule Your Appointment Today! ','Prolotherapy Doctor','','inherit','closed','closed','','229-revision-v1','','','2019-06-07 10:39:30','2019-06-07 10:39:30','',229,'https://www.drfields.com/uncategorized/229-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(261,8,'2019-06-07 10:39:34','2019-06-07 10:39:34','<img src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Ironman-Cozumel-Mexico-2015-Logo.jpg\" alt=\"Ironman Cozumel Mexico 2015 Logo\" width=\"250\" height=\"126\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-224\" />\r\n\r\n<h6 class=\"text-center\">Sunday November 29, 2015\r\n2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike, 26.2 mile run</h6>\r\n\r\n<strong><u>PROLOGUE</u></strong>\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_231\" align=\"alignright\" width=\"115\"]<img src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/cozumel-2015-initials-115.jpg\" alt=\"Cozumel 2015 Initials 115\" width=\"115\" height=\"241\" class=\"size-full wp-image-231\" /><strong> Dr. Fields with his parents initials written on his forearms</strong>[/caption]<strong>Never say never</strong>\r\nMy parents taught me to never to give up no matter how difficult it may seem.\r\nThis, and all my races, are dedicated to their memory.\r\n\r\nThirteen years ago three different neurosurgeons told me that if I did not have surgery on my low back, exercise would no longer be an option in my life.\r\nThen I found out about the wonderful world of Regenerative Orthopedic Medicine. Sunday November 29th, 2015, I finished not only my 2nd Ironman race in 2015, but my sixth Ironman race overall.\r\n<strong><em>Regenerate First; Surgery Last!</em></strong>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n\r\n<strong><u>RACE DAY</u></strong>\r\nThe day started off like any other Ironman competition day. I woke up about 3:30 in the morning so that I could have enough time to have breakfast and get everything ready before I went down to the transition area around 5 o\'clock a.m. After getting everything settled at the transition area where my bike was, I then boarded a bus that took me approximately 2.4 miles down to where the swim started. This is because this race is a point-to-point race. That means you start at one point and end at another point on the swim. The same is for the bike. So after getting down to the swim start I put on my very thin and tight speedsuit (a suit similar to what they wear in the Olympics) over my racing suit. Wetsuits are not allowed in this race due to the temperature of the water. I then went to get in the appropriate corral for the start. \r\n\r\n<strong><u>THE SWIM: 2.4 Miles</u></strong>\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_243\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"160\"]<img src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/cozumel-2015-swim-275.jpg\" alt=\"Cozumel 2015 Swim 275\" width=\"160\" height=\"301\" class=\"size-full wp-image-243\" /> Dr. Fields after the 2.4 mile swim[/caption]The start was being done in waves this year so to avoid the cluster of over 2500 competitors starting all at once.I seeded myself in the second corral, which is for competitors swimming between 1 hour and 1 hour 10 minutes. Most people told me that I should seed myself faster but I was very true to my time knowing I would finish between 1 hour and 1 hour 6 minutes. Due to the small size of the pier that we to go off of, they only let about five to seven competitors in at a time. This made for a very easy start since you did not have to swim over a lot of people. As soon as I got into my stride, which only takes me about 5 minutes or so, I started passing people. And ended up passing probably 50 people, which meant that a lot of people had seeded themselves faster than they actually were. The water was very warm at about 82 degrees and very clear. You could see the frogmen/lifeguards and photographers down below and also many colorful fish along the way. Halfway through the swim I looked at my Garmin watch, which I wear on my left wrist, and noticed it was glowing slightly green. I figured some water had leaked into it. I was going to stop and take a look but then realized that I was in the middle of the ocean and there was nothing I could do about it anyway!\r\n\r\nI swam very well and passed over 50 people, which was a lot as not many had started before me. As I made my way towards the finish and made the final turn two headed towards the pier I really picked up my strokes. My final time was about 1 hour and 4 minutes, which was good enough to make me first in my age group in the swim. As I climbed out of the water and looked down a my Garmin, I realized that the whole front face had somehow become detached and I was actually looking at the circuit board. Well, at that point, I knew the watch was useless. I ran through the shower and then grabbed my transition bag and into the transition area. I quickly dried off and stripped off my speed suit. Underneath this I had my tri suit so just I had to put on my socks, shoes, sunglasses, suntan lotion and grab some nutrition to carry on the bike and I was off to find my bike. I also left behind my Garmin watch, which was useless at this point.\r\n\r\n<strong><u>THE BIKE: 112 Miles</u></strong>\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_248\" align=\"alignright\" width=\"160\"]<img src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/cozumel-2015-bike-2-275.jpg\" alt=\"Cozumel 2015 Bike 2 275\" width=\"160\" height=\"301\" class=\"size-full wp-image-248\" /> Dr. Fields during the 112 mile bike ride[/caption]\r\nI ran as quick as I could with my bike shoes on to my bike. You could carry them but then you end up getting gravel on your feet. I took the bike off the rack and ran towards the exit. You\'re not allowed to get on your bike until you leave the transition area. Immediately upon exiting, the transition area, I mounted my bike and took off to start the 112 mile ride.\r\n\r\nI had my power meet on the bike, which in addition to power, would provide me with my heart rate and speed which are essential when riding long distance. The roads were dry and the sun was shining bright and the temperature was in the low eighties. I felt pretty good on the first lap. As you head towards the back of the island the winds pick up. For this approximately 15 mile stretch the winds were about 20 miles an hour blowing on shore. It was tough but not that bad. As you turn towards town to end your first loop the winds were pushing you forward. This was a much needed relief. As you get to town, there were hundreds, if not more, people yelling and cheering. It was very exciting and invigorating. For lap two you again go by some of the hotels and there were people out there cheering.\r\n\r\nAs I got to the back of the island again, the wind picked up and was close to 30 miles an hour. It was getting pretty tough and you just hung in there. Unfortunately this meant that you were down on your triathlon riding bars ( the extended bars you put your forearms on so you can just about lie flat while riding) all the time so as not to let the wind hit you in the chest. It put a tremendous strain on my neck, which I found out later that everybody had the same. You just kept going and going. During this loop, I also stopped at the special needs station at mile 56. This is where you can pick up your nutritional supplies for the second half of the race so you do not need to carry all of them at once. Again as I looped through town the crowds were cheering and it was very nice to get words of encouragement.\r\n\r\nFor the third loop the temperature has risen towards the upper 80\'s and low 90\'s and the winds really were kicking in. Now they were close to 40 miles an hour. It was really brutal. I had ridden this course three times in the past but this time the winds were the strongest . But somehow I kept going and going and managed to endure it. As I made the last turn to head the 9 miles back to town I knew that I had completed this part. Slightly slower than I expected but with the wind it was a slower time for everyone. \r\n','Race Report 6th Ironman','','inherit','closed','closed','','217-revision-v1','','','2019-06-07 10:39:34','2019-06-07 10:39:34','',217,'https://www.drfields.com/uncategorized/217-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(262,8,'2019-06-07 10:40:56','2019-06-07 10:40:56','<h4>Prolotherapy Doctor</h4>\r\n\r\nPeter A. Fields, MD DC, is a Los Angeles Prolotherapy Doctor and the founder of OrthoRegen. Dr. Fields is a leading expert in using Cellular Regeneration (aka Cellular Prolotherapy) treatments to resolve painful conditions and sports injuries to help people avoid full joint replacement. He treats patients from around the US and the world; from non-athletes to weekend warriors to competitive athletes and professional athletes. Dr. Fields helps people avoid unnecessary orthopaedic surgeries whether arthroscopic or conventional fully invasive surgery.\r\n\r\n<h4>What is a Prolotherapy Doctor?</h4>\r\n\r\nA Prolotherapy Doctor provides regenerative orthopedics by offering non-surgical alternatives to joint and spine repair. Dr. Fields offers prolotherapy treatments to relieve pain by treating the underlying conditions. He stimulates the body’s natural ability to heal and repair by encouraging the growth of new tendon fibers and ligaments.\r\n\r\n<h4>What is Prolotherapy Treatment?</h4>\r\n\r\nProlotherapy treatment is a natural non-surgical method of assisting the body to heal weakened or injured joints, tendons and ligaments. A Prolotherapy Doctor injects the weakened areas with a solution that stimulates the growth of healthy, strong tissues. As the ligaments and tendons grow stronger and vibrant, the motion is restored and the pain is alleviated.\r\n\r\n<h4>How Prolotherapy Treatment Works</h4>\r\n\r\nOur Prolotherapy treatment is an innovative treatment that stimulates the immune system to repair damaged tissue. ”Prolo” comes from the word “proliferate.” Prolotherapy then describes the therapy which utilizes proliferation of fibroblastic cells that grow the ligaments and tendons. By proliferation of the fibroblasts, new, strong, collagen tissue is formed. This new tissue is what is needed to repair ligament and tendon sprains and injuries. Receive treatment from our Prolotherapy Doctor for your injuries with comprehensive Prolotherapy Treatment at <a href=\"#\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">OrthoRegen</a>\r\n\r\n<h4>Is Treatment by a Prolotherapy Doctor safe?</h4>\r\n\r\nProlotherapy is an extremely safe procedure. The risks are far less than those associated with surgery for your chronic joint pain or acute joint injuries. The risks are often also less than taking Ibuprofen ( Motrin) for a lifetime to temporarily alleviate chronic pain. As with any procedure, there are risks and side effects which will vary depending on the area being treated. Dr. Fields will discuss these possibilities fully with patients during the pre-treatment consultation.\r\n\r\n<h4>What Conditions Can Dr. Fields  Help You With:</h4>\r\n\r\nDr. Fields has had great success in treating his patients with hundreds of different injuries, conditions, and complaints, including:\r\n\r\n<ul><li><strong>Chronic Conditions like…</strong></li>\r\n<ul><li>Arthritis Pain</li>\r\n        <li>Sciatica Pain</li>\r\n        <li>Pinched Nerves</li>\r\n        <li>Athletic Injuries</li>\r\n        <li>Tension Headaches</li>\r\n        <li>Migraine Headaches</li>\r\n       <li>Herniated Discs</li>\r\n        <li>Degenerative Discs</li>\r\n        <li>TMJ syndrome</li>\r\n        <li>Weak Joints</li>\r\n        <li>Sore Muscles</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n    <li><strong>Knee Injuries:</strong></li>\r\n        <ul><li>ACL Tear</li>\r\n        <li>Runners\' Knee</li>\r\n        <li>Radial Meniscus Tear</li>\r\n        <li>See a complete list of Knee Injuries Treated with Prolotherapy here.</li></ul>\r\n    <li><strong>Hip Injuries:</strong></li>\r\n        <ul><li>Torn Labrum</li>\r\n        <li>Acetabular labrum Tear</li>\r\n        <li>Labral Tear</li>\r\n        <li>See a complete list of Hip Injuries Treated with Prolotherapy here.</li></ul>\r\n    <li><strong>Neck Injuries:</strong></li>\r\n        <ul><li>Whiplash</li>\r\n       <li>TMJ Syndrome</li>\r\n        <li>Migraine Headaches</li>\r\n        <li>See a complete list of Neck Injuries Treated with Prolotherapy here.</li></ul>\r\n    <li><strong>Shoulder Injuries:</strong></li>\r\n        <ul><li>Labral Tear</li>\r\n        <li>Rotator Cuff Tear</li>\r\n        <li>Swimmers Shoulder</li>\r\n        <li>See a complete list of Shoulder Injuries Treated with Prolotherapy here.</li></ul>\r\n    <li><strong>Back Injuries:</strong></li>\r\n        <ul><li>Herniated discs</li>\r\n        <li>Sacroiliac injury</li>\r\n        <li>Lower back pain</li>\r\n        <li>See a complete list of Back Injuries Treated with Prolotherapy here.</li></ul>\r\n    <li><strong>Elbow Injuries:</strong></li>\r\n        <ul><li>Tendonitis</li>\r\n        <li>Tennis elbow</li>\r\n        <li>Golfers elbow</li>\r\n        <li>See a complete list of Elbow Injuries Treated with Prolotherapy here.</li></ul>\r\n    <li><strong>Foot and Ankle Injuries:</strong></li>\r\n        <ul><li>Achilles tendinopathy</li>\r\n        <li>Ankle Sprains</li>\r\n        <li>Plantar Fasciitis</li>\r\n        <li>See a complete list of Foot  Injuries Treated with Prolotherapy here.</li></ul>\r\n    <li><strong>Hand Injuries:</strong></li>\r\n       <ul><li>Carpal tunnel</li>\r\n        <li>Overuse injury</li>\r\n        <li>Finger pain</li>\r\n        <li>See a complete list of Hand  Injuries Treated with Prolotherapy here.</li></ul>\r\n</ul>\r\n<h4>Are You A Candidate for Prolotherapy Treatment?</h4>\r\n\r\nCall <a href=\"#\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">310-455-8242</a> today for a free phone consultation with our Prolotherapy Doctor to see if Prolotherapy treatment can get you pain-free and ‘back in the game’ or help you resume your normal lifestyle. You can also <a href=\"#\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">contact Dr. Fields\' office</a> to set up an in-person consultation.\r\n\r\n  <a href=\"#\">Schedule Your Appointment Today! </a>','Prolotherapy Doctor','','inherit','closed','closed','','229-revision-v1','','','2019-06-07 10:40:56','2019-06-07 10:40:56','',229,'https://www.drfields.com/uncategorized/229-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(263,8,'2019-06-07 10:41:28','2019-06-07 10:41:28','Cozumel 2015 Run 160','Cozumel 2015 Run 160','Dr. Fields during the 26.2 mile run','inherit','open','closed','','cozumel-2015-run-160','','','2019-06-07 10:41:33','2019-06-07 10:41:33','',217,'https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/cozumel-2015-run-160.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(264,8,'2019-06-07 10:42:55','2019-06-07 10:42:55','<img src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Ironman-Cozumel-Mexico-2015-Logo.jpg\" alt=\"Ironman Cozumel Mexico 2015 Logo\" width=\"250\" height=\"126\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-224\" />\r\n\r\n<h6 class=\"text-center\">Sunday November 29, 2015\r\n2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike, 26.2 mile run</h6>\r\n\r\n<strong><u>PROLOGUE</u></strong>\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_231\" align=\"alignright\" width=\"115\"]<img src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/cozumel-2015-initials-115.jpg\" alt=\"Cozumel 2015 Initials 115\" width=\"115\" height=\"241\" class=\"size-full wp-image-231\" /><strong> Dr. Fields with his parents initials written on his forearms</strong>[/caption]<strong>Never say never</strong>\r\nMy parents taught me to never to give up no matter how difficult it may seem.\r\nThis, and all my races, are dedicated to their memory.\r\n\r\nThirteen years ago three different neurosurgeons told me that if I did not have surgery on my low back, exercise would no longer be an option in my life.\r\nThen I found out about the wonderful world of Regenerative Orthopedic Medicine. Sunday November 29th, 2015, I finished not only my 2nd Ironman race in 2015, but my sixth Ironman race overall.\r\n<strong><em>Regenerate First; Surgery Last!</em></strong>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n\r\n<strong><u>RACE DAY</u></strong>\r\nThe day started off like any other Ironman competition day. I woke up about 3:30 in the morning so that I could have enough time to have breakfast and get everything ready before I went down to the transition area around 5 o\'clock a.m. After getting everything settled at the transition area where my bike was, I then boarded a bus that took me approximately 2.4 miles down to where the swim started. This is because this race is a point-to-point race. That means you start at one point and end at another point on the swim. The same is for the bike. So after getting down to the swim start I put on my very thin and tight speedsuit (a suit similar to what they wear in the Olympics) over my racing suit. Wetsuits are not allowed in this race due to the temperature of the water. I then went to get in the appropriate corral for the start. \r\n\r\n<strong><u>THE SWIM: 2.4 Miles</u></strong>\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_243\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"160\"]<img src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/cozumel-2015-swim-275.jpg\" alt=\"Cozumel 2015 Swim 275\" width=\"160\" height=\"301\" class=\"size-full wp-image-243\" /> Dr. Fields after the 2.4 mile swim[/caption]The start was being done in waves this year so to avoid the cluster of over 2500 competitors starting all at once.I seeded myself in the second corral, which is for competitors swimming between 1 hour and 1 hour 10 minutes. Most people told me that I should seed myself faster but I was very true to my time knowing I would finish between 1 hour and 1 hour 6 minutes. Due to the small size of the pier that we to go off of, they only let about five to seven competitors in at a time. This made for a very easy start since you did not have to swim over a lot of people. As soon as I got into my stride, which only takes me about 5 minutes or so, I started passing people. And ended up passing probably 50 people, which meant that a lot of people had seeded themselves faster than they actually were. The water was very warm at about 82 degrees and very clear. You could see the frogmen/lifeguards and photographers down below and also many colorful fish along the way. Halfway through the swim I looked at my Garmin watch, which I wear on my left wrist, and noticed it was glowing slightly green. I figured some water had leaked into it. I was going to stop and take a look but then realized that I was in the middle of the ocean and there was nothing I could do about it anyway!\r\n\r\nI swam very well and passed over 50 people, which was a lot as not many had started before me. As I made my way towards the finish and made the final turn two headed towards the pier I really picked up my strokes. My final time was about 1 hour and 4 minutes, which was good enough to make me first in my age group in the swim. As I climbed out of the water and looked down a my Garmin, I realized that the whole front face had somehow become detached and I was actually looking at the circuit board. Well, at that point, I knew the watch was useless. I ran through the shower and then grabbed my transition bag and into the transition area. I quickly dried off and stripped off my speed suit. Underneath this I had my tri suit so just I had to put on my socks, shoes, sunglasses, suntan lotion and grab some nutrition to carry on the bike and I was off to find my bike. I also left behind my Garmin watch, which was useless at this point.\r\n\r\n<strong><u>THE BIKE: 112 Miles</u></strong>\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_248\" align=\"alignright\" width=\"160\"]<img src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/cozumel-2015-bike-2-275.jpg\" alt=\"Cozumel 2015 Bike 2 275\" width=\"160\" height=\"301\" class=\"size-full wp-image-248\" /> Dr. Fields during the 112 mile bike ride[/caption]\r\nI ran as quick as I could with my bike shoes on to my bike. You could carry them but then you end up getting gravel on your feet. I took the bike off the rack and ran towards the exit. You\'re not allowed to get on your bike until you leave the transition area. Immediately upon exiting, the transition area, I mounted my bike and took off to start the 112 mile ride.\r\n\r\nI had my power meet on the bike, which in addition to power, would provide me with my heart rate and speed which are essential when riding long distance. The roads were dry and the sun was shining bright and the temperature was in the low eighties. I felt pretty good on the first lap. As you head towards the back of the island the winds pick up. For this approximately 15 mile stretch the winds were about 20 miles an hour blowing on shore. It was tough but not that bad. As you turn towards town to end your first loop the winds were pushing you forward. This was a much needed relief. As you get to town, there were hundreds, if not more, people yelling and cheering. It was very exciting and invigorating. For lap two you again go by some of the hotels and there were people out there cheering.\r\n\r\nAs I got to the back of the island again, the wind picked up and was close to 30 miles an hour. It was getting pretty tough and you just hung in there. Unfortunately this meant that you were down on your triathlon riding bars ( the extended bars you put your forearms on so you can just about lie flat while riding) all the time so as not to let the wind hit you in the chest. It put a tremendous strain on my neck, which I found out later that everybody had the same. You just kept going and going. During this loop, I also stopped at the special needs station at mile 56. This is where you can pick up your nutritional supplies for the second half of the race so you do not need to carry all of them at once. Again as I looped through town the crowds were cheering and it was very nice to get words of encouragement.\r\n\r\nFor the third loop the temperature has risen towards the upper 80\'s and low 90\'s and the winds really were kicking in. Now they were close to 40 miles an hour. It was really brutal. I had ridden this course three times in the past but this time the winds were the strongest . But somehow I kept going and going and managed to endure it. As I made the last turn to head the 9 miles back to town I knew that I had completed this part. Slightly slower than I expected but with the wind it was a slower time for everyone. \r\n\r\n<strong><u>THE RUN: 26.2 Miles</u></strong>\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_263\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"160\"]<img src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/cozumel-2015-run-160.jpg\" alt=\"Cozumel 2015 Run 160\" width=\"160\" height=\"301\" class=\"size-full wp-image-263\" /><strong> Dr. Fields during the 26.2 mile run</strong>[/caption]\r\nAs I came into town again the crowds were cheering and yelling loudly. I handed off my bike to one of the volunteers there and quickly grabbed my transition bag and ran into the tent. Off with the biking shoes, on with the running shoes, throw some water over myself to help cool me down, put on my running hat, grab some nutrition, go to the bathroom and I was out the door.\r\n\r\nOf course when you transition out of this tent there are thousands of people out there yelling and screaming. The sun was still up so it was still pretty hot with it being in the 90s, But I felt pretty good. For about the first four point 4.4 miles, which is the length of the course (you do this back and forth 3 times) I was a little tight and not so fluid in my running. Along the way of course there are people cheering for about a mile and a half as you get outside of town and then sporadically there were people at hotels who would come out along the road to cheer us on. When I hit the turn around I felt really good and for the next 8.8 miles my legs and body felt really strong. As I got back to town and finished the first 8.8 mile loop the sun was going down which was a blessing because it had been very hot outside.\r\n\r\nThe next 8.8 loop I felt good but the energy was starting to be drained. The bike had taken a tremendous toll, not only on me but on other runners too. But I persevered and kept going. The best thing was my hamstring was not bothering me which had slowed me down during my last two Ironman races. And in May 2015, I had raced Ironman Brazil, where I had a lot of feet problems. None of this came around this time.\r\n\r\nI saw many people out there that I knew from the Los Angeles area or other races. The camaraderie amongst the athletes is tremendous and it\'s something that we all rely on and count on. As I came into town finishing the second loop I knew I only had one more loop to go. I was tired and drained having been racing for almost 12 hrs., but just kept going. Of course along the way I took lots of nutrition and keep myself as hydrated as much as possible. There was no rain this year, which was also nice since the prior previous time I had done this race we were running through knee high puddles.\r\n\r\nAfter leaving town and getting to the final around, I knew only had 4.4 miles left to go and realized that it was in the bag for me. As I came back into town and saw the crowds again, I felt the exhilarating feeling that one can only feel when finishing an Ironman. At this point I only had about a mile to go and knew I have finally done it. That is not only finish my 6th Ironman but my second one in six months . This was a challenge that I set for myself. Like my parents had always told me, set your goals and go for it.\r\nNever say never.\r\n\r\nThe final 100 meters are unbelievable feeling. All ones aches and pains fade away. As I approached the finish line, which is slightly elevated and bathed in lights, I heard the announcer say for the sixth time,\r\n\"Peter Fields, you are an Ironman\".\r\nIt never gets old.\r\nI finally knew that I had completed my conquest of doing two Ironman races in one year.\r\n\r\nOf course the whole way during the race, I never forgot about my parents. I had my mom’s initials written on my left arm and on my right arm I had my dad\'s initials. Both of these people were so special in my life and I have never forgotten them for even one day since each of them passed. Whenever it got tough, I would place my hand on either forearm and feel their presence within me and hear their words of encouragement telling me never to give up. I know they would have been as proud of me as I am of them.\r\n\r\nI want to thank everybody who sent me good wishes, those who kept me in their thoughts and those who followed me on the internet. All your thoughts and wishes kept me strong the whole race.\r\nThere were a few very special people that never stopped thinking about me the whole race. You know who you are and words cannot say thank you enough. \r\n','Race Report 6th Ironman','','inherit','closed','closed','','217-revision-v1','','','2019-06-07 10:42:55','2019-06-07 10:42:55','',217,'https://www.drfields.com/uncategorized/217-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(265,8,'2019-06-07 10:43:24','2019-06-07 10:43:24','<img src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Ironman-Cozumel-Mexico-2015-Logo.jpg\" alt=\"Ironman Cozumel Mexico 2015 Logo\" width=\"250\" height=\"126\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-224\" />\r\n\r\n<h6 class=\"text-center\">Sunday November 29, 2015\r\n2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike, 26.2 mile run</h6>\r\n\r\n<strong><u>PROLOGUE</u></strong>\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_231\" align=\"alignright\" width=\"115\"]<img src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/cozumel-2015-initials-115.jpg\" alt=\"Cozumel 2015 Initials 115\" width=\"115\" height=\"241\" class=\"size-full wp-image-231\" /><strong> Dr. Fields with his parents initials written on his forearms</strong>[/caption]<strong>Never say never</strong>\r\nMy parents taught me to never to give up no matter how difficult it may seem.\r\nThis, and all my races, are dedicated to their memory.\r\n\r\nThirteen years ago three different neurosurgeons told me that if I did not have surgery on my low back, exercise would no longer be an option in my life.\r\nThen I found out about the wonderful world of Regenerative Orthopedic Medicine. Sunday November 29th, 2015, I finished not only my 2nd Ironman race in 2015, but my sixth Ironman race overall.\r\n<strong><em>Regenerate First; Surgery Last!</em></strong>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n\r\n<strong><u>RACE DAY</u></strong>\r\nThe day started off like any other Ironman competition day. I woke up about 3:30 in the morning so that I could have enough time to have breakfast and get everything ready before I went down to the transition area around 5 o\'clock a.m. After getting everything settled at the transition area where my bike was, I then boarded a bus that took me approximately 2.4 miles down to where the swim started. This is because this race is a point-to-point race. That means you start at one point and end at another point on the swim. The same is for the bike. So after getting down to the swim start I put on my very thin and tight speedsuit (a suit similar to what they wear in the Olympics) over my racing suit. Wetsuits are not allowed in this race due to the temperature of the water. I then went to get in the appropriate corral for the start. \r\n\r\n<strong><u>THE SWIM: 2.4 Miles</u></strong>\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_243\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"160\"]<img src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/cozumel-2015-swim-275.jpg\" alt=\"Cozumel 2015 Swim 275\" width=\"160\" height=\"301\" class=\"size-full wp-image-243\" /> Dr. Fields after the 2.4 mile swim[/caption]The start was being done in waves this year so to avoid the cluster of over 2500 competitors starting all at once.I seeded myself in the second corral, which is for competitors swimming between 1 hour and 1 hour 10 minutes. Most people told me that I should seed myself faster but I was very true to my time knowing I would finish between 1 hour and 1 hour 6 minutes. Due to the small size of the pier that we to go off of, they only let about five to seven competitors in at a time. This made for a very easy start since you did not have to swim over a lot of people. As soon as I got into my stride, which only takes me about 5 minutes or so, I started passing people. And ended up passing probably 50 people, which meant that a lot of people had seeded themselves faster than they actually were. The water was very warm at about 82 degrees and very clear. You could see the frogmen/lifeguards and photographers down below and also many colorful fish along the way. Halfway through the swim I looked at my Garmin watch, which I wear on my left wrist, and noticed it was glowing slightly green. I figured some water had leaked into it. I was going to stop and take a look but then realized that I was in the middle of the ocean and there was nothing I could do about it anyway!\r\n\r\nI swam very well and passed over 50 people, which was a lot as not many had started before me. As I made my way towards the finish and made the final turn two headed towards the pier I really picked up my strokes. My final time was about 1 hour and 4 minutes, which was good enough to make me first in my age group in the swim. As I climbed out of the water and looked down a my Garmin, I realized that the whole front face had somehow become detached and I was actually looking at the circuit board. Well, at that point, I knew the watch was useless. I ran through the shower and then grabbed my transition bag and into the transition area. I quickly dried off and stripped off my speed suit. Underneath this I had my tri suit so just I had to put on my socks, shoes, sunglasses, suntan lotion and grab some nutrition to carry on the bike and I was off to find my bike. I also left behind my Garmin watch, which was useless at this point.\r\n\r\n<strong><u>THE BIKE: 112 Miles</u></strong>\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_248\" align=\"alignright\" width=\"160\"]<img src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/cozumel-2015-bike-2-275.jpg\" alt=\"Cozumel 2015 Bike 2 275\" width=\"160\" height=\"301\" class=\"size-full wp-image-248\" /> Dr. Fields during the 112 mile bike ride[/caption]\r\nI ran as quick as I could with my bike shoes on to my bike. You could carry them but then you end up getting gravel on your feet. I took the bike off the rack and ran towards the exit. You\'re not allowed to get on your bike until you leave the transition area. Immediately upon exiting, the transition area, I mounted my bike and took off to start the 112 mile ride.\r\n\r\nI had my power meet on the bike, which in addition to power, would provide me with my heart rate and speed which are essential when riding long distance. The roads were dry and the sun was shining bright and the temperature was in the low eighties. I felt pretty good on the first lap. As you head towards the back of the island the winds pick up. For this approximately 15 mile stretch the winds were about 20 miles an hour blowing on shore. It was tough but not that bad. As you turn towards town to end your first loop the winds were pushing you forward. This was a much needed relief. As you get to town, there were hundreds, if not more, people yelling and cheering. It was very exciting and invigorating. For lap two you again go by some of the hotels and there were people out there cheering.\r\n\r\nAs I got to the back of the island again, the wind picked up and was close to 30 miles an hour. It was getting pretty tough and you just hung in there. Unfortunately this meant that you were down on your triathlon riding bars ( the extended bars you put your forearms on so you can just about lie flat while riding) all the time so as not to let the wind hit you in the chest. It put a tremendous strain on my neck, which I found out later that everybody had the same. You just kept going and going. During this loop, I also stopped at the special needs station at mile 56. This is where you can pick up your nutritional supplies for the second half of the race so you do not need to carry all of them at once. Again as I looped through town the crowds were cheering and it was very nice to get words of encouragement.\r\n\r\nFor the third loop the temperature has risen towards the upper 80\'s and low 90\'s and the winds really were kicking in. Now they were close to 40 miles an hour. It was really brutal. I had ridden this course three times in the past but this time the winds were the strongest . But somehow I kept going and going and managed to endure it. As I made the last turn to head the 9 miles back to town I knew that I had completed this part. Slightly slower than I expected but with the wind it was a slower time for everyone. \r\n\r\n<strong><u>THE RUN: 26.2 Miles</u></strong>\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_263\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"160\"]<img src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/cozumel-2015-run-160.jpg\" alt=\"Cozumel 2015 Run 160\" width=\"160\" height=\"301\" class=\"size-full wp-image-263\" /><strong> Dr. Fields during the 26.2 mile run</strong>[/caption]\r\nAs I came into town again the crowds were cheering and yelling loudly. I handed off my bike to one of the volunteers there and quickly grabbed my transition bag and ran into the tent. Off with the biking shoes, on with the running shoes, throw some water over myself to help cool me down, put on my running hat, grab some nutrition, go to the bathroom and I was out the door.\r\n\r\nOf course when you transition out of this tent there are thousands of people out there yelling and screaming. The sun was still up so it was still pretty hot with it being in the 90s, But I felt pretty good. For about the first four point 4.4 miles, which is the length of the course (you do this back and forth 3 times) I was a little tight and not so fluid in my running. Along the way of course there are people cheering for about a mile and a half as you get outside of town and then sporadically there were people at hotels who would come out along the road to cheer us on. When I hit the turn around I felt really good and for the next 8.8 miles my legs and body felt really strong. As I got back to town and finished the first 8.8 mile loop the sun was going down which was a blessing because it had been very hot outside.\r\n\r\nThe next 8.8 loop I felt good but the energy was starting to be drained. The bike had taken a tremendous toll, not only on me but on other runners too. But I persevered and kept going. The best thing was my hamstring was not bothering me which had slowed me down during my last two Ironman races. And in May 2015, I had raced Ironman Brazil, where I had a lot of feet problems. None of this came around this time.\r\n\r\nI saw many people out there that I knew from the Los Angeles area or other races. The camaraderie amongst the athletes is tremendous and it\'s something that we all rely on and count on. As I came into town finishing the second loop I knew I only had one more loop to go. I was tired and drained having been racing for almost 12 hrs., but just kept going. Of course along the way I took lots of nutrition and keep myself as hydrated as much as possible. There was no rain this year, which was also nice since the prior previous time I had done this race we were running through knee high puddles.\r\n\r\nAfter leaving town and getting to the final around, I knew only had 4.4 miles left to go and realized that it was in the bag for me. As I came back into town and saw the crowds again, I felt the exhilarating feeling that one can only feel when finishing an Ironman. At this point I only had about a mile to go and knew I have finally done it. That is not only finish my 6th Ironman but my second one in six months . This was a challenge that I set for myself. Like my parents had always told me, set your goals and go for it.\r\nNever say never.\r\n\r\nThe final 100 meters are unbelievable feeling. All ones aches and pains fade away. As I approached the finish line, which is slightly elevated and bathed in lights, I heard the announcer say for the sixth time,\r\n\"Peter Fields, you are an Ironman\".\r\nIt never gets old.\r\nI finally knew that I had completed my conquest of doing two Ironman races in one year.\r\n\r\nOf course the whole way during the race, I never forgot about my parents. I had my mom’s initials written on my left arm and on my right arm I had my dad\'s initials. Both of these people were so special in my life and I have never forgotten them for even one day since each of them passed. Whenever it got tough, I would place my hand on either forearm and feel their presence within me and hear their words of encouragement telling me never to give up. I know they would have been as proud of me as I am of them.\r\n\r\nI want to thank everybody who sent me good wishes, those who kept me in their thoughts and those who followed me on the internet. All your thoughts and wishes kept me strong the whole race.\r\nThere were a few very special people that never stopped thinking about me the whole race. You know who you are and words cannot say thank you enough. \r\n\r\n<h6>Peter A. Fields, MD DC\r\nThe Athletic Doc® and 6X Ironman Triathlete</h6>','Race Report 6th Ironman','','inherit','closed','closed','','217-revision-v1','','','2019-06-07 10:43:24','2019-06-07 10:43:24','',217,'https://www.drfields.com/uncategorized/217-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(266,8,'2019-06-07 10:53:18','2019-06-07 10:53:18','<img class=\"alignleft wp-image-1685 size-medium\" title=\"prp los angeles\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Stem-Cell-Doctor-Peter-Fields-MD-DC-315x500.jpg\" alt=\"Stem Cell Doctor Peter Fields Md Dc\" width=\"315\" height=\"500\" />\r\n<h4>PRP Doctor</h4>\r\nPeter A. Fields, MD DC, is a PRP Doctor in the Los Angeles area and the founder of OrthoRegen<sup>®</sup>. PRP stands for Platelet Rich Plasma and Dr. Fields is a leading expert in using PRP to resolve painful joint conditions and sports injuries to help people avoid joint replacement. People come from all over the US and even the world because Dr. Fields helps them to avoid unnecessary surgeries.\r\n<h4>What is a PRP Doctor?</h4>\r\nA PRP doctor provides regenerative orthopedics, which means that non-surgical alternative therapies that regenerate the joint and spine are offered. PRP doctors like Dr. Fields use Platelet Rich Plasma Injections (and other regenerative treatments) that help accelerate the normal healing process. And Dr.Fields is passionate about helping his clients eliminate pain for optimal long-term results, with the use of PRP Regenerative Treatments.\r\n<h4>What Does PRP Los Angeles Stand For?</h4>\r\nPRP stands for Platelet Rich Plasma.  And OrthoRegen<sup>®</sup> is located near Los Angeles. The Plasma portion in the name Platelet Rich Plasma refers to the fluid portion of blood which contains cellular components such as platelets, white blood cells, and red cells. Plus, the Harvest method that Dr. Fields uses concentrates the platelets 7-10 times of what is generally found in the blood. Other systems concentrate them, but to a lesser extent.\r\n<h4>What is PRP Treatment?</h4>\r\nPRP treatment, as used in Regenerative Orthopedics, is a non-surgical healing treatment for healing soft tissue performed by a PRP Doctor. And Dr. Fields makes precise injections of your own concentrated blood (PRP) into the affected areas to promote healing of musculoskeletal problems. Not only that, but blood platelets also contain potent growth factors necessary to get your tissue repair active and boost regeneration at the injury site.\r\n\r\n<a class=\"buttonlink\" href=\"https://www.drfields.com/contact/\"> Schedule Your Appointment Today!</a>\r\n<h4>Is PRP Treatment Safe?</h4>\r\nPRP treatment is an extremely safe procedure. Plus, the risks are far less than those associated with surgery for your chronic joint pain or acute joint injuries. Also, the risks are often less than taking Ibuprofen (Motrin) for a lifetime to temporarily alleviate chronic pain. As with any procedure, there are risks and side effects which will vary depending on the area being treated. But Dr. Fields will discuss these possibilities thoroughly with patients during the pre-treatment consultation.\r\n\r\n<strong>What Does a PRP Doctor Treat?</strong>\r\n\r\nWeakened torn or damaged ligaments, tendons, muscle tears, menisci or labrums are the most common soft tissue structures that Dr. Fields treats. And PRP has been effective in treating arthritis too. However, when arthritis is more severe, Dr. Fields and his team have fount that Stem Cell Therapy provides better results.\r\n\r\nDr. Fields has had great success in treating chronic pain and sports injuries and just some of them include:\r\n<ul>\r\n 	<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\r\n<ul>\r\n 	<li><strong>Knee Injuries:</strong> ACL, MCL LCL, Meniscus, Arthritis, Kneecap Instability</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<ul>\r\n 	<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\r\n<ul>\r\n 	<li><strong>Elbow Injuries:</strong> Tennis Elbow, Medial Epicondylitis, Tendonitis</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<ul>\r\n 	<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\r\n<ul>\r\n 	<li><strong>Shoulder Injuries:</strong> Rotator Cuff Tears, Labrum Tears, Tendonitis</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<ul>\r\n 	<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\r\n<ul>\r\n 	<li><strong>Back Injuries:</strong> Arthritis, Facet Joints, Sacro-Iliac dysfunction</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<ul>\r\n 	<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\r\n<ul>\r\n 	<li><strong>Hip Injuries:</strong> Tendonitis, Bursitis, Labrum</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<ul>\r\n 	<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\r\n<ul>\r\n 	<li><strong>Foot/Ankle Injuries:</strong> Ankle Sprains, Arthritis, Achilles Dysfunction, Tendonitis</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<ul>\r\n 	<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\r\n<ul>\r\n 	<li><strong>Hand/Wrist/ Injuries:</strong> Finger/Joint Tendonitis, Ligament Tears, Arthritis, Carpal Tunnel</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<h4>Are You A Candidate for PRP Treatment?</h4>\r\nDo you have a sports injury or a painful joint? Don\'t put up with it any longer. Call <a href=\"tel:+[phone_raw]\">[phone]</a> today for a free phone consultation with our Regenerative Orthopedic and PRP Los Angeles Doctor to see if PRP can get you pain-free and ‘back in the game’. And we would be more than happy to help you get back to the activities you love and to resume your normal lifestyle. <a href=\"https://www.drfields.com/contact/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Contact Dr. Fields\' office</a> to set up an in-person consultation.\r\n\r\n<a class=\"buttonlink\" href=\"https://www.drfields.com/contact/\"> Schedule Your Appointment Today!</a>','PRP Doctor in the Los Angeles Area','','publish','open','closed','','prp-los-angeles-doctor','','','2020-07-12 00:09:03','2020-07-12 00:09:03','',0,'https://www.drfields.com/?p=266',0,'post','',0),(273,8,'2022-12-02 06:01:38','2019-06-07 10:51:14','','The Athletic Doc','','publish','closed','closed','','the-athletic-doc','','','2022-12-02 06:01:38','2022-12-02 06:01:38','',0,'https://www.drfields.com/?p=273',9,'nav_menu_item','',0),(277,8,'2019-06-07 11:00:48','2019-06-07 11:00:48','<h4>PRP Doctor</h4>\n\nPeter A. Fields, MD DC, is a PRP Doctor in Los Angeles and the founder of OrthoRegen. Dr. Fields is a leading expert in using (PRP) Platelet Rich Plasma therapy to resolve painful conditions and sports injuries to help people avoid full joint replacement. He treats patients from around the US and the world. Dr. Fields help people avoid unnecessary orthopedic surgeries whether arthroscopic or full surgery.\n\n<h4>What is a PRP Doctor?</h4>\n\nA PRP Doctor provides regenerative orthopedics by offering non-surgical alternatives to joint and spine repair. PRP Doctors like Dr. Fields use Platelet Rich Plasma Injections that help accelerate the normal healing process. Dr.Fields is passionate about helping his clients eliminate pain for optimal long-term results, with the use of PRP Regenerative Treatments.\n\n<h4>What Does PRP stand for?</h4>\n\nPRP stands for Platelet Rich Plasma. Plasma is the fluid portion of blood which contains cellular components such as platelets, white blood cells, and red cells. The Harvest method that Dr. Fields uses concentrates the platelets 7-10 times of what is generally found in blood. Other systems concentrate them, but to a lesser extent.\n\n<h4>What is PRP Treatment?</h4>\n\nPRP treatment, as used in regenerative orthopedics, is a non-surgical healing treatment for healing soft tissue performed by a PRP Doctor. Dr. Fields makes precise injections of your own concentrated blood (PRP) into the affected areas to promote healing of musculoskeletal problems. Blood platelets contain potent growth factors necessary to begin tissue repair and regeneration at the injury site.\n\n<h4>Is PRP Treatment Safe?</h4>\n\nPRP treatment is an extremely safe procedure. The risks are far less than those associated with surgery for your chronic joint pain or acute joint injuries. The risks are often also less than taking Ibuprofen (Motrin) for a lifetime to temporarily alleviate chronic pain. As with any procedure, there are risks and side effects which will vary depending on the area being treated. Dr. Fields will discuss these possibilities thoroughly with patients during the pre-treatment consultation.\nWhat Does a PRP Doctor Treat?\n\nWeakened torn or damaged ligaments, tendons, muscle tears, menisci or labrums are the most common soft tissue structures that Dr. Fields treats. PRP has also been effective in treating arthritis, though more severe cases get better results with Dr. Fields’ Stem Cell treatments.\n\nDr. Fields has had great success in treating chronic pain and sports injuries including:\n\n    Knee Injuries: ACL, MCL LCL, Meniscus, Arthritis, Kneecap Instability\n    See a complete list of Knee Injuries Treated with Prolotherapy here\n    Elbow Injuries: Tennis Elbow, Medial Epicondylitis,Tendonitis\n    See a complete list of Elbow Injuries Treated with Prolotherapy here.\n    Shoulder Injuries: Rotator Cuff Tears, Labrum Tears, Tenositis\n    See a complete list of Shoulder Injuries Treated with Prolotherapy here.\n    Back Injuries: Arthritis, Facet Joints, Sacro-Iliac dysfunction\n    See a complete list of Back Injuries Treated with Prolotherapy here.\n    Hip Injuries: Tenositis, Bursitis,Labrum\n    See a complete list of Hip Injuries Treated with Prolotherapy here.\n    Foot/Ankle Injuries: Ankle Sprains, Arthritis, Achilles Dysfunction, Tendonitis\n    See a complete list of Foot/Ankle Injuries Treated with Prolotherapy here.\n    Hand/Wrist/ Injuries: Finger/Joint Tendinitis, Ligament Tears, Arthritis, Carpal tunnel\n    See a complete list of Hand/Wrist Injuries Treated with Prolotherapy here.\n\nAre You A Candidate for PRP Treatment?\n\nCall 310-455-8242 today for a free phone consultation with Dr. Fields our PRP Doctor to see if PRP treatment can get you pain-free and ‘back in the game’ or help you resume your normal lifestyle. You can also contact the OrthoRegen\'s office to set up an in-person consultation.\n\n  Schedule Your Appointment Today! ','PRP Doctor','','inherit','closed','closed','','266-revision-v1','','','2019-06-07 11:00:48','2019-06-07 11:00:48','',266,'https://www.drfields.com/uncategorized/266-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(280,8,'2022-12-02 06:01:38','2019-06-07 11:02:31',' ','','','publish','closed','closed','','280','','','2022-12-02 06:01:38','2022-12-02 06:01:38','',0,'https://www.drfields.com/?p=280',4,'nav_menu_item','',0),(283,8,'2022-12-02 06:01:38','2019-06-07 11:02:31',' ','','','publish','closed','closed','','283','','','2022-12-02 06:01:38','2022-12-02 06:01:38','',0,'https://www.drfields.com/?p=283',6,'nav_menu_item','',0),(288,8,'2019-06-07 11:08:25','2019-06-07 11:08:25','Mother Child Reading','Mother Child Reading','','inherit','open','closed','','mother-child-reading','','','2019-06-07 11:08:29','2019-06-07 11:08:29','',207,'https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/mother-child-reading.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(289,8,'2019-06-07 11:08:37','2019-06-07 11:08:37','<img src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/mother-child-reading.jpg\" alt=\"Mother Child Reading\" width=\"200\" height=\"300\" class=\"alignleft size-full wp-image-288\" />\r\n<u><strong>Fee’s and Payment/Insurance Policies</strong></u> <a href=\"https://www.drfields.com/about/fees-policies/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Click Here</a>\r\n\r\n<u><strong>Are medical records or MRI’s/X-rays necessary?</strong></u>\r\nAny pertinent medical records can be faxed (310) 453-1212 to the office prior to your visit. The report (reading) of the MRI/X-ray can also be faxed or brought with you.\r\n\r\nActual MRI’s or x-rays are not absolutely necessary but may be brought with you.\r\n\r\n<u><strong>How long is each visit?</strong></u>\r\nThe first visit is approximately one hour. Each additional visit is about half an hour unless there is more than one area being treated. You can discuss this with the doctor on your first visit.\r\n\r\n<u><strong>Do I receive a Prolotherapy treatment on the initial visit?</strong></u>\r\nIf after history and examination it is determined that you are a prolotherapy candidate, then you will receive Prolotherapy on your first visit.\r\n\r\n  <a href=\"#\">Schedule Your Appointment Today!</a>','Common Questions','','inherit','closed','closed','','207-revision-v1','','','2019-06-07 11:08:37','2019-06-07 11:08:37','',207,'https://www.drfields.com/uncategorized/207-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(290,8,'2019-06-07 11:09:07','2019-06-07 11:09:07','<img src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/mother-child-reading.jpg\" alt=\"Mother Child Reading\" width=\"200\" height=\"300\" class=\"alignleft size-full wp-image-288\" /><u><strong>Fee’s and Payment/Insurance Policies</strong></u> <a href=\"https://www.drfields.com/about/fees-policies/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Click Here</a>\r\n\r\n<u><strong>Are medical records or MRI’s/X-rays necessary?</strong></u>\r\nAny pertinent medical records can be faxed (310) 453-1212 to the office prior to your visit. The report (reading) of the MRI/X-ray can also be faxed or brought with you.\r\n\r\nActual MRI’s or x-rays are not absolutely necessary but may be brought with you.\r\n\r\n<u><strong>How long is each visit?</strong></u>\r\nThe first visit is approximately one hour. Each additional visit is about half an hour unless there is more than one area being treated. You can discuss this with the doctor on your first visit.\r\n\r\n<u><strong>Do I receive a Prolotherapy treatment on the initial visit?</strong></u>\r\nIf after history and examination it is determined that you are a prolotherapy candidate, then you will receive Prolotherapy on your first visit.\r\n\r\n  <a href=\"#\">Schedule Your Appointment Today!</a>','Common Questions','','inherit','closed','closed','','207-revision-v1','','','2019-06-07 11:09:07','2019-06-07 11:09:07','',207,'https://www.drfields.com/uncategorized/207-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(291,8,'2019-06-07 11:10:07','2019-06-07 11:10:07','<h4>PRP Doctor</h4>\r\n\r\nPeter A. Fields, MD DC, is a PRP Doctor in Los Angeles and the founder of OrthoRegen. Dr. Fields is a leading expert in using (PRP) Platelet Rich Plasma therapy to resolve painful conditions and sports injuries to help people avoid full joint replacement. He treats patients from around the US and the world. Dr. Fields help people avoid unnecessary orthopedic surgeries whether arthroscopic or full surgery.\r\n\r\n<h4>What is a PRP Doctor?</h4>\r\n\r\nA PRP Doctor provides regenerative orthopedics by offering non-surgical alternatives to joint and spine repair. PRP Doctors like Dr. Fields use Platelet Rich Plasma Injections that help accelerate the normal healing process. Dr.Fields is passionate about helping his clients eliminate pain for optimal long-term results, with the use of PRP Regenerative Treatments.\r\n\r\n<h4>What Does PRP stand for?</h4>\r\n\r\nPRP stands for Platelet Rich Plasma. Plasma is the fluid portion of blood which contains cellular components such as platelets, white blood cells, and red cells. The Harvest method that Dr. Fields uses concentrates the platelets 7-10 times of what is generally found in blood. Other systems concentrate them, but to a lesser extent.\r\n\r\n<h4>What is PRP Treatment?</h4>\r\n\r\nPRP treatment, as used in regenerative orthopedics, is a non-surgical healing treatment for healing soft tissue performed by a PRP Doctor. Dr. Fields makes precise injections of your own concentrated blood (PRP) into the affected areas to promote healing of musculoskeletal problems. Blood platelets contain potent growth factors necessary to begin tissue repair and regeneration at the injury site.\r\n\r\n<h4>Is PRP Treatment Safe?</h4>\r\n\r\nPRP treatment is an extremely safe procedure. The risks are far less than those associated with surgery for your chronic joint pain or acute joint injuries. The risks are often also less than taking Ibuprofen (Motrin) for a lifetime to temporarily alleviate chronic pain. As with any procedure, there are risks and side effects which will vary depending on the area being treated. Dr. Fields will discuss these possibilities thoroughly with patients during the pre-treatment consultation.\r\nWhat Does a PRP Doctor Treat?\r\n\r\nWeakened torn or damaged ligaments, tendons, muscle tears, menisci or labrums are the most common soft tissue structures that Dr. Fields treats. PRP has also been effective in treating arthritis, though more severe cases get better results with Dr. Fields’ Stem Cell treatments.\r\n\r\nDr. Fields has had great success in treating chronic pain and sports injuries including:\r\n<ul>\r\n    <li><strong>Knee Injuries:</strong> ACL, MCL LCL, Meniscus, Arthritis, Kneecap Instability</li>\r\n    See a complete list of Knee Injuries Treated with Prolotherapy here\r\n    <li><strong>Elbow Injuries: Tennis Elbow, Medial Epicondylitis,Tendonitis</li>\r\n    See a complete list of Elbow Injuries Treated with Prolotherapy here.\r\n    <li><strong>Shoulder Injuries: Rotator Cuff Tears, Labrum Tears, Tenositis</li>\r\n    See a complete list of Shoulder Injuries Treated with Prolotherapy here.\r\n    <li><strong>Back Injuries: Arthritis, Facet Joints, Sacro-Iliac dysfunction</li>\r\n    See a complete list of Back Injuries Treated with Prolotherapy here.\r\n    <li><strong>Hip Injuries: Tenositis, Bursitis,Labrum</li>\r\n    See a complete list of Hip Injuries Treated with Prolotherapy here.\r\n    <li><strong>Foot/Ankle Injuries: Ankle Sprains, Arthritis, Achilles Dysfunction, Tendonitis</li>\r\n    See a complete list of Foot/Ankle Injuries Treated with Prolotherapy here.\r\n    <li><strong>Hand/Wrist/ Injuries: Finger/Joint Tendinitis, Ligament Tears, Arthritis, Carpal tunnel</li>\r\n    See a complete list of Hand/Wrist Injuries Treated with Prolotherapy here.\r\n\r\n<h4>Are You A Candidate for PRP Treatment?</h4>\r\n\r\nCall <a href=\"#\">310-455-8242</a> today for a free phone consultation with Dr. Fields our PRP Doctor to see if PRP treatment can get you pain-free and ‘back in the game’ or help you resume your normal lifestyle. You can also <a href=\"#\">contact the OrthoRegen\'s office </a>to set up an in-person consultation.\r\n\r\n  <a href=\"#\">Schedule Your Appointment Today!</a> ','PRP Doctor','','inherit','closed','closed','','266-revision-v1','','','2019-06-07 11:10:07','2019-06-07 11:10:07','',266,'https://www.drfields.com/uncategorized/266-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(292,8,'2019-06-07 11:19:41','2019-06-07 11:19:41','<h2>Stem Cell Doctor in the Los Angeles Area</h2>\r\nPeter A. Fields, MD DC, is a Stem Cell Doctor in Los Angeles and the founder of OrthoRegen<sup>®</sup>. Dr. Fields is a leading expert in using Stem Cell Treatments for joint and spine regeneration. With the different forms of Regenerative Orthopedics, Dr. Fields helps people avoid unnecessary orthopedic surgeries. That includes arthroscopic procedures and more extensive surgeries. Dr. Fields is passionate about helping his clients by eliminating their joint pain. Many patients enjoy the increased function and optimal long-term results with the use of Stem Cell Regenerative Treatments.\r\n<h3>What is a Stem Cell Doctor?</h3>\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_2337\" align=\"alignright\" width=\"315\"]<img class=\"size-medium wp-image-2337\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Stem-Cell-Doctor-Peter-Fields-MD-DC-1-315x500.jpg\" alt=\"Stem Cell Doctor Peter Fields Md Dc\" width=\"315\" height=\"500\" /> <strong>     Stem Cell Doctor Peter Fields, MD, DC</strong>[/caption]\r\n\r\nA Stem Cell Doctor like Peter A. Fields, MD, DC, provides Regenerative Orthopedics solutions like Stem Cell Therapy, PRP, and Prolotherapy for painful joint conditions. And all of these techniques are non-surgical alternatives to joint and spine repair. When Stem Cell Therapy is recommended, Dr. Fields utilizes the Gold Standard in Stem Cell therapy.\r\n\r\nWhat makes it the Gold Standard? At OrthoRegen, we use 4 different regenerative techniques to provide the greatest outcomes to regenerate the injured soft tissue. <a href=\"https://www.drfields.com/articles/regenerative-orthopedics/stem-cell-therapy-at-orthoregen-why-we-are-different/\">Click here to find out more about the Gold Standard in Stem Cell Therapy.</a>\r\n\r\n<strong>Regenerative medicine is growing in popularity in the medical world as an alternative to invasive orthopedic surgeries, including joint replacement.</strong> The remarkable thing about Stem Cells is that when you inject them into a specific area of the body, they know what kinds of cells your body needs – for example, cartilage cells or meniscus cells.\r\n<h3>What Conditions Can a Stem Cell Therapy Help?</h3>\r\nDr. Fields treats weakened, torn, or damaged ligaments. So if you are suffering from tendon tears, ligament tears, worn-out cartilage, a torn meniscus, or injured labrum...Regenerative Orthopedics is the ideal non-surgical treatment for you. And excitingly, Stem Cell Therapy is also very effective at treating arthritic conditions...even severe arthritis.\r\n<h4><strong>Peter A. Fields, MD, DC has had great success in treating joint conditions with Stem Cell Therapy, including: </strong></h4>\r\n<ul>\r\n 	<li>\"Bone-on-Bone\" Arthritis</li>\r\n 	<li>Severe Arthritis</li>\r\n 	<li>Degenerated Joint</li>\r\n 	<li>Torn, Worn, or Missing Cartilage</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<a href=\"http://Amniotic “Stem Cells”?\">Click here</a> to find out more about Stem Cell Treatments like <a href=\"https://www.drfields.com/articles/regenerative-orthopedics/stem-cell-therapy-options-for-arthritis/\">Amniotic “Stem Cells” and One-Shot Magic Cures</a>.\r\n\r\n<a class=\"buttonlink\" href=\"https://www.drfields.com/contact/\"> Schedule Your Appointment Today!</a>\r\n<h3>What is Stem Cell Therapy?</h3>\r\nStem Cell Therapy is an injection treatment of stem cells into the joint or affected area to promote healing. This procedure is usually used in cases such as where a joint replacement has been recommended when patients have been told their joint is \"bone-on-bone,\" in advanced arthritis, and other aggressive injuries.\r\n\r\nAs stated earlier, Stem Cell Therapy is just one type of Regenerative Orthopedics. And at OrthoRegen, we use the Gold Standard in Stem Cell Therapy because it is extremely comprehensive to help you avoid invasive surgery.\r\n\r\nStem Cell Therapy at OrthoRegen is a non-surgical healing treatment to repair soft tissue. Stem Cell Therapy incorporates autologous (your own) culture-expanded bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells and adipose (fat) stem cells in a platelet-rich-fibrin glue. Then, Dextrose Prolotherapy is applied around the entire area. It really is the best way to achieve the greatest possible results without the need for surgery.\r\n<h3>Are Stem Cell Treatments Safe?</h3>\r\nStem Cell Treatments at OrthoRegen are an extremely safe procedure. The risks are far less than those associated with surgery for your chronic joint pain or acute joint injuries. The risks are often also less than taking Ibuprofen (Motrin) for a lifetime to temporarily alleviate chronic pain. As with any procedure, there are risks and side effects that vary depending on the area being treated. The Stem Cell Doctor will discuss these possibilities fully with patients during the pre-treatment consultation. All Regenerative Orthopedic therapies are only recommended after an extensive history and physical exam.\r\n<h3>Are You A Candidate for Stem Cell Therapy?</h3>\r\nHave you been told you need to have joint replacement surgery -- whether that\'s shoulder replacement surgery, hip replacement surgery, knee replacement surgery (or any other joint)? Or has your doctor said that your condition is bone-on-bone or severely arthritic? Then there is a great possibility that Stem Cell Therapy is for you! And you owe it to yourself to examine all surgical alternatives before going under the knife.\r\n\r\nSpine Surgery and joint replacement surgery are very invasive procedures. And each comes with its own long list of risks and reasons to avoid it at all costs. Surgery comes with hospital stays, long recovery times, potential (dangerous) complications, and the possible need to have the procedure redone at some point.\r\n<h3>Contact Us for An Evaluation for Stem Cell Therapy</h3>\r\nMake an appointment with our Stem Cell Doctor for an evaluation to see if you are a good candidate for the Gold Standard in Stem Cell Therapy for Spine and Joints. Call <a href=\"tel:+[phone_raw]\">[phone] </a>to Schedule Your Appointment Today!\r\n\r\n<a class=\"buttonlink\" href=\"https://www.drfields.com/contact/\"> Schedule Your Appointment Today!</a>','Stem Cell Doctor','','publish','open','closed','','stem-cell-doctor','','','2021-04-26 20:14:19','2021-04-26 20:14:19','',0,'https://www.drfields.com/?p=292',0,'post','',0),(293,8,'2019-06-07 11:14:50','2019-06-07 11:14:50','<br>\r\n<img src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/mother-child-reading.jpg\" alt=\"Mother Child Reading\" width=\"200\" height=\"300\" class=\"alignleft size-full wp-image-288\" /><u><strong>Fee’s and Payment/Insurance Policies</strong></u> <a href=\"https://www.drfields.com/about/fees-policies/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Click Here</a>\r\n\r\n<u><strong>Are medical records or MRI’s/X-rays necessary?</strong></u>\r\nAny pertinent medical records can be faxed (310) 453-1212 to the office prior to your visit. The report (reading) of the MRI/X-ray can also be faxed or brought with you.\r\n\r\nActual MRI’s or x-rays are not absolutely necessary but may be brought with you.\r\n\r\n<u><strong>How long is each visit?</strong></u>\r\nThe first visit is approximately one hour. Each additional visit is about half an hour unless there is more than one area being treated. You can discuss this with the doctor on your first visit.\r\n\r\n<u><strong>Do I receive a Prolotherapy treatment on the initial visit?</strong></u>\r\nIf after history and examination it is determined that you are a prolotherapy candidate, then you will receive Prolotherapy on your first visit.\r\n\r\n  <a href=\"#\">Schedule Your Appointment Today!</a>','Common Questions','','inherit','closed','closed','','207-revision-v1','','','2019-06-07 11:14:50','2019-06-07 11:14:50','',207,'https://www.drfields.com/uncategorized/207-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(294,8,'2019-06-07 11:15:10','2019-06-07 11:15:10','<p>&nbsp; </p>\r\n<img src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/mother-child-reading.jpg\" alt=\"Mother Child Reading\" width=\"200\" height=\"300\" class=\"alignleft size-full wp-image-288\" /><u><strong>Fee’s and Payment/Insurance Policies</strong></u> <a href=\"https://www.drfields.com/about/fees-policies/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Click Here</a>\r\n\r\n<u><strong>Are medical records or MRI’s/X-rays necessary?</strong></u>\r\nAny pertinent medical records can be faxed (310) 453-1212 to the office prior to your visit. The report (reading) of the MRI/X-ray can also be faxed or brought with you.\r\n\r\nActual MRI’s or x-rays are not absolutely necessary but may be brought with you.\r\n\r\n<u><strong>How long is each visit?</strong></u>\r\nThe first visit is approximately one hour. Each additional visit is about half an hour unless there is more than one area being treated. You can discuss this with the doctor on your first visit.\r\n\r\n<u><strong>Do I receive a Prolotherapy treatment on the initial visit?</strong></u>\r\nIf after history and examination it is determined that you are a prolotherapy candidate, then you will receive Prolotherapy on your first visit.\r\n\r\n  <a href=\"#\">Schedule Your Appointment Today!</a>','Common Questions','','inherit','closed','closed','','207-revision-v1','','','2019-06-07 11:15:10','2019-06-07 11:15:10','',207,'https://www.drfields.com/uncategorized/207-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(295,8,'2019-06-07 11:16:47','2019-06-07 11:16:47','<p>&nbsp; </p>\r\n<img src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/mother-child-reading.jpg\" alt=\"Mother Child Reading\" width=\"200\" height=\"300\" class=\"alignleft size-full wp-image-288\" /><u><strong>Fee’s and Payment/Insurance Policies</strong></u> <a href=\"https://www.drfields.com/about/fees-policies/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Click Here</a>\r\n\r\n<u><strong>Are medical records or MRI’s/X-rays necessary?</strong></u>\r\nAny pertinent medical records can be faxed (310) 453-1212 to the office prior to your visit. The report (reading) of the MRI/X-ray can also be faxed or brought with you.\r\n\r\nActual MRI’s or x-rays are not absolutely necessary but may be brought with you.\r\n\r\n<u><strong>How long is each visit?</strong></u>\r\nThe first visit is approximately one hour. Each additional visit is about half an hour unless there is more than one area being treated. You can discuss this with the doctor on your first visit.\r\n\r\n<p><u><strong>Do I receive a Prolotherapy treatment on the initial visit?</strong></u>\r\nIf after history and examination it is determined that you are a prolotherapy candidate, then you will receive Prolotherapy on your first visit.</p>\r\n\r\n  <a href=\"#\">Schedule Your Appointment Today!</a>','Common Questions','','inherit','closed','closed','','207-revision-v1','','','2019-06-07 11:16:47','2019-06-07 11:16:47','',207,'https://www.drfields.com/uncategorized/207-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(296,8,'2019-06-07 11:17:06','2019-06-07 11:17:06','<p>&nbsp; </p>\r\n<img src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/mother-child-reading.jpg\" alt=\"Mother Child Reading\" width=\"200\" height=\"300\" class=\"alignleft size-full wp-image-288\" /><u><strong>Fee’s and Payment/Insurance Policies</strong></u> <a href=\"https://www.drfields.com/about/fees-policies/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Click Here</a>\r\n\r\n<u><strong>Are medical records or MRI’s/X-rays necessary?</strong></u>\r\nAny pertinent medical records can be faxed (310) 453-1212 to the office prior to your visit. The report (reading) of the MRI/X-ray can also be faxed or brought with you.\r\n\r\nActual MRI’s or x-rays are not absolutely necessary but may be brought with you.\r\n\r\n<u><strong>How long is each visit?</strong></u>\r\nThe first visit is approximately one hour. Each additional visit is about half an hour unless there is more than one area being treated. You can discuss this with the doctor on your first visit.\r\n\r\n<p class=\"text-center\"><u><strong>Do I receive a Prolotherapy treatment on the initial visit?</strong></u>\r\nIf after history and examination it is determined that you are a prolotherapy candidate, then you will receive Prolotherapy on your first visit.</p>\r\n\r\n  <a href=\"#\">Schedule Your Appointment Today!</a>','Common Questions','','inherit','closed','closed','','207-revision-v1','','','2019-06-07 11:17:06','2019-06-07 11:17:06','',207,'https://www.drfields.com/uncategorized/207-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(297,8,'2019-06-07 11:18:58','2019-06-07 11:18:58','<p>&nbsp; </p>\r\n<img src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/mother-child-reading.jpg\" alt=\"Mother Child Reading\" width=\"200\" height=\"300\" class=\"alignleft size-full wp-image-288\" /><u><strong>Fee’s and Payment/Insurance Policies</strong></u> <a href=\"https://www.drfields.com/about/fees-policies/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Click Here</a>\r\n\r\n<u><strong>Are medical records or MRI’s/X-rays necessary?</strong></u>\r\nAny pertinent medical records can be faxed (310) 453-1212 to the office prior to your visit. The report (reading) of the MRI/X-ray can also be faxed or brought with you.\r\n\r\nActual MRI’s or x-rays are not absolutely necessary but may be brought with you.\r\n\r\n<u><strong>How long is each visit?</strong></u>\r\nThe first visit is approximately one hour. Each additional visit is about half an hour unless there is more than one area being treated. You can discuss this with the doctor on your first visit.\r\n\r\n<p class=\"text-center\"><u><strong>Do I receive a Prolotherapy treatment on the initial visit?</strong></u>\r\nIf after history and examination it is determined that you are a prolotherapy candidate, then you will receive Prolotherapy on your first visit.</p>\r\n\r\n  <a class=\"secondaryButton bglight\" href=\"#\">Schedule Your Appointment Today!</a>','Common Questions','','inherit','closed','closed','','207-revision-v1','','','2019-06-07 11:18:58','2019-06-07 11:18:58','',207,'https://www.drfields.com/uncategorized/207-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(298,8,'2019-06-07 11:19:41','2019-06-07 11:19:41','<h4>Stem Cell Doctor</h4>\r\n\r\nPeter A. Fields, MD DC, is Stem Cell Doctor in Los Angeles and the founder of OrthoRegen. Dr. Fields is a leading expert in using Stem Cell Treatments for joints and Spine Regeneration. Dr. Fields help people avoid unnecessary orthopaedic surgeries whether full surgery or arthroscopic procedure. Dr.Fields is passionate about helping his clients eliminate pain for optimal long-term results, with the use of Stem Cell  Regenerative Treatments.\r\n\r\n<h4>What is a Stem Cell Doctor?</h4>\r\n\r\nA Stem Cell Doctor provides regenerative orthopaedics by offering non-surgical alternatives to joint and spine repair. Dr. Fields uses Stem Cell therapy to regenerate body tissue. Regenerative medicine is growing in popularity in the medical world as an alternative to invasive orthopaedic surgeries including joint replacement. The remarkable thing about Stem Cells is that when you inject them into a specific area of the body, they know what kinds of cells your body needs – for example,  cartilage cells or meniscus cells.\r\n\r\n<h4>What Conditions Can a Stem Cell Doctor Help?</h4>\r\n\r\nDr. Fields treats weakened, torn or damaged ligaments, as well as tendons, torn cartilage, muscle tears, menisci or labrums. Stem Cell treatment has also been effective in treating severe arthritis conditions.\r\n\r\n<strong>Dr. Fields has had great success in treating joint conditions with Stem Cell Therapy including:</strong>\r\n<ul>\r\n   <li>Bone-on-Bone</li>\r\n    <li>Severe Arthritis</li>\r\n    <li>Degenerated Joint</li>\r\n    <li>Torn, Worn or Missing Cartilage</li></ul>\r\n\r\nSee more about Stem Cell Treatment.\r\n\r\n<h4>What is Stem Cell Treatment?</h4>\r\n\r\nStem Cell treatment is an injection of stem cells into the joint or affected area to promote healing. This procedure is usually used for cases where you have been told to have their joint replaced, have bone-on-bone, advanced arthritis, severe meniscus or labral tear or other aggressive injuries.\r\n\r\nDr. Fields  Stem Cell technique one of the four Gold Standards Regenerative Orthopedics procedures to help you avoid invasive surgery.\r\n\r\nStem Cell Treatment, as used in regenerative orthopaedics, is a non-surgical healing treatment for healing soft tissue performed by a Stem Cell Doctor. Stem Cell treatment is the transplantation of autologous culture-expanded bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells in platelet rich-fibrin glue.\r\n\r\n<h4>Is Stem Cell Treatment Safe?</h4>\r\n\r\nStem Cell treatment is an extremely safe procedure. The risks are far less than those associated with surgery for your chronic joint pain or acute joint injuries. The risks are often also less than taking Ibuprofen (Motrin) for a lifetime to temporarily alleviate chronic pain. As with any procedure, there are risks and side effects which will vary depending on the area being treated. The Stem Cell Doctor will discuss these possibilities fully with patients during the pre-treatment consultation. This is only recommended after a very thorough history and physical exam.\r\n\r\n<h4>Are You A Candidate for Stem Cell Treatment?</h4>\r\n\r\nIf you\'ve been told that you need to have joint replacement surgery -- whether that\'s shoulder replacement surgery, hip replacement surgery, knee replacement surgery (or any other joint), or if you\'ve been told that you need to have spine surgery due to bone-on-bone, arthritis or other conditions, you owe it to yourself to examine all other alternatives to surgery before going under the knife.\r\n\r\nSpine Surgery and Joint Replacement Surgery are very invasive procedures, and each comes with its own long list of reasons to avoid it at all costs: hospital stays, long recovery times, potential (dangerous) complications, and the need to have the procedure redone at some point.\r\n\r\nMake an appointment with our Stem Cell Doctor for an evaluation to see if you are a good candidate for Dr. Fields Gold Standard Stem Cell Treatment for - Spine and Joints. Call <a href=\"#\">310-455-8242</a> to Schedule Your Appointment Today!\r\n\r\n  <a href=\"#\">Schedule Your Appointment Today!</a> ','Stem Cell Doctor','','inherit','closed','closed','','292-revision-v1','','','2019-06-07 11:19:41','2019-06-07 11:19:41','',292,'https://www.drfields.com/uncategorized/292-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(299,8,'2019-06-07 11:19:43','2019-06-07 11:19:43','<p>&nbsp; </p>\r\n<img src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/mother-child-reading.jpg\" alt=\"Mother Child Reading\" width=\"200\" height=\"300\" class=\"alignleft size-full wp-image-288\" /><u><strong>Fee’s and Payment/Insurance Policies</strong></u> <a href=\"https://www.drfields.com/about/fees-policies/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Click Here</a>\r\n\r\n<u><strong>Are medical records or MRI’s/X-rays necessary?</strong></u>\r\nAny pertinent medical records can be faxed (310) 453-1212 to the office prior to your visit. The report (reading) of the MRI/X-ray can also be faxed or brought with you.\r\n\r\nActual MRI’s or x-rays are not absolutely necessary but may be brought with you.\r\n\r\n<u><strong>How long is each visit?</strong></u>\r\nThe first visit is approximately one hour. Each additional visit is about half an hour unless there is more than one area being treated. You can discuss this with the doctor on your first visit.\r\n\r\n<p class=\"text-center\"><u><strong>Do I receive a Prolotherapy treatment on the initial visit?</strong></u>\r\nIf after history and examination it is determined that you are a prolotherapy candidate, then you will receive Prolotherapy on your first visit.</p>\r\n\r\n  <a class=\"buttonlink\" href=\"#\">Schedule Your Appointment Today!</a>','Common Questions','','inherit','closed','closed','','207-revision-v1','','','2019-06-07 11:19:43','2019-06-07 11:19:43','',207,'https://www.drfields.com/uncategorized/207-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(300,8,'2019-06-07 11:25:54','2019-06-07 11:25:54','<p>&nbsp; </p>\r\n<strong>Fees</strong>\r\n\r\nFor your first visit:\r\nA complete Regenerative Orthopedics history and physical is done at that time. \r\nThis takes approximately 30-40 minutes.\r\nThen the treatment options are explained (prices below).\r\n\r\nInitial Regenerative Orthopedic Consultation: <strong>$300</strong>\r\n\r\nProlotherapy Charges\r\nSmall Joint (Foot, hand, fingers, toes, ankle, elbow, TMJ ): <strong>$400</strong>\r\nMedium Joint (knee, hip, shoulder, ribs): <strong>$550</strong>\r\nLarge Joint (Groin, Neck, Mid Back or Low Back): <strong>$700</strong>\r\nPRP (in addition to the above joint charges): <strong>$550</strong>\r\nStem Cell Therapy: <strong>Please call for pricing</strong>\r\n\r\n  <a href=\"#\">Schedule Your Appointment Today!</a>\r\n\r\n<strong>Payment Policy</strong>\r\n\r\nInvesting in your health should be very important to you. Since the future of health care is changing, you should be involved with this investment. When you make a financial investment, you measure it by how much it grows each year. Investing in your health pays off in many different ways: wellness, health stability, quality of life, energy, happiness and more.\r\n\r\nOnly you can decide what is fair and if it is worth the investment even if you instil pay out-of-pocket costs for your health care.\r\n\r\nWe will make every effort to instill the feeling that your time with us is worth it.\r\nWoman Paying\r\n\r\nAs a <strong>Fee for Service Office</strong> we request that the <u><strong>fee is paid in full at the time of service</strong></u>. \r\nWe accept credit cards, checks, or cash for payment of services.\r\nWe will provide you with a detailed invoice that you can submit to your insurance company for possible reimbursement. <u><strong>We cannot guarantee insurance reimbursement.</strong></u>\r\n\r\nWe <u>do not subscribe to any insurance networks.</u> Insurance billing can be up to 40 percent of a medical office\'s overhead. It involves a lot of time and effort. We would rather put that time and effort into caring for our patients instead of billing insurance companies. It also helps us keep our prices reasonable.\r\n\r\nRemember that health insurance is a contract between you and your insurance carrier.\r\n\r\nIf so inclined, you can contact your insurance carrier and ask them if they cover an MD office visit (codes: 99203 or 4; 99213 or 4.) They will not tell you how much they cover - only whether they cover it or not. Most insurance companies cover MD\'s office visits. This is what we bill for.\r\n\r\nAll bills are issued under Dr Fields\' medical license (MD). Unfortunately, there is still no guarantee that insurance companies will reimburse you for your treatments even after they have said yes to complete or partial coverage.\r\n\r\n<u><strong>We cannot bill Medicare or Medi-cal since we are not a provider.</strong></u>\r\nPlease do not ask us to attempt this as it is not possible.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"#\">Schedule Your Appointment Today!</a>','Fees & Policies','','inherit','closed','closed','','202-revision-v1','','','2019-06-07 11:25:54','2019-06-07 11:25:54','',202,'https://www.drfields.com/uncategorized/202-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(301,8,'2019-06-07 11:26:32','2019-06-07 11:26:32','<p>&nbsp; </p>\r\n<strong>Fees</strong>\r\n\r\nFor your first visit:\r\nA complete Regenerative Orthopedics history and physical is done at that time. \r\nThis takes approximately 30-40 minutes.\r\nThen the treatment options are explained (prices below).\r\n\r\nInitial Regenerative Orthopedic Consultation: <strong>$300</strong>\r\n\r\n<strong>Prolotherapy Charges</strong>\r\nSmall Joint (Foot, hand, fingers, toes, ankle, elbow, TMJ ): <strong>$400</strong>\r\nMedium Joint (knee, hip, shoulder, ribs): <strong>$550</strong>\r\nLarge Joint (Groin, Neck, Mid Back or Low Back): <strong>$700</strong>\r\nPRP (in addition to the above joint charges): <strong>$550</strong>\r\nStem Cell Therapy: <strong>Please call for pricing</strong>\r\n\r\n  <a href=\"#\">Schedule Your Appointment Today!</a>\r\n\r\n<strong>Payment Policy</strong>\r\n\r\nInvesting in your health should be very important to you. Since the future of health care is changing, you should be involved with this investment. When you make a financial investment, you measure it by how much it grows each year. Investing in your health pays off in many different ways: wellness, health stability, quality of life, energy, happiness and more.\r\n\r\nOnly you can decide what is fair and if it is worth the investment even if you instil pay out-of-pocket costs for your health care.\r\n\r\nWe will make every effort to instill the feeling that your time with us is worth it.\r\nWoman Paying\r\n\r\nAs a <strong>Fee for Service Office</strong> we request that the <u><strong>fee is paid in full at the time of service</strong></u>. \r\nWe accept credit cards, checks, or cash for payment of services.\r\nWe will provide you with a detailed invoice that you can submit to your insurance company for possible reimbursement. <u><strong>We cannot guarantee insurance reimbursement.</strong></u>\r\n\r\nWe <u>do not subscribe to any insurance networks.</u> Insurance billing can be up to 40 percent of a medical office\'s overhead. It involves a lot of time and effort. We would rather put that time and effort into caring for our patients instead of billing insurance companies. It also helps us keep our prices reasonable.\r\n\r\nRemember that health insurance is a contract between you and your insurance carrier.\r\n\r\nIf so inclined, you can contact your insurance carrier and ask them if they cover an MD office visit (codes: 99203 or 4; 99213 or 4.) They will not tell you how much they cover - only whether they cover it or not. Most insurance companies cover MD\'s office visits. This is what we bill for.\r\n\r\nAll bills are issued under Dr Fields\' medical license (MD). Unfortunately, there is still no guarantee that insurance companies will reimburse you for your treatments even after they have said yes to complete or partial coverage.\r\n\r\n<u><strong>We cannot bill Medicare or Medi-cal since we are not a provider.</strong></u>\r\nPlease do not ask us to attempt this as it is not possible.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"#\">Schedule Your Appointment Today!</a>','Fees & Policies','','inherit','closed','closed','','202-revision-v1','','','2019-06-07 11:26:32','2019-06-07 11:26:32','',202,'https://www.drfields.com/uncategorized/202-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(302,8,'2019-06-07 11:32:37','2019-06-07 11:32:37','<div class=\"col-md-8\">\r\n<img src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/ironman-switzerland-logo.jpg\" alt=\"Ironman Switzerland Logo\" width=\"250\" height=\"120\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-311\" />\r\n\r\n<h6 class=\"text-center\">Sunday July 27, 2016\r\n2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike, 26.2 mile run</h6>\r\n\r\n\"No matter how tough things get in life, you just just have to keep moving forward.\"\r\nFred and Yvette Fields\r\n\r\n<strong><u>GETTING THERE</u></strong>\r\n\r\nI left on an overnight flight to London. This is an approximately 11 hour flight. I slept 7 plus hours so all was well. After a three-hour layover in London, I then had a 90 minute flight to Zurich Switzerland. After landing I found out that my bicycle, which I had brought with me, did not make it. But the Swiss being very efficient had already tracked it and it was coming on the next flight. Since it was late I left for the city and let them deliver it the next morning. I checked into my apartment around midnight. I had rented an apartment since I was going to be there for 7 days. The next morning the bicycle was delivered. No scratches or anything, so everything went well. The first week was just relaxing getting used to the time difference (there\'s a 9 hour time difference between Los Angeles and Zurich) and enjoying Zurich a little bit. Zurich is a beautiful city with a large lake and a river that passes through the city. Rest was needed as race day on Sunday would come quickly.\r\n\r\n<strong><u>RACE DAY MORNING</u></strong>\r\n\r\nThis race day morning was different than my last ones. I usually get about 5 to 6 hours sleep. But somehow I couldn\'t sleep and got only about one and a half hours of sleep. I knew I would be a little on edge but I tried to keep myself calm. I got out of bed at 3:30am to do the final preparations and have breakfast and to get to the transition at 5 a.m. We leave our bike, running and biking gear at the transition area on Saturday, so all I had to do was put water and fuel on my bike, pump the tires and check all my transition bags to make sure everything was correctly there. This is very important as when you get off out of the water you need all your bike gear to change into and the same for the transition when you get off the bike and begin to run, The water was just barely legal (cool enough) for wetsuits. This was just below 74.5 degrees as mandated by the Ironman Corporation. Since I\'m a good swimmer I would have actually preferred not to wear a swimsuit but since everyone else was wearing one, I wore it. Then it was down to the starting line to begin a long and arduous day.\r\n\r\n<strong><u>THE SWIM: 2.4 Miles</u></strong>\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_313\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"160\"]<img src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Switzerland-Swim-2016-275.jpg\" alt=\"Switzerland Swim 2016 275\" width=\"160\" height=\"301\" class=\"size-full wp-image-313\" /><strong> Dr. Fields after the 2.4 mile swim</strong>[/caption]They had about 1,700 competitors at this race . This is less than the usual 2200- 2500. You seed yourself in holding areas by finishing times (under 1 Hour, between 1 hour and 10 minutes and so on. I put myself in the one hour to 1:10 area as this is my expected time. They let the people go six at a time, every 5 Seconds. But due to the fact that you had to run about 15 feet and then walk in the water over stones before actually starting the swim, everyone ended up getting jammed up so it was really like mass start. This meant that there were people were swimming over each other and very close. So I took my time not only lifting my head to keep my bearings straight, but to make sure I was not being bumped by other swimmers too much. Another problem was that all the buoys were of the same color. Usually when you have to turn, they place a different color buoy. So this too delayed my swim and I knew I would be slightly slower than before. As I made the final turn after two miles, I started to head back to the shore for the final 0.4 miles to make a total of 2.4 miles. The only thing marking the exit was a small black balloon archway. Unfortunately this was not very distinguishable from the water and people were zigzagging all over the place. I could only really see it when I got about two hundred meters close to the shore. I found out later that this problem and the ones mentioned before were had by many other swimmers. But all in all it went well. My swim was slower than before due to the crowding at the start and the sighting difficulties, but now I was done with the 2.4 mile swim and it was on to the bike.\r\n\r\n<strong><u>THE BIKE: 112 Miles</u></strong>\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_316\" align=\"alignright\" width=\"160\"]<img src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Switzerland-Bike-2016-275.jpg\" alt=\"Switzerland Bike 2016 275\" width=\"160\" height=\"301\" class=\"size-full wp-image-316\" /><strong>Dr. Fields during the 112 mile bike ride</strong>[/caption]After getting out of the wet suit and getting my bike shoes, helmet and sunglasses on, I got on the bike and started to ride. The first 15 - 20 miles is very flat but also very scenic as you go around the lake. After about 10 to 15 minutes I started to take some nutrition in to replace what I had burned off while I was biking. It\'s important not to take anything in the first 10 to 15 minutes so that your blood goes from your upper body into your lower body. This time we started one of two very long and fairly steep climbs. It was a little bit of a cloud cover so this was good. This cloud cover would be dispersed by the second Loop and the temperature would rise. At the start of the body temperature was probably around 70 degrees but later it would go into the mid-to-upper 80s. Plus it was humid out. As you did this series of two different climbs you have some spectacular views of Lake Zurich and the city. This made things a little bit easier. And the rest of the ride you passed by pastures with cows and some small villages.  Towards the end of the first loop you pass the transition area and do a small little 8 Mile loop. In this 8 Mile loop is an extremely steep hill. It is only about half a mile long but the steepest hill you climb. This area was jammed with spectators yelling and cheering on both sides of the road about 10 to 15 deep. It was very invigorating as you climb this hill and heard music blaring on loud speakers (the second time around  I heard \'Born in the USA\' by Bruce Springsteen). The you descend down the back and go back to the start of the race to begin your second loop after the first 66 miles. The second loop was a little tougher as the temperature reached into the mid-eighties and the sun was out in full force. Since they were long stretches of flat riding, one is down in their Triathlon handlebars alot. This puts a lot of pressure on your neck as you look up periodically to see the traffic in front of you. My neck was getting very tight and even though I was moving it around it was stiffening up a lot. So when I saw a small grassy area quickly hopped off the bike down on the ground and stretched my neck out. This cost me about 45 to 60 seconds off the bike but was well worth it is when I got back on my neck was a lot looser. I could have used a chiropractor at that point but unfortunately they don\'t have them on the race course! hahaha.\r\n\r\nUnfortunately, even though this was a Swiss race, they did not have it organized that well. There was no ice anywhere on the race course (this was to also include the run portion). That meant when they handed you water bottles they were basically warm. One is used to getting an ice cold water which is very refreshing. The second loop went well and after doing a very steep climb at the end again, it was off the bike and into transition to begin the run\r\n\r\n<strong><u>THE RUN: 26.2 Miles</u></strong>\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_318\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"160\"]<img src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Switzerland-Run-2016-275.jpg\" alt=\"Switzerland Run 2016 275\" width=\"160\" height=\"301\" class=\"size-full wp-image-318\" /><strong> Dr. Fields during the 26.2 mile run</strong>[/caption]\r\nAfter riding 112 miles, it\'s always a nice feeling to get off the bike. I changed into on my running shoes and was off for the 26.2 mile run. At this point it was very sunny and hot. They changed the run this year so that you would pass through the heart of the city and by Lake Zurich . But they made it a four loop course which was a little monotonous. My first 10+K loop went very well for me. As you left transition and passed by the crowds it was very invigorating. After 2k you turn to go through the downtown area. You went down one of the main streets with a lot of fancy stores. Then you turned into the malled off streets that were cobblestones but not too bad to run on. These were very small and winding streets in the old part of town. Several cafes were there too with spectators. Then you came out alongside the river and under a bridge to run about 2K by the lake. Here there were hundreds, if not more, people cheering as they enjoyed their Sunday afternoon. This was very invigorating hearing people cheer you on and yell your name or the country you were from (the race tags we wore had our first name and two small flags of the country you where from). The whole time you ran along the lake there were throngs of crowds. After turning around we headed back to the transition area to begin the next 3 loops. This was a little tough as when you pass transition you also passed the Finish Line.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_319\" align=\"alignright\" width=\"160\"]<img src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Switzerland-Finish-Line-2016-275.jpg\" alt=\"Switzerland Finish Line 2016 275\" width=\"160\" height=\"301\" class=\"size-full wp-image-319\" /><strong>Dr. Fields crossing the finish line</strong>[/caption]After each loop, there were people finishing but you still have to continue around and do your loops. They kept track of this when you came up towards the end of each loop and they would put a colored arm band around your forearm . Once you have four armbands on you could turn it into the finish line. As I said, the first loop very well. During the second loop I started to develop some foot pain. I have had this in the past in training but it only would last about 10 to 15 minutes at most. Unfortunately this time it did not go away so my second loop (each loop was a little more than 10K) was much slower. This pain would come and go until halfway into my 4th and last loop. But Ironman are all about challenges. I just dug deep and kept my focus on where I was going and put the pain aside.Dr. Fields crossing the finish line But all-in-all, I persevered. By the third fatigue was getting setting in but I just kept going since I you had to go out and do a fourth loop. Of course in everyone\'s mind you\'re thinking maybe I could just turn and go into the finish line. But again you could not enter the Finish Line without the four colored bands on your arm ( and that would be cutting the course so in reality no one ever considers that). The route was interesting but unfortunately there was no ice anywhere on the course. This all the athletes found to be very unusual. They did have sponges you could squeeze the water out on your head, shoulders and back but again it was just all air temperature water. So you just kept sipping water, cola, taking in nutrition and putting one foot in front of the other.\r\n\r\nSo as I made the final turn at about four kilometers to go, I knew I was heading back and that despite any difficulties, I had I would complete my 7th Ironman. As I came into the transition area and made the final 50 meter turn into the finish line I knew I had done it again. As I crossed the finish line I heard the words that I had heard 6 times before, \"Peter Fields, you are an Ironman!\"\r\n\r\n<strong>POST SCRIPT</strong>\r\n\r\nOf course as with every other race I was dedicating this race in the memory my mother and father. When the pain in my foot started to get worse during the run I just stayed focused. I had learned from both of them that no matter how tough things get in life, you just just have to keep moving forward.  I also kept a small remembrance of them in my back jersey pocket.  When things would get really tough, I would reach back and touch it.  Knowing they were with me made it a lot easier.\r\n\r\nMany of you may not know this  but both my parents were refugees fleeing fascism during World War II.\r\nBeing Jewish and living in Germany in the 1930\'s was not an ideal situation, to say the least.\r\n\r\nMy mom\'s family fled Germany to live in France in 1933. My mom was only 7 years old. After 8 good years, they had to flee once again, in 1941, to the US. So at the young age of 16 she would have to learn her third language, see her dad pass away after only a month in the US, help care for her family and more.\r\n\r\nMy dad, at 19, left Berlin in 1938 to hide out in Shanghai, China. He knew that it was either get out of Europe or perish. His parents unfortunately would never make it out. It took him nine years, until 1947, to finally get to the US. Penniless and without family, he would eventually meet my mom (married for 56 years) and with her start a successful business, raise a family and the rest is history.\r\n\r\nNo matter how bad things got they never gave up hope,\r\nThey instilled this in me from early childhood.\r\nAnd it stayed with me and helped me through this race.\r\n\r\nWhat was happening to me during the race was nothing compared to my parents journeys, but as they taught me, just kept moving forward and don\'t look back.I share with you these stories as this is what I kept in my head as I was running past the pain and fatigue of working out for over 12+ hrs straight.  The book  \'Man\'s Search for Meaning\' by Viktor Frankl, MD, Phd, which was my father\'s favorite book, has a famous quote that goes something like this: \'It\'s not what happens to you in life that matters; it\'s how you deal with it\'.\r\n\r\nI want to thank everybody who has gotten to this point and taken the time to read this. Also everybody out there who were shouting and/or cheering during the race following me on the Internet or just in their minds. I appreciate it all.\r\nThank You.\r\n\r\nOf course, I thank my parents everyday for not only the love they gave me, but for the spirit and determination to never give up that they ingrained in my soul. I\'m so thankful that I had them as my parents.\r\n\r\nOne last special dedication.\r\nTo my 91yo uncle Andre in Belgium, who felt guilty about taking time away from following me on the computer to do a few errands.\r\nHe sometimes knew more about me during the race then I did.\r\nMerci beaucoup, Monsieur Jamar!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<div class=\"clear\"></div>\r\n<strong>Peter A. Fields, MD DC</strong>\r\n<strong>The Athletic Doc<sup>®</sup> and 7X Ironman Triathlete</strong>\r\n</div>\r\n<div class=\"col-md-4\" id=\"sidebar2\">\r\n<img alt=\"Dr. Fields, The Athletic Doc®, post race\" title=\"Dr. Fields, The Athletic Doc®, post race\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Switzerland-Finish-2016-275.jpg\" style=\"width: 204px;\"><br>\r\n<strong> Dr. Fields,The Athletic Doc<sup>®</sup>, post race</strong>\r\n<a href=\"https://goo.gl/photos/iYRMcML2UYWmW2pQ6\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">2016 Switzerland<br>\r\nClick For More Photos</a>\r\nClick below for Pictures &amp; Story&nbsp;\r\n<a href=\"/About/The-Athletic-Doc/Race-Report-9th-Ironman\"><strong style=\"color: #cc0000;\">2017 Ironman Santa Rosa</strong></a>\r\n<a href=\"/About/The-Athletic-Doc/Race-Report-8th-Ironman\"><strong style=\"color: #cc0000;\">2016 Ironman Cozumel</strong></a>\r\n<a href=\"/About/The-Athletic-Doc/Race-Report-7th-Ironman\"><strong style=\"color: #cc0000;\">2016 Ironman Switzerland</strong></a>\r\n<a href=\"/About/The-Athletic-Doc/Race-Report-6th-Ironman\"><strong style=\"color: #cc0000;\">2015 Ironman Cozumel</strong></a>\r\n<a href=\"/About/The-Athletic-Doc/Race-Report-5th-Ironman\"><strong style=\"color: #cc0000;\">2015 Ironman Brazil</strong></a>\r\n<a href=\"/About/The-Athletic-Doc/Race-Report-4th-Ironman\"><strong style=\"color: #cc0000;\">2014 Ironman Austria</strong></a>\r\n<a href=\"/About/The-Athletic-Doc/Race-Report-3rd-Ironman\"><strong style=\"color: #cc0000;\">2013 Ironman Canada</strong></a>\r\n<a href=\"/about/the-athletic-doc/race-report-2nd-ironman/\"><strong style=\"color: #cc0000;\">2012 Ironman Cozumel</strong></a>\r\n<a href=\"/about/the-athletic-doc/race-report-1st-ironman/\"><strong style=\"color: #cc0000;\">2011 Ironman Cozumel</strong></a>\r\n\r\n</div>','Race Report 7th Ironman','','publish','open','closed','','race-report-7th-ironman','','','2020-06-30 17:58:43','2020-06-30 17:58:43','',0,'https://www.drfields.com/?p=302',0,'post','',0),(303,8,'2019-06-07 11:30:19','2019-06-07 11:30:19','\r\n<h2>We have moved!!</h2>\r\n<img title=\"Dr. Peter Fields\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/portals/0/Images/drfields-bio-img.jpg\" alt=\"Dr. Peter Fields\" />Our new address is:\r\n<strong> 2730 Wilshire Blvd, Suite 220\r\nSanta Monica, Ca 90403</strong>\r\nThe phone, fax and email is all the same.\r\n\r\nThe bldg. is located on the southwest corner of Wilshire Blvd. and Harvard Street, which is two blocks east of Wilshire and 26th Street in Santa Monica.\r\nThis is only one mile from our old location.\r\n\r\n<strong>We will not be able to provide validated parking at this new site.</strong>\r\nThere is ample metered parking on Wilshire Blvd.\r\nThere is also metered and non-metered parking on the side streets.\r\nFor those wishing to use the parking garage, they charge $2 per fifteen minutes with a maximum of $16. It is all automated and there is no parking attendant.\r\n\r\nWe look forward to seeing everyone soon at our new home.\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n</div>\r\n</div>\r\n<div class=\"clear\"></div>','','','inherit','closed','closed','','302-revision-v1','','','2019-06-07 11:30:19','2019-06-07 11:30:19','',302,'https://www.drfields.com/uncategorized/302-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(304,8,'2019-06-07 11:32:37','2019-06-07 11:32:37','<div id=\"dnn_ctr686_ModuleContent\" class=\"DNNModuleContent ModDNNHTMLC\">\r\n<div id=\"dnn_ctr686_HtmlModule_lblContent\" class=\"Normal\">\r\n<div>\r\n<div class=\"content\">\r\n\r\n<img title=\"ironman switzerland\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/portals/0/Images/AthleticDoc/ironman-switzerland-logo.jpg\" alt=\"ironman switzerland\" />\r\n\r\n<strong>Sunday July 27, 2016\r\n2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike, 26.2 mile run</strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n\"No matter how tough things get in life, you just just have to keep moving forward.\"\r\nFred and Yvette Fields\r\n\r\n<strong>GETTING THERE</strong>\r\n\r\nI left on an overnight flight to London. This is an approximately 11 hour flight. I slept 7 plus hours so all was well. After a three-hour layover in London, I then had a 90 minute flight to Zurich Switzerland. After landing I found out that my bicycle, which I had brought with me, did not make it. But the Swiss being very efficient had already tracked it and it was coming on the next flight. Since it was late I left for the city and let them deliver it the next morning. I checked into my apartment around midnight. I had rented an apartment since I was going to be there for 7 days. The next morning the bicycle was delivered. No scratches or anything, so everything went well. The first week was just relaxing getting used to the time difference (there\'s a 9 hour time difference between Los Angeles and Zurich) and enjoying Zurich a little bit. Zurich is a beautiful city with a large lake and a river that passes through the city. Rest was needed as race day on Sunday would come quickly.\r\n\r\n<strong>RACE DAY MORNING</strong>\r\n\r\nThis race day morning was different than my last ones. I usually get about 5 to 6 hours sleep. But somehow I couldn\'t sleep and got only about one and a half hours of sleep. I knew I would be a little on edge but I tried to keep myself calm. I got out of bed at 3:30am to do the final preparations and have breakfast and to get to the transition at 5 a.m. We leave our bike, running and biking gear at the transition area on Saturday, so all I had to do was put water and fuel on my bike, pump the tires and check all my transition bags to make sure everything was correctly there. This is very important as when you get off out of the water you need all your bike gear to change into and the same for the transition when you get off the bike and begin to run, The water was just barely legal (cool enough) for wetsuits. This was just below 74.5 degrees as mandated by the Ironman Corporation. Since I\'m a good swimmer I would have actually preferred not to wear a swimsuit but since everyone else was wearing one, I wore it. Then it was down to the starting line to begin a long and arduous day\r\n<div><img title=\"Dr. Fields after the 2.4 mile swim\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/portals/0/Images/Ironman%20Switzerland%202016/Switzerland-Swim-2016-275.jpg\" alt=\"Dr. Fields after the 2.4 mile swim\" />\r\nDr. Fields after the 2.4 mile swim</div>\r\n<strong>THE SWIM: 2.4 Miles</strong>\r\n\r\nThey had about 1,700 competitors at this race . This is less than the usual 2200- 2500. You seed yourself in holding areas by finishing times (under 1 Hour, between 1 hour and 10 minutes and so on. I put myself in the one hour to 1:10 area as this is my expected time. They let the people go six at a time, every 5 Seconds. But due to the fact that you had to run about 15 feet and then walk in the water over stones before actually starting the swim, everyone ended up getting jammed up so it was really like mass start. This meant that there were people were swimming over each other and very close. So I took my time not only lifting my head to keep my bearings straight, but to make sure I was not being bumped by other swimmers too much. Another problem was that all the buoys were of the same color. Usually when you have to turn, they place a different color buoy. So this too delayed my swim and I knew I would be slightly slower than before. As I made the final turn after two miles, I started to head back to the shore for the final 0.4 miles to make a total of 2.4 miles. The only thing marking the exit was a small black balloon archway. Unfortunately this was not very distinguishable from the water and people were zigzagging all over the place. I could only really see it when I got about two hundred meters close to the shore. I found out later that this problem and the ones mentioned before were had by many other swimmers. But all in all it went well. My swim was slower than before due to the crowding at the start and the sighting difficulties, but now I was done with the 2.4 mile swim and it was on to the bike.\r\n<div><img title=\"Switzerland Bike\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/portals/0/Images/Ironman%20Switzerland%202016/Switzerland-Bike-2016-275.jpg\" alt=\"Switzerland Bike\" />\r\nDr. Fields during the 112 mile bike ride</div>\r\n<strong>THE BIKE: 112 Miles</strong>\r\n\r\nAfter getting out of the wet suit and getting my bike shoes, helmet and sunglasses on, I got on the bike and started to ride. The first 15 - 20 miles is very flat but also very scenic as you go around the lake. After about 10 to 15 minutes I started to take some nutrition in to replace what I had burned off while I was biking. It\'s important not to take anything in the first 10 to 15 minutes so that your blood goes from your upper body into your lower body. This time we started one of two very long and fairly steep climbs. It was a little bit of a cloud cover so this was good. This cloud cover would be dispersed by the second Loop and the temperature would rise. At the start of the body temperature was probably around 70 degrees but later it would go into the mid-to-upper 80s. Plus it was humid out. As you did this series of two different climbs you have some spectacular views of Lake Zurich and the city. This made things a little bit easier. And the rest of the ride you passed by pastures with cows and some small villages.  Towards the end of the first loop you pass the transition area and do a small little 8 Mile loop. In this 8 Mile loop is an extremely steep hill. It is only about half a mile long but the steepest hill you climb. This area was jammed with spectators yelling and cheering on both sides of the road about 10 to 15 deep. It was very invigorating as you climb this hill and heard music blaring on loud speakers (the second time around  I heard \'Born in the USA\' by Bruce Springsteen). The you descend down the back and go back to the start of the race to begin your second loop after the first 66 miles. The second loop was a little tougher as the temperature reached into the mid-eighties and the sun was out in full force. Since they were long stretches of flat riding, one is down in their Triathlon handlebars alot. This puts a lot of pressure on your neck as you look up periodically to see the traffic in front of you. My neck was getting very tight and even though I was moving it around it was stiffening up a lot. So when I saw a small grassy area quickly hopped off the bike down on the ground and stretched my neck out. This cost me about 45 to 60 seconds off the bike but was well worth it is when I got back on my neck was a lot looser. I could have used a chiropractor at that point but unfortunately they don\'t have them on the race course! hahaha.\r\n\r\nUnfortunately, even though this was a Swiss race, they did not have it organized that well. There was no ice anywhere on the race course (this was to also include the run portion). That meant when they handed you water bottles they were basically warm. One is used to getting an ice cold water which is very refreshing. The second loop went well and after doing a very steep climb at the end again, it was off the bike and into transition to begin the run\r\n<div><img title=\"Switzerland Run 2016\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/portals/0/Images/Ironman%20Switzerland%202016/Switzerland-Run-2016-275.jpg\" alt=\"Switzerland Run 2016\" />\r\nDr. Fields during the 26.2 mile run</div>\r\n<strong>THE RUN: 26.2 Miles</strong>\r\n\r\nAfter riding 112 miles, it\'s always a nice feeling to get off the bike. I changed into on my running shoes and was off for the 26.2 mile run. At this point it was very sunny and hot. They changed the run this year so that you would pass through the heart of the city and by Lake Zurich . But they made it a four loop course which was a little monotonous. My first 10+K loop went very well for me. As you left transition and passed by the crowds it was very invigorating. After 2k you turn to go through the downtown area. You went down one of the main streets with a lot of fancy stores. Then you turned into the malled off streets that were cobblestones but not too bad to run on. These were very small and winding streets in the old part of town. Several cafes were there too with spectators. Then you came out alongside the river and under a bridge to run about 2K by the lake. Here there were hundreds, if not more, people cheering as they enjoyed their Sunday afternoon. This was very invigorating hearing people cheer you on and yell your name or the country you were from (the race tags we wore had our first name and two small flags of the country you where from). The whole time you ran along the lake there were throngs of crowds. After turning around we headed back to the transition area to begin the next 3 loops. This was a little tough as when you pass transition you also passed the Finish Line.\r\n\r\nAfter each loop, there were people finishing but you still have to continue around and do your loops. They kept track of this when you came up towards the end of each loop and they would put a colored arm band around your forearm . Once you have four armbands on you could turn it into the finish line. As I said, the first loop very well. During the second loop I started to develop some foot pain. I have had this in the past in training but it only would last about 10 to 15 minutes at most. Unfortunately this time it did not go away so my second loop (each loop was a little more than 10K) was much slower. This pain would come and go until halfway into my 4th and last loop. But Ironman are all about challenges. I just dug deep and kept my focus on where I was going and put the pain aside.<img title=\"Dr. Fields crossing the finish line\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/portals/0/Images/Ironman%20Switzerland%202016/Switzerland-Finish-Line-2016-275.jpg\" alt=\"Dr. Fields crossing the finish line\" />\r\nDr. Fields crossing the finish line But all-in-all, I persevered. By the third fatigue was getting setting in but I just kept going since I you had to go out and do a fourth loop. Of course in everyone\'s mind you\'re thinking maybe I could just turn and go into the finish line. But again you could not enter the Finish Line without the four colored bands on your arm ( and that would be cutting the course so in reality no one ever considers that). The route was interesting but unfortunately there was no ice anywhere on the course. This all the athletes found to be very unusual. They did have sponges you could squeeze the water out on your head, shoulders and back but again it was just all air temperature water. So you just kept sipping water, cola, taking in nutrition and putting one foot in front of the other.\r\n\r\nSo as I made the final turn at about four kilometers to go, I knew I was heading back and that despite any difficulties, I had I would complete my 7th Ironman. As I came into the transition area and made the final 50 meter turn into the finish line I knew I had done it again. As I crossed the finish line I heard the words that I had heard 6 times before, \"Peter Fields, you are an Ironman!\"\r\n\r\n<strong>POST SCRIPT</strong>\r\n\r\nOf course as with every other race I was dedicating this race in the memory my mother and father. When the pain in my foot started to get worse during the run I just stayed focused. I had learned from both of them that no matter how tough things get in life, you just just have to keep moving forward.  I also kept a small remembrance of them in my back jersey pocket.  When things would get really tough, I would reach back and touch it.  Knowing they were with me made it a lot easier.\r\n\r\nMany of you may not know this  but both my parents were refugees fleeing fascism during World War II.\r\nBeing Jewish and living in Germany in the 1930\'s was not an ideal situation, to say the least.\r\n\r\nMy mom\'s family fled Germany to live in France in 1933. My mom was only 7 years old. After 8 good years, they had to flee once again, in 1941, to the US. So at the young age of 16 she would have to learn her third language, see her dad pass away after only a month in the US, help care for her family and more.\r\n\r\nMy dad, at 19, left Berlin in 1938 to hide out in Shanghai, China. He knew that it was either get out of Europe or perish. His parents unfortunately would never make it out. It took him nine years, until 1947, to finally get to the US. Penniless and without family, he would eventually meet my mom (married for 56 years) and with her start a successful business, raise a family and the rest is history.\r\n\r\nNo matter how bad things got they never gave up hope,\r\nThey instilled this in me from early childhood.\r\nAnd it stayed with me and helped me through this race.\r\n\r\nWhat was happening to me during the race was nothing compared to my parents journeys, but as they taught me, just kept moving forward and don\'t look back.I share with you these stories as this is what I kept in my head as I was running past the pain and fatigue of working out for over 12+ hrs straight.  The book  \'Man\'s Search for Meaning\' by Viktor Frankl, MD, Phd, which was my father\'s favorite book, has a famous quote that goes something like this: \'It\'s not what happens to you in life that matters; it\'s how you deal with it\'.\r\n\r\nI want to thank everybody who has gotten to this point and taken the time to read this. Also everybody out there who were shouting and/or cheering during the race following me on the Internet or just in their minds. I appreciate it all.\r\nThank You.\r\n\r\nOf course, I thank my parents everyday for not only the love they gave me, but for the spirit and determination to never give up that they ingrained in my soul. I\'m so thankful that I had them as my parents.\r\n\r\nOne last special dedication.\r\nTo my 91yo uncle Andre in Belgium, who felt guilty about taking time away from following me on the computer to do a few errands.\r\nHe sometimes knew more about me during the race then I did.\r\nMerci beaucoup, Monsieur Jamar!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<div class=\"clear\"></div>\r\n<strong>Peter A. Fields, MD DC</strong>\r\n<strong>The Athletic Doc® and 7X Ironman Triathlete</strong>\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n</div>\r\n</div>\r\n</div>','Race Report 7th Ironman','','inherit','closed','closed','','302-revision-v1','','','2019-06-07 11:32:37','2019-06-07 11:32:37','',302,'https://www.drfields.com/uncategorized/302-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0);
INSERT INTO `wp_posts` VALUES (306,8,'2019-06-07 11:40:19','2019-06-07 11:40:19','<h2 class=\"col-md-8\">Ironman 8 in Cozumel, Mexico</h2>\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4955\" align=\"alignright\" width=\"334\"]<img class=\" wp-image-4955\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Cozumel-Logo-1.jpg\" alt=\"Cozumel Logo\" width=\"334\" height=\"204\" /> <em><strong>      Ironman 8 in Cozumel, Mexico 2016</strong></em>[/caption]\r\n\r\n\"Never give up on your goals no matter how tough things get.\"\r\n~Fred and Yvette Fields\r\n\r\nAs many of you have enjoyed reading my stories about my Ironman races, I will now give you a brief synopsis of my Ironman 8 in Cozumel, Mexico on November 27, 2016.\r\n<h3><strong>GETTING THERE</strong></h3>\r\nThis was not as complicated as it was for my races in South America or in Europe. A 3 hr. flight to Dallas and then 2 1/2 hours to Cozumel. I arrived five days before the race. Then the usual registering, getting ready, and just sitting back and relaxing the last few days.\r\n<h3><strong class=\"subhead\">RACE DAY MORNING</strong></h3>\r\nI awoke at 3:30 a.m., breakfast at 4 a.m, and then to the race start. In Cozumel, you start 2.2 miles away for the T1 (transition one) area where you have your bike, so first, you go to the transition area and make sure everything is OK as you leave your bike and bike clothes the day before. You fill your bottles with water, pump your tires, place some nutrition on the bike and then take a bus over to the race start.\r\n\r\nThere was nothing unusual at the race start this morning except for the fact that I forgot my speed suit.  A wetsuit is not allowed in the race when the water temp is above 76.5 degrees (actually it was 79 degrees today). Like many athletes, I usually wear a speed suit over my Triathlon suit. This is a suit that is very similar to what Olympic swimmers wear to streamline the body. But it really was no big deal as swimming is my best sport and at best it can take seconds and not minutes off my swim.\r\n\r\nOne of my highlights of standing in the corral waiting for the swim start was that I was actually standing next to, and met, The Iron Cowboy. This is a 41-year-old guy who just the year before had done what is really considered impossible. That is, he did 50 Ironman races in 50 days in 50 states. Yes, you heard me correctly. It was a monumental effort and he did it to raise awareness for several different organizations. I told him what an honor it was to have met him.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_327\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"244\"]<img class=\" wp-image-327\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Cozumel-2016-Swim-2-160.jpg\" alt=\"Cozumel 2016 Swim 2 160\" width=\"244\" height=\"435\" /> <strong>Swim Start with his parents\' initials on his forearms</strong>[/caption]\r\n<h3 class=\"col-md-8\"><strong class=\"subhead\">THE SWIM: 2.4 Miles</strong></h3>\r\nThe swim for me is never a major challenge as it is my best event. The start in Cozumel is very organized and controlled. They let about five to ten people off the end of the pier about every 15 seconds, so it never gets very crowded.\r\n\r\nThe water is very nice and it makes for an enjoyable swim. You can see down 30 - 50 feet and see schools of fish along the way. You can also see the scuba diver lifeguards who are strategically placed along the way in case anything happens.\r\n\r\nWhile swimming, about halfway thru the race, I did detect a current as it picked up and was coming towards us. This is not the norm as usually, you swim with the current but occasionally it can change. I just moved on and kept motoring through. In the end, I found out my time was just a minute or two slower than usual but most were 10-20 minutes slower than their usual time.\r\n\r\nThen out of the water, run over to the transition tent to dry off, get my helmet, bike shoes, and sunglasses, and then on to the bike for 112 mile bike ride.\r\n<h3><strong class=\"subhead\">THE BIKE: 112 Miles</strong></h3>\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_328\" align=\"alignright\" width=\"316\"]<img class=\" wp-image-328\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Cozumel-2016-Bike-160.jpg\" alt=\"Cozumel 2016 Bike 160\" width=\"316\" height=\"413\" /> <strong>Dr. Fields during the 112-mile bike ride</strong>[/caption]\r\n<p class=\"col-md-8\">Having done this race three times before, I knew that bike course well. The backside of the island has a 12-mile stretch where you are hit hard by the wind. But I felt really good and rode the first loop faster than I had ever done before.</p>\r\n<p class=\"col-md-8\">In the second loop, I kept my pace going but the winds got tougher on the backside of the island. They were hitting at about 20 to 25 miles an hour so you had to stay low on the bike.</p>\r\n<p class=\"col-md-8\">In the third loop, I did well on the leeward side of the island but once I hit the windward side of the island, I slowed because the winds were blowing over 30 miles an hour. At this point, you just tough it out and wait for the final stretch, with the wind at your back, into town. All-in-all I felt very good and I ended up having my best cycle time in Cozumel.</p>\r\n\r\n<h3><strong class=\"subhead\">THE RUN: 26.2 Miles</strong></h3>\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_329\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"278\"]<img class=\" wp-image-329\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Cozumel-2016-Run-160.jpg\" alt=\"Cozumel 2016 Run 160\" width=\"278\" height=\"500\" /> <strong>Dr. Fields during the 26.2 mile run</strong>[/caption]\r\n\r\nAt a transition, I felt very strong. The sun was out and it didn\'t rain but it was not too hot. In my first loop, which is about 8.8 miles, I felt very good.\r\n\r\nDuring my second loop, I developed some foot pain but was able to adjust my stride so it really didn\'t bother me. Unfortunately, halfway through this second loop I developed some hamstring pain. This is something I hadn\'t had before. At 13.1 miles, there is the special needs station. This is where one leaves out things they would like halfway to the race. I took some extra gels and a Motrin I had in there. Unfortunately, that was not enough. So, I tried running nine tenths of a mile and walking a tenth of a mile. The pain stayed with me so then I ran/walked for a while. Ironman races are all about staying in the game, so I just put the pain out of my head and kept going. I also found some ice at an aid station and wrapped that around my leg. Overall this hindered my run. On the 3rd loop I walked a lot; at least more than I ran.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_332\" align=\"alignright\" width=\"160\"]<img class=\"size-full wp-image-332\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Cozumel-2016-Finish-160.jpg\" alt=\"Cozumel 2016 Finish 160\" width=\"160\" height=\"295\" /> <strong> Dr. Fields crossing the finish line</strong>[/caption]\r\n\r\nDr. Fields crossing the finish line I was hurting but there was nothing I could do. That was for the first four to five miles of the 8.4 mile run. And with three and a half for miles to go I just grinned and beared it and said I\'m almost done so let me just run through it. So, as I came back into town and the lights of the town became brighter and brighter, I felt very strong. I started seeing the big crowds at about a mile-and-a-half out which inspired me even more. I was now running very well, even passing other competitors who I cheered on. As I came to the last 500 meters the crowds and people cheering were very loud and inspiring. Although my leg was giving me a lot of pain at that time, in Ironman it\'s all about crisis control. You never say never. So I just kept a smile on my face and kept moving forward. As I came down the last 50 meters stretch the feeling is indescribable. I finally knew I had done it. I\'d finished my 8th Ironman. And as I came up to the Finish Line, I was exhausted but feeling unbelievably good. The feeling never gets old when the announcer says: \"Peter Fields, you are an Ironman!\"\r\n<div class=\"clear\"></div>\r\n<strong>POST SCRIPT</strong>\r\n\r\nAs I\'ve described in other race reports, my parents instilled in me the ability to work thru things no matter how hard it gets. Life is not always easy, just like an Ironman. There are some easy stretches and some hard times. But you just keep your head down and keep moving forward. The spirit of my parents never left me during the entire race. Their attention, caring and never ending love for me was always in my thoughts. As with every race, as I get towards the end, I imagine my parents there embracing me like they had for so many years. Their eternal love and kindness carries me through more than just my Ironman races.\r\n\r\n<strong>PS</strong> Once again I was first out of the water in my age group in the swim. After the bike, I was in the top third of my age group. This was a first for me. Unfortunately after the run, due to the above-mentioned issues, I fell back and finished towards the top of the lower third for my age group. But all in all, it was a good race.\r\n\r\n<strong>PPS</strong> I want to thank everybody who not only read this but also who thought of or followed me during the race. Thank you all very much.\r\n<div class=\"clear\"></div>\r\n<strong>Peter A. Fields, MD DC</strong>\r\n<strong>The Athletic Doc<sup>®</sup> and 8X Ironman Triathlete</strong>\r\n<div id=\"sidebar2\" class=\"col-md-4\"><img title=\"post race pic\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Cozumel-2016-Finisher-275.jpg\" alt=\"post race pic\" />\r\nPeter A. Fields, MD, DC,<span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>\r\nThe Athletic Doc<sup>®</sup>, </strong></span>post race pic\r\n<a href=\"https://goo.gl/photos/WqU8aVsvXa5SgLLo6\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">2016 Cozumel\r\nClick For More Photos</a>\r\nClick below for Pictures &amp; Story\r\n<a href=\"/About/The-Athletic-Doc/Race-Report-9th-Ironman\"><strong style=\"color: #cc0000;\">2017 Ironman Santa Rosa</strong></a>\r\n<a href=\"/About/The-Athletic-Doc/Race-Report-8th-Ironman\"><strong style=\"color: #cc0000;\">2016 Ironman Cozumel</strong></a>\r\n<a href=\"/About/The-Athletic-Doc/Race-Report-7th-Ironman\"><strong style=\"color: #cc0000;\">2016 Ironman Switzerland</strong></a>\r\n<a href=\"/About/The-Athletic-Doc/Race-Report-6th-Ironman\"><strong style=\"color: #cc0000;\">2015 Ironman Cozumel</strong></a>\r\n<a href=\"/About/The-Athletic-Doc/Race-Report-5th-Ironman\"><strong style=\"color: #cc0000;\">2015 Ironman Brazil</strong></a>\r\n<a href=\"/About/The-Athletic-Doc/Race-Report-4th-Ironman\"><strong style=\"color: #cc0000;\">2014 Ironman Austria</strong></a>\r\n<a href=\"/About/The-Athletic-Doc/Race-Report-3rd-Ironman\"><strong style=\"color: #cc0000;\">2013 Ironman Canada</strong></a>\r\n<a href=\"/about/the-athletic-doc/race-report-2nd-ironman/\"><strong style=\"color: #cc0000;\">2012 Ironman Cozumel</strong></a>\r\n<a href=\"/about/the-athletic-doc/race-report-1st-ironman/\"><strong style=\"color: #cc0000;\">2011 Ironman Cozumel</strong></a></div>','Race Report 8th Ironman','','publish','open','closed','','race-report-8th-ironman','','','2022-02-26 00:06:56','2022-02-26 00:06:56','',0,'https://www.drfields.com/?p=306',0,'post','',0),(307,8,'2019-06-07 11:40:19','2019-06-07 11:40:19','<img title=\"Ironman Cozumel Logo\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/portals/0/Images/AthleticDoc/Cozumel-Logo.jpg\" alt=\"Ironman Cozumel Logo\" />\r\n\r\n<strong>Sunday Nov 27, 2016\r\n2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike, 26.2 mile run</strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n\"Never give up on your goals no matter how tough things get.\"\r\nFred and Yvette Fields\r\n\r\nAs many of you have enjoyed reading my stories about my Ironman races, I will now give you a brief synopsis of my eighth Ironman in Cozumel, Mexico November 27, 2016. I apologize for the delay in getting this out.\r\n\r\n<strong>GETTING THERE</strong>\r\n\r\nThis was not as complicated as it was for my races in South America or in Europe. A 3 hr. flight to Dallas and then 2 1/2 hrs. to Cozumel. I arrived five days in the advance of the race. Then the usual registering, getting ready and just sitting back and relaxing the last few days.\r\n\r\n<strong>RACE DAY MORNING</strong>\r\n\r\nI awoke at 3:30 a.m. Breakfast at 4 a.m. and then getting down to the race start. In Cozumel, you start 2.2 miles away for the T1 (transition one) area where you have our bike, so first you go to the transition area and make sure everything is OK as you leave your bike and bike clothes the day before. You fill your bottles with water, pump your tires, place some nutrition on the bike and then take a bus over to the race start.\r\n\r\nThere was nothing unusual at the race start this morning except for the fact that I forgot my speed suit.  A wetsuit is not allowed in the race when the water temp is above the 76.5 degrees (actually it was 79 degrees today). Like many athletes, I usually wear a speed suit over my Triathlon suit. This is a suit that is very similar to what Olympic swimmers wear to streamline the body. But it really was no big deal as swimming is my best sport and at best it can take seconds and not minutes off my swim.\r\n\r\nOne of my highlights of standing in the corral waiting for the swim start was that I was actually standing next to, and met, The Iron Cowboy. This is a 41-year-old guy who just the year before had done what is really considered impossible. That is, he did 50 Ironman races in 50 days in 50 states. Yes, you heard me correctly. It was a monumental effort and he did it to raise awareness for several different organizations. I told him what an honor it was to have met him.\r\n<div><img title=\"Swim Start with his parents\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/portals/0/Images/Ironman%20Cozumel%202016/Cozumel-2016-Swim-2-160.jpg\" alt=\"Swim Start with his parents\" />\r\nSwim Start with his parents initials on his forearms</div>\r\n<strong>THE SWIM: 2.4 Miles</strong>\r\n\r\nThe swim for me is never a major challenge as it is my best event. The start in Cozumel is very organized and controlled. They let about five to ten people off the end of the pier about every 15 seconds, so it never gets very crowded. The water very nice and it makes for an enjoyable swim. You can see down 30 - 50 feet and see schools of fish along the way. You can also see the scuba diver lifeguards who are strategically placed along the way in case anything happens. While swimming, about halfway thru the race, I did detect a current as it picked up and was coming towards us. This is not the norm as usually you swim with the current but occasionally it can change. I just moved on and kept motoring through. At the end I found out my time was just a minute or two slower than usual but most were 10-20 minutes slower than their usual time. Then out of the water, run over to the transition tent to dry off, get my helmet, bike shoes and sunglasses on and then on to the bike for 112 mile bike ride.\r\n<div><img title=\"Cozumel 2016 Bike\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/portals/0/Images/Ironman%20Cozumel%202016/Cozumel-2016-Bike-160.jpg\" alt=\"Cozumel 2016 Bike\" />\r\nDr. Fields during the 112 mile bike ride</div>\r\n<strong>THE BIKE: 112 Miles</strong>\r\n\r\nHaving done this this race three times before I knew that bike course well. The back side of the island has a 12-mile stretch where your hit hard by the wind. But I felt really good and rode the first loop faster than I had ever done before. The second loop I kept my pace going but the winds got tougher on the back side of the island. They were hitting at about 20 to 25 miles an hour so you had to stay low on the bike. The third loop I did well on the leeward side of the island but once I hit the windward side of the island I slowed because the winds were blowing over 30 miles an hour. At this point you just tough it out and wait for the final stretch, with the wind at your back, into town. All-in-all I felt very good and I ended up having my best cycle time in Cozumel.\r\n<div><img title=\"Cozumel 2016 Run\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/portals/0/Images/Ironman%20Cozumel%202016/Cozumel-2016-Run-160.jpg\" alt=\"Cozumel 2016 Run\" />\r\nDr. Fields during the 26.2 mile run</div>\r\n<strong>THE RUN: 26.2 Miles</strong>\r\n\r\nAt a transition, I felt very strong. The sun was out and it didn\'t rain but it was not too hot. My first loop, which is about 8.8 miles, I felt very good. During my second loop I developed some foot pain but was able to adjust my stride so it really didn\'t bother me. Unfortunately, halfway through this second loop I developed some hamstring pain. This is something I hadn\'t had before. At 13.1 miles, there is the special needs station. This is where one leaves out things they would like halfway to the race. I took some extra gels and a Motrin I had in there. Unfortunately, that was not enough. So, I tried running nine tenths of a mile and walking a tenth of a mile. The pain stayed with me so then I ran/walked for a while. Ironman races are all about staying in the game, so I just put the pain out of my head and kept going. I also found some ice at an aid station and wrapped that around my leg. Overall this hindered my run. On the 3rd loop I walked a lot; at least more than I ran.<img title=\"Dr. Fields crossing the finish line\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/portals/0/Images/Ironman%20Cozumel%202016/Cozumel-2016-Finish-160.jpg\" alt=\"Dr. Fields crossing the finish line\" />\r\nDr. Fields crossing the finish line I was hurting but there was nothing I could do. That was for the first four to five miles of the 8.4 mile run. And with three and a half for miles to go I just grinned and beared it and said I\'m almost done so let me just run through it. So, as I came back into town and the lights of the town became brighter and brighter, I felt very strong. I started seeing the big crowds at about a mile-and-a-half out which inspired me even more. I was now running very well, even passing other competitors who I cheered on. As I came to the last 500 meters the crowds and people cheering were very loud and inspiring. Although my leg was giving me a lot of pain at that time, in Ironman it\'s all about crisis control. You never say never. So I just kept a smile on my face and kept moving forward. As I came down the last 50 meters stretch the feeling is indescribable. I finally knew I had done it. I\'d finished my 8th Ironman. And as I came up to the Finish Line, I was exhausted but feeling unbelievably good. The feeling never gets old when the announcer says: \"Peter Fields, you are an Ironman!\"\r\n\r\n<strong>POST SCRIPT</strong>\r\n\r\nAs I\'ve described in other race reports, my parents instilled in me the ability to work thru things no matter how hard it gets. Life is not always easy, just like an Ironman. There are some easy stretches and some hard times. But you just keep your head down and keep moving forward. The spirit of my parents never left me during the entire race. Their attention, caring and never ending love for me was always in my thoughts. As with every race, as I get towards the end, I imagine my parents there embracing me like they had for so many years. Their eternal love and kindness carries me through more than just my Ironman races.\r\n\r\n<strong>PS</strong> Once again I was first out of the water in my age group in the swim. After the bike, I was in the top third of my age group. This was a first for me. Unfortunately after the run, due to the above-mentioned issues, I fell back and finished towards the top of the lower third for my age group. But all in all, it was a good race.\r\n\r\n<strong>PPS</strong> I want to thank everybody who not only read this but also who thought of or followed me during the race. Thank you all very much.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<div class=\"clear\"></div>\r\n<strong>Peter A. Fields, MD DC</strong>\r\n<strong>The Athletic Doc® and 8X Ironman Triathlete</strong>','Race Report 8th Ironman','','inherit','closed','closed','','306-revision-v1','','','2019-06-07 11:40:19','2019-06-07 11:40:19','',306,'https://www.drfields.com/uncategorized/306-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(308,8,'2022-12-02 06:01:38','2019-06-08 02:50:52',' ','','','publish','closed','closed','','308','','','2022-12-02 06:01:38','2022-12-02 06:01:38','',0,'https://www.drfields.com/?p=308',18,'nav_menu_item','',0),(309,8,'2022-12-02 06:01:38','2019-06-08 02:50:52',' ','','','publish','closed','closed','','309','','','2022-12-02 06:01:38','2022-12-02 06:01:38','',0,'https://www.drfields.com/?p=309',17,'nav_menu_item','',0),(310,8,'2019-06-17 09:50:23','2019-06-17 09:50:23','<div class=\"col-md-8\">\n<img src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/ironman-switzerland-logo.jpg\" alt=\"Ironman Switzerland Logo\" width=\"250\" height=\"120\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-311\" />\n\n<h6 class=\"text-center\">Sunday July 27, 2016\n2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike, 26.2 mile run</h6>\n\n\"No matter how tough things get in life, you just just have to keep moving forward.\"\nFred and Yvette Fields\n\n<strong><u>GETTING THERE</u></strong>\n\nI left on an overnight flight to London. This is an approximately 11 hour flight. I slept 7 plus hours so all was well. After a three-hour layover in London, I then had a 90 minute flight to Zurich Switzerland. After landing I found out that my bicycle, which I had brought with me, did not make it. But the Swiss being very efficient had already tracked it and it was coming on the next flight. Since it was late I left for the city and let them deliver it the next morning. I checked into my apartment around midnight. I had rented an apartment since I was going to be there for 7 days. The next morning the bicycle was delivered. No scratches or anything, so everything went well. The first week was just relaxing getting used to the time difference (there\'s a 9 hour time difference between Los Angeles and Zurich) and enjoying Zurich a little bit. Zurich is a beautiful city with a large lake and a river that passes through the city. Rest was needed as race day on Sunday would come quickly.\n\n<strong><u>RACE DAY MORNING</u></strong>\n\nThis race day morning was different than my last ones. I usually get about 5 to 6 hours sleep. But somehow I couldn\'t sleep and got only about one and a half hours of sleep. I knew I would be a little on edge but I tried to keep myself calm. I got out of bed at 3:30am to do the final preparations and have breakfast and to get to the transition at 5 a.m. We leave our bike, running and biking gear at the transition area on Saturday, so all I had to do was put water and fuel on my bike, pump the tires and check all my transition bags to make sure everything was correctly there. This is very important as when you get off out of the water you need all your bike gear to change into and the same for the transition when you get off the bike and begin to run, The water was just barely legal (cool enough) for wetsuits. This was just below 74.5 degrees as mandated by the Ironman Corporation. Since I\'m a good swimmer I would have actually preferred not to wear a swimsuit but since everyone else was wearing one, I wore it. Then it was down to the starting line to begin a long and arduous day.\n\n<strong><u>THE SWIM: 2.4 Miles</u></strong>\n[caption id=\"attachment_313\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"160\"]<img src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Switzerland-Swim-2016-275.jpg\" alt=\"Switzerland Swim 2016 275\" width=\"160\" height=\"301\" class=\"size-full wp-image-313\" /><strong> Dr. Fields after the 2.4 mile swim</strong>[/caption]They had about 1,700 competitors at this race . This is less than the usual 2200- 2500. You seed yourself in holding areas by finishing times (under 1 Hour, between 1 hour and 10 minutes and so on. I put myself in the one hour to 1:10 area as this is my expected time. They let the people go six at a time, every 5 Seconds. But due to the fact that you had to run about 15 feet and then walk in the water over stones before actually starting the swim, everyone ended up getting jammed up so it was really like mass start. This meant that there were people were swimming over each other and very close. So I took my time not only lifting my head to keep my bearings straight, but to make sure I was not being bumped by other swimmers too much. Another problem was that all the buoys were of the same color. Usually when you have to turn, they place a different color buoy. So this too delayed my swim and I knew I would be slightly slower than before. As I made the final turn after two miles, I started to head back to the shore for the final 0.4 miles to make a total of 2.4 miles. The only thing marking the exit was a small black balloon archway. Unfortunately this was not very distinguishable from the water and people were zigzagging all over the place. I could only really see it when I got about two hundred meters close to the shore. I found out later that this problem and the ones mentioned before were had by many other swimmers. But all in all it went well. My swim was slower than before due to the crowding at the start and the sighting difficulties, but now I was done with the 2.4 mile swim and it was on to the bike.\n\n<strong><u>THE BIKE: 112 Miles</u></strong>\n[caption id=\"attachment_316\" align=\"alignright\" width=\"160\"]<img src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Switzerland-Bike-2016-275.jpg\" alt=\"Switzerland Bike 2016 275\" width=\"160\" height=\"301\" class=\"size-full wp-image-316\" /><strong>Dr. Fields during the 112 mile bike ride</strong>[/caption]After getting out of the wet suit and getting my bike shoes, helmet and sunglasses on, I got on the bike and started to ride. The first 15 - 20 miles is very flat but also very scenic as you go around the lake. After about 10 to 15 minutes I started to take some nutrition in to replace what I had burned off while I was biking. It\'s important not to take anything in the first 10 to 15 minutes so that your blood goes from your upper body into your lower body. This time we started one of two very long and fairly steep climbs. It was a little bit of a cloud cover so this was good. This cloud cover would be dispersed by the second Loop and the temperature would rise. At the start of the body temperature was probably around 70 degrees but later it would go into the mid-to-upper 80s. Plus it was humid out. As you did this series of two different climbs you have some spectacular views of Lake Zurich and the city. This made things a little bit easier. And the rest of the ride you passed by pastures with cows and some small villages.  Towards the end of the first loop you pass the transition area and do a small little 8 Mile loop. In this 8 Mile loop is an extremely steep hill. It is only about half a mile long but the steepest hill you climb. This area was jammed with spectators yelling and cheering on both sides of the road about 10 to 15 deep. It was very invigorating as you climb this hill and heard music blaring on loud speakers (the second time around  I heard \'Born in the USA\' by Bruce Springsteen). The you descend down the back and go back to the start of the race to begin your second loop after the first 66 miles. The second loop was a little tougher as the temperature reached into the mid-eighties and the sun was out in full force. Since they were long stretches of flat riding, one is down in their Triathlon handlebars alot. This puts a lot of pressure on your neck as you look up periodically to see the traffic in front of you. My neck was getting very tight and even though I was moving it around it was stiffening up a lot. So when I saw a small grassy area quickly hopped off the bike down on the ground and stretched my neck out. This cost me about 45 to 60 seconds off the bike but was well worth it is when I got back on my neck was a lot looser. I could have used a chiropractor at that point but unfortunately they don\'t have them on the race course! hahaha.\n\nUnfortunately, even though this was a Swiss race, they did not have it organized that well. There was no ice anywhere on the race course (this was to also include the run portion). That meant when they handed you water bottles they were basically warm. One is used to getting an ice cold water which is very refreshing. The second loop went well and after doing a very steep climb at the end again, it was off the bike and into transition to begin the run\n\n<strong><u>THE RUN: 26.2 Miles</u></strong>\n[caption id=\"attachment_318\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"160\"]<img src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Switzerland-Run-2016-275.jpg\" alt=\"Switzerland Run 2016 275\" width=\"160\" height=\"301\" class=\"size-full wp-image-318\" /><strong> Dr. Fields during the 26.2 mile run</strong>[/caption]\nAfter riding 112 miles, it\'s always a nice feeling to get off the bike. I changed into on my running shoes and was off for the 26.2 mile run. At this point it was very sunny and hot. They changed the run this year so that you would pass through the heart of the city and by Lake Zurich . But they made it a four loop course which was a little monotonous. My first 10+K loop went very well for me. As you left transition and passed by the crowds it was very invigorating. After 2k you turn to go through the downtown area. You went down one of the main streets with a lot of fancy stores. Then you turned into the malled off streets that were cobblestones but not too bad to run on. These were very small and winding streets in the old part of town. Several cafes were there too with spectators. Then you came out alongside the river and under a bridge to run about 2K by the lake. Here there were hundreds, if not more, people cheering as they enjoyed their Sunday afternoon. This was very invigorating hearing people cheer you on and yell your name or the country you were from (the race tags we wore had our first name and two small flags of the country you where from). The whole time you ran along the lake there were throngs of crowds. After turning around we headed back to the transition area to begin the next 3 loops. This was a little tough as when you pass transition you also passed the Finish Line.\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_319\" align=\"alignright\" width=\"160\"]<img src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Switzerland-Finish-Line-2016-275.jpg\" alt=\"Switzerland Finish Line 2016 275\" width=\"160\" height=\"301\" class=\"size-full wp-image-319\" /><strong>Dr. Fields crossing the finish line</strong>[/caption]After each loop, there were people finishing but you still have to continue around and do your loops. They kept track of this when you came up towards the end of each loop and they would put a colored arm band around your forearm . Once you have four armbands on you could turn it into the finish line. As I said, the first loop very well. During the second loop I started to develop some foot pain. I have had this in the past in training but it only would last about 10 to 15 minutes at most. Unfortunately this time it did not go away so my second loop (each loop was a little more than 10K) was much slower. This pain would come and go until halfway into my 4th and last loop. But Ironman are all about challenges. I just dug deep and kept my focus on where I was going and put the pain aside.Dr. Fields crossing the finish line But all-in-all, I persevered. By the third fatigue was getting setting in but I just kept going since I you had to go out and do a fourth loop. Of course in everyone\'s mind you\'re thinking maybe I could just turn and go into the finish line. But again you could not enter the Finish Line without the four colored bands on your arm ( and that would be cutting the course so in reality no one ever considers that). The route was interesting but unfortunately there was no ice anywhere on the course. This all the athletes found to be very unusual. They did have sponges you could squeeze the water out on your head, shoulders and back but again it was just all air temperature water. So you just kept sipping water, cola, taking in nutrition and putting one foot in front of the other.\n\nSo as I made the final turn at about four kilometers to go, I knew I was heading back and that despite any difficulties, I had I would complete my 7th Ironman. As I came into the transition area and made the final 50 meter turn into the finish line I knew I had done it again. As I crossed the finish line I heard the words that I had heard 6 times before, \"Peter Fields, you are an Ironman!\"\n\n<strong>POST SCRIPT</strong>\n\nOf course as with every other race I was dedicating this race in the memory my mother and father. When the pain in my foot started to get worse during the run I just stayed focused. I had learned from both of them that no matter how tough things get in life, you just just have to keep moving forward.  I also kept a small remembrance of them in my back jersey pocket.  When things would get really tough, I would reach back and touch it.  Knowing they were with me made it a lot easier.\n\nMany of you may not know this  but both my parents were refugees fleeing fascism during World War II.\nBeing Jewish and living in Germany in the 1930\'s was not an ideal situation, to say the least.\n\nMy mom\'s family fled Germany to live in France in 1933. My mom was only 7 years old. After 8 good years, they had to flee once again, in 1941, to the US. So at the young age of 16 she would have to learn her third language, see her dad pass away after only a month in the US, help care for her family and more.\n\nMy dad, at 19, left Berlin in 1938 to hide out in Shanghai, China. He knew that it was either get out of Europe or perish. His parents unfortunately would never make it out. It took him nine years, until 1947, to finally get to the US. Penniless and without family, he would eventually meet my mom (married for 56 years) and with her start a successful business, raise a family and the rest is history.\n\nNo matter how bad things got they never gave up hope,\nThey instilled this in me from early childhood.\nAnd it stayed with me and helped me through this race.\n\nWhat was happening to me during the race was nothing compared to my parents journeys, but as they taught me, just kept moving forward and don\'t look back.I share with you these stories as this is what I kept in my head as I was running past the pain and fatigue of working out for over 12+ hrs straight.  The book  \'Man\'s Search for Meaning\' by Viktor Frankl, MD, Phd, which was my father\'s favorite book, has a famous quote that goes something like this: \'It\'s not what happens to you in life that matters; it\'s how you deal with it\'.\n\nI want to thank everybody who has gotten to this point and taken the time to read this. Also everybody out there who were shouting and/or cheering during the race following me on the Internet or just in their minds. I appreciate it all.\nThank You.\n\nOf course, I thank my parents everyday for not only the love they gave me, but for the spirit and determination to never give up that they ingrained in my soul. I\'m so thankful that I had them as my parents.\n\nOne last special dedication.\nTo my 91yo uncle Andre in Belgium, who felt guilty about taking time away from following me on the computer to do a few errands.\nHe sometimes knew more about me during the race then I did.\nMerci beaucoup, Monsieur Jamar!\n\n&nbsp;\n<div class=\"clear\"></div>\n<strong>Peter A. Fields, MD DC</strong>\n<strong>The Athletic Doc® and 7X Ironman Triathlete</strong>\n</div>\n<div class=\"col-md-4\" id=\"sidebar2\">\n<img alt=\"Dr. Fields, The Athletic Doc®, post race\" title=\"Dr. Fields, The Athletic Doc®, post race\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Switzerland-Finish-2016-275.jpg\" style=\"width: 204px;\"><br>\n<strong> Dr. Fields,The Athletic Doc<span style=\"font-size: 10px;\"><sup>®</sup></span>, post race</strong>\n<a href=\"https://goo.gl/photos/iYRMcML2UYWmW2pQ6\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">2016 Switzerland<br>\nClick For More Photos</a>\nClick below for Pictures &amp; Story&nbsp;\n<a href=\"/About/The-Athletic-Doc/Race-Report-9th-Ironman\"><strong style=\"color: #cc0000;\">2017 Ironman Santa Rosa</strong></a>\n<a href=\"/About/The-Athletic-Doc/Race-Report-8th-Ironman\"><strong style=\"color: #cc0000;\">2016 Ironman Cozumel</strong></a>\n<a href=\"/About/The-Athletic-Doc/Race-Report-7th-Ironman\"><strong style=\"color: #cc0000;\">2016 Ironman Switzerland</strong></a>\n<a href=\"/About/The-Athletic-Doc/Race-Report-6th-Ironman\"><strong style=\"color: #cc0000;\">2015 Ironman Cozumel</strong></a>\n<a href=\"/About/The-Athletic-Doc/Race-Report-5th-Ironman\"><strong style=\"color: #cc0000;\">2015 Ironman Brazil</strong></a>\n<a href=\"/About/The-Athletic-Doc/Race-Report-4th-Ironman\"><strong style=\"color: #cc0000;\">2014 Ironman Austria</strong></a>\n<a href=\"/About/The-Athletic-Doc/Race-Report-3rd-Ironman\"><strong style=\"color: #cc0000;\">2013 Ironman Canada</strong></a>\n<a href=\"about/the-athletic-doc/race-report-2nd-ironman/\"><strong style=\"color: #cc0000;\">2012 Ironman Cozumel</strong></a>\n<a href=\"about/the-athletic-doc/race-report-1st-ironman/\"><strong style=\"color: #cc0000;\">2011 Ironman Cozumel</strong></a>\n\n</div>','Race Report 7th Ironman','','inherit','closed','closed','','302-autosave-v1','','','2019-06-17 09:50:23','2019-06-17 09:50:23','',302,'https://www.drfields.com/uncategorized/302-autosave-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(311,8,'2019-06-08 02:52:01','2019-06-08 02:52:01','Ironman Switzerland Logo','Ironman Switzerland Logo','','inherit','open','closed','','ironman-switzerland-logo','','','2019-06-08 02:52:06','2019-06-08 02:52:06','',302,'https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/ironman-switzerland-logo.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(312,8,'2019-06-08 02:52:50','2019-06-08 02:52:50','<p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n<img src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/ironman-switzerland-logo.jpg\" alt=\"Ironman Switzerland Logo\" width=\"250\" height=\"120\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-311\" />\r\n\r\n<h6 class=\"text-center\">Sunday July 27, 2016\r\n2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike, 26.2 mile run</h6>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n\"No matter how tough things get in life, you just just have to keep moving forward.\"\r\nFred and Yvette Fields\r\n\r\n<strong>GETTING THERE</strong>\r\n\r\nI left on an overnight flight to London. This is an approximately 11 hour flight. I slept 7 plus hours so all was well. After a three-hour layover in London, I then had a 90 minute flight to Zurich Switzerland. After landing I found out that my bicycle, which I had brought with me, did not make it. But the Swiss being very efficient had already tracked it and it was coming on the next flight. Since it was late I left for the city and let them deliver it the next morning. I checked into my apartment around midnight. I had rented an apartment since I was going to be there for 7 days. The next morning the bicycle was delivered. No scratches or anything, so everything went well. The first week was just relaxing getting used to the time difference (there\'s a 9 hour time difference between Los Angeles and Zurich) and enjoying Zurich a little bit. Zurich is a beautiful city with a large lake and a river that passes through the city. Rest was needed as race day on Sunday would come quickly.\r\n\r\n<strong>RACE DAY MORNING</strong>\r\n\r\nThis race day morning was different than my last ones. I usually get about 5 to 6 hours sleep. But somehow I couldn\'t sleep and got only about one and a half hours of sleep. I knew I would be a little on edge but I tried to keep myself calm. I got out of bed at 3:30am to do the final preparations and have breakfast and to get to the transition at 5 a.m. We leave our bike, running and biking gear at the transition area on Saturday, so all I had to do was put water and fuel on my bike, pump the tires and check all my transition bags to make sure everything was correctly there. This is very important as when you get off out of the water you need all your bike gear to change into and the same for the transition when you get off the bike and begin to run, The water was just barely legal (cool enough) for wetsuits. This was just below 74.5 degrees as mandated by the Ironman Corporation. Since I\'m a good swimmer I would have actually preferred not to wear a swimsuit but since everyone else was wearing one, I wore it. Then it was down to the starting line to begin a long and arduous day\r\n<div><img title=\"Dr. Fields after the 2.4 mile swim\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/portals/0/Images/Ironman%20Switzerland%202016/Switzerland-Swim-2016-275.jpg\" alt=\"Dr. Fields after the 2.4 mile swim\" />\r\nDr. Fields after the 2.4 mile swim</div>\r\n<strong>THE SWIM: 2.4 Miles</strong>\r\n\r\nThey had about 1,700 competitors at this race . This is less than the usual 2200- 2500. You seed yourself in holding areas by finishing times (under 1 Hour, between 1 hour and 10 minutes and so on. I put myself in the one hour to 1:10 area as this is my expected time. They let the people go six at a time, every 5 Seconds. But due to the fact that you had to run about 15 feet and then walk in the water over stones before actually starting the swim, everyone ended up getting jammed up so it was really like mass start. This meant that there were people were swimming over each other and very close. So I took my time not only lifting my head to keep my bearings straight, but to make sure I was not being bumped by other swimmers too much. Another problem was that all the buoys were of the same color. Usually when you have to turn, they place a different color buoy. So this too delayed my swim and I knew I would be slightly slower than before. As I made the final turn after two miles, I started to head back to the shore for the final 0.4 miles to make a total of 2.4 miles. The only thing marking the exit was a small black balloon archway. Unfortunately this was not very distinguishable from the water and people were zigzagging all over the place. I could only really see it when I got about two hundred meters close to the shore. I found out later that this problem and the ones mentioned before were had by many other swimmers. But all in all it went well. My swim was slower than before due to the crowding at the start and the sighting difficulties, but now I was done with the 2.4 mile swim and it was on to the bike.\r\n<div><img title=\"Switzerland Bike\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/portals/0/Images/Ironman%20Switzerland%202016/Switzerland-Bike-2016-275.jpg\" alt=\"Switzerland Bike\" />\r\nDr. Fields during the 112 mile bike ride</div>\r\n<strong>THE BIKE: 112 Miles</strong>\r\n\r\nAfter getting out of the wet suit and getting my bike shoes, helmet and sunglasses on, I got on the bike and started to ride. The first 15 - 20 miles is very flat but also very scenic as you go around the lake. After about 10 to 15 minutes I started to take some nutrition in to replace what I had burned off while I was biking. It\'s important not to take anything in the first 10 to 15 minutes so that your blood goes from your upper body into your lower body. This time we started one of two very long and fairly steep climbs. It was a little bit of a cloud cover so this was good. This cloud cover would be dispersed by the second Loop and the temperature would rise. At the start of the body temperature was probably around 70 degrees but later it would go into the mid-to-upper 80s. Plus it was humid out. As you did this series of two different climbs you have some spectacular views of Lake Zurich and the city. This made things a little bit easier. And the rest of the ride you passed by pastures with cows and some small villages.  Towards the end of the first loop you pass the transition area and do a small little 8 Mile loop. In this 8 Mile loop is an extremely steep hill. It is only about half a mile long but the steepest hill you climb. This area was jammed with spectators yelling and cheering on both sides of the road about 10 to 15 deep. It was very invigorating as you climb this hill and heard music blaring on loud speakers (the second time around  I heard \'Born in the USA\' by Bruce Springsteen). The you descend down the back and go back to the start of the race to begin your second loop after the first 66 miles. The second loop was a little tougher as the temperature reached into the mid-eighties and the sun was out in full force. Since they were long stretches of flat riding, one is down in their Triathlon handlebars alot. This puts a lot of pressure on your neck as you look up periodically to see the traffic in front of you. My neck was getting very tight and even though I was moving it around it was stiffening up a lot. So when I saw a small grassy area quickly hopped off the bike down on the ground and stretched my neck out. This cost me about 45 to 60 seconds off the bike but was well worth it is when I got back on my neck was a lot looser. I could have used a chiropractor at that point but unfortunately they don\'t have them on the race course! hahaha.\r\n\r\nUnfortunately, even though this was a Swiss race, they did not have it organized that well. There was no ice anywhere on the race course (this was to also include the run portion). That meant when they handed you water bottles they were basically warm. One is used to getting an ice cold water which is very refreshing. The second loop went well and after doing a very steep climb at the end again, it was off the bike and into transition to begin the run\r\n<div><img title=\"Switzerland Run 2016\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/portals/0/Images/Ironman%20Switzerland%202016/Switzerland-Run-2016-275.jpg\" alt=\"Switzerland Run 2016\" />\r\nDr. Fields during the 26.2 mile run</div>\r\n<strong>THE RUN: 26.2 Miles</strong>\r\n\r\nAfter riding 112 miles, it\'s always a nice feeling to get off the bike. I changed into on my running shoes and was off for the 26.2 mile run. At this point it was very sunny and hot. They changed the run this year so that you would pass through the heart of the city and by Lake Zurich . But they made it a four loop course which was a little monotonous. My first 10+K loop went very well for me. As you left transition and passed by the crowds it was very invigorating. After 2k you turn to go through the downtown area. You went down one of the main streets with a lot of fancy stores. Then you turned into the malled off streets that were cobblestones but not too bad to run on. These were very small and winding streets in the old part of town. Several cafes were there too with spectators. Then you came out alongside the river and under a bridge to run about 2K by the lake. Here there were hundreds, if not more, people cheering as they enjoyed their Sunday afternoon. This was very invigorating hearing people cheer you on and yell your name or the country you were from (the race tags we wore had our first name and two small flags of the country you where from). The whole time you ran along the lake there were throngs of crowds. After turning around we headed back to the transition area to begin the next 3 loops. This was a little tough as when you pass transition you also passed the Finish Line.\r\n\r\nAfter each loop, there were people finishing but you still have to continue around and do your loops. They kept track of this when you came up towards the end of each loop and they would put a colored arm band around your forearm . Once you have four armbands on you could turn it into the finish line. As I said, the first loop very well. During the second loop I started to develop some foot pain. I have had this in the past in training but it only would last about 10 to 15 minutes at most. Unfortunately this time it did not go away so my second loop (each loop was a little more than 10K) was much slower. This pain would come and go until halfway into my 4th and last loop. But Ironman are all about challenges. I just dug deep and kept my focus on where I was going and put the pain aside.<img title=\"Dr. Fields crossing the finish line\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/portals/0/Images/Ironman%20Switzerland%202016/Switzerland-Finish-Line-2016-275.jpg\" alt=\"Dr. Fields crossing the finish line\" />\r\nDr. Fields crossing the finish line But all-in-all, I persevered. By the third fatigue was getting setting in but I just kept going since I you had to go out and do a fourth loop. Of course in everyone\'s mind you\'re thinking maybe I could just turn and go into the finish line. But again you could not enter the Finish Line without the four colored bands on your arm ( and that would be cutting the course so in reality no one ever considers that). The route was interesting but unfortunately there was no ice anywhere on the course. This all the athletes found to be very unusual. They did have sponges you could squeeze the water out on your head, shoulders and back but again it was just all air temperature water. So you just kept sipping water, cola, taking in nutrition and putting one foot in front of the other.\r\n\r\nSo as I made the final turn at about four kilometers to go, I knew I was heading back and that despite any difficulties, I had I would complete my 7th Ironman. As I came into the transition area and made the final 50 meter turn into the finish line I knew I had done it again. As I crossed the finish line I heard the words that I had heard 6 times before, \"Peter Fields, you are an Ironman!\"\r\n\r\n<strong>POST SCRIPT</strong>\r\n\r\nOf course as with every other race I was dedicating this race in the memory my mother and father. When the pain in my foot started to get worse during the run I just stayed focused. I had learned from both of them that no matter how tough things get in life, you just just have to keep moving forward.  I also kept a small remembrance of them in my back jersey pocket.  When things would get really tough, I would reach back and touch it.  Knowing they were with me made it a lot easier.\r\n\r\nMany of you may not know this  but both my parents were refugees fleeing fascism during World War II.\r\nBeing Jewish and living in Germany in the 1930\'s was not an ideal situation, to say the least.\r\n\r\nMy mom\'s family fled Germany to live in France in 1933. My mom was only 7 years old. After 8 good years, they had to flee once again, in 1941, to the US. So at the young age of 16 she would have to learn her third language, see her dad pass away after only a month in the US, help care for her family and more.\r\n\r\nMy dad, at 19, left Berlin in 1938 to hide out in Shanghai, China. He knew that it was either get out of Europe or perish. His parents unfortunately would never make it out. It took him nine years, until 1947, to finally get to the US. Penniless and without family, he would eventually meet my mom (married for 56 years) and with her start a successful business, raise a family and the rest is history.\r\n\r\nNo matter how bad things got they never gave up hope,\r\nThey instilled this in me from early childhood.\r\nAnd it stayed with me and helped me through this race.\r\n\r\nWhat was happening to me during the race was nothing compared to my parents journeys, but as they taught me, just kept moving forward and don\'t look back.I share with you these stories as this is what I kept in my head as I was running past the pain and fatigue of working out for over 12+ hrs straight.  The book  \'Man\'s Search for Meaning\' by Viktor Frankl, MD, Phd, which was my father\'s favorite book, has a famous quote that goes something like this: \'It\'s not what happens to you in life that matters; it\'s how you deal with it\'.\r\n\r\nI want to thank everybody who has gotten to this point and taken the time to read this. Also everybody out there who were shouting and/or cheering during the race following me on the Internet or just in their minds. I appreciate it all.\r\nThank You.\r\n\r\nOf course, I thank my parents everyday for not only the love they gave me, but for the spirit and determination to never give up that they ingrained in my soul. I\'m so thankful that I had them as my parents.\r\n\r\nOne last special dedication.\r\nTo my 91yo uncle Andre in Belgium, who felt guilty about taking time away from following me on the computer to do a few errands.\r\nHe sometimes knew more about me during the race then I did.\r\nMerci beaucoup, Monsieur Jamar!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<div class=\"clear\"></div>\r\n<strong>Peter A. Fields, MD DC</strong>\r\n<strong>The Athletic Doc® and 7X Ironman Triathlete</strong>\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n</div>\r\n</div>\r\n</div>','Race Report 7th Ironman','','inherit','closed','closed','','302-revision-v1','','','2019-06-08 02:52:50','2019-06-08 02:52:50','',302,'https://www.drfields.com/uncategorized/302-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(313,8,'2019-06-08 02:54:05','2019-06-08 02:54:05','Switzerland Swim 2016 275','Switzerland Swim 2016 275','Dr. Fields after the 2.4 mile swim','inherit','open','closed','','switzerland-swim-2016-275','','','2019-06-08 02:54:14','2019-06-08 02:54:14','',302,'https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Switzerland-Swim-2016-275.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(314,8,'2019-06-08 02:54:55','2019-06-08 02:54:55','<p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n<img src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/ironman-switzerland-logo.jpg\" alt=\"Ironman Switzerland Logo\" width=\"250\" height=\"120\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-311\" />\r\n\r\n<h6 class=\"text-center\">Sunday July 27, 2016\r\n2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike, 26.2 mile run</h6>\r\n\r\n\"No matter how tough things get in life, you just just have to keep moving forward.\"\r\nFred and Yvette Fields\r\n\r\n<strong>GETTING THERE</strong>\r\n\r\nI left on an overnight flight to London. This is an approximately 11 hour flight. I slept 7 plus hours so all was well. After a three-hour layover in London, I then had a 90 minute flight to Zurich Switzerland. After landing I found out that my bicycle, which I had brought with me, did not make it. But the Swiss being very efficient had already tracked it and it was coming on the next flight. Since it was late I left for the city and let them deliver it the next morning. I checked into my apartment around midnight. I had rented an apartment since I was going to be there for 7 days. The next morning the bicycle was delivered. No scratches or anything, so everything went well. The first week was just relaxing getting used to the time difference (there\'s a 9 hour time difference between Los Angeles and Zurich) and enjoying Zurich a little bit. Zurich is a beautiful city with a large lake and a river that passes through the city. Rest was needed as race day on Sunday would come quickly.\r\n\r\n<strong>RACE DAY MORNING</strong>\r\n\r\nThis race day morning was different than my last ones. I usually get about 5 to 6 hours sleep. But somehow I couldn\'t sleep and got only about one and a half hours of sleep. I knew I would be a little on edge but I tried to keep myself calm. I got out of bed at 3:30am to do the final preparations and have breakfast and to get to the transition at 5 a.m. We leave our bike, running and biking gear at the transition area on Saturday, so all I had to do was put water and fuel on my bike, pump the tires and check all my transition bags to make sure everything was correctly there. This is very important as when you get off out of the water you need all your bike gear to change into and the same for the transition when you get off the bike and begin to run, The water was just barely legal (cool enough) for wetsuits. This was just below 74.5 degrees as mandated by the Ironman Corporation. Since I\'m a good swimmer I would have actually preferred not to wear a swimsuit but since everyone else was wearing one, I wore it. Then it was down to the starting line to begin a long and arduous day.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_313\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"160\"]<img src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Switzerland-Swim-2016-275.jpg\" alt=\"Switzerland Swim 2016 275\" width=\"160\" height=\"301\" class=\"size-full wp-image-313\" /><strong> Dr. Fields after the 2.4 mile swim</strong>[/caption]\r\n<strong>THE SWIM: 2.4 Miles</strong>\r\n\r\nThey had about 1,700 competitors at this race . This is less than the usual 2200- 2500. You seed yourself in holding areas by finishing times (under 1 Hour, between 1 hour and 10 minutes and so on. I put myself in the one hour to 1:10 area as this is my expected time. They let the people go six at a time, every 5 Seconds. But due to the fact that you had to run about 15 feet and then walk in the water over stones before actually starting the swim, everyone ended up getting jammed up so it was really like mass start. This meant that there were people were swimming over each other and very close. So I took my time not only lifting my head to keep my bearings straight, but to make sure I was not being bumped by other swimmers too much. Another problem was that all the buoys were of the same color. Usually when you have to turn, they place a different color buoy. So this too delayed my swim and I knew I would be slightly slower than before. As I made the final turn after two miles, I started to head back to the shore for the final 0.4 miles to make a total of 2.4 miles. The only thing marking the exit was a small black balloon archway. Unfortunately this was not very distinguishable from the water and people were zigzagging all over the place. I could only really see it when I got about two hundred meters close to the shore. I found out later that this problem and the ones mentioned before were had by many other swimmers. But all in all it went well. My swim was slower than before due to the crowding at the start and the sighting difficulties, but now I was done with the 2.4 mile swim and it was on to the bike.\r\n<div><img title=\"Switzerland Bike\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/portals/0/Images/Ironman%20Switzerland%202016/Switzerland-Bike-2016-275.jpg\" alt=\"Switzerland Bike\" />\r\nDr. Fields during the 112 mile bike ride</div>\r\n<strong>THE BIKE: 112 Miles</strong>\r\n\r\nAfter getting out of the wet suit and getting my bike shoes, helmet and sunglasses on, I got on the bike and started to ride. The first 15 - 20 miles is very flat but also very scenic as you go around the lake. After about 10 to 15 minutes I started to take some nutrition in to replace what I had burned off while I was biking. It\'s important not to take anything in the first 10 to 15 minutes so that your blood goes from your upper body into your lower body. This time we started one of two very long and fairly steep climbs. It was a little bit of a cloud cover so this was good. This cloud cover would be dispersed by the second Loop and the temperature would rise. At the start of the body temperature was probably around 70 degrees but later it would go into the mid-to-upper 80s. Plus it was humid out. As you did this series of two different climbs you have some spectacular views of Lake Zurich and the city. This made things a little bit easier. And the rest of the ride you passed by pastures with cows and some small villages.  Towards the end of the first loop you pass the transition area and do a small little 8 Mile loop. In this 8 Mile loop is an extremely steep hill. It is only about half a mile long but the steepest hill you climb. This area was jammed with spectators yelling and cheering on both sides of the road about 10 to 15 deep. It was very invigorating as you climb this hill and heard music blaring on loud speakers (the second time around  I heard \'Born in the USA\' by Bruce Springsteen). The you descend down the back and go back to the start of the race to begin your second loop after the first 66 miles. The second loop was a little tougher as the temperature reached into the mid-eighties and the sun was out in full force. Since they were long stretches of flat riding, one is down in their Triathlon handlebars alot. This puts a lot of pressure on your neck as you look up periodically to see the traffic in front of you. My neck was getting very tight and even though I was moving it around it was stiffening up a lot. So when I saw a small grassy area quickly hopped off the bike down on the ground and stretched my neck out. This cost me about 45 to 60 seconds off the bike but was well worth it is when I got back on my neck was a lot looser. I could have used a chiropractor at that point but unfortunately they don\'t have them on the race course! hahaha.\r\n\r\nUnfortunately, even though this was a Swiss race, they did not have it organized that well. There was no ice anywhere on the race course (this was to also include the run portion). That meant when they handed you water bottles they were basically warm. One is used to getting an ice cold water which is very refreshing. The second loop went well and after doing a very steep climb at the end again, it was off the bike and into transition to begin the run\r\n<div><img title=\"Switzerland Run 2016\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/portals/0/Images/Ironman%20Switzerland%202016/Switzerland-Run-2016-275.jpg\" alt=\"Switzerland Run 2016\" />\r\nDr. Fields during the 26.2 mile run</div>\r\n<strong>THE RUN: 26.2 Miles</strong>\r\n\r\nAfter riding 112 miles, it\'s always a nice feeling to get off the bike. I changed into on my running shoes and was off for the 26.2 mile run. At this point it was very sunny and hot. They changed the run this year so that you would pass through the heart of the city and by Lake Zurich . But they made it a four loop course which was a little monotonous. My first 10+K loop went very well for me. As you left transition and passed by the crowds it was very invigorating. After 2k you turn to go through the downtown area. You went down one of the main streets with a lot of fancy stores. Then you turned into the malled off streets that were cobblestones but not too bad to run on. These were very small and winding streets in the old part of town. Several cafes were there too with spectators. Then you came out alongside the river and under a bridge to run about 2K by the lake. Here there were hundreds, if not more, people cheering as they enjoyed their Sunday afternoon. This was very invigorating hearing people cheer you on and yell your name or the country you were from (the race tags we wore had our first name and two small flags of the country you where from). The whole time you ran along the lake there were throngs of crowds. After turning around we headed back to the transition area to begin the next 3 loops. This was a little tough as when you pass transition you also passed the Finish Line.\r\n\r\nAfter each loop, there were people finishing but you still have to continue around and do your loops. They kept track of this when you came up towards the end of each loop and they would put a colored arm band around your forearm . Once you have four armbands on you could turn it into the finish line. As I said, the first loop very well. During the second loop I started to develop some foot pain. I have had this in the past in training but it only would last about 10 to 15 minutes at most. Unfortunately this time it did not go away so my second loop (each loop was a little more than 10K) was much slower. This pain would come and go until halfway into my 4th and last loop. But Ironman are all about challenges. I just dug deep and kept my focus on where I was going and put the pain aside.<img title=\"Dr. Fields crossing the finish line\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/portals/0/Images/Ironman%20Switzerland%202016/Switzerland-Finish-Line-2016-275.jpg\" alt=\"Dr. Fields crossing the finish line\" />\r\nDr. Fields crossing the finish line But all-in-all, I persevered. By the third fatigue was getting setting in but I just kept going since I you had to go out and do a fourth loop. Of course in everyone\'s mind you\'re thinking maybe I could just turn and go into the finish line. But again you could not enter the Finish Line without the four colored bands on your arm ( and that would be cutting the course so in reality no one ever considers that). The route was interesting but unfortunately there was no ice anywhere on the course. This all the athletes found to be very unusual. They did have sponges you could squeeze the water out on your head, shoulders and back but again it was just all air temperature water. So you just kept sipping water, cola, taking in nutrition and putting one foot in front of the other.\r\n\r\nSo as I made the final turn at about four kilometers to go, I knew I was heading back and that despite any difficulties, I had I would complete my 7th Ironman. As I came into the transition area and made the final 50 meter turn into the finish line I knew I had done it again. As I crossed the finish line I heard the words that I had heard 6 times before, \"Peter Fields, you are an Ironman!\"\r\n\r\n<strong>POST SCRIPT</strong>\r\n\r\nOf course as with every other race I was dedicating this race in the memory my mother and father. When the pain in my foot started to get worse during the run I just stayed focused. I had learned from both of them that no matter how tough things get in life, you just just have to keep moving forward.  I also kept a small remembrance of them in my back jersey pocket.  When things would get really tough, I would reach back and touch it.  Knowing they were with me made it a lot easier.\r\n\r\nMany of you may not know this  but both my parents were refugees fleeing fascism during World War II.\r\nBeing Jewish and living in Germany in the 1930\'s was not an ideal situation, to say the least.\r\n\r\nMy mom\'s family fled Germany to live in France in 1933. My mom was only 7 years old. After 8 good years, they had to flee once again, in 1941, to the US. So at the young age of 16 she would have to learn her third language, see her dad pass away after only a month in the US, help care for her family and more.\r\n\r\nMy dad, at 19, left Berlin in 1938 to hide out in Shanghai, China. He knew that it was either get out of Europe or perish. His parents unfortunately would never make it out. It took him nine years, until 1947, to finally get to the US. Penniless and without family, he would eventually meet my mom (married for 56 years) and with her start a successful business, raise a family and the rest is history.\r\n\r\nNo matter how bad things got they never gave up hope,\r\nThey instilled this in me from early childhood.\r\nAnd it stayed with me and helped me through this race.\r\n\r\nWhat was happening to me during the race was nothing compared to my parents journeys, but as they taught me, just kept moving forward and don\'t look back.I share with you these stories as this is what I kept in my head as I was running past the pain and fatigue of working out for over 12+ hrs straight.  The book  \'Man\'s Search for Meaning\' by Viktor Frankl, MD, Phd, which was my father\'s favorite book, has a famous quote that goes something like this: \'It\'s not what happens to you in life that matters; it\'s how you deal with it\'.\r\n\r\nI want to thank everybody who has gotten to this point and taken the time to read this. Also everybody out there who were shouting and/or cheering during the race following me on the Internet or just in their minds. I appreciate it all.\r\nThank You.\r\n\r\nOf course, I thank my parents everyday for not only the love they gave me, but for the spirit and determination to never give up that they ingrained in my soul. I\'m so thankful that I had them as my parents.\r\n\r\nOne last special dedication.\r\nTo my 91yo uncle Andre in Belgium, who felt guilty about taking time away from following me on the computer to do a few errands.\r\nHe sometimes knew more about me during the race then I did.\r\nMerci beaucoup, Monsieur Jamar!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<div class=\"clear\"></div>\r\n<strong>Peter A. Fields, MD DC</strong>\r\n<strong>The Athletic Doc® and 7X Ironman Triathlete</strong>\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n</div>\r\n</div>\r\n</div>','Race Report 7th Ironman','','inherit','closed','closed','','302-revision-v1','','','2019-06-08 02:54:55','2019-06-08 02:54:55','',302,'https://www.drfields.com/uncategorized/302-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(315,8,'2019-06-08 02:56:20','2019-06-08 02:56:20','<p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n<img src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/ironman-switzerland-logo.jpg\" alt=\"Ironman Switzerland Logo\" width=\"250\" height=\"120\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-311\" />\r\n\r\n<h6 class=\"text-center\">Sunday July 27, 2016\r\n2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike, 26.2 mile run</h6>\r\n\r\n\"No matter how tough things get in life, you just just have to keep moving forward.\"\r\nFred and Yvette Fields\r\n\r\n<strong><u>GETTING THERE</u></strong>\r\n\r\nI left on an overnight flight to London. This is an approximately 11 hour flight. I slept 7 plus hours so all was well. After a three-hour layover in London, I then had a 90 minute flight to Zurich Switzerland. After landing I found out that my bicycle, which I had brought with me, did not make it. But the Swiss being very efficient had already tracked it and it was coming on the next flight. Since it was late I left for the city and let them deliver it the next morning. I checked into my apartment around midnight. I had rented an apartment since I was going to be there for 7 days. The next morning the bicycle was delivered. No scratches or anything, so everything went well. The first week was just relaxing getting used to the time difference (there\'s a 9 hour time difference between Los Angeles and Zurich) and enjoying Zurich a little bit. Zurich is a beautiful city with a large lake and a river that passes through the city. Rest was needed as race day on Sunday would come quickly.\r\n\r\n<h7>RACE DAY MORNING</h7>\r\n\r\nThis race day morning was different than my last ones. I usually get about 5 to 6 hours sleep. But somehow I couldn\'t sleep and got only about one and a half hours of sleep. I knew I would be a little on edge but I tried to keep myself calm. I got out of bed at 3:30am to do the final preparations and have breakfast and to get to the transition at 5 a.m. We leave our bike, running and biking gear at the transition area on Saturday, so all I had to do was put water and fuel on my bike, pump the tires and check all my transition bags to make sure everything was correctly there. This is very important as when you get off out of the water you need all your bike gear to change into and the same for the transition when you get off the bike and begin to run, The water was just barely legal (cool enough) for wetsuits. This was just below 74.5 degrees as mandated by the Ironman Corporation. Since I\'m a good swimmer I would have actually preferred not to wear a swimsuit but since everyone else was wearing one, I wore it. Then it was down to the starting line to begin a long and arduous day.\r\n\r\n<strong><u>THE SWIM: 2.4 Miles</u></strong>\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_313\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"160\"]<img src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Switzerland-Swim-2016-275.jpg\" alt=\"Switzerland Swim 2016 275\" width=\"160\" height=\"301\" class=\"size-full wp-image-313\" /><strong> Dr. Fields after the 2.4 mile swim</strong>[/caption]They had about 1,700 competitors at this race . This is less than the usual 2200- 2500. You seed yourself in holding areas by finishing times (under 1 Hour, between 1 hour and 10 minutes and so on. I put myself in the one hour to 1:10 area as this is my expected time. They let the people go six at a time, every 5 Seconds. But due to the fact that you had to run about 15 feet and then walk in the water over stones before actually starting the swim, everyone ended up getting jammed up so it was really like mass start. This meant that there were people were swimming over each other and very close. So I took my time not only lifting my head to keep my bearings straight, but to make sure I was not being bumped by other swimmers too much. Another problem was that all the buoys were of the same color. Usually when you have to turn, they place a different color buoy. So this too delayed my swim and I knew I would be slightly slower than before. As I made the final turn after two miles, I started to head back to the shore for the final 0.4 miles to make a total of 2.4 miles. The only thing marking the exit was a small black balloon archway. Unfortunately this was not very distinguishable from the water and people were zigzagging all over the place. I could only really see it when I got about two hundred meters close to the shore. I found out later that this problem and the ones mentioned before were had by many other swimmers. But all in all it went well. My swim was slower than before due to the crowding at the start and the sighting difficulties, but now I was done with the 2.4 mile swim and it was on to the bike.\r\n<div><img title=\"Switzerland Bike\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/portals/0/Images/Ironman%20Switzerland%202016/Switzerland-Bike-2016-275.jpg\" alt=\"Switzerland Bike\" />\r\nDr. Fields during the 112 mile bike ride</div>\r\n<strong>THE BIKE: 112 Miles</strong>\r\n\r\nAfter getting out of the wet suit and getting my bike shoes, helmet and sunglasses on, I got on the bike and started to ride. The first 15 - 20 miles is very flat but also very scenic as you go around the lake. After about 10 to 15 minutes I started to take some nutrition in to replace what I had burned off while I was biking. It\'s important not to take anything in the first 10 to 15 minutes so that your blood goes from your upper body into your lower body. This time we started one of two very long and fairly steep climbs. It was a little bit of a cloud cover so this was good. This cloud cover would be dispersed by the second Loop and the temperature would rise. At the start of the body temperature was probably around 70 degrees but later it would go into the mid-to-upper 80s. Plus it was humid out. As you did this series of two different climbs you have some spectacular views of Lake Zurich and the city. This made things a little bit easier. And the rest of the ride you passed by pastures with cows and some small villages.  Towards the end of the first loop you pass the transition area and do a small little 8 Mile loop. In this 8 Mile loop is an extremely steep hill. It is only about half a mile long but the steepest hill you climb. This area was jammed with spectators yelling and cheering on both sides of the road about 10 to 15 deep. It was very invigorating as you climb this hill and heard music blaring on loud speakers (the second time around  I heard \'Born in the USA\' by Bruce Springsteen). The you descend down the back and go back to the start of the race to begin your second loop after the first 66 miles. The second loop was a little tougher as the temperature reached into the mid-eighties and the sun was out in full force. Since they were long stretches of flat riding, one is down in their Triathlon handlebars alot. This puts a lot of pressure on your neck as you look up periodically to see the traffic in front of you. My neck was getting very tight and even though I was moving it around it was stiffening up a lot. So when I saw a small grassy area quickly hopped off the bike down on the ground and stretched my neck out. This cost me about 45 to 60 seconds off the bike but was well worth it is when I got back on my neck was a lot looser. I could have used a chiropractor at that point but unfortunately they don\'t have them on the race course! hahaha.\r\n\r\nUnfortunately, even though this was a Swiss race, they did not have it organized that well. There was no ice anywhere on the race course (this was to also include the run portion). That meant when they handed you water bottles they were basically warm. One is used to getting an ice cold water which is very refreshing. The second loop went well and after doing a very steep climb at the end again, it was off the bike and into transition to begin the run\r\n<div><img title=\"Switzerland Run 2016\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/portals/0/Images/Ironman%20Switzerland%202016/Switzerland-Run-2016-275.jpg\" alt=\"Switzerland Run 2016\" />\r\nDr. Fields during the 26.2 mile run</div>\r\n<strong>THE RUN: 26.2 Miles</strong>\r\n\r\nAfter riding 112 miles, it\'s always a nice feeling to get off the bike. I changed into on my running shoes and was off for the 26.2 mile run. At this point it was very sunny and hot. They changed the run this year so that you would pass through the heart of the city and by Lake Zurich . But they made it a four loop course which was a little monotonous. My first 10+K loop went very well for me. As you left transition and passed by the crowds it was very invigorating. After 2k you turn to go through the downtown area. You went down one of the main streets with a lot of fancy stores. Then you turned into the malled off streets that were cobblestones but not too bad to run on. These were very small and winding streets in the old part of town. Several cafes were there too with spectators. Then you came out alongside the river and under a bridge to run about 2K by the lake. Here there were hundreds, if not more, people cheering as they enjoyed their Sunday afternoon. This was very invigorating hearing people cheer you on and yell your name or the country you were from (the race tags we wore had our first name and two small flags of the country you where from). The whole time you ran along the lake there were throngs of crowds. After turning around we headed back to the transition area to begin the next 3 loops. This was a little tough as when you pass transition you also passed the Finish Line.\r\n\r\nAfter each loop, there were people finishing but you still have to continue around and do your loops. They kept track of this when you came up towards the end of each loop and they would put a colored arm band around your forearm . Once you have four armbands on you could turn it into the finish line. As I said, the first loop very well. During the second loop I started to develop some foot pain. I have had this in the past in training but it only would last about 10 to 15 minutes at most. Unfortunately this time it did not go away so my second loop (each loop was a little more than 10K) was much slower. This pain would come and go until halfway into my 4th and last loop. But Ironman are all about challenges. I just dug deep and kept my focus on where I was going and put the pain aside.<img title=\"Dr. Fields crossing the finish line\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/portals/0/Images/Ironman%20Switzerland%202016/Switzerland-Finish-Line-2016-275.jpg\" alt=\"Dr. Fields crossing the finish line\" />\r\nDr. Fields crossing the finish line But all-in-all, I persevered. By the third fatigue was getting setting in but I just kept going since I you had to go out and do a fourth loop. Of course in everyone\'s mind you\'re thinking maybe I could just turn and go into the finish line. But again you could not enter the Finish Line without the four colored bands on your arm ( and that would be cutting the course so in reality no one ever considers that). The route was interesting but unfortunately there was no ice anywhere on the course. This all the athletes found to be very unusual. They did have sponges you could squeeze the water out on your head, shoulders and back but again it was just all air temperature water. So you just kept sipping water, cola, taking in nutrition and putting one foot in front of the other.\r\n\r\nSo as I made the final turn at about four kilometers to go, I knew I was heading back and that despite any difficulties, I had I would complete my 7th Ironman. As I came into the transition area and made the final 50 meter turn into the finish line I knew I had done it again. As I crossed the finish line I heard the words that I had heard 6 times before, \"Peter Fields, you are an Ironman!\"\r\n\r\n<strong>POST SCRIPT</strong>\r\n\r\nOf course as with every other race I was dedicating this race in the memory my mother and father. When the pain in my foot started to get worse during the run I just stayed focused. I had learned from both of them that no matter how tough things get in life, you just just have to keep moving forward.  I also kept a small remembrance of them in my back jersey pocket.  When things would get really tough, I would reach back and touch it.  Knowing they were with me made it a lot easier.\r\n\r\nMany of you may not know this  but both my parents were refugees fleeing fascism during World War II.\r\nBeing Jewish and living in Germany in the 1930\'s was not an ideal situation, to say the least.\r\n\r\nMy mom\'s family fled Germany to live in France in 1933. My mom was only 7 years old. After 8 good years, they had to flee once again, in 1941, to the US. So at the young age of 16 she would have to learn her third language, see her dad pass away after only a month in the US, help care for her family and more.\r\n\r\nMy dad, at 19, left Berlin in 1938 to hide out in Shanghai, China. He knew that it was either get out of Europe or perish. His parents unfortunately would never make it out. It took him nine years, until 1947, to finally get to the US. Penniless and without family, he would eventually meet my mom (married for 56 years) and with her start a successful business, raise a family and the rest is history.\r\n\r\nNo matter how bad things got they never gave up hope,\r\nThey instilled this in me from early childhood.\r\nAnd it stayed with me and helped me through this race.\r\n\r\nWhat was happening to me during the race was nothing compared to my parents journeys, but as they taught me, just kept moving forward and don\'t look back.I share with you these stories as this is what I kept in my head as I was running past the pain and fatigue of working out for over 12+ hrs straight.  The book  \'Man\'s Search for Meaning\' by Viktor Frankl, MD, Phd, which was my father\'s favorite book, has a famous quote that goes something like this: \'It\'s not what happens to you in life that matters; it\'s how you deal with it\'.\r\n\r\nI want to thank everybody who has gotten to this point and taken the time to read this. Also everybody out there who were shouting and/or cheering during the race following me on the Internet or just in their minds. I appreciate it all.\r\nThank You.\r\n\r\nOf course, I thank my parents everyday for not only the love they gave me, but for the spirit and determination to never give up that they ingrained in my soul. I\'m so thankful that I had them as my parents.\r\n\r\nOne last special dedication.\r\nTo my 91yo uncle Andre in Belgium, who felt guilty about taking time away from following me on the computer to do a few errands.\r\nHe sometimes knew more about me during the race then I did.\r\nMerci beaucoup, Monsieur Jamar!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<div class=\"clear\"></div>\r\n<strong>Peter A. Fields, MD DC</strong>\r\n<strong>The Athletic Doc® and 7X Ironman Triathlete</strong>\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n</div>\r\n</div>\r\n</div>','Race Report 7th Ironman','','inherit','closed','closed','','302-revision-v1','','','2019-06-08 02:56:20','2019-06-08 02:56:20','',302,'https://www.drfields.com/uncategorized/302-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(316,8,'2019-06-08 02:59:38','2019-06-08 02:59:38','Switzerland Bike 2016 275','Switzerland Bike 2016 275','Dr. Fields during the 112 mile bike ride','inherit','open','closed','','switzerland-bike-2016-275','','','2019-06-08 02:59:51','2019-06-08 02:59:51','',302,'https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Switzerland-Bike-2016-275.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(317,8,'2019-06-08 03:00:37','2019-06-08 03:00:37','<p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n<img src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/ironman-switzerland-logo.jpg\" alt=\"Ironman Switzerland Logo\" width=\"250\" height=\"120\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-311\" />\r\n\r\n<h6 class=\"text-center\">Sunday July 27, 2016\r\n2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike, 26.2 mile run</h6>\r\n\r\n\"No matter how tough things get in life, you just just have to keep moving forward.\"\r\nFred and Yvette Fields\r\n\r\n<strong><u>GETTING THERE</u></strong>\r\n\r\nI left on an overnight flight to London. This is an approximately 11 hour flight. I slept 7 plus hours so all was well. After a three-hour layover in London, I then had a 90 minute flight to Zurich Switzerland. After landing I found out that my bicycle, which I had brought with me, did not make it. But the Swiss being very efficient had already tracked it and it was coming on the next flight. Since it was late I left for the city and let them deliver it the next morning. I checked into my apartment around midnight. I had rented an apartment since I was going to be there for 7 days. The next morning the bicycle was delivered. No scratches or anything, so everything went well. The first week was just relaxing getting used to the time difference (there\'s a 9 hour time difference between Los Angeles and Zurich) and enjoying Zurich a little bit. Zurich is a beautiful city with a large lake and a river that passes through the city. Rest was needed as race day on Sunday would come quickly.\r\n\r\n<strong><u>RACE DAY MORNING</u></strong>\r\n\r\nThis race day morning was different than my last ones. I usually get about 5 to 6 hours sleep. But somehow I couldn\'t sleep and got only about one and a half hours of sleep. I knew I would be a little on edge but I tried to keep myself calm. I got out of bed at 3:30am to do the final preparations and have breakfast and to get to the transition at 5 a.m. We leave our bike, running and biking gear at the transition area on Saturday, so all I had to do was put water and fuel on my bike, pump the tires and check all my transition bags to make sure everything was correctly there. This is very important as when you get off out of the water you need all your bike gear to change into and the same for the transition when you get off the bike and begin to run, The water was just barely legal (cool enough) for wetsuits. This was just below 74.5 degrees as mandated by the Ironman Corporation. Since I\'m a good swimmer I would have actually preferred not to wear a swimsuit but since everyone else was wearing one, I wore it. Then it was down to the starting line to begin a long and arduous day.\r\n\r\n<strong><u>THE SWIM: 2.4 Miles</u></strong>\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_313\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"160\"]<img src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Switzerland-Swim-2016-275.jpg\" alt=\"Switzerland Swim 2016 275\" width=\"160\" height=\"301\" class=\"size-full wp-image-313\" /><strong> Dr. Fields after the 2.4 mile swim</strong>[/caption]They had about 1,700 competitors at this race . This is less than the usual 2200- 2500. You seed yourself in holding areas by finishing times (under 1 Hour, between 1 hour and 10 minutes and so on. I put myself in the one hour to 1:10 area as this is my expected time. They let the people go six at a time, every 5 Seconds. But due to the fact that you had to run about 15 feet and then walk in the water over stones before actually starting the swim, everyone ended up getting jammed up so it was really like mass start. This meant that there were people were swimming over each other and very close. So I took my time not only lifting my head to keep my bearings straight, but to make sure I was not being bumped by other swimmers too much. Another problem was that all the buoys were of the same color. Usually when you have to turn, they place a different color buoy. So this too delayed my swim and I knew I would be slightly slower than before. As I made the final turn after two miles, I started to head back to the shore for the final 0.4 miles to make a total of 2.4 miles. The only thing marking the exit was a small black balloon archway. Unfortunately this was not very distinguishable from the water and people were zigzagging all over the place. I could only really see it when I got about two hundred meters close to the shore. I found out later that this problem and the ones mentioned before were had by many other swimmers. But all in all it went well. My swim was slower than before due to the crowding at the start and the sighting difficulties, but now I was done with the 2.4 mile swim and it was on to the bike.\r\n\r\n<strong><u>THE BIKE: 112 Miles</u></strong>\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_316\" align=\"alignright\" width=\"160\"]<img src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Switzerland-Bike-2016-275.jpg\" alt=\"Switzerland Bike 2016 275\" width=\"160\" height=\"301\" class=\"size-full wp-image-316\" /><strong>Dr. Fields during the 112 mile bike ride</strong>[/caption]After getting out of the wet suit and getting my bike shoes, helmet and sunglasses on, I got on the bike and started to ride. The first 15 - 20 miles is very flat but also very scenic as you go around the lake. After about 10 to 15 minutes I started to take some nutrition in to replace what I had burned off while I was biking. It\'s important not to take anything in the first 10 to 15 minutes so that your blood goes from your upper body into your lower body. This time we started one of two very long and fairly steep climbs. It was a little bit of a cloud cover so this was good. This cloud cover would be dispersed by the second Loop and the temperature would rise. At the start of the body temperature was probably around 70 degrees but later it would go into the mid-to-upper 80s. Plus it was humid out. As you did this series of two different climbs you have some spectacular views of Lake Zurich and the city. This made things a little bit easier. And the rest of the ride you passed by pastures with cows and some small villages.  Towards the end of the first loop you pass the transition area and do a small little 8 Mile loop. In this 8 Mile loop is an extremely steep hill. It is only about half a mile long but the steepest hill you climb. This area was jammed with spectators yelling and cheering on both sides of the road about 10 to 15 deep. It was very invigorating as you climb this hill and heard music blaring on loud speakers (the second time around  I heard \'Born in the USA\' by Bruce Springsteen). The you descend down the back and go back to the start of the race to begin your second loop after the first 66 miles. The second loop was a little tougher as the temperature reached into the mid-eighties and the sun was out in full force. Since they were long stretches of flat riding, one is down in their Triathlon handlebars alot. This puts a lot of pressure on your neck as you look up periodically to see the traffic in front of you. My neck was getting very tight and even though I was moving it around it was stiffening up a lot. So when I saw a small grassy area quickly hopped off the bike down on the ground and stretched my neck out. This cost me about 45 to 60 seconds off the bike but was well worth it is when I got back on my neck was a lot looser. I could have used a chiropractor at that point but unfortunately they don\'t have them on the race course! hahaha.\r\n\r\nUnfortunately, even though this was a Swiss race, they did not have it organized that well. There was no ice anywhere on the race course (this was to also include the run portion). That meant when they handed you water bottles they were basically warm. One is used to getting an ice cold water which is very refreshing. The second loop went well and after doing a very steep climb at the end again, it was off the bike and into transition to begin the run\r\n<div><img title=\"Switzerland Run 2016\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/portals/0/Images/Ironman%20Switzerland%202016/Switzerland-Run-2016-275.jpg\" alt=\"Switzerland Run 2016\" />\r\nDr. Fields during the 26.2 mile run</div>\r\n<strong>THE RUN: 26.2 Miles</strong>\r\n\r\nAfter riding 112 miles, it\'s always a nice feeling to get off the bike. I changed into on my running shoes and was off for the 26.2 mile run. At this point it was very sunny and hot. They changed the run this year so that you would pass through the heart of the city and by Lake Zurich . But they made it a four loop course which was a little monotonous. My first 10+K loop went very well for me. As you left transition and passed by the crowds it was very invigorating. After 2k you turn to go through the downtown area. You went down one of the main streets with a lot of fancy stores. Then you turned into the malled off streets that were cobblestones but not too bad to run on. These were very small and winding streets in the old part of town. Several cafes were there too with spectators. Then you came out alongside the river and under a bridge to run about 2K by the lake. Here there were hundreds, if not more, people cheering as they enjoyed their Sunday afternoon. This was very invigorating hearing people cheer you on and yell your name or the country you were from (the race tags we wore had our first name and two small flags of the country you where from). The whole time you ran along the lake there were throngs of crowds. After turning around we headed back to the transition area to begin the next 3 loops. This was a little tough as when you pass transition you also passed the Finish Line.\r\n\r\nAfter each loop, there were people finishing but you still have to continue around and do your loops. They kept track of this when you came up towards the end of each loop and they would put a colored arm band around your forearm . Once you have four armbands on you could turn it into the finish line. As I said, the first loop very well. During the second loop I started to develop some foot pain. I have had this in the past in training but it only would last about 10 to 15 minutes at most. Unfortunately this time it did not go away so my second loop (each loop was a little more than 10K) was much slower. This pain would come and go until halfway into my 4th and last loop. But Ironman are all about challenges. I just dug deep and kept my focus on where I was going and put the pain aside.<img title=\"Dr. Fields crossing the finish line\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/portals/0/Images/Ironman%20Switzerland%202016/Switzerland-Finish-Line-2016-275.jpg\" alt=\"Dr. Fields crossing the finish line\" />\r\nDr. Fields crossing the finish line But all-in-all, I persevered. By the third fatigue was getting setting in but I just kept going since I you had to go out and do a fourth loop. Of course in everyone\'s mind you\'re thinking maybe I could just turn and go into the finish line. But again you could not enter the Finish Line without the four colored bands on your arm ( and that would be cutting the course so in reality no one ever considers that). The route was interesting but unfortunately there was no ice anywhere on the course. This all the athletes found to be very unusual. They did have sponges you could squeeze the water out on your head, shoulders and back but again it was just all air temperature water. So you just kept sipping water, cola, taking in nutrition and putting one foot in front of the other.\r\n\r\nSo as I made the final turn at about four kilometers to go, I knew I was heading back and that despite any difficulties, I had I would complete my 7th Ironman. As I came into the transition area and made the final 50 meter turn into the finish line I knew I had done it again. As I crossed the finish line I heard the words that I had heard 6 times before, \"Peter Fields, you are an Ironman!\"\r\n\r\n<strong>POST SCRIPT</strong>\r\n\r\nOf course as with every other race I was dedicating this race in the memory my mother and father. When the pain in my foot started to get worse during the run I just stayed focused. I had learned from both of them that no matter how tough things get in life, you just just have to keep moving forward.  I also kept a small remembrance of them in my back jersey pocket.  When things would get really tough, I would reach back and touch it.  Knowing they were with me made it a lot easier.\r\n\r\nMany of you may not know this  but both my parents were refugees fleeing fascism during World War II.\r\nBeing Jewish and living in Germany in the 1930\'s was not an ideal situation, to say the least.\r\n\r\nMy mom\'s family fled Germany to live in France in 1933. My mom was only 7 years old. After 8 good years, they had to flee once again, in 1941, to the US. So at the young age of 16 she would have to learn her third language, see her dad pass away after only a month in the US, help care for her family and more.\r\n\r\nMy dad, at 19, left Berlin in 1938 to hide out in Shanghai, China. He knew that it was either get out of Europe or perish. His parents unfortunately would never make it out. It took him nine years, until 1947, to finally get to the US. Penniless and without family, he would eventually meet my mom (married for 56 years) and with her start a successful business, raise a family and the rest is history.\r\n\r\nNo matter how bad things got they never gave up hope,\r\nThey instilled this in me from early childhood.\r\nAnd it stayed with me and helped me through this race.\r\n\r\nWhat was happening to me during the race was nothing compared to my parents journeys, but as they taught me, just kept moving forward and don\'t look back.I share with you these stories as this is what I kept in my head as I was running past the pain and fatigue of working out for over 12+ hrs straight.  The book  \'Man\'s Search for Meaning\' by Viktor Frankl, MD, Phd, which was my father\'s favorite book, has a famous quote that goes something like this: \'It\'s not what happens to you in life that matters; it\'s how you deal with it\'.\r\n\r\nI want to thank everybody who has gotten to this point and taken the time to read this. Also everybody out there who were shouting and/or cheering during the race following me on the Internet or just in their minds. I appreciate it all.\r\nThank You.\r\n\r\nOf course, I thank my parents everyday for not only the love they gave me, but for the spirit and determination to never give up that they ingrained in my soul. I\'m so thankful that I had them as my parents.\r\n\r\nOne last special dedication.\r\nTo my 91yo uncle Andre in Belgium, who felt guilty about taking time away from following me on the computer to do a few errands.\r\nHe sometimes knew more about me during the race then I did.\r\nMerci beaucoup, Monsieur Jamar!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<div class=\"clear\"></div>\r\n<strong>Peter A. Fields, MD DC</strong>\r\n<strong>The Athletic Doc® and 7X Ironman Triathlete</strong>\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n</div>\r\n</div>\r\n</div>','Race Report 7th Ironman','','inherit','closed','closed','','302-revision-v1','','','2019-06-08 03:00:37','2019-06-08 03:00:37','',302,'https://www.drfields.com/uncategorized/302-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(318,8,'2019-06-08 03:01:54','2019-06-08 03:01:54','Switzerland Run 2016 275','Switzerland Run 2016 275','Dr. Fields during the 26.2 mile run','inherit','open','closed','','switzerland-run-2016-275','','','2019-06-08 03:02:14','2019-06-08 03:02:14','',302,'https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Switzerland-Run-2016-275.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(319,8,'2019-06-08 03:04:21','2019-06-08 03:04:21','Switzerland Finish Line 2016 275','Switzerland Finish Line 2016 275','Dr. Fields crossing the finish line','inherit','open','closed','','switzerland-finish-line-2016-275','','','2019-06-08 03:04:34','2019-06-08 03:04:34','',302,'https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Switzerland-Finish-Line-2016-275.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(320,8,'2019-06-08 03:05:04','2019-06-08 03:05:04','<p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n<img src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/ironman-switzerland-logo.jpg\" alt=\"Ironman Switzerland Logo\" width=\"250\" height=\"120\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-311\" />\r\n\r\n<h6 class=\"text-center\">Sunday July 27, 2016\r\n2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike, 26.2 mile run</h6>\r\n\r\n\"No matter how tough things get in life, you just just have to keep moving forward.\"\r\nFred and Yvette Fields\r\n\r\n<strong><u>GETTING THERE</u></strong>\r\n\r\nI left on an overnight flight to London. This is an approximately 11 hour flight. I slept 7 plus hours so all was well. After a three-hour layover in London, I then had a 90 minute flight to Zurich Switzerland. After landing I found out that my bicycle, which I had brought with me, did not make it. But the Swiss being very efficient had already tracked it and it was coming on the next flight. Since it was late I left for the city and let them deliver it the next morning. I checked into my apartment around midnight. I had rented an apartment since I was going to be there for 7 days. The next morning the bicycle was delivered. No scratches or anything, so everything went well. The first week was just relaxing getting used to the time difference (there\'s a 9 hour time difference between Los Angeles and Zurich) and enjoying Zurich a little bit. Zurich is a beautiful city with a large lake and a river that passes through the city. Rest was needed as race day on Sunday would come quickly.\r\n\r\n<strong><u>RACE DAY MORNING</u></strong>\r\n\r\nThis race day morning was different than my last ones. I usually get about 5 to 6 hours sleep. But somehow I couldn\'t sleep and got only about one and a half hours of sleep. I knew I would be a little on edge but I tried to keep myself calm. I got out of bed at 3:30am to do the final preparations and have breakfast and to get to the transition at 5 a.m. We leave our bike, running and biking gear at the transition area on Saturday, so all I had to do was put water and fuel on my bike, pump the tires and check all my transition bags to make sure everything was correctly there. This is very important as when you get off out of the water you need all your bike gear to change into and the same for the transition when you get off the bike and begin to run, The water was just barely legal (cool enough) for wetsuits. This was just below 74.5 degrees as mandated by the Ironman Corporation. Since I\'m a good swimmer I would have actually preferred not to wear a swimsuit but since everyone else was wearing one, I wore it. Then it was down to the starting line to begin a long and arduous day.\r\n\r\n<strong><u>THE SWIM: 2.4 Miles</u></strong>\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_313\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"160\"]<img src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Switzerland-Swim-2016-275.jpg\" alt=\"Switzerland Swim 2016 275\" width=\"160\" height=\"301\" class=\"size-full wp-image-313\" /><strong> Dr. Fields after the 2.4 mile swim</strong>[/caption]They had about 1,700 competitors at this race . This is less than the usual 2200- 2500. You seed yourself in holding areas by finishing times (under 1 Hour, between 1 hour and 10 minutes and so on. I put myself in the one hour to 1:10 area as this is my expected time. They let the people go six at a time, every 5 Seconds. But due to the fact that you had to run about 15 feet and then walk in the water over stones before actually starting the swim, everyone ended up getting jammed up so it was really like mass start. This meant that there were people were swimming over each other and very close. So I took my time not only lifting my head to keep my bearings straight, but to make sure I was not being bumped by other swimmers too much. Another problem was that all the buoys were of the same color. Usually when you have to turn, they place a different color buoy. So this too delayed my swim and I knew I would be slightly slower than before. As I made the final turn after two miles, I started to head back to the shore for the final 0.4 miles to make a total of 2.4 miles. The only thing marking the exit was a small black balloon archway. Unfortunately this was not very distinguishable from the water and people were zigzagging all over the place. I could only really see it when I got about two hundred meters close to the shore. I found out later that this problem and the ones mentioned before were had by many other swimmers. But all in all it went well. My swim was slower than before due to the crowding at the start and the sighting difficulties, but now I was done with the 2.4 mile swim and it was on to the bike.\r\n\r\n<strong><u>THE BIKE: 112 Miles</u></strong>\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_316\" align=\"alignright\" width=\"160\"]<img src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Switzerland-Bike-2016-275.jpg\" alt=\"Switzerland Bike 2016 275\" width=\"160\" height=\"301\" class=\"size-full wp-image-316\" /><strong>Dr. Fields during the 112 mile bike ride</strong>[/caption]After getting out of the wet suit and getting my bike shoes, helmet and sunglasses on, I got on the bike and started to ride. The first 15 - 20 miles is very flat but also very scenic as you go around the lake. After about 10 to 15 minutes I started to take some nutrition in to replace what I had burned off while I was biking. It\'s important not to take anything in the first 10 to 15 minutes so that your blood goes from your upper body into your lower body. This time we started one of two very long and fairly steep climbs. It was a little bit of a cloud cover so this was good. This cloud cover would be dispersed by the second Loop and the temperature would rise. At the start of the body temperature was probably around 70 degrees but later it would go into the mid-to-upper 80s. Plus it was humid out. As you did this series of two different climbs you have some spectacular views of Lake Zurich and the city. This made things a little bit easier. And the rest of the ride you passed by pastures with cows and some small villages.  Towards the end of the first loop you pass the transition area and do a small little 8 Mile loop. In this 8 Mile loop is an extremely steep hill. It is only about half a mile long but the steepest hill you climb. This area was jammed with spectators yelling and cheering on both sides of the road about 10 to 15 deep. It was very invigorating as you climb this hill and heard music blaring on loud speakers (the second time around  I heard \'Born in the USA\' by Bruce Springsteen). The you descend down the back and go back to the start of the race to begin your second loop after the first 66 miles. The second loop was a little tougher as the temperature reached into the mid-eighties and the sun was out in full force. Since they were long stretches of flat riding, one is down in their Triathlon handlebars alot. This puts a lot of pressure on your neck as you look up periodically to see the traffic in front of you. My neck was getting very tight and even though I was moving it around it was stiffening up a lot. So when I saw a small grassy area quickly hopped off the bike down on the ground and stretched my neck out. This cost me about 45 to 60 seconds off the bike but was well worth it is when I got back on my neck was a lot looser. I could have used a chiropractor at that point but unfortunately they don\'t have them on the race course! hahaha.\r\n\r\nUnfortunately, even though this was a Swiss race, they did not have it organized that well. There was no ice anywhere on the race course (this was to also include the run portion). That meant when they handed you water bottles they were basically warm. One is used to getting an ice cold water which is very refreshing. The second loop went well and after doing a very steep climb at the end again, it was off the bike and into transition to begin the run\r\n\r\n<strong><u>THE RUN: 26.2 Miles</u></strong>\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_318\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"160\"]<img src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Switzerland-Run-2016-275.jpg\" alt=\"Switzerland Run 2016 275\" width=\"160\" height=\"301\" class=\"size-full wp-image-318\" /><strong> Dr. Fields during the 26.2 mile run</strong>[/caption]\r\nAfter riding 112 miles, it\'s always a nice feeling to get off the bike. I changed into on my running shoes and was off for the 26.2 mile run. At this point it was very sunny and hot. They changed the run this year so that you would pass through the heart of the city and by Lake Zurich . But they made it a four loop course which was a little monotonous. My first 10+K loop went very well for me. As you left transition and passed by the crowds it was very invigorating. After 2k you turn to go through the downtown area. You went down one of the main streets with a lot of fancy stores. Then you turned into the malled off streets that were cobblestones but not too bad to run on. These were very small and winding streets in the old part of town. Several cafes were there too with spectators. Then you came out alongside the river and under a bridge to run about 2K by the lake. Here there were hundreds, if not more, people cheering as they enjoyed their Sunday afternoon. This was very invigorating hearing people cheer you on and yell your name or the country you were from (the race tags we wore had our first name and two small flags of the country you where from). The whole time you ran along the lake there were throngs of crowds. After turning around we headed back to the transition area to begin the next 3 loops. This was a little tough as when you pass transition you also passed the Finish Line.\r\n\r\nAfter each loop, there were people finishing but you still have to continue around and do your loops. They kept track of this when you came up towards the end of each loop and they would put a colored arm band around your forearm . Once you have four armbands on you could turn it into the finish line. As I said, the first loop very well. During the second loop I started to develop some foot pain. I have had this in the past in training but it only would last about 10 to 15 minutes at most. Unfortunately this time it did not go away so my second loop (each loop was a little more than 10K) was much slower. This pain would come and go until halfway into my 4th and last loop. But Ironman are all about challenges. I just dug deep and kept my focus on where I was going and put the pain aside.[caption id=\"attachment_319\" align=\"alignright\" width=\"160\"]<img src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Switzerland-Finish-Line-2016-275.jpg\" alt=\"Switzerland Finish Line 2016 275\" width=\"160\" height=\"301\" class=\"size-full wp-image-319\" /><strong>Dr. Fields crossing the finish line</strong>[/caption]\r\nDr. Fields crossing the finish line But all-in-all, I persevered. By the third fatigue was getting setting in but I just kept going since I you had to go out and do a fourth loop. Of course in everyone\'s mind you\'re thinking maybe I could just turn and go into the finish line. But again you could not enter the Finish Line without the four colored bands on your arm ( and that would be cutting the course so in reality no one ever considers that). The route was interesting but unfortunately there was no ice anywhere on the course. This all the athletes found to be very unusual. They did have sponges you could squeeze the water out on your head, shoulders and back but again it was just all air temperature water. So you just kept sipping water, cola, taking in nutrition and putting one foot in front of the other.\r\n\r\nSo as I made the final turn at about four kilometers to go, I knew I was heading back and that despite any difficulties, I had I would complete my 7th Ironman. As I came into the transition area and made the final 50 meter turn into the finish line I knew I had done it again. As I crossed the finish line I heard the words that I had heard 6 times before, \"Peter Fields, you are an Ironman!\"\r\n\r\n<strong>POST SCRIPT</strong>\r\n\r\nOf course as with every other race I was dedicating this race in the memory my mother and father. When the pain in my foot started to get worse during the run I just stayed focused. I had learned from both of them that no matter how tough things get in life, you just just have to keep moving forward.  I also kept a small remembrance of them in my back jersey pocket.  When things would get really tough, I would reach back and touch it.  Knowing they were with me made it a lot easier.\r\n\r\nMany of you may not know this  but both my parents were refugees fleeing fascism during World War II.\r\nBeing Jewish and living in Germany in the 1930\'s was not an ideal situation, to say the least.\r\n\r\nMy mom\'s family fled Germany to live in France in 1933. My mom was only 7 years old. After 8 good years, they had to flee once again, in 1941, to the US. So at the young age of 16 she would have to learn her third language, see her dad pass away after only a month in the US, help care for her family and more.\r\n\r\nMy dad, at 19, left Berlin in 1938 to hide out in Shanghai, China. He knew that it was either get out of Europe or perish. His parents unfortunately would never make it out. It took him nine years, until 1947, to finally get to the US. Penniless and without family, he would eventually meet my mom (married for 56 years) and with her start a successful business, raise a family and the rest is history.\r\n\r\nNo matter how bad things got they never gave up hope,\r\nThey instilled this in me from early childhood.\r\nAnd it stayed with me and helped me through this race.\r\n\r\nWhat was happening to me during the race was nothing compared to my parents journeys, but as they taught me, just kept moving forward and don\'t look back.I share with you these stories as this is what I kept in my head as I was running past the pain and fatigue of working out for over 12+ hrs straight.  The book  \'Man\'s Search for Meaning\' by Viktor Frankl, MD, Phd, which was my father\'s favorite book, has a famous quote that goes something like this: \'It\'s not what happens to you in life that matters; it\'s how you deal with it\'.\r\n\r\nI want to thank everybody who has gotten to this point and taken the time to read this. Also everybody out there who were shouting and/or cheering during the race following me on the Internet or just in their minds. I appreciate it all.\r\nThank You.\r\n\r\nOf course, I thank my parents everyday for not only the love they gave me, but for the spirit and determination to never give up that they ingrained in my soul. I\'m so thankful that I had them as my parents.\r\n\r\nOne last special dedication.\r\nTo my 91yo uncle Andre in Belgium, who felt guilty about taking time away from following me on the computer to do a few errands.\r\nHe sometimes knew more about me during the race then I did.\r\nMerci beaucoup, Monsieur Jamar!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<div class=\"clear\"></div>\r\n<strong>Peter A. Fields, MD DC</strong>\r\n<strong>The Athletic Doc® and 7X Ironman Triathlete</strong>\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n</div>\r\n</div>\r\n</div>','Race Report 7th Ironman','','inherit','closed','closed','','302-revision-v1','','','2019-06-08 03:05:04','2019-06-08 03:05:04','',302,'https://www.drfields.com/uncategorized/302-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(321,8,'2019-06-08 03:07:21','2019-06-08 03:07:21','<p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n<img src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/ironman-switzerland-logo.jpg\" alt=\"Ironman Switzerland Logo\" width=\"250\" height=\"120\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-311\" />\r\n\r\n<h6 class=\"text-center\">Sunday July 27, 2016\r\n2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike, 26.2 mile run</h6>\r\n\r\n\"No matter how tough things get in life, you just just have to keep moving forward.\"\r\nFred and Yvette Fields\r\n\r\n<strong><u>GETTING THERE</u></strong>\r\n\r\nI left on an overnight flight to London. This is an approximately 11 hour flight. I slept 7 plus hours so all was well. After a three-hour layover in London, I then had a 90 minute flight to Zurich Switzerland. After landing I found out that my bicycle, which I had brought with me, did not make it. But the Swiss being very efficient had already tracked it and it was coming on the next flight. Since it was late I left for the city and let them deliver it the next morning. I checked into my apartment around midnight. I had rented an apartment since I was going to be there for 7 days. The next morning the bicycle was delivered. No scratches or anything, so everything went well. The first week was just relaxing getting used to the time difference (there\'s a 9 hour time difference between Los Angeles and Zurich) and enjoying Zurich a little bit. Zurich is a beautiful city with a large lake and a river that passes through the city. Rest was needed as race day on Sunday would come quickly.\r\n\r\n<strong><u>RACE DAY MORNING</u></strong>\r\n\r\nThis race day morning was different than my last ones. I usually get about 5 to 6 hours sleep. But somehow I couldn\'t sleep and got only about one and a half hours of sleep. I knew I would be a little on edge but I tried to keep myself calm. I got out of bed at 3:30am to do the final preparations and have breakfast and to get to the transition at 5 a.m. We leave our bike, running and biking gear at the transition area on Saturday, so all I had to do was put water and fuel on my bike, pump the tires and check all my transition bags to make sure everything was correctly there. This is very important as when you get off out of the water you need all your bike gear to change into and the same for the transition when you get off the bike and begin to run, The water was just barely legal (cool enough) for wetsuits. This was just below 74.5 degrees as mandated by the Ironman Corporation. Since I\'m a good swimmer I would have actually preferred not to wear a swimsuit but since everyone else was wearing one, I wore it. Then it was down to the starting line to begin a long and arduous day.\r\n\r\n<strong><u>THE SWIM: 2.4 Miles</u></strong>\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_313\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"160\"]<img src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Switzerland-Swim-2016-275.jpg\" alt=\"Switzerland Swim 2016 275\" width=\"160\" height=\"301\" class=\"size-full wp-image-313\" /><strong> Dr. Fields after the 2.4 mile swim</strong>[/caption]They had about 1,700 competitors at this race . This is less than the usual 2200- 2500. You seed yourself in holding areas by finishing times (under 1 Hour, between 1 hour and 10 minutes and so on. I put myself in the one hour to 1:10 area as this is my expected time. They let the people go six at a time, every 5 Seconds. But due to the fact that you had to run about 15 feet and then walk in the water over stones before actually starting the swim, everyone ended up getting jammed up so it was really like mass start. This meant that there were people were swimming over each other and very close. So I took my time not only lifting my head to keep my bearings straight, but to make sure I was not being bumped by other swimmers too much. Another problem was that all the buoys were of the same color. Usually when you have to turn, they place a different color buoy. So this too delayed my swim and I knew I would be slightly slower than before. As I made the final turn after two miles, I started to head back to the shore for the final 0.4 miles to make a total of 2.4 miles. The only thing marking the exit was a small black balloon archway. Unfortunately this was not very distinguishable from the water and people were zigzagging all over the place. I could only really see it when I got about two hundred meters close to the shore. I found out later that this problem and the ones mentioned before were had by many other swimmers. But all in all it went well. My swim was slower than before due to the crowding at the start and the sighting difficulties, but now I was done with the 2.4 mile swim and it was on to the bike.\r\n\r\n<strong><u>THE BIKE: 112 Miles</u></strong>\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_316\" align=\"alignright\" width=\"160\"]<img src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Switzerland-Bike-2016-275.jpg\" alt=\"Switzerland Bike 2016 275\" width=\"160\" height=\"301\" class=\"size-full wp-image-316\" /><strong>Dr. Fields during the 112 mile bike ride</strong>[/caption]After getting out of the wet suit and getting my bike shoes, helmet and sunglasses on, I got on the bike and started to ride. The first 15 - 20 miles is very flat but also very scenic as you go around the lake. After about 10 to 15 minutes I started to take some nutrition in to replace what I had burned off while I was biking. It\'s important not to take anything in the first 10 to 15 minutes so that your blood goes from your upper body into your lower body. This time we started one of two very long and fairly steep climbs. It was a little bit of a cloud cover so this was good. This cloud cover would be dispersed by the second Loop and the temperature would rise. At the start of the body temperature was probably around 70 degrees but later it would go into the mid-to-upper 80s. Plus it was humid out. As you did this series of two different climbs you have some spectacular views of Lake Zurich and the city. This made things a little bit easier. And the rest of the ride you passed by pastures with cows and some small villages.  Towards the end of the first loop you pass the transition area and do a small little 8 Mile loop. In this 8 Mile loop is an extremely steep hill. It is only about half a mile long but the steepest hill you climb. This area was jammed with spectators yelling and cheering on both sides of the road about 10 to 15 deep. It was very invigorating as you climb this hill and heard music blaring on loud speakers (the second time around  I heard \'Born in the USA\' by Bruce Springsteen). The you descend down the back and go back to the start of the race to begin your second loop after the first 66 miles. The second loop was a little tougher as the temperature reached into the mid-eighties and the sun was out in full force. Since they were long stretches of flat riding, one is down in their Triathlon handlebars alot. This puts a lot of pressure on your neck as you look up periodically to see the traffic in front of you. My neck was getting very tight and even though I was moving it around it was stiffening up a lot. So when I saw a small grassy area quickly hopped off the bike down on the ground and stretched my neck out. This cost me about 45 to 60 seconds off the bike but was well worth it is when I got back on my neck was a lot looser. I could have used a chiropractor at that point but unfortunately they don\'t have them on the race course! hahaha.\r\n\r\nUnfortunately, even though this was a Swiss race, they did not have it organized that well. There was no ice anywhere on the race course (this was to also include the run portion). That meant when they handed you water bottles they were basically warm. One is used to getting an ice cold water which is very refreshing. The second loop went well and after doing a very steep climb at the end again, it was off the bike and into transition to begin the run\r\n\r\n<strong><u>THE RUN: 26.2 Miles</u></strong>\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_318\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"160\"]<img src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Switzerland-Run-2016-275.jpg\" alt=\"Switzerland Run 2016 275\" width=\"160\" height=\"301\" class=\"size-full wp-image-318\" /><strong> Dr. Fields during the 26.2 mile run</strong>[/caption]\r\nAfter riding 112 miles, it\'s always a nice feeling to get off the bike. I changed into on my running shoes and was off for the 26.2 mile run. At this point it was very sunny and hot. They changed the run this year so that you would pass through the heart of the city and by Lake Zurich . But they made it a four loop course which was a little monotonous. My first 10+K loop went very well for me. As you left transition and passed by the crowds it was very invigorating. After 2k you turn to go through the downtown area. You went down one of the main streets with a lot of fancy stores. Then you turned into the malled off streets that were cobblestones but not too bad to run on. These were very small and winding streets in the old part of town. Several cafes were there too with spectators. Then you came out alongside the river and under a bridge to run about 2K by the lake. Here there were hundreds, if not more, people cheering as they enjoyed their Sunday afternoon. This was very invigorating hearing people cheer you on and yell your name or the country you were from (the race tags we wore had our first name and two small flags of the country you where from). The whole time you ran along the lake there were throngs of crowds. After turning around we headed back to the transition area to begin the next 3 loops. This was a little tough as when you pass transition you also passed the Finish Line.\r\n\r\nAfter each loop, there were people finishing but you still have to continue around and do your loops. They kept track of this when you came up towards the end of each loop and they would put a colored arm band around your forearm . Once you have four armbands on you could turn it into the finish line. As I said, the first loop very well. During the second loop I started to develop some foot pain. I have had this in the past in training but it only would last about 10 to 15 minutes at most. Unfortunately this time it did not go away so my second loop (each loop was a little more than 10K) was much slower. This pain would come and go until halfway into my 4th and last loop. But Ironman are all about challenges. I just dug deep and kept my focus on where I was going and put the pain aside.[caption id=\"attachment_319\" align=\"alignright\" width=\"160\"]<img src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Switzerland-Finish-Line-2016-275.jpg\" alt=\"Switzerland Finish Line 2016 275\" width=\"160\" height=\"301\" class=\"size-full wp-image-319\" /><strong>Dr. Fields crossing the finish line</strong>[/caption]Dr. Fields crossing the finish line But all-in-all, I persevered. By the third fatigue was getting setting in but I just kept going since I you had to go out and do a fourth loop. Of course in everyone\'s mind you\'re thinking maybe I could just turn and go into the finish line. But again you could not enter the Finish Line without the four colored bands on your arm ( and that would be cutting the course so in reality no one ever considers that). The route was interesting but unfortunately there was no ice anywhere on the course. This all the athletes found to be very unusual. They did have sponges you could squeeze the water out on your head, shoulders and back but again it was just all air temperature water. So you just kept sipping water, cola, taking in nutrition and putting one foot in front of the other.\r\n\r\nSo as I made the final turn at about four kilometers to go, I knew I was heading back and that despite any difficulties, I had I would complete my 7th Ironman. As I came into the transition area and made the final 50 meter turn into the finish line I knew I had done it again. As I crossed the finish line I heard the words that I had heard 6 times before, \"Peter Fields, you are an Ironman!\"\r\n\r\n<strong>POST SCRIPT</strong>\r\n\r\nOf course as with every other race I was dedicating this race in the memory my mother and father. When the pain in my foot started to get worse during the run I just stayed focused. I had learned from both of them that no matter how tough things get in life, you just just have to keep moving forward.  I also kept a small remembrance of them in my back jersey pocket.  When things would get really tough, I would reach back and touch it.  Knowing they were with me made it a lot easier.\r\n\r\nMany of you may not know this  but both my parents were refugees fleeing fascism during World War II.\r\nBeing Jewish and living in Germany in the 1930\'s was not an ideal situation, to say the least.\r\n\r\nMy mom\'s family fled Germany to live in France in 1933. My mom was only 7 years old. After 8 good years, they had to flee once again, in 1941, to the US. So at the young age of 16 she would have to learn her third language, see her dad pass away after only a month in the US, help care for her family and more.\r\n\r\nMy dad, at 19, left Berlin in 1938 to hide out in Shanghai, China. He knew that it was either get out of Europe or perish. His parents unfortunately would never make it out. It took him nine years, until 1947, to finally get to the US. Penniless and without family, he would eventually meet my mom (married for 56 years) and with her start a successful business, raise a family and the rest is history.\r\n\r\nNo matter how bad things got they never gave up hope,\r\nThey instilled this in me from early childhood.\r\nAnd it stayed with me and helped me through this race.\r\n\r\nWhat was happening to me during the race was nothing compared to my parents journeys, but as they taught me, just kept moving forward and don\'t look back.I share with you these stories as this is what I kept in my head as I was running past the pain and fatigue of working out for over 12+ hrs straight.  The book  \'Man\'s Search for Meaning\' by Viktor Frankl, MD, Phd, which was my father\'s favorite book, has a famous quote that goes something like this: \'It\'s not what happens to you in life that matters; it\'s how you deal with it\'.\r\n\r\nI want to thank everybody who has gotten to this point and taken the time to read this. Also everybody out there who were shouting and/or cheering during the race following me on the Internet or just in their minds. I appreciate it all.\r\nThank You.\r\n\r\nOf course, I thank my parents everyday for not only the love they gave me, but for the spirit and determination to never give up that they ingrained in my soul. I\'m so thankful that I had them as my parents.\r\n\r\nOne last special dedication.\r\nTo my 91yo uncle Andre in Belgium, who felt guilty about taking time away from following me on the computer to do a few errands.\r\nHe sometimes knew more about me during the race then I did.\r\nMerci beaucoup, Monsieur Jamar!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<div class=\"clear\"></div>\r\n<strong>Peter A. Fields, MD DC</strong>\r\n<strong>The Athletic Doc® and 7X Ironman Triathlete</strong>\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n</div>\r\n</div>\r\n</div>','Race Report 7th Ironman','','inherit','closed','closed','','302-revision-v1','','','2019-06-08 03:07:21','2019-06-08 03:07:21','',302,'https://www.drfields.com/uncategorized/302-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(322,8,'2019-06-08 03:08:09','2019-06-08 03:08:09','<p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n<img src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/ironman-switzerland-logo.jpg\" alt=\"Ironman Switzerland Logo\" width=\"250\" height=\"120\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-311\" />\r\n\r\n<h6 class=\"text-center\">Sunday July 27, 2016\r\n2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike, 26.2 mile run</h6>\r\n\r\n\"No matter how tough things get in life, you just just have to keep moving forward.\"\r\nFred and Yvette Fields\r\n\r\n<strong><u>GETTING THERE</u></strong>\r\n\r\nI left on an overnight flight to London. This is an approximately 11 hour flight. I slept 7 plus hours so all was well. After a three-hour layover in London, I then had a 90 minute flight to Zurich Switzerland. After landing I found out that my bicycle, which I had brought with me, did not make it. But the Swiss being very efficient had already tracked it and it was coming on the next flight. Since it was late I left for the city and let them deliver it the next morning. I checked into my apartment around midnight. I had rented an apartment since I was going to be there for 7 days. The next morning the bicycle was delivered. No scratches or anything, so everything went well. The first week was just relaxing getting used to the time difference (there\'s a 9 hour time difference between Los Angeles and Zurich) and enjoying Zurich a little bit. Zurich is a beautiful city with a large lake and a river that passes through the city. Rest was needed as race day on Sunday would come quickly.\r\n\r\n<strong><u>RACE DAY MORNING</u></strong>\r\n\r\nThis race day morning was different than my last ones. I usually get about 5 to 6 hours sleep. But somehow I couldn\'t sleep and got only about one and a half hours of sleep. I knew I would be a little on edge but I tried to keep myself calm. I got out of bed at 3:30am to do the final preparations and have breakfast and to get to the transition at 5 a.m. We leave our bike, running and biking gear at the transition area on Saturday, so all I had to do was put water and fuel on my bike, pump the tires and check all my transition bags to make sure everything was correctly there. This is very important as when you get off out of the water you need all your bike gear to change into and the same for the transition when you get off the bike and begin to run, The water was just barely legal (cool enough) for wetsuits. This was just below 74.5 degrees as mandated by the Ironman Corporation. Since I\'m a good swimmer I would have actually preferred not to wear a swimsuit but since everyone else was wearing one, I wore it. Then it was down to the starting line to begin a long and arduous day.\r\n\r\n<strong><u>THE SWIM: 2.4 Miles</u></strong>\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_313\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"160\"]<img src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Switzerland-Swim-2016-275.jpg\" alt=\"Switzerland Swim 2016 275\" width=\"160\" height=\"301\" class=\"size-full wp-image-313\" /><strong> Dr. Fields after the 2.4 mile swim</strong>[/caption]They had about 1,700 competitors at this race . This is less than the usual 2200- 2500. You seed yourself in holding areas by finishing times (under 1 Hour, between 1 hour and 10 minutes and so on. I put myself in the one hour to 1:10 area as this is my expected time. They let the people go six at a time, every 5 Seconds. But due to the fact that you had to run about 15 feet and then walk in the water over stones before actually starting the swim, everyone ended up getting jammed up so it was really like mass start. This meant that there were people were swimming over each other and very close. So I took my time not only lifting my head to keep my bearings straight, but to make sure I was not being bumped by other swimmers too much. Another problem was that all the buoys were of the same color. Usually when you have to turn, they place a different color buoy. So this too delayed my swim and I knew I would be slightly slower than before. As I made the final turn after two miles, I started to head back to the shore for the final 0.4 miles to make a total of 2.4 miles. The only thing marking the exit was a small black balloon archway. Unfortunately this was not very distinguishable from the water and people were zigzagging all over the place. I could only really see it when I got about two hundred meters close to the shore. I found out later that this problem and the ones mentioned before were had by many other swimmers. But all in all it went well. My swim was slower than before due to the crowding at the start and the sighting difficulties, but now I was done with the 2.4 mile swim and it was on to the bike.\r\n\r\n<strong><u>THE BIKE: 112 Miles</u></strong>\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_316\" align=\"alignright\" width=\"160\"]<img src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Switzerland-Bike-2016-275.jpg\" alt=\"Switzerland Bike 2016 275\" width=\"160\" height=\"301\" class=\"size-full wp-image-316\" /><strong>Dr. Fields during the 112 mile bike ride</strong>[/caption]After getting out of the wet suit and getting my bike shoes, helmet and sunglasses on, I got on the bike and started to ride. The first 15 - 20 miles is very flat but also very scenic as you go around the lake. After about 10 to 15 minutes I started to take some nutrition in to replace what I had burned off while I was biking. It\'s important not to take anything in the first 10 to 15 minutes so that your blood goes from your upper body into your lower body. This time we started one of two very long and fairly steep climbs. It was a little bit of a cloud cover so this was good. This cloud cover would be dispersed by the second Loop and the temperature would rise. At the start of the body temperature was probably around 70 degrees but later it would go into the mid-to-upper 80s. Plus it was humid out. As you did this series of two different climbs you have some spectacular views of Lake Zurich and the city. This made things a little bit easier. And the rest of the ride you passed by pastures with cows and some small villages.  Towards the end of the first loop you pass the transition area and do a small little 8 Mile loop. In this 8 Mile loop is an extremely steep hill. It is only about half a mile long but the steepest hill you climb. This area was jammed with spectators yelling and cheering on both sides of the road about 10 to 15 deep. It was very invigorating as you climb this hill and heard music blaring on loud speakers (the second time around  I heard \'Born in the USA\' by Bruce Springsteen). The you descend down the back and go back to the start of the race to begin your second loop after the first 66 miles. The second loop was a little tougher as the temperature reached into the mid-eighties and the sun was out in full force. Since they were long stretches of flat riding, one is down in their Triathlon handlebars alot. This puts a lot of pressure on your neck as you look up periodically to see the traffic in front of you. My neck was getting very tight and even though I was moving it around it was stiffening up a lot. So when I saw a small grassy area quickly hopped off the bike down on the ground and stretched my neck out. This cost me about 45 to 60 seconds off the bike but was well worth it is when I got back on my neck was a lot looser. I could have used a chiropractor at that point but unfortunately they don\'t have them on the race course! hahaha.\r\n\r\nUnfortunately, even though this was a Swiss race, they did not have it organized that well. There was no ice anywhere on the race course (this was to also include the run portion). That meant when they handed you water bottles they were basically warm. One is used to getting an ice cold water which is very refreshing. The second loop went well and after doing a very steep climb at the end again, it was off the bike and into transition to begin the run\r\n\r\n<strong><u>THE RUN: 26.2 Miles</u></strong>\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_318\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"160\"]<img src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Switzerland-Run-2016-275.jpg\" alt=\"Switzerland Run 2016 275\" width=\"160\" height=\"301\" class=\"size-full wp-image-318\" /><strong> Dr. Fields during the 26.2 mile run</strong>[/caption]\r\nAfter riding 112 miles, it\'s always a nice feeling to get off the bike. I changed into on my running shoes and was off for the 26.2 mile run. At this point it was very sunny and hot. They changed the run this year so that you would pass through the heart of the city and by Lake Zurich . But they made it a four loop course which was a little monotonous. My first 10+K loop went very well for me. As you left transition and passed by the crowds it was very invigorating. After 2k you turn to go through the downtown area. You went down one of the main streets with a lot of fancy stores. Then you turned into the malled off streets that were cobblestones but not too bad to run on. These were very small and winding streets in the old part of town. Several cafes were there too with spectators. Then you came out alongside the river and under a bridge to run about 2K by the lake. Here there were hundreds, if not more, people cheering as they enjoyed their Sunday afternoon. This was very invigorating hearing people cheer you on and yell your name or the country you were from (the race tags we wore had our first name and two small flags of the country you where from). The whole time you ran along the lake there were throngs of crowds. After turning around we headed back to the transition area to begin the next 3 loops. This was a little tough as when you pass transition you also passed the Finish Line.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_319\" align=\"alignright\" width=\"160\"]<img src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Switzerland-Finish-Line-2016-275.jpg\" alt=\"Switzerland Finish Line 2016 275\" width=\"160\" height=\"301\" class=\"size-full wp-image-319\" /><strong>Dr. Fields crossing the finish line</strong>[/caption]After each loop, there were people finishing but you still have to continue around and do your loops. They kept track of this when you came up towards the end of each loop and they would put a colored arm band around your forearm . Once you have four armbands on you could turn it into the finish line. As I said, the first loop very well. During the second loop I started to develop some foot pain. I have had this in the past in training but it only would last about 10 to 15 minutes at most. Unfortunately this time it did not go away so my second loop (each loop was a little more than 10K) was much slower. This pain would come and go until halfway into my 4th and last loop. But Ironman are all about challenges. I just dug deep and kept my focus on where I was going and put the pain aside.Dr. Fields crossing the finish line But all-in-all, I persevered. By the third fatigue was getting setting in but I just kept going since I you had to go out and do a fourth loop. Of course in everyone\'s mind you\'re thinking maybe I could just turn and go into the finish line. But again you could not enter the Finish Line without the four colored bands on your arm ( and that would be cutting the course so in reality no one ever considers that). The route was interesting but unfortunately there was no ice anywhere on the course. This all the athletes found to be very unusual. They did have sponges you could squeeze the water out on your head, shoulders and back but again it was just all air temperature water. So you just kept sipping water, cola, taking in nutrition and putting one foot in front of the other.\r\n\r\nSo as I made the final turn at about four kilometers to go, I knew I was heading back and that despite any difficulties, I had I would complete my 7th Ironman. As I came into the transition area and made the final 50 meter turn into the finish line I knew I had done it again. As I crossed the finish line I heard the words that I had heard 6 times before, \"Peter Fields, you are an Ironman!\"\r\n\r\n<strong>POST SCRIPT</strong>\r\n\r\nOf course as with every other race I was dedicating this race in the memory my mother and father. When the pain in my foot started to get worse during the run I just stayed focused. I had learned from both of them that no matter how tough things get in life, you just just have to keep moving forward.  I also kept a small remembrance of them in my back jersey pocket.  When things would get really tough, I would reach back and touch it.  Knowing they were with me made it a lot easier.\r\n\r\nMany of you may not know this  but both my parents were refugees fleeing fascism during World War II.\r\nBeing Jewish and living in Germany in the 1930\'s was not an ideal situation, to say the least.\r\n\r\nMy mom\'s family fled Germany to live in France in 1933. My mom was only 7 years old. After 8 good years, they had to flee once again, in 1941, to the US. So at the young age of 16 she would have to learn her third language, see her dad pass away after only a month in the US, help care for her family and more.\r\n\r\nMy dad, at 19, left Berlin in 1938 to hide out in Shanghai, China. He knew that it was either get out of Europe or perish. His parents unfortunately would never make it out. It took him nine years, until 1947, to finally get to the US. Penniless and without family, he would eventually meet my mom (married for 56 years) and with her start a successful business, raise a family and the rest is history.\r\n\r\nNo matter how bad things got they never gave up hope,\r\nThey instilled this in me from early childhood.\r\nAnd it stayed with me and helped me through this race.\r\n\r\nWhat was happening to me during the race was nothing compared to my parents journeys, but as they taught me, just kept moving forward and don\'t look back.I share with you these stories as this is what I kept in my head as I was running past the pain and fatigue of working out for over 12+ hrs straight.  The book  \'Man\'s Search for Meaning\' by Viktor Frankl, MD, Phd, which was my father\'s favorite book, has a famous quote that goes something like this: \'It\'s not what happens to you in life that matters; it\'s how you deal with it\'.\r\n\r\nI want to thank everybody who has gotten to this point and taken the time to read this. Also everybody out there who were shouting and/or cheering during the race following me on the Internet or just in their minds. I appreciate it all.\r\nThank You.\r\n\r\nOf course, I thank my parents everyday for not only the love they gave me, but for the spirit and determination to never give up that they ingrained in my soul. I\'m so thankful that I had them as my parents.\r\n\r\nOne last special dedication.\r\nTo my 91yo uncle Andre in Belgium, who felt guilty about taking time away from following me on the computer to do a few errands.\r\nHe sometimes knew more about me during the race then I did.\r\nMerci beaucoup, Monsieur Jamar!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<div class=\"clear\"></div>\r\n<strong>Peter A. Fields, MD DC</strong>\r\n<strong>The Athletic Doc® and 7X Ironman Triathlete</strong>\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n</div>\r\n</div>\r\n</div>','Race Report 7th Ironman','','inherit','closed','closed','','302-revision-v1','','','2019-06-08 03:08:09','2019-06-08 03:08:09','',302,'https://www.drfields.com/uncategorized/302-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(323,8,'2019-06-08 03:09:01','2019-06-08 03:09:01','<p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n<img src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/ironman-switzerland-logo.jpg\" alt=\"Ironman Switzerland Logo\" width=\"250\" height=\"120\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-311\" />\r\n\r\n<h6 class=\"text-center\">Sunday July 27, 2016\r\n2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike, 26.2 mile run</h6>\r\n\r\n\"No matter how tough things get in life, you just just have to keep moving forward.\"\r\nFred and Yvette Fields\r\n\r\n<strong><u>GETTING THERE</u></strong>\r\n\r\nI left on an overnight flight to London. This is an approximately 11 hour flight. I slept 7 plus hours so all was well. After a three-hour layover in London, I then had a 90 minute flight to Zurich Switzerland. After landing I found out that my bicycle, which I had brought with me, did not make it. But the Swiss being very efficient had already tracked it and it was coming on the next flight. Since it was late I left for the city and let them deliver it the next morning. I checked into my apartment around midnight. I had rented an apartment since I was going to be there for 7 days. The next morning the bicycle was delivered. No scratches or anything, so everything went well. The first week was just relaxing getting used to the time difference (there\'s a 9 hour time difference between Los Angeles and Zurich) and enjoying Zurich a little bit. Zurich is a beautiful city with a large lake and a river that passes through the city. Rest was needed as race day on Sunday would come quickly.\r\n\r\n<strong><u>RACE DAY MORNING</u></strong>\r\n\r\nThis race day morning was different than my last ones. I usually get about 5 to 6 hours sleep. But somehow I couldn\'t sleep and got only about one and a half hours of sleep. I knew I would be a little on edge but I tried to keep myself calm. I got out of bed at 3:30am to do the final preparations and have breakfast and to get to the transition at 5 a.m. We leave our bike, running and biking gear at the transition area on Saturday, so all I had to do was put water and fuel on my bike, pump the tires and check all my transition bags to make sure everything was correctly there. This is very important as when you get off out of the water you need all your bike gear to change into and the same for the transition when you get off the bike and begin to run, The water was just barely legal (cool enough) for wetsuits. This was just below 74.5 degrees as mandated by the Ironman Corporation. Since I\'m a good swimmer I would have actually preferred not to wear a swimsuit but since everyone else was wearing one, I wore it. Then it was down to the starting line to begin a long and arduous day.\r\n\r\n<strong><u>THE SWIM: 2.4 Miles</u></strong>\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_313\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"160\"]<img src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Switzerland-Swim-2016-275.jpg\" alt=\"Switzerland Swim 2016 275\" width=\"160\" height=\"301\" class=\"size-full wp-image-313\" /><strong> Dr. Fields after the 2.4 mile swim</strong>[/caption]They had about 1,700 competitors at this race . This is less than the usual 2200- 2500. You seed yourself in holding areas by finishing times (under 1 Hour, between 1 hour and 10 minutes and so on. I put myself in the one hour to 1:10 area as this is my expected time. They let the people go six at a time, every 5 Seconds. But due to the fact that you had to run about 15 feet and then walk in the water over stones before actually starting the swim, everyone ended up getting jammed up so it was really like mass start. This meant that there were people were swimming over each other and very close. So I took my time not only lifting my head to keep my bearings straight, but to make sure I was not being bumped by other swimmers too much. Another problem was that all the buoys were of the same color. Usually when you have to turn, they place a different color buoy. So this too delayed my swim and I knew I would be slightly slower than before. As I made the final turn after two miles, I started to head back to the shore for the final 0.4 miles to make a total of 2.4 miles. The only thing marking the exit was a small black balloon archway. Unfortunately this was not very distinguishable from the water and people were zigzagging all over the place. I could only really see it when I got about two hundred meters close to the shore. I found out later that this problem and the ones mentioned before were had by many other swimmers. But all in all it went well. My swim was slower than before due to the crowding at the start and the sighting difficulties, but now I was done with the 2.4 mile swim and it was on to the bike.\r\n\r\n<strong><u>THE BIKE: 112 Miles</u></strong>\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_316\" align=\"alignright\" width=\"160\"]<img src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Switzerland-Bike-2016-275.jpg\" alt=\"Switzerland Bike 2016 275\" width=\"160\" height=\"301\" class=\"size-full wp-image-316\" /><strong>Dr. Fields during the 112 mile bike ride</strong>[/caption]After getting out of the wet suit and getting my bike shoes, helmet and sunglasses on, I got on the bike and started to ride. The first 15 - 20 miles is very flat but also very scenic as you go around the lake. After about 10 to 15 minutes I started to take some nutrition in to replace what I had burned off while I was biking. It\'s important not to take anything in the first 10 to 15 minutes so that your blood goes from your upper body into your lower body. This time we started one of two very long and fairly steep climbs. It was a little bit of a cloud cover so this was good. This cloud cover would be dispersed by the second Loop and the temperature would rise. At the start of the body temperature was probably around 70 degrees but later it would go into the mid-to-upper 80s. Plus it was humid out. As you did this series of two different climbs you have some spectacular views of Lake Zurich and the city. This made things a little bit easier. And the rest of the ride you passed by pastures with cows and some small villages.  Towards the end of the first loop you pass the transition area and do a small little 8 Mile loop. In this 8 Mile loop is an extremely steep hill. It is only about half a mile long but the steepest hill you climb. This area was jammed with spectators yelling and cheering on both sides of the road about 10 to 15 deep. It was very invigorating as you climb this hill and heard music blaring on loud speakers (the second time around  I heard \'Born in the USA\' by Bruce Springsteen). The you descend down the back and go back to the start of the race to begin your second loop after the first 66 miles. The second loop was a little tougher as the temperature reached into the mid-eighties and the sun was out in full force. Since they were long stretches of flat riding, one is down in their Triathlon handlebars alot. This puts a lot of pressure on your neck as you look up periodically to see the traffic in front of you. My neck was getting very tight and even though I was moving it around it was stiffening up a lot. So when I saw a small grassy area quickly hopped off the bike down on the ground and stretched my neck out. This cost me about 45 to 60 seconds off the bike but was well worth it is when I got back on my neck was a lot looser. I could have used a chiropractor at that point but unfortunately they don\'t have them on the race course! hahaha.\r\n\r\nUnfortunately, even though this was a Swiss race, they did not have it organized that well. There was no ice anywhere on the race course (this was to also include the run portion). That meant when they handed you water bottles they were basically warm. One is used to getting an ice cold water which is very refreshing. The second loop went well and after doing a very steep climb at the end again, it was off the bike and into transition to begin the run\r\n\r\n<strong><u>THE RUN: 26.2 Miles</u></strong>\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_318\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"160\"]<img src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Switzerland-Run-2016-275.jpg\" alt=\"Switzerland Run 2016 275\" width=\"160\" height=\"301\" class=\"size-full wp-image-318\" /><strong> Dr. Fields during the 26.2 mile run</strong>[/caption]\r\nAfter riding 112 miles, it\'s always a nice feeling to get off the bike. I changed into on my running shoes and was off for the 26.2 mile run. At this point it was very sunny and hot. They changed the run this year so that you would pass through the heart of the city and by Lake Zurich . But they made it a four loop course which was a little monotonous. My first 10+K loop went very well for me. As you left transition and passed by the crowds it was very invigorating. After 2k you turn to go through the downtown area. You went down one of the main streets with a lot of fancy stores. Then you turned into the malled off streets that were cobblestones but not too bad to run on. These were very small and winding streets in the old part of town. Several cafes were there too with spectators. Then you came out alongside the river and under a bridge to run about 2K by the lake. Here there were hundreds, if not more, people cheering as they enjoyed their Sunday afternoon. This was very invigorating hearing people cheer you on and yell your name or the country you were from (the race tags we wore had our first name and two small flags of the country you where from). The whole time you ran along the lake there were throngs of crowds. After turning around we headed back to the transition area to begin the next 3 loops. This was a little tough as when you pass transition you also passed the Finish Line.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_319\" align=\"alignright\" width=\"160\"]<img src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Switzerland-Finish-Line-2016-275.jpg\" alt=\"Switzerland Finish Line 2016 275\" width=\"160\" height=\"301\" class=\"size-full wp-image-319\" /><strong>Dr. Fields crossing the finish line</strong>[/caption]After each loop, there were people finishing but you still have to continue around and do your loops. They kept track of this when you came up towards the end of each loop and they would put a colored arm band around your forearm . Once you have four armbands on you could turn it into the finish line. As I said, the first loop very well. During the second loop I started to develop some foot pain. I have had this in the past in training but it only would last about 10 to 15 minutes at most. Unfortunately this time it did not go away so my second loop (each loop was a little more than 10K) was much slower. This pain would come and go until halfway into my 4th and last loop. But Ironman are all about challenges. I just dug deep and kept my focus on where I was going and put the pain aside.Dr. Fields crossing the finish line But all-in-all, I persevered. By the third fatigue was getting setting in but I just kept going since I you had to go out and do a fourth loop. Of course in everyone\'s mind you\'re thinking maybe I could just turn and go into the finish line. But again you could not enter the Finish Line without the four colored bands on your arm ( and that would be cutting the course so in reality no one ever considers that). The route was interesting but unfortunately there was no ice anywhere on the course. This all the athletes found to be very unusual. They did have sponges you could squeeze the water out on your head, shoulders and back but again it was just all air temperature water. So you just kept sipping water, cola, taking in nutrition and putting one foot in front of the other.\r\n\r\nSo as I made the final turn at about four kilometers to go, I knew I was heading back and that despite any difficulties, I had I would complete my 7th Ironman. As I came into the transition area and made the final 50 meter turn into the finish line I knew I had done it again. As I crossed the finish line I heard the words that I had heard 6 times before, \"Peter Fields, you are an Ironman!\"\r\n\r\n<strong>POST SCRIPT</strong>\r\n\r\nOf course as with every other race I was dedicating this race in the memory my mother and father. When the pain in my foot started to get worse during the run I just stayed focused. I had learned from both of them that no matter how tough things get in life, you just just have to keep moving forward.  I also kept a small remembrance of them in my back jersey pocket.  When things would get really tough, I would reach back and touch it.  Knowing they were with me made it a lot easier.\r\n\r\nMany of you may not know this  but both my parents were refugees fleeing fascism during World War II.\r\nBeing Jewish and living in Germany in the 1930\'s was not an ideal situation, to say the least.\r\n\r\nMy mom\'s family fled Germany to live in France in 1933. My mom was only 7 years old. After 8 good years, they had to flee once again, in 1941, to the US. So at the young age of 16 she would have to learn her third language, see her dad pass away after only a month in the US, help care for her family and more.\r\n\r\nMy dad, at 19, left Berlin in 1938 to hide out in Shanghai, China. He knew that it was either get out of Europe or perish. His parents unfortunately would never make it out. It took him nine years, until 1947, to finally get to the US. Penniless and without family, he would eventually meet my mom (married for 56 years) and with her start a successful business, raise a family and the rest is history.\r\n\r\nNo matter how bad things got they never gave up hope,\r\nThey instilled this in me from early childhood.\r\nAnd it stayed with me and helped me through this race.\r\n\r\nWhat was happening to me during the race was nothing compared to my parents journeys, but as they taught me, just kept moving forward and don\'t look back.I share with you these stories as this is what I kept in my head as I was running past the pain and fatigue of working out for over 12+ hrs straight.  The book  \'Man\'s Search for Meaning\' by Viktor Frankl, MD, Phd, which was my father\'s favorite book, has a famous quote that goes something like this: \'It\'s not what happens to you in life that matters; it\'s how you deal with it\'.\r\n\r\nI want to thank everybody who has gotten to this point and taken the time to read this. Also everybody out there who were shouting and/or cheering during the race following me on the Internet or just in their minds. I appreciate it all.\r\nThank You.\r\n\r\nOf course, I thank my parents everyday for not only the love they gave me, but for the spirit and determination to never give up that they ingrained in my soul. I\'m so thankful that I had them as my parents.\r\n\r\nOne last special dedication.\r\nTo my 91yo uncle Andre in Belgium, who felt guilty about taking time away from following me on the computer to do a few errands.\r\nHe sometimes knew more about me during the race then I did.\r\nMerci beaucoup, Monsieur Jamar!\r\n\r\n<div class=\"clear\"></div>\r\n<strong>Peter A. Fields, MD DC</strong>\r\n<strong>The Athletic Doc® and 7X Ironman Triathlete</strong>\r\n','Race Report 7th Ironman','','inherit','closed','closed','','302-revision-v1','','','2019-06-08 03:09:01','2019-06-08 03:09:01','',302,'https://www.drfields.com/uncategorized/302-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(324,8,'2019-06-08 03:09:21','2019-06-08 03:09:21','<p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n<img src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/ironman-switzerland-logo.jpg\" alt=\"Ironman Switzerland Logo\" width=\"250\" height=\"120\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-311\" />\r\n\r\n<h6 class=\"text-center\">Sunday July 27, 2016\r\n2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike, 26.2 mile run</h6>\r\n\r\n\"No matter how tough things get in life, you just just have to keep moving forward.\"\r\nFred and Yvette Fields\r\n\r\n<strong><u>GETTING THERE</u></strong>\r\n\r\nI left on an overnight flight to London. This is an approximately 11 hour flight. I slept 7 plus hours so all was well. After a three-hour layover in London, I then had a 90 minute flight to Zurich Switzerland. After landing I found out that my bicycle, which I had brought with me, did not make it. But the Swiss being very efficient had already tracked it and it was coming on the next flight. Since it was late I left for the city and let them deliver it the next morning. I checked into my apartment around midnight. I had rented an apartment since I was going to be there for 7 days. The next morning the bicycle was delivered. No scratches or anything, so everything went well. The first week was just relaxing getting used to the time difference (there\'s a 9 hour time difference between Los Angeles and Zurich) and enjoying Zurich a little bit. Zurich is a beautiful city with a large lake and a river that passes through the city. Rest was needed as race day on Sunday would come quickly.\r\n\r\n<strong><u>RACE DAY MORNING</u></strong>\r\n\r\nThis race day morning was different than my last ones. I usually get about 5 to 6 hours sleep. But somehow I couldn\'t sleep and got only about one and a half hours of sleep. I knew I would be a little on edge but I tried to keep myself calm. I got out of bed at 3:30am to do the final preparations and have breakfast and to get to the transition at 5 a.m. We leave our bike, running and biking gear at the transition area on Saturday, so all I had to do was put water and fuel on my bike, pump the tires and check all my transition bags to make sure everything was correctly there. This is very important as when you get off out of the water you need all your bike gear to change into and the same for the transition when you get off the bike and begin to run, The water was just barely legal (cool enough) for wetsuits. This was just below 74.5 degrees as mandated by the Ironman Corporation. Since I\'m a good swimmer I would have actually preferred not to wear a swimsuit but since everyone else was wearing one, I wore it. Then it was down to the starting line to begin a long and arduous day.\r\n\r\n<strong><u>THE SWIM: 2.4 Miles</u></strong>\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_313\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"160\"]<img src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Switzerland-Swim-2016-275.jpg\" alt=\"Switzerland Swim 2016 275\" width=\"160\" height=\"301\" class=\"size-full wp-image-313\" /><strong> Dr. Fields after the 2.4 mile swim</strong>[/caption]They had about 1,700 competitors at this race . This is less than the usual 2200- 2500. You seed yourself in holding areas by finishing times (under 1 Hour, between 1 hour and 10 minutes and so on. I put myself in the one hour to 1:10 area as this is my expected time. They let the people go six at a time, every 5 Seconds. But due to the fact that you had to run about 15 feet and then walk in the water over stones before actually starting the swim, everyone ended up getting jammed up so it was really like mass start. This meant that there were people were swimming over each other and very close. So I took my time not only lifting my head to keep my bearings straight, but to make sure I was not being bumped by other swimmers too much. Another problem was that all the buoys were of the same color. Usually when you have to turn, they place a different color buoy. So this too delayed my swim and I knew I would be slightly slower than before. As I made the final turn after two miles, I started to head back to the shore for the final 0.4 miles to make a total of 2.4 miles. The only thing marking the exit was a small black balloon archway. Unfortunately this was not very distinguishable from the water and people were zigzagging all over the place. I could only really see it when I got about two hundred meters close to the shore. I found out later that this problem and the ones mentioned before were had by many other swimmers. But all in all it went well. My swim was slower than before due to the crowding at the start and the sighting difficulties, but now I was done with the 2.4 mile swim and it was on to the bike.\r\n\r\n<strong><u>THE BIKE: 112 Miles</u></strong>\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_316\" align=\"alignright\" width=\"160\"]<img src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Switzerland-Bike-2016-275.jpg\" alt=\"Switzerland Bike 2016 275\" width=\"160\" height=\"301\" class=\"size-full wp-image-316\" /><strong>Dr. Fields during the 112 mile bike ride</strong>[/caption]After getting out of the wet suit and getting my bike shoes, helmet and sunglasses on, I got on the bike and started to ride. The first 15 - 20 miles is very flat but also very scenic as you go around the lake. After about 10 to 15 minutes I started to take some nutrition in to replace what I had burned off while I was biking. It\'s important not to take anything in the first 10 to 15 minutes so that your blood goes from your upper body into your lower body. This time we started one of two very long and fairly steep climbs. It was a little bit of a cloud cover so this was good. This cloud cover would be dispersed by the second Loop and the temperature would rise. At the start of the body temperature was probably around 70 degrees but later it would go into the mid-to-upper 80s. Plus it was humid out. As you did this series of two different climbs you have some spectacular views of Lake Zurich and the city. This made things a little bit easier. And the rest of the ride you passed by pastures with cows and some small villages.  Towards the end of the first loop you pass the transition area and do a small little 8 Mile loop. In this 8 Mile loop is an extremely steep hill. It is only about half a mile long but the steepest hill you climb. This area was jammed with spectators yelling and cheering on both sides of the road about 10 to 15 deep. It was very invigorating as you climb this hill and heard music blaring on loud speakers (the second time around  I heard \'Born in the USA\' by Bruce Springsteen). The you descend down the back and go back to the start of the race to begin your second loop after the first 66 miles. The second loop was a little tougher as the temperature reached into the mid-eighties and the sun was out in full force. Since they were long stretches of flat riding, one is down in their Triathlon handlebars alot. This puts a lot of pressure on your neck as you look up periodically to see the traffic in front of you. My neck was getting very tight and even though I was moving it around it was stiffening up a lot. So when I saw a small grassy area quickly hopped off the bike down on the ground and stretched my neck out. This cost me about 45 to 60 seconds off the bike but was well worth it is when I got back on my neck was a lot looser. I could have used a chiropractor at that point but unfortunately they don\'t have them on the race course! hahaha.\r\n\r\nUnfortunately, even though this was a Swiss race, they did not have it organized that well. There was no ice anywhere on the race course (this was to also include the run portion). That meant when they handed you water bottles they were basically warm. One is used to getting an ice cold water which is very refreshing. The second loop went well and after doing a very steep climb at the end again, it was off the bike and into transition to begin the run\r\n\r\n<strong><u>THE RUN: 26.2 Miles</u></strong>\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_318\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"160\"]<img src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Switzerland-Run-2016-275.jpg\" alt=\"Switzerland Run 2016 275\" width=\"160\" height=\"301\" class=\"size-full wp-image-318\" /><strong> Dr. Fields during the 26.2 mile run</strong>[/caption]\r\nAfter riding 112 miles, it\'s always a nice feeling to get off the bike. I changed into on my running shoes and was off for the 26.2 mile run. At this point it was very sunny and hot. They changed the run this year so that you would pass through the heart of the city and by Lake Zurich . But they made it a four loop course which was a little monotonous. My first 10+K loop went very well for me. As you left transition and passed by the crowds it was very invigorating. After 2k you turn to go through the downtown area. You went down one of the main streets with a lot of fancy stores. Then you turned into the malled off streets that were cobblestones but not too bad to run on. These were very small and winding streets in the old part of town. Several cafes were there too with spectators. Then you came out alongside the river and under a bridge to run about 2K by the lake. Here there were hundreds, if not more, people cheering as they enjoyed their Sunday afternoon. This was very invigorating hearing people cheer you on and yell your name or the country you were from (the race tags we wore had our first name and two small flags of the country you where from). The whole time you ran along the lake there were throngs of crowds. After turning around we headed back to the transition area to begin the next 3 loops. This was a little tough as when you pass transition you also passed the Finish Line.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_319\" align=\"alignright\" width=\"160\"]<img src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Switzerland-Finish-Line-2016-275.jpg\" alt=\"Switzerland Finish Line 2016 275\" width=\"160\" height=\"301\" class=\"size-full wp-image-319\" /><strong>Dr. Fields crossing the finish line</strong>[/caption]After each loop, there were people finishing but you still have to continue around and do your loops. They kept track of this when you came up towards the end of each loop and they would put a colored arm band around your forearm . Once you have four armbands on you could turn it into the finish line. As I said, the first loop very well. During the second loop I started to develop some foot pain. I have had this in the past in training but it only would last about 10 to 15 minutes at most. Unfortunately this time it did not go away so my second loop (each loop was a little more than 10K) was much slower. This pain would come and go until halfway into my 4th and last loop. But Ironman are all about challenges. I just dug deep and kept my focus on where I was going and put the pain aside.Dr. Fields crossing the finish line But all-in-all, I persevered. By the third fatigue was getting setting in but I just kept going since I you had to go out and do a fourth loop. Of course in everyone\'s mind you\'re thinking maybe I could just turn and go into the finish line. But again you could not enter the Finish Line without the four colored bands on your arm ( and that would be cutting the course so in reality no one ever considers that). The route was interesting but unfortunately there was no ice anywhere on the course. This all the athletes found to be very unusual. They did have sponges you could squeeze the water out on your head, shoulders and back but again it was just all air temperature water. So you just kept sipping water, cola, taking in nutrition and putting one foot in front of the other.\r\n\r\nSo as I made the final turn at about four kilometers to go, I knew I was heading back and that despite any difficulties, I had I would complete my 7th Ironman. As I came into the transition area and made the final 50 meter turn into the finish line I knew I had done it again. As I crossed the finish line I heard the words that I had heard 6 times before, \"Peter Fields, you are an Ironman!\"\r\n\r\n<strong>POST SCRIPT</strong>\r\n\r\nOf course as with every other race I was dedicating this race in the memory my mother and father. When the pain in my foot started to get worse during the run I just stayed focused. I had learned from both of them that no matter how tough things get in life, you just just have to keep moving forward.  I also kept a small remembrance of them in my back jersey pocket.  When things would get really tough, I would reach back and touch it.  Knowing they were with me made it a lot easier.\r\n\r\nMany of you may not know this  but both my parents were refugees fleeing fascism during World War II.\r\nBeing Jewish and living in Germany in the 1930\'s was not an ideal situation, to say the least.\r\n\r\nMy mom\'s family fled Germany to live in France in 1933. My mom was only 7 years old. After 8 good years, they had to flee once again, in 1941, to the US. So at the young age of 16 she would have to learn her third language, see her dad pass away after only a month in the US, help care for her family and more.\r\n\r\nMy dad, at 19, left Berlin in 1938 to hide out in Shanghai, China. He knew that it was either get out of Europe or perish. His parents unfortunately would never make it out. It took him nine years, until 1947, to finally get to the US. Penniless and without family, he would eventually meet my mom (married for 56 years) and with her start a successful business, raise a family and the rest is history.\r\n\r\nNo matter how bad things got they never gave up hope,\r\nThey instilled this in me from early childhood.\r\nAnd it stayed with me and helped me through this race.\r\n\r\nWhat was happening to me during the race was nothing compared to my parents journeys, but as they taught me, just kept moving forward and don\'t look back.I share with you these stories as this is what I kept in my head as I was running past the pain and fatigue of working out for over 12+ hrs straight.  The book  \'Man\'s Search for Meaning\' by Viktor Frankl, MD, Phd, which was my father\'s favorite book, has a famous quote that goes something like this: \'It\'s not what happens to you in life that matters; it\'s how you deal with it\'.\r\n\r\nI want to thank everybody who has gotten to this point and taken the time to read this. Also everybody out there who were shouting and/or cheering during the race following me on the Internet or just in their minds. I appreciate it all.\r\nThank You.\r\n\r\nOf course, I thank my parents everyday for not only the love they gave me, but for the spirit and determination to never give up that they ingrained in my soul. I\'m so thankful that I had them as my parents.\r\n\r\nOne last special dedication.\r\nTo my 91yo uncle Andre in Belgium, who felt guilty about taking time away from following me on the computer to do a few errands.\r\nHe sometimes knew more about me during the race then I did.\r\nMerci beaucoup, Monsieur Jamar!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<div class=\"clear\"></div>\r\n<strong>Peter A. Fields, MD DC</strong>\r\n<strong>The Athletic Doc® and 7X Ironman Triathlete</strong>\r\n','Race Report 7th Ironman','','inherit','closed','closed','','302-revision-v1','','','2019-06-08 03:09:21','2019-06-08 03:09:21','',302,'https://www.drfields.com/uncategorized/302-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(325,8,'2019-06-17 09:03:06','2019-06-17 09:03:06','<div class=\"col-md-8\">\n<img src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Cozumel-Logo.jpg\" alt=\"Cozumel Logo\" width=\"139\" height=\"85\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-326\" />\n\n<h6 class=\"text-center\">Sunday Nov 27, 2016\n2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike, 26.2 mile run</h6>\n\n\"Never give up on your goals no matter how tough things get.\"\nFred and Yvette Fields\n\nAs many of you have enjoyed reading my stories about my Ironman races, I will now give you a brief synopsis of my eighth Ironman in Cozumel, Mexico November 27, 2016. I apologize for the delay in getting this out.\n\n<strong><span>GETTING THERE</span></strong>\n\nThis was not as complicated as it was for my races in South America or in Europe. A 3 hr. flight to Dallas and then 2 1/2 hrs. to Cozumel. I arrived five days in the advance of the race. Then the usual registering, getting ready and just sitting back and relaxing the last few days.\n\n\n<strong class=\"subhead\"><span>RACE DAY MORNING</span></strong>\n\nI awoke at 3:30 a.m. Breakfast at 4 a.m. and then getting down to the race start. In Cozumel, you start 2.2 miles away for the T1 (transition one) area where you have our bike, so first you go to the transition area and make sure everything is OK as you leave your bike and bike clothes the day before. You fill your bottles with water, pump your tires, place some nutrition on the bike and then take a bus over to the race start.\n\nThere was nothing unusual at the race start this morning except for the fact that I forgot my speed suit.  A wetsuit is not allowed in the race when the water temp is above the 76.5 degrees (actually it was 79 degrees today). Like many athletes, I usually wear a speed suit over my Triathlon suit. This is a suit that is very similar to what Olympic swimmers wear to streamline the body. But it really was no big deal as swimming is my best sport and at best it can take seconds and not minutes off my swim.\n\nOne of my highlights of standing in the corral waiting for the swim start was that I was actually standing next to, and met, The Iron Cowboy. This is a 41-year-old guy who just the year before had done what is really considered impossible. That is, he did 50 Ironman races in 50 days in 50 states. Yes, you heard me correctly. It was a monumental effort and he did it to raise awareness for several different organizations. I told him what an honor it was to have met him.\n\n\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_327\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"160\"]<img src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Cozumel-2016-Swim-2-160.jpg\" alt=\"Cozumel 2016 Swim 2 160\" width=\"160\" height=\"286\" class=\"size-full wp-image-327\" /><strong>Swim Start with his parents initials on his forearms</strong>[/caption]<strong class=\"subhead\">THE SWIM: 2.4 Miles</strong>\n\nThe swim for me is never a major challenge as it is my best event. The start in Cozumel is very organized and controlled. They let about five to ten people off the end of the pier about every 15 seconds, so it never gets very crowded. The water very nice and it makes for an enjoyable swim. You can see down 30 - 50 feet and see schools of fish along the way. You can also see the scuba diver lifeguards who are strategically placed along the way in case anything happens. While swimming, about halfway thru the race, I did detect a current as it picked up and was coming towards us. This is not the norm as usually you swim with the current but occasionally it can change. I just moved on and kept motoring through. At the end I found out my time was just a minute or two slower than usual but most were 10-20 minutes slower than their usual time. Then out of the water, run over to the transition tent to dry off, get my helmet, bike shoes and sunglasses on and then on to the bike for 112 mile bike ride.\n<div class=\"clear\"></div>\n\n<strong class=\"subhead\">THE BIKE: 112 Miles</strong>\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_328\" align=\"alignright\" width=\"160\"]<img src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Cozumel-2016-Bike-160.jpg\" alt=\"Cozumel 2016 Bike 160\" width=\"160\" height=\"209\" class=\"size-full wp-image-328\" /><strong>Dr. Fields during the 112 mile bike ride</strong>[/caption]Having done this this race three times before I knew that bike course well. The back side of the island has a 12-mile stretch where your hit hard by the wind. But I felt really good and rode the first loop faster than I had ever done before. The second loop I kept my pace going but the winds got tougher on the back side of the island. They were hitting at about 20 to 25 miles an hour so you had to stay low on the bike. The third loop I did well on the leeward side of the island but once I hit the windward side of the island I slowed because the winds were blowing over 30 miles an hour. At this point you just tough it out and wait for the final stretch, with the wind at your back, into town. All-in-all I felt very good and I ended up having my best cycle time in Cozumel.\n\n\n<strong class=\"subhead\">THE RUN: 26.2 Miles</strong>\n[caption id=\"attachment_329\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"160\"]<img src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Cozumel-2016-Run-160.jpg\" alt=\"Cozumel 2016 Run 160\" width=\"160\" height=\"288\" class=\"size-full wp-image-329\" /> <strong>Dr. Fields during the 26.2 mile run</strong>[/caption]At a transition, I felt very strong. The sun was out and it didn\'t rain but it was not too hot. My first loop, which is about 8.8 miles, I felt very good. During my second loop I developed some foot pain but was able to adjust my stride so it really didn\'t bother me. Unfortunately, halfway through this second loop I developed some hamstring pain. This is something I hadn\'t had before. At 13.1 miles, there is the special needs station. This is where one leaves out things they would like halfway to the race. I took some extra gels and a Motrin I had in there. Unfortunately, that was not enough. So, I tried running nine tenths of a mile and walking a tenth of a mile. The pain stayed with me so then I ran/walked for a while. Ironman races are all about staying in the game, so I just put the pain out of my head and kept going. I also found some ice at an aid station and wrapped that around my leg. Overall this hindered my run. On the 3rd loop I walked a lot; at least more than I ran.[caption id=\"attachment_332\" align=\"alignright\" width=\"160\"]<img src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Cozumel-2016-Finish-160.jpg\" alt=\"Cozumel 2016 Finish 160\" width=\"160\" height=\"295\" class=\"size-full wp-image-332\" /><strong> Dr. Fields crossing the finish line</strong>[/caption]Dr. Fields crossing the finish line I was hurting but there was nothing I could do. That was for the first four to five miles of the 8.4 mile run. And with three and a half for miles to go I just grinned and beared it and said I\'m almost done so let me just run through it. So, as I came back into town and the lights of the town became brighter and brighter, I felt very strong. I started seeing the big crowds at about a mile-and-a-half out which inspired me even more. I was now running very well, even passing other competitors who I cheered on. As I came to the last 500 meters the crowds and people cheering were very loud and inspiring. Although my leg was giving me a lot of pain at that time, in Ironman it\'s all about crisis control. You never say never. So I just kept a smile on my face and kept moving forward. As I came down the last 50 meters stretch the feeling is indescribable. I finally knew I had done it. I\'d finished my 8th Ironman. And as I came up to the Finish Line, I was exhausted but feeling unbelievably good. The feeling never gets old when the announcer says: \"Peter Fields, you are an Ironman!\"\n\n<div class=\"clear\"></div>\n<strong>POST SCRIPT</strong>\n\nAs I\'ve described in other race reports, my parents instilled in me the ability to work thru things no matter how hard it gets. Life is not always easy, just like an Ironman. There are some easy stretches and some hard times. But you just keep your head down and keep moving forward. The spirit of my parents never left me during the entire race. Their attention, caring and never ending love for me was always in my thoughts. As with every race, as I get towards the end, I imagine my parents there embracing me like they had for so many years. Their eternal love and kindness carries me through more than just my Ironman races.\n\n<strong>PS</strong> Once again I was first out of the water in my age group in the swim. After the bike, I was in the top third of my age group. This was a first for me. Unfortunately after the run, due to the above-mentioned issues, I fell back and finished towards the top of the lower third for my age group. But all in all, it was a good race.\n\n<strong>PPS</strong> I want to thank everybody who not only read this but also who thought of or followed me during the race. Thank you all very much.\n\n<div class=\"clear\"></div>\n<strong>Peter A. Fields, MD DC</strong>\n<strong>The Athletic Doc® and 8X Ironman Triathlete</strong>\n</div>\n<div class=\"col-md-4\" id=\"sidebar2\">\n\n</div>','Race Report 8th Ironman','','inherit','closed','closed','','306-autosave-v1','','','2019-06-17 09:03:06','2019-06-17 09:03:06','',306,'https://www.drfields.com/uncategorized/306-autosave-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(326,8,'2019-06-08 03:12:32','2019-06-08 03:12:32','Cozumel Logo','Cozumel Logo','','inherit','open','closed','','cozumel-logo','','','2019-06-08 03:12:37','2019-06-08 03:12:37','',306,'https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Cozumel-Logo.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(327,8,'2019-06-08 03:14:36','2019-06-08 03:14:36','Cozumel 2016 Swim 2 160','Cozumel 2016 Swim 2 160','Swim Start with his parents initials on his forearms','inherit','open','closed','','cozumel-2016-swim-2-160','','','2019-06-08 03:14:43','2019-06-08 03:14:43','',306,'https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Cozumel-2016-Swim-2-160.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(328,8,'2019-06-08 03:16:09','2019-06-08 03:16:09','Cozumel 2016 Bike 160','Cozumel 2016 Bike 160','Dr. Fields during the 112 mile bike ride','inherit','open','closed','','cozumel-2016-bike-160','','','2019-06-08 03:16:13','2019-06-08 03:16:13','',306,'https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Cozumel-2016-Bike-160.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(329,8,'2019-06-08 03:16:49','2019-06-08 03:16:49','Cozumel 2016 Run 160','Cozumel 2016 Run 160','Dr. Fields during the 26.2 mile run','inherit','open','closed','','cozumel-2016-run-160','','','2019-06-08 03:17:06','2019-06-08 03:17:06','',306,'https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Cozumel-2016-Run-160.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(330,8,'2019-06-08 03:17:18','2019-06-08 03:17:18','<img src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Cozumel-Logo.jpg\" alt=\"Cozumel Logo\" width=\"139\" height=\"85\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-326\" />\r\n\r\n<h6 class=\"text-center\">Sunday Nov 27, 2016\r\n2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike, 26.2 mile run</h6>\r\n\r\n\"Never give up on your goals no matter how tough things get.\"\r\nFred and Yvette Fields\r\n\r\nAs many of you have enjoyed reading my stories about my Ironman races, I will now give you a brief synopsis of my eighth Ironman in Cozumel, Mexico November 27, 2016. I apologize for the delay in getting this out.\r\n\r\n<strong><span>GETTING THERE</span></strong>\r\n\r\nThis was not as complicated as it was for my races in South America or in Europe. A 3 hr. flight to Dallas and then 2 1/2 hrs. to Cozumel. I arrived five days in the advance of the race. Then the usual registering, getting ready and just sitting back and relaxing the last few days.\r\n\r\n<strong class=\"subhead\"><span>RACE DAY MORNING</span></strong>\r\n\r\nI awoke at 3:30 a.m. Breakfast at 4 a.m. and then getting down to the race start. In Cozumel, you start 2.2 miles away for the T1 (transition one) area where you have our bike, so first you go to the transition area and make sure everything is OK as you leave your bike and bike clothes the day before. You fill your bottles with water, pump your tires, place some nutrition on the bike and then take a bus over to the race start.\r\n\r\nThere was nothing unusual at the race start this morning except for the fact that I forgot my speed suit.  A wetsuit is not allowed in the race when the water temp is above the 76.5 degrees (actually it was 79 degrees today). Like many athletes, I usually wear a speed suit over my Triathlon suit. This is a suit that is very similar to what Olympic swimmers wear to streamline the body. But it really was no big deal as swimming is my best sport and at best it can take seconds and not minutes off my swim.\r\n\r\nOne of my highlights of standing in the corral waiting for the swim start was that I was actually standing next to, and met, The Iron Cowboy. This is a 41-year-old guy who just the year before had done what is really considered impossible. That is, he did 50 Ironman races in 50 days in 50 states. Yes, you heard me correctly. It was a monumental effort and he did it to raise awareness for several different organizations. I told him what an honor it was to have met him.\r\n\r\n<strong class=\"subhead\">THE SWIM: 2.4 Miles</strong>\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_327\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"160\"]<img src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Cozumel-2016-Swim-2-160.jpg\" alt=\"Cozumel 2016 Swim 2 160\" width=\"160\" height=\"286\" class=\"size-full wp-image-327\" /> Swim Start with his parents initials on his forearms[/caption]The swim for me is never a major challenge as it is my best event. The start in Cozumel is very organized and controlled. They let about five to ten people off the end of the pier about every 15 seconds, so it never gets very crowded. The water very nice and it makes for an enjoyable swim. You can see down 30 - 50 feet and see schools of fish along the way. You can also see the scuba diver lifeguards who are strategically placed along the way in case anything happens. While swimming, about halfway thru the race, I did detect a current as it picked up and was coming towards us. This is not the norm as usually you swim with the current but occasionally it can change. I just moved on and kept motoring through. At the end I found out my time was just a minute or two slower than usual but most were 10-20 minutes slower than their usual time. Then out of the water, run over to the transition tent to dry off, get my helmet, bike shoes and sunglasses on and then on to the bike for 112 mile bike ride.\r\n\r\n<strong class=\"subhead\">THE BIKE: 112 Miles</strong>\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_328\" align=\"alignright\" width=\"160\"]<img src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Cozumel-2016-Bike-160.jpg\" alt=\"Cozumel 2016 Bike 160\" width=\"160\" height=\"209\" class=\"size-full wp-image-328\" /> Dr. Fields during the 112 mile bike ride[/caption]Having done this this race three times before I knew that bike course well. The back side of the island has a 12-mile stretch where your hit hard by the wind. But I felt really good and rode the first loop faster than I had ever done before. The second loop I kept my pace going but the winds got tougher on the back side of the island. They were hitting at about 20 to 25 miles an hour so you had to stay low on the bike. The third loop I did well on the leeward side of the island but once I hit the windward side of the island I slowed because the winds were blowing over 30 miles an hour. At this point you just tough it out and wait for the final stretch, with the wind at your back, into town. All-in-all I felt very good and I ended up having my best cycle time in Cozumel.\r\n\r\n<strong class=\"subhead\">THE RUN: 26.2 Miles</strong>\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_329\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"160\"]<img src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Cozumel-2016-Run-160.jpg\" alt=\"Cozumel 2016 Run 160\" width=\"160\" height=\"288\" class=\"size-full wp-image-329\" /> Dr. Fields during the 26.2 mile run[/caption]At a transition, I felt very strong. The sun was out and it didn\'t rain but it was not too hot. My first loop, which is about 8.8 miles, I felt very good. During my second loop I developed some foot pain but was able to adjust my stride so it really didn\'t bother me. Unfortunately, halfway through this second loop I developed some hamstring pain. This is something I hadn\'t had before. At 13.1 miles, there is the special needs station. This is where one leaves out things they would like halfway to the race. I took some extra gels and a Motrin I had in there. Unfortunately, that was not enough. So, I tried running nine tenths of a mile and walking a tenth of a mile. The pain stayed with me so then I ran/walked for a while. Ironman races are all about staying in the game, so I just put the pain out of my head and kept going. I also found some ice at an aid station and wrapped that around my leg. Overall this hindered my run. On the 3rd loop I walked a lot; at least more than I ran.<img title=\"Dr. Fields crossing the finish line\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/portals/0/Images/Ironman%20Cozumel%202016/Cozumel-2016-Finish-160.jpg\" alt=\"Dr. Fields crossing the finish line\" />\r\nDr. Fields crossing the finish line I was hurting but there was nothing I could do. That was for the first four to five miles of the 8.4 mile run. And with three and a half for miles to go I just grinned and beared it and said I\'m almost done so let me just run through it. So, as I came back into town and the lights of the town became brighter and brighter, I felt very strong. I started seeing the big crowds at about a mile-and-a-half out which inspired me even more. I was now running very well, even passing other competitors who I cheered on. As I came to the last 500 meters the crowds and people cheering were very loud and inspiring. Although my leg was giving me a lot of pain at that time, in Ironman it\'s all about crisis control. You never say never. So I just kept a smile on my face and kept moving forward. As I came down the last 50 meters stretch the feeling is indescribable. I finally knew I had done it. I\'d finished my 8th Ironman. And as I came up to the Finish Line, I was exhausted but feeling unbelievably good. The feeling never gets old when the announcer says: \"Peter Fields, you are an Ironman!\"\r\n\r\n<strong>POST SCRIPT</strong>\r\n\r\nAs I\'ve described in other race reports, my parents instilled in me the ability to work thru things no matter how hard it gets. Life is not always easy, just like an Ironman. There are some easy stretches and some hard times. But you just keep your head down and keep moving forward. The spirit of my parents never left me during the entire race. Their attention, caring and never ending love for me was always in my thoughts. As with every race, as I get towards the end, I imagine my parents there embracing me like they had for so many years. Their eternal love and kindness carries me through more than just my Ironman races.\r\n\r\n<strong>PS</strong> Once again I was first out of the water in my age group in the swim. After the bike, I was in the top third of my age group. This was a first for me. Unfortunately after the run, due to the above-mentioned issues, I fell back and finished towards the top of the lower third for my age group. But all in all, it was a good race.\r\n\r\n<strong>PPS</strong> I want to thank everybody who not only read this but also who thought of or followed me during the race. Thank you all very much.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<div class=\"clear\"></div>\r\n<strong>Peter A. Fields, MD DC</strong>\r\n<strong>The Athletic Doc® and 8X Ironman Triathlete</strong>','Race Report 8th Ironman','','inherit','closed','closed','','306-revision-v1','','','2019-06-08 03:17:18','2019-06-08 03:17:18','',306,'https://www.drfields.com/uncategorized/306-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(331,8,'2019-06-08 03:17:47','2019-06-08 03:17:47','<img src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Cozumel-Logo.jpg\" alt=\"Cozumel Logo\" width=\"139\" height=\"85\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-326\" />\r\n\r\n<h6 class=\"textcenter\">Sunday Nov 27, 2016\r\n2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike, 26.2 mile run</h6>\r\n\r\n\"Never give up on your goals no matter how tough things get.\"\r\nFred and Yvette Fields\r\n\r\nAs many of you have enjoyed reading my stories about my Ironman races, I will now give you a brief synopsis of my eighth Ironman in Cozumel, Mexico November 27, 2016. I apologize for the delay in getting this out.\r\n\r\n<strong><span>GETTING THERE</span></strong>\r\n\r\nThis was not as complicated as it was for my races in South America or in Europe. A 3 hr. flight to Dallas and then 2 1/2 hrs. to Cozumel. I arrived five days in the advance of the race. Then the usual registering, getting ready and just sitting back and relaxing the last few days.\r\n\r\n<strong class=\"subhead\"><span>RACE DAY MORNING</span></strong>\r\n\r\nI awoke at 3:30 a.m. Breakfast at 4 a.m. and then getting down to the race start. In Cozumel, you start 2.2 miles away for the T1 (transition one) area where you have our bike, so first you go to the transition area and make sure everything is OK as you leave your bike and bike clothes the day before. You fill your bottles with water, pump your tires, place some nutrition on the bike and then take a bus over to the race start.\r\n\r\nThere was nothing unusual at the race start this morning except for the fact that I forgot my speed suit.  A wetsuit is not allowed in the race when the water temp is above the 76.5 degrees (actually it was 79 degrees today). Like many athletes, I usually wear a speed suit over my Triathlon suit. This is a suit that is very similar to what Olympic swimmers wear to streamline the body. But it really was no big deal as swimming is my best sport and at best it can take seconds and not minutes off my swim.\r\n\r\nOne of my highlights of standing in the corral waiting for the swim start was that I was actually standing next to, and met, The Iron Cowboy. This is a 41-year-old guy who just the year before had done what is really considered impossible. That is, he did 50 Ironman races in 50 days in 50 states. Yes, you heard me correctly. It was a monumental effort and he did it to raise awareness for several different organizations. I told him what an honor it was to have met him.\r\n\r\n<strong class=\"subhead\">THE SWIM: 2.4 Miles</strong>\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_327\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"160\"]<img src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Cozumel-2016-Swim-2-160.jpg\" alt=\"Cozumel 2016 Swim 2 160\" width=\"160\" height=\"286\" class=\"size-full wp-image-327\" /> Swim Start with his parents initials on his forearms[/caption]The swim for me is never a major challenge as it is my best event. The start in Cozumel is very organized and controlled. They let about five to ten people off the end of the pier about every 15 seconds, so it never gets very crowded. The water very nice and it makes for an enjoyable swim. You can see down 30 - 50 feet and see schools of fish along the way. You can also see the scuba diver lifeguards who are strategically placed along the way in case anything happens. While swimming, about halfway thru the race, I did detect a current as it picked up and was coming towards us. This is not the norm as usually you swim with the current but occasionally it can change. I just moved on and kept motoring through. At the end I found out my time was just a minute or two slower than usual but most were 10-20 minutes slower than their usual time. Then out of the water, run over to the transition tent to dry off, get my helmet, bike shoes and sunglasses on and then on to the bike for 112 mile bike ride.\r\n\r\n<strong class=\"subhead\">THE BIKE: 112 Miles</strong>\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_328\" align=\"alignright\" width=\"160\"]<img src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Cozumel-2016-Bike-160.jpg\" alt=\"Cozumel 2016 Bike 160\" width=\"160\" height=\"209\" class=\"size-full wp-image-328\" /> Dr. Fields during the 112 mile bike ride[/caption]Having done this this race three times before I knew that bike course well. The back side of the island has a 12-mile stretch where your hit hard by the wind. But I felt really good and rode the first loop faster than I had ever done before. The second loop I kept my pace going but the winds got tougher on the back side of the island. They were hitting at about 20 to 25 miles an hour so you had to stay low on the bike. The third loop I did well on the leeward side of the island but once I hit the windward side of the island I slowed because the winds were blowing over 30 miles an hour. At this point you just tough it out and wait for the final stretch, with the wind at your back, into town. All-in-all I felt very good and I ended up having my best cycle time in Cozumel.\r\n\r\n<strong class=\"subhead\">THE RUN: 26.2 Miles</strong>\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_329\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"160\"]<img src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Cozumel-2016-Run-160.jpg\" alt=\"Cozumel 2016 Run 160\" width=\"160\" height=\"288\" class=\"size-full wp-image-329\" /> Dr. Fields during the 26.2 mile run[/caption]At a transition, I felt very strong. The sun was out and it didn\'t rain but it was not too hot. My first loop, which is about 8.8 miles, I felt very good. During my second loop I developed some foot pain but was able to adjust my stride so it really didn\'t bother me. Unfortunately, halfway through this second loop I developed some hamstring pain. This is something I hadn\'t had before. At 13.1 miles, there is the special needs station. This is where one leaves out things they would like halfway to the race. I took some extra gels and a Motrin I had in there. Unfortunately, that was not enough. So, I tried running nine tenths of a mile and walking a tenth of a mile. The pain stayed with me so then I ran/walked for a while. Ironman races are all about staying in the game, so I just put the pain out of my head and kept going. I also found some ice at an aid station and wrapped that around my leg. Overall this hindered my run. On the 3rd loop I walked a lot; at least more than I ran.<img title=\"Dr. Fields crossing the finish line\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/portals/0/Images/Ironman%20Cozumel%202016/Cozumel-2016-Finish-160.jpg\" alt=\"Dr. Fields crossing the finish line\" />\r\nDr. Fields crossing the finish line I was hurting but there was nothing I could do. That was for the first four to five miles of the 8.4 mile run. And with three and a half for miles to go I just grinned and beared it and said I\'m almost done so let me just run through it. So, as I came back into town and the lights of the town became brighter and brighter, I felt very strong. I started seeing the big crowds at about a mile-and-a-half out which inspired me even more. I was now running very well, even passing other competitors who I cheered on. As I came to the last 500 meters the crowds and people cheering were very loud and inspiring. Although my leg was giving me a lot of pain at that time, in Ironman it\'s all about crisis control. You never say never. So I just kept a smile on my face and kept moving forward. As I came down the last 50 meters stretch the feeling is indescribable. I finally knew I had done it. I\'d finished my 8th Ironman. And as I came up to the Finish Line, I was exhausted but feeling unbelievably good. The feeling never gets old when the announcer says: \"Peter Fields, you are an Ironman!\"\r\n\r\n<strong>POST SCRIPT</strong>\r\n\r\nAs I\'ve described in other race reports, my parents instilled in me the ability to work thru things no matter how hard it gets. Life is not always easy, just like an Ironman. There are some easy stretches and some hard times. But you just keep your head down and keep moving forward. The spirit of my parents never left me during the entire race. Their attention, caring and never ending love for me was always in my thoughts. As with every race, as I get towards the end, I imagine my parents there embracing me like they had for so many years. Their eternal love and kindness carries me through more than just my Ironman races.\r\n\r\n<strong>PS</strong> Once again I was first out of the water in my age group in the swim. After the bike, I was in the top third of my age group. This was a first for me. Unfortunately after the run, due to the above-mentioned issues, I fell back and finished towards the top of the lower third for my age group. But all in all, it was a good race.\r\n\r\n<strong>PPS</strong> I want to thank everybody who not only read this but also who thought of or followed me during the race. Thank you all very much.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<div class=\"clear\"></div>\r\n<strong>Peter A. Fields, MD DC</strong>\r\n<strong>The Athletic Doc® and 8X Ironman Triathlete</strong>','Race Report 8th Ironman','','inherit','closed','closed','','306-revision-v1','','','2019-06-08 03:17:47','2019-06-08 03:17:47','',306,'https://www.drfields.com/uncategorized/306-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(332,8,'2019-06-08 03:21:32','2019-06-08 03:21:32','Cozumel 2016 Finish 160','Cozumel 2016 Finish 160','Dr. Fields crossing the finish line','inherit','open','closed','','cozumel-2016-finish-160','','','2019-06-08 03:21:46','2019-06-08 03:21:46','',306,'https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Cozumel-2016-Finish-160.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(333,8,'2019-06-08 03:22:07','2019-06-08 03:22:07','<img src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Cozumel-Logo.jpg\" alt=\"Cozumel Logo\" width=\"139\" height=\"85\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-326\" />\r\n\r\n<h6 class=\"textcenter\">Sunday Nov 27, 2016\r\n2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike, 26.2 mile run</h6>\r\n\r\n\"Never give up on your goals no matter how tough things get.\"\r\nFred and Yvette Fields\r\n\r\nAs many of you have enjoyed reading my stories about my Ironman races, I will now give you a brief synopsis of my eighth Ironman in Cozumel, Mexico November 27, 2016. I apologize for the delay in getting this out.\r\n\r\n<strong><span>GETTING THERE</span></strong>\r\n\r\nThis was not as complicated as it was for my races in South America or in Europe. A 3 hr. flight to Dallas and then 2 1/2 hrs. to Cozumel. I arrived five days in the advance of the race. Then the usual registering, getting ready and just sitting back and relaxing the last few days.\r\n\r\n<strong class=\"subhead\"><span>RACE DAY MORNING</span></strong>\r\n\r\nI awoke at 3:30 a.m. Breakfast at 4 a.m. and then getting down to the race start. In Cozumel, you start 2.2 miles away for the T1 (transition one) area where you have our bike, so first you go to the transition area and make sure everything is OK as you leave your bike and bike clothes the day before. You fill your bottles with water, pump your tires, place some nutrition on the bike and then take a bus over to the race start.\r\n\r\nThere was nothing unusual at the race start this morning except for the fact that I forgot my speed suit.  A wetsuit is not allowed in the race when the water temp is above the 76.5 degrees (actually it was 79 degrees today). Like many athletes, I usually wear a speed suit over my Triathlon suit. This is a suit that is very similar to what Olympic swimmers wear to streamline the body. But it really was no big deal as swimming is my best sport and at best it can take seconds and not minutes off my swim.\r\n\r\nOne of my highlights of standing in the corral waiting for the swim start was that I was actually standing next to, and met, The Iron Cowboy. This is a 41-year-old guy who just the year before had done what is really considered impossible. That is, he did 50 Ironman races in 50 days in 50 states. Yes, you heard me correctly. It was a monumental effort and he did it to raise awareness for several different organizations. I told him what an honor it was to have met him.\r\n\r\n<strong class=\"subhead\">THE SWIM: 2.4 Miles</strong>\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_327\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"160\"]<img src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Cozumel-2016-Swim-2-160.jpg\" alt=\"Cozumel 2016 Swim 2 160\" width=\"160\" height=\"286\" class=\"size-full wp-image-327\" /><strong>Swim Start with his parents initials on his forearms</strong>[/caption]The swim for me is never a major challenge as it is my best event. The start in Cozumel is very organized and controlled. They let about five to ten people off the end of the pier about every 15 seconds, so it never gets very crowded. The water very nice and it makes for an enjoyable swim. You can see down 30 - 50 feet and see schools of fish along the way. You can also see the scuba diver lifeguards who are strategically placed along the way in case anything happens. While swimming, about halfway thru the race, I did detect a current as it picked up and was coming towards us. This is not the norm as usually you swim with the current but occasionally it can change. I just moved on and kept motoring through. At the end I found out my time was just a minute or two slower than usual but most were 10-20 minutes slower than their usual time. Then out of the water, run over to the transition tent to dry off, get my helmet, bike shoes and sunglasses on and then on to the bike for 112 mile bike ride.\r\n<br>\r\n<strong class=\"subhead\">THE BIKE: 112 Miles</strong>\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_328\" align=\"alignright\" width=\"160\"]<img src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Cozumel-2016-Bike-160.jpg\" alt=\"Cozumel 2016 Bike 160\" width=\"160\" height=\"209\" class=\"size-full wp-image-328\" /><strong>Dr. Fields during the 112 mile bike ride</strong>[/caption]Having done this this race three times before I knew that bike course well. The back side of the island has a 12-mile stretch where your hit hard by the wind. But I felt really good and rode the first loop faster than I had ever done before. The second loop I kept my pace going but the winds got tougher on the back side of the island. They were hitting at about 20 to 25 miles an hour so you had to stay low on the bike. The third loop I did well on the leeward side of the island but once I hit the windward side of the island I slowed because the winds were blowing over 30 miles an hour. At this point you just tough it out and wait for the final stretch, with the wind at your back, into town. All-in-all I felt very good and I ended up having my best cycle time in Cozumel.\r\n\r\n<strong class=\"subhead\">THE RUN: 26.2 Miles</strong>\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_329\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"160\"]<img src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Cozumel-2016-Run-160.jpg\" alt=\"Cozumel 2016 Run 160\" width=\"160\" height=\"288\" class=\"size-full wp-image-329\" /> Dr. Fields during the 26.2 mile run[/caption]At a transition, I felt very strong. The sun was out and it didn\'t rain but it was not too hot. My first loop, which is about 8.8 miles, I felt very good. During my second loop I developed some foot pain but was able to adjust my stride so it really didn\'t bother me. Unfortunately, halfway through this second loop I developed some hamstring pain. This is something I hadn\'t had before. At 13.1 miles, there is the special needs station. This is where one leaves out things they would like halfway to the race. I took some extra gels and a Motrin I had in there. Unfortunately, that was not enough. So, I tried running nine tenths of a mile and walking a tenth of a mile. The pain stayed with me so then I ran/walked for a while. Ironman races are all about staying in the game, so I just put the pain out of my head and kept going. I also found some ice at an aid station and wrapped that around my leg. Overall this hindered my run. On the 3rd loop I walked a lot; at least more than I ran.Dr. Fields crossing the finish line I was hurting but there was nothing I could do. That was for the first four to five miles of the 8.4 mile run. And with three and a half for miles to go I just grinned and beared it and said I\'m almost done so let me just run through it. So, as I came back into town and the lights of the town became brighter and brighter, I felt very strong. I started seeing the big crowds at about a mile-and-a-half out which inspired me even more. I was now running very well, even passing other competitors who I cheered on. As I came to the last 500 meters the crowds and people cheering were very loud and inspiring. Although my leg was giving me a lot of pain at that time, in Ironman it\'s all about crisis control. You never say never. So I just kept a smile on my face and kept moving forward. As I came down the last 50 meters stretch the feeling is indescribable. I finally knew I had done it. I\'d finished my 8th Ironman. And as I came up to the Finish Line, I was exhausted but feeling unbelievably good. The feeling never gets old when the announcer says: \"Peter Fields, you are an Ironman!\"[caption id=\"attachment_332\" align=\"alignright\" width=\"160\"]<img src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Cozumel-2016-Finish-160.jpg\" alt=\"Cozumel 2016 Finish 160\" width=\"160\" height=\"295\" class=\"size-full wp-image-332\" /> Dr. Fields crossing the finish line[/caption]\r\n\r\n<strong>POST SCRIPT</strong>\r\n\r\nAs I\'ve described in other race reports, my parents instilled in me the ability to work thru things no matter how hard it gets. Life is not always easy, just like an Ironman. There are some easy stretches and some hard times. But you just keep your head down and keep moving forward. The spirit of my parents never left me during the entire race. Their attention, caring and never ending love for me was always in my thoughts. As with every race, as I get towards the end, I imagine my parents there embracing me like they had for so many years. Their eternal love and kindness carries me through more than just my Ironman races.\r\n\r\n<strong>PS</strong> Once again I was first out of the water in my age group in the swim. After the bike, I was in the top third of my age group. This was a first for me. Unfortunately after the run, due to the above-mentioned issues, I fell back and finished towards the top of the lower third for my age group. But all in all, it was a good race.\r\n\r\n<strong>PPS</strong> I want to thank everybody who not only read this but also who thought of or followed me during the race. Thank you all very much.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<div class=\"clear\"></div>\r\n<strong>Peter A. Fields, MD DC</strong>\r\n<strong>The Athletic Doc® and 8X Ironman Triathlete</strong>','Race Report 8th Ironman','','inherit','closed','closed','','306-revision-v1','','','2019-06-08 03:22:07','2019-06-08 03:22:07','',306,'https://www.drfields.com/uncategorized/306-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(334,8,'2019-06-08 03:23:08','2019-06-08 03:23:08','&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<img src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Cozumel-Logo.jpg\" alt=\"Cozumel Logo\" width=\"139\" height=\"85\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-326\" />\r\n\r\n<h6 class=\"textcenter\">Sunday Nov 27, 2016\r\n2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike, 26.2 mile run</h6>\r\n\r\n\"Never give up on your goals no matter how tough things get.\"\r\nFred and Yvette Fields\r\n\r\nAs many of you have enjoyed reading my stories about my Ironman races, I will now give you a brief synopsis of my eighth Ironman in Cozumel, Mexico November 27, 2016. I apologize for the delay in getting this out.\r\n\r\n<strong><span>GETTING THERE</span></strong>\r\n\r\nThis was not as complicated as it was for my races in South America or in Europe. A 3 hr. flight to Dallas and then 2 1/2 hrs. to Cozumel. I arrived five days in the advance of the race. Then the usual registering, getting ready and just sitting back and relaxing the last few days.\r\n\r\n<strong class=\"subhead\"><span>RACE DAY MORNING</span></strong>\r\n\r\nI awoke at 3:30 a.m. Breakfast at 4 a.m. and then getting down to the race start. In Cozumel, you start 2.2 miles away for the T1 (transition one) area where you have our bike, so first you go to the transition area and make sure everything is OK as you leave your bike and bike clothes the day before. You fill your bottles with water, pump your tires, place some nutrition on the bike and then take a bus over to the race start.\r\n\r\nThere was nothing unusual at the race start this morning except for the fact that I forgot my speed suit.  A wetsuit is not allowed in the race when the water temp is above the 76.5 degrees (actually it was 79 degrees today). Like many athletes, I usually wear a speed suit over my Triathlon suit. This is a suit that is very similar to what Olympic swimmers wear to streamline the body. But it really was no big deal as swimming is my best sport and at best it can take seconds and not minutes off my swim.\r\n\r\nOne of my highlights of standing in the corral waiting for the swim start was that I was actually standing next to, and met, The Iron Cowboy. This is a 41-year-old guy who just the year before had done what is really considered impossible. That is, he did 50 Ironman races in 50 days in 50 states. Yes, you heard me correctly. It was a monumental effort and he did it to raise awareness for several different organizations. I told him what an honor it was to have met him.\r\n\r\n<strong class=\"subhead\">THE SWIM: 2.4 Miles</strong>\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_327\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"160\"]<img src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Cozumel-2016-Swim-2-160.jpg\" alt=\"Cozumel 2016 Swim 2 160\" width=\"160\" height=\"286\" class=\"size-full wp-image-327\" /><strong>Swim Start with his parents initials on his forearms</strong>[/caption]The swim for me is never a major challenge as it is my best event. The start in Cozumel is very organized and controlled. They let about five to ten people off the end of the pier about every 15 seconds, so it never gets very crowded. The water very nice and it makes for an enjoyable swim. You can see down 30 - 50 feet and see schools of fish along the way. You can also see the scuba diver lifeguards who are strategically placed along the way in case anything happens. While swimming, about halfway thru the race, I did detect a current as it picked up and was coming towards us. This is not the norm as usually you swim with the current but occasionally it can change. I just moved on and kept motoring through. At the end I found out my time was just a minute or two slower than usual but most were 10-20 minutes slower than their usual time. Then out of the water, run over to the transition tent to dry off, get my helmet, bike shoes and sunglasses on and then on to the bike for 112 mile bike ride.\r\n<br>\r\n<strong class=\"subhead\">THE BIKE: 112 Miles</strong>\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_328\" align=\"alignright\" width=\"160\"]<img src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Cozumel-2016-Bike-160.jpg\" alt=\"Cozumel 2016 Bike 160\" width=\"160\" height=\"209\" class=\"size-full wp-image-328\" /><strong>Dr. Fields during the 112 mile bike ride</strong>[/caption]Having done this this race three times before I knew that bike course well. The back side of the island has a 12-mile stretch where your hit hard by the wind. But I felt really good and rode the first loop faster than I had ever done before. The second loop I kept my pace going but the winds got tougher on the back side of the island. They were hitting at about 20 to 25 miles an hour so you had to stay low on the bike. The third loop I did well on the leeward side of the island but once I hit the windward side of the island I slowed because the winds were blowing over 30 miles an hour. At this point you just tough it out and wait for the final stretch, with the wind at your back, into town. All-in-all I felt very good and I ended up having my best cycle time in Cozumel.\r\n\r\n<strong class=\"subhead\">THE RUN: 26.2 Miles</strong>\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_329\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"160\"]<img src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Cozumel-2016-Run-160.jpg\" alt=\"Cozumel 2016 Run 160\" width=\"160\" height=\"288\" class=\"size-full wp-image-329\" /> Dr. Fields during the 26.2 mile run[/caption]At a transition, I felt very strong. The sun was out and it didn\'t rain but it was not too hot. My first loop, which is about 8.8 miles, I felt very good. During my second loop I developed some foot pain but was able to adjust my stride so it really didn\'t bother me. Unfortunately, halfway through this second loop I developed some hamstring pain. This is something I hadn\'t had before. At 13.1 miles, there is the special needs station. This is where one leaves out things they would like halfway to the race. I took some extra gels and a Motrin I had in there. Unfortunately, that was not enough. So, I tried running nine tenths of a mile and walking a tenth of a mile. The pain stayed with me so then I ran/walked for a while. Ironman races are all about staying in the game, so I just put the pain out of my head and kept going. I also found some ice at an aid station and wrapped that around my leg. Overall this hindered my run. On the 3rd loop I walked a lot; at least more than I ran.Dr. Fields crossing the finish line I was hurting but there was nothing I could do. That was for the first four to five miles of the 8.4 mile run. And with three and a half for miles to go I just grinned and beared it and said I\'m almost done so let me just run through it. So, as I came back into town and the lights of the town became brighter and brighter, I felt very strong. I started seeing the big crowds at about a mile-and-a-half out which inspired me even more. I was now running very well, even passing other competitors who I cheered on. As I came to the last 500 meters the crowds and people cheering were very loud and inspiring. Although my leg was giving me a lot of pain at that time, in Ironman it\'s all about crisis control. You never say never. So I just kept a smile on my face and kept moving forward. As I came down the last 50 meters stretch the feeling is indescribable. I finally knew I had done it. I\'d finished my 8th Ironman. And as I came up to the Finish Line, I was exhausted but feeling unbelievably good. The feeling never gets old when the announcer says: \"Peter Fields, you are an Ironman!\"[caption id=\"attachment_332\" align=\"alignright\" width=\"160\"]<img src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Cozumel-2016-Finish-160.jpg\" alt=\"Cozumel 2016 Finish 160\" width=\"160\" height=\"295\" class=\"size-full wp-image-332\" /> Dr. Fields crossing the finish line[/caption]\r\n\r\n<strong>POST SCRIPT</strong>\r\n\r\nAs I\'ve described in other race reports, my parents instilled in me the ability to work thru things no matter how hard it gets. Life is not always easy, just like an Ironman. There are some easy stretches and some hard times. But you just keep your head down and keep moving forward. The spirit of my parents never left me during the entire race. Their attention, caring and never ending love for me was always in my thoughts. As with every race, as I get towards the end, I imagine my parents there embracing me like they had for so many years. Their eternal love and kindness carries me through more than just my Ironman races.\r\n\r\n<strong>PS</strong> Once again I was first out of the water in my age group in the swim. After the bike, I was in the top third of my age group. This was a first for me. Unfortunately after the run, due to the above-mentioned issues, I fell back and finished towards the top of the lower third for my age group. But all in all, it was a good race.\r\n\r\n<strong>PPS</strong> I want to thank everybody who not only read this but also who thought of or followed me during the race. Thank you all very much.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<div class=\"clear\"></div>\r\n<strong>Peter A. Fields, MD DC</strong>\r\n<strong>The Athletic Doc® and 8X Ironman Triathlete</strong>','Race Report 8th Ironman','','inherit','closed','closed','','306-revision-v1','','','2019-06-08 03:23:08','2019-06-08 03:23:08','',306,'https://www.drfields.com/uncategorized/306-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(335,8,'2019-06-08 03:23:46','2019-06-08 03:23:46','&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<img src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Cozumel-Logo.jpg\" alt=\"Cozumel Logo\" width=\"139\" height=\"85\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-326\" />\r\n\r\n<h6 class=\"text-center\">Sunday Nov 27, 2016\r\n2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike, 26.2 mile run</h6>\r\n\r\n\"Never give up on your goals no matter how tough things get.\"\r\nFred and Yvette Fields\r\n\r\nAs many of you have enjoyed reading my stories about my Ironman races, I will now give you a brief synopsis of my eighth Ironman in Cozumel, Mexico November 27, 2016. I apologize for the delay in getting this out.\r\n\r\n<strong><span>GETTING THERE</span></strong>\r\n\r\nThis was not as complicated as it was for my races in South America or in Europe. A 3 hr. flight to Dallas and then 2 1/2 hrs. to Cozumel. I arrived five days in the advance of the race. Then the usual registering, getting ready and just sitting back and relaxing the last few days.\r\n\r\n<strong class=\"subhead\"><span>RACE DAY MORNING</span></strong>\r\n\r\nI awoke at 3:30 a.m. Breakfast at 4 a.m. and then getting down to the race start. In Cozumel, you start 2.2 miles away for the T1 (transition one) area where you have our bike, so first you go to the transition area and make sure everything is OK as you leave your bike and bike clothes the day before. You fill your bottles with water, pump your tires, place some nutrition on the bike and then take a bus over to the race start.\r\n\r\nThere was nothing unusual at the race start this morning except for the fact that I forgot my speed suit.  A wetsuit is not allowed in the race when the water temp is above the 76.5 degrees (actually it was 79 degrees today). Like many athletes, I usually wear a speed suit over my Triathlon suit. This is a suit that is very similar to what Olympic swimmers wear to streamline the body. But it really was no big deal as swimming is my best sport and at best it can take seconds and not minutes off my swim.\r\n\r\nOne of my highlights of standing in the corral waiting for the swim start was that I was actually standing next to, and met, The Iron Cowboy. This is a 41-year-old guy who just the year before had done what is really considered impossible. That is, he did 50 Ironman races in 50 days in 50 states. Yes, you heard me correctly. It was a monumental effort and he did it to raise awareness for several different organizations. I told him what an honor it was to have met him.\r\n\r\n<strong class=\"subhead\">THE SWIM: 2.4 Miles</strong>\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_327\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"160\"]<img src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Cozumel-2016-Swim-2-160.jpg\" alt=\"Cozumel 2016 Swim 2 160\" width=\"160\" height=\"286\" class=\"size-full wp-image-327\" /><strong>Swim Start with his parents initials on his forearms</strong>[/caption]The swim for me is never a major challenge as it is my best event. The start in Cozumel is very organized and controlled. They let about five to ten people off the end of the pier about every 15 seconds, so it never gets very crowded. The water very nice and it makes for an enjoyable swim. You can see down 30 - 50 feet and see schools of fish along the way. You can also see the scuba diver lifeguards who are strategically placed along the way in case anything happens. While swimming, about halfway thru the race, I did detect a current as it picked up and was coming towards us. This is not the norm as usually you swim with the current but occasionally it can change. I just moved on and kept motoring through. At the end I found out my time was just a minute or two slower than usual but most were 10-20 minutes slower than their usual time. Then out of the water, run over to the transition tent to dry off, get my helmet, bike shoes and sunglasses on and then on to the bike for 112 mile bike ride.\r\n<br>\r\n<strong class=\"subhead\">THE BIKE: 112 Miles</strong>\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_328\" align=\"alignright\" width=\"160\"]<img src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Cozumel-2016-Bike-160.jpg\" alt=\"Cozumel 2016 Bike 160\" width=\"160\" height=\"209\" class=\"size-full wp-image-328\" /><strong>Dr. Fields during the 112 mile bike ride</strong>[/caption]Having done this this race three times before I knew that bike course well. The back side of the island has a 12-mile stretch where your hit hard by the wind. But I felt really good and rode the first loop faster than I had ever done before. The second loop I kept my pace going but the winds got tougher on the back side of the island. They were hitting at about 20 to 25 miles an hour so you had to stay low on the bike. The third loop I did well on the leeward side of the island but once I hit the windward side of the island I slowed because the winds were blowing over 30 miles an hour. At this point you just tough it out and wait for the final stretch, with the wind at your back, into town. All-in-all I felt very good and I ended up having my best cycle time in Cozumel.\r\n\r\n<strong class=\"subhead\">THE RUN: 26.2 Miles</strong>\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_329\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"160\"]<img src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Cozumel-2016-Run-160.jpg\" alt=\"Cozumel 2016 Run 160\" width=\"160\" height=\"288\" class=\"size-full wp-image-329\" /> Dr. Fields during the 26.2 mile run[/caption]At a transition, I felt very strong. The sun was out and it didn\'t rain but it was not too hot. My first loop, which is about 8.8 miles, I felt very good. During my second loop I developed some foot pain but was able to adjust my stride so it really didn\'t bother me. Unfortunately, halfway through this second loop I developed some hamstring pain. This is something I hadn\'t had before. At 13.1 miles, there is the special needs station. This is where one leaves out things they would like halfway to the race. I took some extra gels and a Motrin I had in there. Unfortunately, that was not enough. So, I tried running nine tenths of a mile and walking a tenth of a mile. The pain stayed with me so then I ran/walked for a while. Ironman races are all about staying in the game, so I just put the pain out of my head and kept going. I also found some ice at an aid station and wrapped that around my leg. Overall this hindered my run. On the 3rd loop I walked a lot; at least more than I ran.Dr. Fields crossing the finish line I was hurting but there was nothing I could do. That was for the first four to five miles of the 8.4 mile run. And with three and a half for miles to go I just grinned and beared it and said I\'m almost done so let me just run through it. So, as I came back into town and the lights of the town became brighter and brighter, I felt very strong. I started seeing the big crowds at about a mile-and-a-half out which inspired me even more. I was now running very well, even passing other competitors who I cheered on. As I came to the last 500 meters the crowds and people cheering were very loud and inspiring. Although my leg was giving me a lot of pain at that time, in Ironman it\'s all about crisis control. You never say never. So I just kept a smile on my face and kept moving forward. As I came down the last 50 meters stretch the feeling is indescribable. I finally knew I had done it. I\'d finished my 8th Ironman. And as I came up to the Finish Line, I was exhausted but feeling unbelievably good. The feeling never gets old when the announcer says: \"Peter Fields, you are an Ironman!\"[caption id=\"attachment_332\" align=\"alignright\" width=\"160\"]<img src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Cozumel-2016-Finish-160.jpg\" alt=\"Cozumel 2016 Finish 160\" width=\"160\" height=\"295\" class=\"size-full wp-image-332\" /> Dr. Fields crossing the finish line[/caption]\r\n\r\n<strong>POST SCRIPT</strong>\r\n\r\nAs I\'ve described in other race reports, my parents instilled in me the ability to work thru things no matter how hard it gets. Life is not always easy, just like an Ironman. There are some easy stretches and some hard times. But you just keep your head down and keep moving forward. The spirit of my parents never left me during the entire race. Their attention, caring and never ending love for me was always in my thoughts. As with every race, as I get towards the end, I imagine my parents there embracing me like they had for so many years. Their eternal love and kindness carries me through more than just my Ironman races.\r\n\r\n<strong>PS</strong> Once again I was first out of the water in my age group in the swim. After the bike, I was in the top third of my age group. This was a first for me. Unfortunately after the run, due to the above-mentioned issues, I fell back and finished towards the top of the lower third for my age group. But all in all, it was a good race.\r\n\r\n<strong>PPS</strong> I want to thank everybody who not only read this but also who thought of or followed me during the race. Thank you all very much.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<div class=\"clear\"></div>\r\n<strong>Peter A. Fields, MD DC</strong>\r\n<strong>The Athletic Doc® and 8X Ironman Triathlete</strong>','Race Report 8th Ironman','','inherit','closed','closed','','306-revision-v1','','','2019-06-08 03:23:46','2019-06-08 03:23:46','',306,'https://www.drfields.com/uncategorized/306-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(336,8,'2019-06-08 03:25:05','2019-06-08 03:25:05','&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<img src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Cozumel-Logo.jpg\" alt=\"Cozumel Logo\" width=\"139\" height=\"85\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-326\" />\r\n\r\n<h6 class=\"text-center\">Sunday Nov 27, 2016\r\n2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike, 26.2 mile run</h6>\r\n\r\n\"Never give up on your goals no matter how tough things get.\"\r\nFred and Yvette Fields\r\n\r\nAs many of you have enjoyed reading my stories about my Ironman races, I will now give you a brief synopsis of my eighth Ironman in Cozumel, Mexico November 27, 2016. I apologize for the delay in getting this out.\r\n\r\n<strong><span>GETTING THERE</span></strong>\r\n\r\nThis was not as complicated as it was for my races in South America or in Europe. A 3 hr. flight to Dallas and then 2 1/2 hrs. to Cozumel. I arrived five days in the advance of the race. Then the usual registering, getting ready and just sitting back and relaxing the last few days.\r\n\r\n\r\n<strong class=\"subhead\"><span>RACE DAY MORNING</span></strong>\r\n\r\nI awoke at 3:30 a.m. Breakfast at 4 a.m. and then getting down to the race start. In Cozumel, you start 2.2 miles away for the T1 (transition one) area where you have our bike, so first you go to the transition area and make sure everything is OK as you leave your bike and bike clothes the day before. You fill your bottles with water, pump your tires, place some nutrition on the bike and then take a bus over to the race start.\r\n\r\nThere was nothing unusual at the race start this morning except for the fact that I forgot my speed suit.  A wetsuit is not allowed in the race when the water temp is above the 76.5 degrees (actually it was 79 degrees today). Like many athletes, I usually wear a speed suit over my Triathlon suit. This is a suit that is very similar to what Olympic swimmers wear to streamline the body. But it really was no big deal as swimming is my best sport and at best it can take seconds and not minutes off my swim.\r\n\r\nOne of my highlights of standing in the corral waiting for the swim start was that I was actually standing next to, and met, The Iron Cowboy. This is a 41-year-old guy who just the year before had done what is really considered impossible. That is, he did 50 Ironman races in 50 days in 50 states. Yes, you heard me correctly. It was a monumental effort and he did it to raise awareness for several different organizations. I told him what an honor it was to have met him.\r\n\r\n\r\n<strong class=\"subhead\">THE SWIM: 2.4 Miles</strong>\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_327\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"160\"]<img src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Cozumel-2016-Swim-2-160.jpg\" alt=\"Cozumel 2016 Swim 2 160\" width=\"160\" height=\"286\" class=\"size-full wp-image-327\" /><strong>Swim Start with his parents initials on his forearms</strong>[/caption]The swim for me is never a major challenge as it is my best event. The start in Cozumel is very organized and controlled. They let about five to ten people off the end of the pier about every 15 seconds, so it never gets very crowded. The water very nice and it makes for an enjoyable swim. You can see down 30 - 50 feet and see schools of fish along the way. You can also see the scuba diver lifeguards who are strategically placed along the way in case anything happens. While swimming, about halfway thru the race, I did detect a current as it picked up and was coming towards us. This is not the norm as usually you swim with the current but occasionally it can change. I just moved on and kept motoring through. At the end I found out my time was just a minute or two slower than usual but most were 10-20 minutes slower than their usual time. Then out of the water, run over to the transition tent to dry off, get my helmet, bike shoes and sunglasses on and then on to the bike for 112 mile bike ride.\r\n\r\n\r\n<strong class=\"subhead\">THE BIKE: 112 Miles</strong>\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_328\" align=\"alignright\" width=\"160\"]<img src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Cozumel-2016-Bike-160.jpg\" alt=\"Cozumel 2016 Bike 160\" width=\"160\" height=\"209\" class=\"size-full wp-image-328\" /><strong>Dr. Fields during the 112 mile bike ride</strong>[/caption]Having done this this race three times before I knew that bike course well. The back side of the island has a 12-mile stretch where your hit hard by the wind. But I felt really good and rode the first loop faster than I had ever done before. The second loop I kept my pace going but the winds got tougher on the back side of the island. They were hitting at about 20 to 25 miles an hour so you had to stay low on the bike. The third loop I did well on the leeward side of the island but once I hit the windward side of the island I slowed because the winds were blowing over 30 miles an hour. At this point you just tough it out and wait for the final stretch, with the wind at your back, into town. All-in-all I felt very good and I ended up having my best cycle time in Cozumel.\r\n\r\n\r\n<strong class=\"subhead\">THE RUN: 26.2 Miles</strong>\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_329\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"160\"]<img src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Cozumel-2016-Run-160.jpg\" alt=\"Cozumel 2016 Run 160\" width=\"160\" height=\"288\" class=\"size-full wp-image-329\" /> Dr. Fields during the 26.2 mile run[/caption]At a transition, I felt very strong. The sun was out and it didn\'t rain but it was not too hot. My first loop, which is about 8.8 miles, I felt very good. During my second loop I developed some foot pain but was able to adjust my stride so it really didn\'t bother me. Unfortunately, halfway through this second loop I developed some hamstring pain. This is something I hadn\'t had before. At 13.1 miles, there is the special needs station. This is where one leaves out things they would like halfway to the race. I took some extra gels and a Motrin I had in there. Unfortunately, that was not enough. So, I tried running nine tenths of a mile and walking a tenth of a mile. The pain stayed with me so then I ran/walked for a while. Ironman races are all about staying in the game, so I just put the pain out of my head and kept going. I also found some ice at an aid station and wrapped that around my leg. Overall this hindered my run. On the 3rd loop I walked a lot; at least more than I ran.[caption id=\"attachment_332\" align=\"alignright\" width=\"160\"]<img src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Cozumel-2016-Finish-160.jpg\" alt=\"Cozumel 2016 Finish 160\" width=\"160\" height=\"295\" class=\"size-full wp-image-332\" /> Dr. Fields crossing the finish line[/caption]Dr. Fields crossing the finish line I was hurting but there was nothing I could do. That was for the first four to five miles of the 8.4 mile run. And with three and a half for miles to go I just grinned and beared it and said I\'m almost done so let me just run through it. So, as I came back into town and the lights of the town became brighter and brighter, I felt very strong. I started seeing the big crowds at about a mile-and-a-half out which inspired me even more. I was now running very well, even passing other competitors who I cheered on. As I came to the last 500 meters the crowds and people cheering were very loud and inspiring. Although my leg was giving me a lot of pain at that time, in Ironman it\'s all about crisis control. You never say never. So I just kept a smile on my face and kept moving forward. As I came down the last 50 meters stretch the feeling is indescribable. I finally knew I had done it. I\'d finished my 8th Ironman. And as I came up to the Finish Line, I was exhausted but feeling unbelievably good. The feeling never gets old when the announcer says: \"Peter Fields, you are an Ironman!\"\r\n\r\n<strong>POST SCRIPT</strong>\r\n\r\nAs I\'ve described in other race reports, my parents instilled in me the ability to work thru things no matter how hard it gets. Life is not always easy, just like an Ironman. There are some easy stretches and some hard times. But you just keep your head down and keep moving forward. The spirit of my parents never left me during the entire race. Their attention, caring and never ending love for me was always in my thoughts. As with every race, as I get towards the end, I imagine my parents there embracing me like they had for so many years. Their eternal love and kindness carries me through more than just my Ironman races.\r\n\r\n<strong>PS</strong> Once again I was first out of the water in my age group in the swim. After the bike, I was in the top third of my age group. This was a first for me. Unfortunately after the run, due to the above-mentioned issues, I fell back and finished towards the top of the lower third for my age group. But all in all, it was a good race.\r\n\r\n<strong>PPS</strong> I want to thank everybody who not only read this but also who thought of or followed me during the race. Thank you all very much.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<div class=\"clear\"></div>\r\n<strong>Peter A. Fields, MD DC</strong>\r\n<strong>The Athletic Doc® and 8X Ironman Triathlete</strong>','Race Report 8th Ironman','','inherit','closed','closed','','306-revision-v1','','','2019-06-08 03:25:05','2019-06-08 03:25:05','',306,'https://www.drfields.com/uncategorized/306-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(337,8,'2019-06-08 03:27:22','2019-06-08 03:27:22','&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<img src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Cozumel-Logo.jpg\" alt=\"Cozumel Logo\" width=\"139\" height=\"85\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-326\" />\r\n\r\n<h6 class=\"text-center\">Sunday Nov 27, 2016\r\n2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike, 26.2 mile run</h6>\r\n\r\n\"Never give up on your goals no matter how tough things get.\"\r\nFred and Yvette Fields\r\n\r\nAs many of you have enjoyed reading my stories about my Ironman races, I will now give you a brief synopsis of my eighth Ironman in Cozumel, Mexico November 27, 2016. I apologize for the delay in getting this out.\r\n\r\n<strong><span>GETTING THERE</span></strong>\r\n\r\nThis was not as complicated as it was for my races in South America or in Europe. A 3 hr. flight to Dallas and then 2 1/2 hrs. to Cozumel. I arrived five days in the advance of the race. Then the usual registering, getting ready and just sitting back and relaxing the last few days.\r\n\r\n\r\n<strong class=\"subhead\"><span>RACE DAY MORNING</span></strong>\r\n\r\nI awoke at 3:30 a.m. Breakfast at 4 a.m. and then getting down to the race start. In Cozumel, you start 2.2 miles away for the T1 (transition one) area where you have our bike, so first you go to the transition area and make sure everything is OK as you leave your bike and bike clothes the day before. You fill your bottles with water, pump your tires, place some nutrition on the bike and then take a bus over to the race start.\r\n\r\nThere was nothing unusual at the race start this morning except for the fact that I forgot my speed suit.  A wetsuit is not allowed in the race when the water temp is above the 76.5 degrees (actually it was 79 degrees today). Like many athletes, I usually wear a speed suit over my Triathlon suit. This is a suit that is very similar to what Olympic swimmers wear to streamline the body. But it really was no big deal as swimming is my best sport and at best it can take seconds and not minutes off my swim.\r\n\r\nOne of my highlights of standing in the corral waiting for the swim start was that I was actually standing next to, and met, The Iron Cowboy. This is a 41-year-old guy who just the year before had done what is really considered impossible. That is, he did 50 Ironman races in 50 days in 50 states. Yes, you heard me correctly. It was a monumental effort and he did it to raise awareness for several different organizations. I told him what an honor it was to have met him.\r\n\r\n\r\n<strong class=\"subhead\">THE SWIM: 2.4 Miles</strong>\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_327\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"160\"]<img src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Cozumel-2016-Swim-2-160.jpg\" alt=\"Cozumel 2016 Swim 2 160\" width=\"160\" height=\"286\" class=\"size-full wp-image-327\" /><strong>Swim Start with his parents initials on his forearms</strong>[/caption]The swim for me is never a major challenge as it is my best event. The start in Cozumel is very organized and controlled. They let about five to ten people off the end of the pier about every 15 seconds, so it never gets very crowded. The water very nice and it makes for an enjoyable swim. You can see down 30 - 50 feet and see schools of fish along the way. You can also see the scuba diver lifeguards who are strategically placed along the way in case anything happens. While swimming, about halfway thru the race, I did detect a current as it picked up and was coming towards us. This is not the norm as usually you swim with the current but occasionally it can change. I just moved on and kept motoring through. At the end I found out my time was just a minute or two slower than usual but most were 10-20 minutes slower than their usual time. Then out of the water, run over to the transition tent to dry off, get my helmet, bike shoes and sunglasses on and then on to the bike for 112 mile bike ride.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong class=\"subhead\">THE BIKE: 112 Miles</strong>\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_328\" align=\"alignright\" width=\"160\"]<img src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Cozumel-2016-Bike-160.jpg\" alt=\"Cozumel 2016 Bike 160\" width=\"160\" height=\"209\" class=\"size-full wp-image-328\" /><strong>Dr. Fields during the 112 mile bike ride</strong>[/caption]Having done this this race three times before I knew that bike course well. The back side of the island has a 12-mile stretch where your hit hard by the wind. But I felt really good and rode the first loop faster than I had ever done before. The second loop I kept my pace going but the winds got tougher on the back side of the island. They were hitting at about 20 to 25 miles an hour so you had to stay low on the bike. The third loop I did well on the leeward side of the island but once I hit the windward side of the island I slowed because the winds were blowing over 30 miles an hour. At this point you just tough it out and wait for the final stretch, with the wind at your back, into town. All-in-all I felt very good and I ended up having my best cycle time in Cozumel.\r\n\r\n\r\n<strong class=\"subhead\">THE RUN: 26.2 Miles</strong>\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_329\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"160\"]<img src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Cozumel-2016-Run-160.jpg\" alt=\"Cozumel 2016 Run 160\" width=\"160\" height=\"288\" class=\"size-full wp-image-329\" /> <strong>Dr. Fields during the 26.2 mile run</strong>[/caption]At a transition, I felt very strong. The sun was out and it didn\'t rain but it was not too hot. My first loop, which is about 8.8 miles, I felt very good. During my second loop I developed some foot pain but was able to adjust my stride so it really didn\'t bother me. Unfortunately, halfway through this second loop I developed some hamstring pain. This is something I hadn\'t had before. At 13.1 miles, there is the special needs station. This is where one leaves out things they would like halfway to the race. I took some extra gels and a Motrin I had in there. Unfortunately, that was not enough. So, I tried running nine tenths of a mile and walking a tenth of a mile. The pain stayed with me so then I ran/walked for a while. Ironman races are all about staying in the game, so I just put the pain out of my head and kept going. I also found some ice at an aid station and wrapped that around my leg. Overall this hindered my run. On the 3rd loop I walked a lot; at least more than I ran.[caption id=\"attachment_332\" align=\"alignright\" width=\"160\"]<img src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Cozumel-2016-Finish-160.jpg\" alt=\"Cozumel 2016 Finish 160\" width=\"160\" height=\"295\" class=\"size-full wp-image-332\" /><strong> Dr. Fields crossing the finish line</strong>[/caption]Dr. Fields crossing the finish line I was hurting but there was nothing I could do. That was for the first four to five miles of the 8.4 mile run. And with three and a half for miles to go I just grinned and beared it and said I\'m almost done so let me just run through it. So, as I came back into town and the lights of the town became brighter and brighter, I felt very strong. I started seeing the big crowds at about a mile-and-a-half out which inspired me even more. I was now running very well, even passing other competitors who I cheered on. As I came to the last 500 meters the crowds and people cheering were very loud and inspiring. Although my leg was giving me a lot of pain at that time, in Ironman it\'s all about crisis control. You never say never. So I just kept a smile on my face and kept moving forward. As I came down the last 50 meters stretch the feeling is indescribable. I finally knew I had done it. I\'d finished my 8th Ironman. And as I came up to the Finish Line, I was exhausted but feeling unbelievably good. The feeling never gets old when the announcer says: \"Peter Fields, you are an Ironman!\"\r\n\r\n<strong>POST SCRIPT</strong>\r\n\r\nAs I\'ve described in other race reports, my parents instilled in me the ability to work thru things no matter how hard it gets. Life is not always easy, just like an Ironman. There are some easy stretches and some hard times. But you just keep your head down and keep moving forward. The spirit of my parents never left me during the entire race. Their attention, caring and never ending love for me was always in my thoughts. As with every race, as I get towards the end, I imagine my parents there embracing me like they had for so many years. Their eternal love and kindness carries me through more than just my Ironman races.\r\n\r\n<strong>PS</strong> Once again I was first out of the water in my age group in the swim. After the bike, I was in the top third of my age group. This was a first for me. Unfortunately after the run, due to the above-mentioned issues, I fell back and finished towards the top of the lower third for my age group. But all in all, it was a good race.\r\n\r\n<strong>PPS</strong> I want to thank everybody who not only read this but also who thought of or followed me during the race. Thank you all very much.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<div class=\"clear\"></div>\r\n<strong>Peter A. Fields, MD DC</strong>\r\n<strong>The Athletic Doc® and 8X Ironman Triathlete</strong>','Race Report 8th Ironman','','inherit','closed','closed','','306-revision-v1','','','2019-06-08 03:27:22','2019-06-08 03:27:22','',306,'https://www.drfields.com/uncategorized/306-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(338,8,'2019-06-08 03:29:17','2019-06-08 03:29:17','<img src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Ironman-Cozumel-Mexico-2015-Logo.jpg\" alt=\"Ironman Cozumel Mexico 2015 Logo\" width=\"250\" height=\"126\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-224\" />\r\n\r\n<h6 class=\"text-center\">Sunday November 29, 2015\r\n2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike, 26.2 mile run</h6>\r\n\r\n<strong class=\"subhead\">PROLOGUE</strong>\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_231\" align=\"alignright\" width=\"115\"]<img src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/cozumel-2015-initials-115.jpg\" alt=\"Cozumel 2015 Initials 115\" width=\"115\" height=\"241\" class=\"size-full wp-image-231\" /><strong> Dr. Fields with his parents initials written on his forearms</strong>[/caption]<strong>Never say never</strong>\r\nMy parents taught me to never to give up no matter how difficult it may seem.\r\nThis, and all my races, are dedicated to their memory.\r\n\r\nThirteen years ago three different neurosurgeons told me that if I did not have surgery on my low back, exercise would no longer be an option in my life.\r\nThen I found out about the wonderful world of Regenerative Orthopedic Medicine. Sunday November 29th, 2015, I finished not only my 2nd Ironman race in 2015, but my sixth Ironman race overall.\r\n<strong><em>Regenerate First; Surgery Last!</em></strong>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n\r\n<strong class=\"subhead\">RACE DAY</strong>\r\nThe day started off like any other Ironman competition day. I woke up about 3:30 in the morning so that I could have enough time to have breakfast and get everything ready before I went down to the transition area around 5 o\'clock a.m. After getting everything settled at the transition area where my bike was, I then boarded a bus that took me approximately 2.4 miles down to where the swim started. This is because this race is a point-to-point race. That means you start at one point and end at another point on the swim. The same is for the bike. So after getting down to the swim start I put on my very thin and tight speedsuit (a suit similar to what they wear in the Olympics) over my racing suit. Wetsuits are not allowed in this race due to the temperature of the water. I then went to get in the appropriate corral for the start. \r\n\r\n<strong class=\"subhead\">THE SWIM: 2.4 Miles</strong>\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_243\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"160\"]<img src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/cozumel-2015-swim-275.jpg\" alt=\"Cozumel 2015 Swim 275\" width=\"160\" height=\"301\" class=\"size-full wp-image-243\" /> Dr. Fields after the 2.4 mile swim[/caption]The start was being done in waves this year so to avoid the cluster of over 2500 competitors starting all at once.I seeded myself in the second corral, which is for competitors swimming between 1 hour and 1 hour 10 minutes. Most people told me that I should seed myself faster but I was very true to my time knowing I would finish between 1 hour and 1 hour 6 minutes. Due to the small size of the pier that we to go off of, they only let about five to seven competitors in at a time. This made for a very easy start since you did not have to swim over a lot of people. As soon as I got into my stride, which only takes me about 5 minutes or so, I started passing people. And ended up passing probably 50 people, which meant that a lot of people had seeded themselves faster than they actually were. The water was very warm at about 82 degrees and very clear. You could see the frogmen/lifeguards and photographers down below and also many colorful fish along the way. Halfway through the swim I looked at my Garmin watch, which I wear on my left wrist, and noticed it was glowing slightly green. I figured some water had leaked into it. I was going to stop and take a look but then realized that I was in the middle of the ocean and there was nothing I could do about it anyway!\r\n\r\nI swam very well and passed over 50 people, which was a lot as not many had started before me. As I made my way towards the finish and made the final turn two headed towards the pier I really picked up my strokes. My final time was about 1 hour and 4 minutes, which was good enough to make me first in my age group in the swim. As I climbed out of the water and looked down a my Garmin, I realized that the whole front face had somehow become detached and I was actually looking at the circuit board. Well, at that point, I knew the watch was useless. I ran through the shower and then grabbed my transition bag and into the transition area. I quickly dried off and stripped off my speed suit. Underneath this I had my tri suit so just I had to put on my socks, shoes, sunglasses, suntan lotion and grab some nutrition to carry on the bike and I was off to find my bike. I also left behind my Garmin watch, which was useless at this point.\r\n\r\n<strong class=\"subhead\">THE BIKE: 112 Miles</strong>\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_248\" align=\"alignright\" width=\"160\"]<img src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/cozumel-2015-bike-2-275.jpg\" alt=\"Cozumel 2015 Bike 2 275\" width=\"160\" height=\"301\" class=\"size-full wp-image-248\" /> Dr. Fields during the 112 mile bike ride[/caption]\r\nI ran as quick as I could with my bike shoes on to my bike. You could carry them but then you end up getting gravel on your feet. I took the bike off the rack and ran towards the exit. You\'re not allowed to get on your bike until you leave the transition area. Immediately upon exiting, the transition area, I mounted my bike and took off to start the 112 mile ride.\r\n\r\nI had my power meet on the bike, which in addition to power, would provide me with my heart rate and speed which are essential when riding long distance. The roads were dry and the sun was shining bright and the temperature was in the low eighties. I felt pretty good on the first lap. As you head towards the back of the island the winds pick up. For this approximately 15 mile stretch the winds were about 20 miles an hour blowing on shore. It was tough but not that bad. As you turn towards town to end your first loop the winds were pushing you forward. This was a much needed relief. As you get to town, there were hundreds, if not more, people yelling and cheering. It was very exciting and invigorating. For lap two you again go by some of the hotels and there were people out there cheering.\r\n\r\nAs I got to the back of the island again, the wind picked up and was close to 30 miles an hour. It was getting pretty tough and you just hung in there. Unfortunately this meant that you were down on your triathlon riding bars ( the extended bars you put your forearms on so you can just about lie flat while riding) all the time so as not to let the wind hit you in the chest. It put a tremendous strain on my neck, which I found out later that everybody had the same. You just kept going and going. During this loop, I also stopped at the special needs station at mile 56. This is where you can pick up your nutritional supplies for the second half of the race so you do not need to carry all of them at once. Again as I looped through town the crowds were cheering and it was very nice to get words of encouragement.\r\n\r\nFor the third loop the temperature has risen towards the upper 80\'s and low 90\'s and the winds really were kicking in. Now they were close to 40 miles an hour. It was really brutal. I had ridden this course three times in the past but this time the winds were the strongest . But somehow I kept going and going and managed to endure it. As I made the last turn to head the 9 miles back to town I knew that I had completed this part. Slightly slower than I expected but with the wind it was a slower time for everyone. \r\n\r\n<strong class=\"subhead\">THE RUN: 26.2 Miles</strong>\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_263\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"160\"]<img src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/cozumel-2015-run-160.jpg\" alt=\"Cozumel 2015 Run 160\" width=\"160\" height=\"301\" class=\"size-full wp-image-263\" /><strong> Dr. Fields during the 26.2 mile run</strong>[/caption]\r\nAs I came into town again the crowds were cheering and yelling loudly. I handed off my bike to one of the volunteers there and quickly grabbed my transition bag and ran into the tent. Off with the biking shoes, on with the running shoes, throw some water over myself to help cool me down, put on my running hat, grab some nutrition, go to the bathroom and I was out the door.\r\n\r\nOf course when you transition out of this tent there are thousands of people out there yelling and screaming. The sun was still up so it was still pretty hot with it being in the 90s, But I felt pretty good. For about the first four point 4.4 miles, which is the length of the course (you do this back and forth 3 times) I was a little tight and not so fluid in my running. Along the way of course there are people cheering for about a mile and a half as you get outside of town and then sporadically there were people at hotels who would come out along the road to cheer us on. When I hit the turn around I felt really good and for the next 8.8 miles my legs and body felt really strong. As I got back to town and finished the first 8.8 mile loop the sun was going down which was a blessing because it had been very hot outside.\r\n\r\nThe next 8.8 loop I felt good but the energy was starting to be drained. The bike had taken a tremendous toll, not only on me but on other runners too. But I persevered and kept going. The best thing was my hamstring was not bothering me which had slowed me down during my last two Ironman races. And in May 2015, I had raced Ironman Brazil, where I had a lot of feet problems. None of this came around this time.\r\n\r\nI saw many people out there that I knew from the Los Angeles area or other races. The camaraderie amongst the athletes is tremendous and it\'s something that we all rely on and count on. As I came into town finishing the second loop I knew I only had one more loop to go. I was tired and drained having been racing for almost 12 hrs., but just kept going. Of course along the way I took lots of nutrition and keep myself as hydrated as much as possible. There was no rain this year, which was also nice since the prior previous time I had done this race we were running through knee high puddles.\r\n\r\nAfter leaving town and getting to the final around, I knew only had 4.4 miles left to go and realized that it was in the bag for me. As I came back into town and saw the crowds again, I felt the exhilarating feeling that one can only feel when finishing an Ironman. At this point I only had about a mile to go and knew I have finally done it. That is not only finish my 6th Ironman but my second one in six months . This was a challenge that I set for myself. Like my parents had always told me, set your goals and go for it.\r\nNever say never.\r\n\r\nThe final 100 meters are unbelievable feeling. All ones aches and pains fade away. As I approached the finish line, which is slightly elevated and bathed in lights, I heard the announcer say for the sixth time,\r\n\"Peter Fields, you are an Ironman\".\r\nIt never gets old.\r\nI finally knew that I had completed my conquest of doing two Ironman races in one year.\r\n\r\nOf course the whole way during the race, I never forgot about my parents. I had my mom’s initials written on my left arm and on my right arm I had my dad\'s initials. Both of these people were so special in my life and I have never forgotten them for even one day since each of them passed. Whenever it got tough, I would place my hand on either forearm and feel their presence within me and hear their words of encouragement telling me never to give up. I know they would have been as proud of me as I am of them.\r\n\r\nI want to thank everybody who sent me good wishes, those who kept me in their thoughts and those who followed me on the internet. All your thoughts and wishes kept me strong the whole race.\r\nThere were a few very special people that never stopped thinking about me the whole race. You know who you are and words cannot say thank you enough. \r\n\r\n<strong>Peter A. Fields, MD DC\r\nThe Athletic Doc® and 6X Ironman Triathlete</strong>','Race Report 6th Ironman','','inherit','closed','closed','','217-revision-v1','','','2019-06-08 03:29:17','2019-06-08 03:29:17','',217,'https://www.drfields.com/uncategorized/217-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),