<img src="https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/ironman-canada-logo.jpg" alt="Ironman Canada Logo" width="220" height="97" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-134" />

<p class="text-center"><strong style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 23px;">Sunday August 25, 2013<br>
2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike, 26.2 mile run</strong></p>

<p class="text-center">Quote for the day:<strong> One cannot achieve higher goals in life without some struggle.</strong></p>

<p><img src="https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/cozumel-2013-pre-race.jpg" alt="Cozumel 2013 Pre Race" width="160" height="213" class="alignleft size-full wp-image-138" /><strong>Pre Race</strong></span><br>
 awoke at 3:30am so I could have breakfast by 4am. That way I would have three hours before the race, which starts at 7am, to properly digest everything. Once done eating, I stretched out and got dressed. I already had my gear ready to go which included the am, stuff plus the two special needs bags for the bike and the run. I then went downstairs to be driven to the village center, where I dropped off the special needs bags. Then I boarded one of several buses that were waiting to transport us to the swim start. Since the swim is held in a lake and there is limited road access, only Ironman official vehicles would have access to the lake.</p>
<p>When we got there it was not only still dark but about 45 degrees, so it was cold. But at least the rain from the previous day had stopped and no more was predicted. I planned well for the cold (60 degrees was not expected until noon or so). There is always a lot of tension floating around as over 2200 athletes check their gear, so you try your best to keep calm. We had left our bikes down there the day before as well as all our biking clothes and nutrition. The running gear and run nutrition was left at transition area 2 (T2) which is in town where the bike ride ends. This too was done the day before.
The only thing ones brings in the morning is ones wetsuit, goggles and cap along with whatever water/nutrition you take prior to the race. After pumping up my tires, it was on with the wetsuit and then head down to the waterfront.</p>

<p><img src="https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/cozumel-2013-swim.jpg" alt="Cozumel 2013 Swim" width="160" height="213" class="alignleft size-full wp-image-140" /><strong>THE Swim</strong></span><br>
The lake is surrounded by mountains and the water temperature was about 68 degrees which was comfortable with a wetsuit on. All 2200 of us swam out about 50 yards and began treading water for about 10-15 minutes. At exactly 7am, the gun went off. It would be a long day. As always, I go out fast at the beginning of the swim (it is my best part). That way I try and get away from the majority of the crowd. Then I try and settle back into a good pace. There were a few turns prior to turning back on the fist loop (it was a two lop course), so it got really jammed and crowded; more than usual. I therefore did not really get into my good stroke pattern until the second lap. Plus I had my goggles knocked off twice. This was a first for me but actually a common occurrence with all the swimmers around you. My swim was therefore a bit slower at 1hr and 7 minutes, but still pretty good overall.</p>
<p><strong style="text-decoration: underline;">T1 (Transition one)</strong></p>
<p>I took a bit longer in the change tent as I put on knee warmers, wind vest, a riding jacket, a skull cap for under my helmet and long liner gloves over my riding gloves (I get cold easy!!).</p>


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

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

<p class="text-center"><strong>Peter A. Fields, MD DC</strong></span><br>
<strong>The Athletic Doc<sup style="font-size: 14px;">®</sup> and Ironman Finisher</strong></span></p>


