Grueling Swim, Bike, Run awaits Lochow in Hawaii
by Rocky Stanley
of the Daily Independent
HUNTINGTON-- Imagine, if you can, treading water off the coast of Hawaii's Big Island with about 1,500 well-conditioned athletes.
At the sound of a canon blast, your first task is to swim a full mile out into the ocean, battling the current as well as a sea of churning legs and elbows from your competition. Then, make a right turn, and proceed another four-tenths of a mile. If fatigue hasn't already won out, bang another right and cope, as best as possible, with another mile of water to get back to shore.
Some participants have gone as far as call it the pool party from hell. The luckiest will emerge from the water without having been kicked in the goggles. The unfortunate could have a broken jaw. Next, hop on a bicycle for a long and not so leisurely ride. Actually, it's more like the Tour de Torture - 112 miles along the Queen Kaahumau Highway. Likely conditions consist of 100-degree tempuratures of 100-percent humidity as heat reflects off black, lava beds. For good measure the course includes about a dozen hills with slopes on a grade of up to six percent.
So much for the warm-up. Now, put the bike aside and go run a marathon (26.2 miles) over the same land-scape to reach the finish line.
Sorry. Almost forgot one small detail. Along with training for this colossal task, all of your other waking moments have been in demand as a second-year med student (at Marshall University). Insane you say? Impossible? Not for local triathlete: Steve Lochow, whose adrenalin is pumping for the Oct. 23 mega-challenge known as the Hawaii Ironman World Championship. Each year, some 50,000 triathletes world-wide compete for 1,500 spots in what is considered the most prestigious Ironman event. Additionally, 150 individuals are selected from thousands of applicants. Lochow, 27, was fortunate enough to be in that group
"For someone my age and size to qualify is difficult," said Lochow, a 205-pound former football standout at Russell High School and Dayton
University. "I sent in my application and didn't think much about it."
Lochow received the good news in an on camera surprise by local TV sportscaster Keith Morehouse. To formally qualify, Lochow was required to compete in a half-Ironman event last May in Panama City, Fla. On the day of the competition, red flags on the beach denoted, hazardous conditions. "There were 10 to 15 feet breakers coming in," Lochow said. "Red flags were up because of the undertow, rip tides and all that stuff. But with people there to compete from about 15 countries, they decided to go on with it."
The first group to go into the water consisted of 200 women. About 80 turned back because they couldn't even get through the breakers. "If I hadn't put so much training in, I would have just gone home," said Lochow, an experienced triathlete. "I've never been so scared in all my life. Lochow not only competed but finished fourth in the 200 pound and over division.
The past two years, Lochow has won that division in an Ohio triathlon series. This will be only his second time to go the Ironman distance, however. His first was two years in Florida, and Lochow finished in a little over 12 hours. Now comes the supreme. "People I've talked to said there's nothing I've done or can prepare for that's like Hawaii," he said. "They say it's the hardest thing you will ever do." Pros will finsih in 8 to 9 hours. If conditions arent't too severe, Lochow hopes to make it to the finish line in less than 12 hours.
Despite studying 60 to 80 hours a week, Lochow is in peak condition. He has done 20 races this year and posted personal best time in all but one. "I'm definitely in the best shape I've ever been in said," Lochow, who also teaches "spinning classes" aerobics on a stationary bicycle at the Huntington YMCA. As a triathlete Lochow has several training partners. His wife, Amy is a fourth-year medical student and has also enjoyed considerable success as a trathlete. They work out together when time allows. "I'll bike with somebody for two hours, then I'lll meet someone else at a designated spot and keep going," Lochow said. "Amy is great, we train together sometime every week. It's one way we can spend time toegether."
Lochow has watched past Hawaii Ironman events on TV. "There are 25,000 people waiting and cheering at the the finishline," he said. "It's unbelievable to see the people as they come across the finish line. It's very emotional." This years field will include 1527 athletes, including 132 professionals and 779 Ironman first timers. Ages range from 20 to 76. Two years ago Lochow recalled watching a professional collapse 20 feet from the finish line. "He couldn't move," Lochow said. "They had to cart him off."
Because Ironman competition is so draining on the human body, competitors will take in about 10,000 calories during the race. "Every athlete will hit the wall sometime where your body just shuts down and there are no energy reserves." Lochow said. "You find a way to keep going." Ironman participants this year will wear ankle straps including a computer chip that will allow their progress to be tracked on the Internet. "I have a lot of people that say will be checking in to see how I do." Lochow said. Biking is Lochow's strong suit. "Once I get to the run I find a way to finish," he said.
The most frequently asked question of Lochow tackling the Ironman is "Why?" "It's all about finding out what you can do," he said. "I don't want to ever look back and say I had a skill, an ability, that I didn't use. Besides, this is a healthy lifestyle with a lot of positive energy."