Ironman Ohio 70.3 Race Report
First off, I had an incredible day! My thankful meter was off the chart during the entire race. The Lord completely helped me and strengthened me every one of the 70.3 miles of the course. I am calling it my perfect race. Happy, Fast, Strong, Grateful, Encouraging, Supported!
The previous 3 weeks
Since early July I have felt more fatigued than any other time in my cancer treatment or even any other time in my life. Can you imagine that? Chemotherapy, immunotherapy and radiation make you tired? Of course they do! With all the extra tired the last couple weeks I was getting a little anxious about how race day would go. I worked out at least 7 times when I was tired and I did OK. I just did not want to have to fight being tired for the whole race. In addition to the fatigue, every time I biked in extreme heat, it whacked me way harder than it normally has. No one can control race day conditions. I was a little worried it could make my ride extra hard. One ride in Colorado the heat and my sweat were so severe I had to stop a handful of times to rinse out my eyes because the sweat stung so bad. Coming in to Ironman Ohio 70.3 was a bit bumpy.
Thankful binge for this race
It seems like I should just list out all the gifts I received from the Lord and friends with this race. It is a good discipline to just write our thankful list and it is good for the soul to try to be exhaustive when we do this. I may not be exhaustive, but I sense the need to show you my heart. Maybe a grateful spirit makes one faster and stronger on the course?
These are the things I sense the Giver gave me this weekend…..
My body let me do this.
Hundreds of friends and family praying for me and cheering me on.
A personal lifeguard. My brother Chris canceled other plans to come race with me. He also stayed right next to me the entire swim in case I had a seizure. Total gift!
My son Josh trained hard and competed alongside me. Great Gift!
My wife Amy sacrificed a ton to help me train and organize the weekend.
Kirby and Debbie Hsu hosted more than 30 of us at their home which is located on the run course of the race.
I had extreme strength the entire 7 hours of racing. It seemed supernatural to not get tired at all during the race. I hammered it the entire race! Praise God.
Focusing on being present in the moment was my desire and it happened. I can sometimes get ahead of myself in my head. I stayed “present” the whole race. Miracle.
Lots of friends and family traveled to Delaware, Ohio to cheer me on in person.
The two TV news interviews went well. I think these news stories honored the Lord!
I was able to encourage many race participants along the way. Represent Him!
My nutrition and hydration during the 7 hours of racing was fantastic!
Eric a friend, Callie my niece, my son Josh and my brother Chris raced with me.
My coach and training partners helped prepare me for race day!
I averaged more than 20 MPH on the bike. That was a big desire of mine since May when I signed up.
I received hundreds of messages of encouragement from friends before and after the race. I may have been the best supported athlete in the field! Thanks!
Two pastor buddies (Bryan and Matt are friends from the last 20 years) walked with me the last 4 miles.
I could go on and on. Jesus, the Giver of all good gifts, showered me with piles of gifts.
My verse and prayer the week before
Isaiah 40:31 was my key verse for the race. I wanted to get His strength and not just mine during the race. Many people are saying I am strong and tough. That is probably true, but I want the big story to be that John’s God sustains and strengthens him. It is an incomplete story to say that “John Drage is one tough dude”. The story is really about John’s King who lives inside him and strengthens him with attitude, courage and passion every day. God is the one whom I attribute all the success to in my life and in the race.
but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint. Isaiah 40:31
Thanks for your love and support through all of this. My ultimate desire is that He is glorified by the way I live and compete.
