On the final day of his incredible 50 50 50, they pulled James out of the water. They posted on social media that he was having a very difficult day. He had severe cramping, he was exhausted, and he was sobbing. The air was thick with tension. From the looks on his handlers’ faces, you could tell that it was serious. They hustled him to the motorhome to rehabilitate him and tried to act composed as the crowd of cyclists waited. Finally, the Iron Cowboy emerged on his bike. He didn’t look like an iron cowboy. He looked like a haggard, beat up, exhausted man who had just about drowned, and they were now strapping him to a bike.
In reality, James Lawrence in the previous 49 days had just completed 49 complete Ironman distances in 49 days in 49 states. Incredible. Unbelievable. Inspiring. Amazing. Unthinkable. Crazy. Today he would make history, completing his 5oth.
Having just completed his final 2.5 mile swim, this time in the open waters of Deer Creek Reservoir, James got on his bike and addressed the group of about 60 riders. “I’m overwhelmed. I can’t even say anything or I’m just going to be crying all day long.” Knowing what he had accomplished, we all looked on in awe at the Iron Cowboy. He smiled, and I guess I was expecting him to say something profound. He looked up at the group assembled to accompany him on his 112 mile victory lap, and he said, “Let’s roll.”
Appropriate.
His trainers had addressed us saying “unless something catastrophic happens, like a major bike accident, James will complete the #505050 today. Please keep a safety pocket around James, and let him be the first rider down the canyon.” I certainly didn’t want to be that guy who ruined everything! So, I found a spot in the peloton a few lengths from the front and started riding. This was my first ride in a legitimate peloton. It was amazing.
