The Spirit of the Ironman: Memories by Original Ironman Dave Orlowski

Der Amerikaner Dave Orlowski ist einer der 15 legendären Marines, die am 18.02.1978 auf der hawaiianischen Insel Oahu den allerersten Ironman bestritten. Lassen Sie sich von seinen Erinnerungen an seinen wohl härtesten Tag inspirieren.   The first Ironman took place on February 18, 1978 on the island of Oahu in Hawaii. The original Ironman was conceived and put on within two months by John and Judy Collins. This event was the result of an argument about “who was the fittest athlete?” I was part of a Marine running team that participated in an around the island race. The awards for this event were held at the Primo beer gardens on Oahu. John Collins was also at this awards ceremony and engaged in an argument with one of my team members, Tom Knoll, about “who was the fittest athlete?” Tom Knoll was a runner and ultra marathoner and the argument consisted of who was the fittest athlete between the runner, cyclist and swimmer. Of course beer was being served and as most can imagine that is how crazy things like this get going. I was sitting next to them arguing but had no concern and did not hear the argument. They were 40 something guys and I was a Marine on a fixed income, drinking free beer, eating free food and looking at fit beautiful women. I was 22 years old and did not have to argue about it because I knew I was in shape at this point of my life and the other things were more important. John Collins stood up at this awards ceremony and declared a challenge. John Collins stated that they would put the three main athletic events on the Island of Oahu together. Those events were the 2.4 mile Waikiki rough water ocean swim, the 112 mile perimeter bike race and the 26.2 mile Honolulu marathon together. The three events would be combined into one race in one day with no time limits. John Collins stated that anyone able to complete all these events in one day would then be called an Ironman and have bragging rights for the rest of their life. Five dollars entry fee The next day I went to work and Tom Knoll, who worked in an office next to me, asked if I was going to enter in the event. I had just run the Honolulu marathon in December 1977, my first marathon and the first long distance event that I had participated in. Without hesitating Tom then stated “hey kid just give me your five dollars” to enter the event. My good friend and fellow Marine Mike Loyd also entered the event. Imagine, it cost five bucks to enter the Ironman for the first time. Handmade A total of fifteen people entered the event although the odds were against anyone finishing this event. Of the fifteen people that entered, twelve of us proved all disbelievers wrong and I finished in third place. The original event was not a race or competition between anyone. It was a challenge to see if anyone could finish this type of grueling event. Tom knoll finished in sixth place but my friend Mike Loyd made it through a better part of the run but could not hang on to finish. All the trophies for the event were hand made by John Collins from copper tubing and bolts mounted on a piece of wood. Each trophy had a plaque attached to it stating “Finisher 1978 Hawaiian Iron Man Triathlon 2.4 mile swim 112 mile bike ride 26.2 mile run”. There was no finishing place designation as this was not a race just to see if anyone could complete this. The shirts consisted of a handmade silk screen that John Collins made. We provide shirts that John and Judy Collins made at their naval home and baked in the oven of their home to set the ink. John and Judy Collins had the meetings at their home and organized everything for race day. Marines don’t quit In the beginning there were no such things as “bricks”, training or nutrition plans, aid stations or spectators other than the people who came out to support those athletes they knew doing the race. For the most part no one knew this event was taking place as you were on your own out there. My training prior to the race consisted of swimming about 1 – 1 ½ miles three times a week and running six days with the longest run being about twelve and fifteen miles. I had no bike for the event and had never been a cyclist and did not worry about the bike until a week before the event. I borrowed a Sears Free Spirit 10 speed bicycle from a fellow Marine for the event. This was your standard off the showroom floor bicycle with no bottle cages and no toe clips, just standard pedals. On the day of the event I did not even have a spare tire or tube if I would have flatted. If something would have happened, I would have been out of the event and not part of this history. I figured as long as I rode a bike as a kid that I could just get on the bike and ride 112 miles to do this. As most of you know and I do now that it is a hell of a long way. What do you tell a Marine who has been brainwashed that you can do anything. Well that strong mental discipline that they engrain in you did make this event possible for me. Marines don’t quit!! I did ride this bicycle about a total of 30 miles before the event. As far as my other equipment I used the same shoes for cycling as I did for running. This was a regular pair of adidas running shoes and I did not wear socks. As you can imagine they were quite ripe at the end of the ...