John Carson’s swan song
After an accident in the summer of 2009 John Carson was destined to be wheelchair bound but he was determined to walk again and even considered doing a triathlon. He has since finished Ironman Lake Placid, the Boston Marathon and most recently Ironman Coeur D'Alene. But that one was his swan song of sorts, because his doctors recommended that he'd slow down in that department.
Slowtwitch: John, you are an Ironman again and you have very much inspired us.
John: Thank you. I am truly humbled by all of this.
ST: We first talked to you a bit more than a year ago at the end of May in 2010 and quite a lot has happened for you since.
John: When we first spoke I never would have thought that over the course of the next 12 months I would take part in 2 Ironman events as well as the Boston Marathon and actually finish them. I mean I was just starting to walk without the use of a walker and was finally getting strong enough to leave the wheelchair at home.
ST: Looking back at the two Ironman events you have competed in, what do you remember fondly dither from the race itself or the preparation for it?
John: Well Lake Placid was a ton of unknowns to me. My longest run prior to that event was just about 3 miles and the event was going to take place a little over a year from the accident. I really went into that event with the one goal of finishing the race in less than 17 hours. I surprised not only the doctors, but also myself with that race and it gave me a ton of confidence going forward. Immediately after that race I took some time off and went back to the drawing board to outline what I needed to improve if I was going to continue to race. My run gives me the most trouble post accident so my coach Brian Shea of Personal Best Nutrition really geared a program that truly made me stronger. Going into IMCDA off a successful Boston Marathon I really felt as fit if not more then before my accident. The big unknown with this race would be keeping my form long enough to have a successful race.
ST: Talk about your race day in Coeur D’Alene.
John: We got up to Coeur D’Alene on Thursday and had a great few days seeing the sights and previewing parts of the course. I also had the ability to get a feel for the water, which was quite a shock. I knew that they had a cold spring but wow that water was cold. The morning of the race I got down to transition around 5:15 and I gave my gear a once over before I headed down to the water to watch the pros and get in and try to get some water in my suit so it wouldn’t be such a shock to my system. I had a ton of confidence coming into this race thanks to coach Brian. I had never felt so fit before in my life even pre accident. He built an amazing program for me. I mean this guy is working with pro athletes who are wining huge races and yet he still found time to work with me and all the issues that come along with working with an athlete with challenges. I was very emotional prior to the start. I thought so much about the last couple of years and how this would most likely be my last Ironman unless I had qualified for Kona or something. When I decided to race Coeur D’Alene I just wanted to beat my time from last year but as my training progressed I started to feel like I could do more then take a few minutes off my time.
So when the gun went off the plan was to leave it all on the course. If they had to carry me off the course so be it but I didn’t want to cross the finish line and say wow I could have pushed a little harder. The swim was cold and rougher then any other mass start I have been in. When I got out of the water I felt drunk. I lay down to have my wetsuit stripped off without unzipping my wetsuit. The cold took so much out of me. I was so thankful to have a volunteer to help me get dressed for the bike. The plan on the bike was to take it easy and get some calories in on the first lap and then push hard on the second. Everything was going great and I felt great. I was making great time till I came across a cyclist standing on the side of the road just looking at her bike. I asked her if she need help and hopped off to lend a hand. She dropped her chain and it was wedged so awkwardly that I didn’t know if I would be able to get it unstuck for her. After a few kicks to the crank and chain and some serious pulling I was able to get it out and got her back on her way. I lost 7 minutes there so I knew I had some work to do to get back on track. The bike ended and I really felt fresh but now I had to run a marathon and that’s something my body really has a hard time with. I knew my fitness was there but I didn’t know if my form would hold up. With that I put my head down and headed out for the run. My mind and body was working well for the first 11miles or so but then things started to crack. I really had to bear down to hold it together. I had a lot of friends on the course that kept me moving along and of course the racers that had read my slowtwitch and NY times article and were full of encouragement. As I headed into the last quarter mile the realization that I was going to cross the finish line in what would most likely be my last Ironman my emotions really began to swell. I slowed down a bit and really tried to soak it in. I thought about my family and friends that were there from the ICU to the rehab gym and all these outpatient visits. I thought about my wife and the constant support and encouragement. As I entered the finisher chute I took a page out of Rapps book and found them to celebrate before crossing the line. With that I raised my hands as high as I could and crossed the line to hear those words we all put so much time and pain into to hear. You are an Ironman!
ST: What made you decide on CDA in the first place, after all there are so many races out there now.
John: Funny you should ask this question. My buddy Mike Tretola had been tossing around the idea of doing another one and I think I may have trash talked him into it. The race itself had always had a huge appeal to me and it did not disappoint. The locals really go out of their way to make you feel welcome and the energy on the course was the best I have ever witnessed. Every aid station even the ones out on the bike course had a ton of volunteers playing music and having a blast. The course itself is super challenging but the scenery is second to none. I couldn’t think of a better race to end on.
ST: You had announced prior to the race that this race would be your last Ironman because of medical advice. Can you share what exactly that means?
John: Well I have a lot of physical issues that stem from the accident that are only exaggerated by all this long training and racing. I do a ton of overcompensation because of lack of sensation in my lower extremities and that has really changed my natural gait pattern. This has caused an accelerated degeneration of my hips, knees and other joints. With all that being said the doctor is quick to remind that if I keep this up I will be back in the wheelchair. So it’s a quality of life issue and deciding that as cool as it is hearing Mike Riley call my name being able to walk is a lot cooler.
ST: Not having to train for a long race has certain advantages too, but can you see that now or are you more so bummed about missing out on long stuff.
John: I was the first person to say that if I was ever paralyzed I would rather be dead but waking up in the ICU and getting to see my family and wife again really gives you a new outlook on life. This accident has certainly made me reconsider what is really important in my life. Going long really takes a toll on your personal life. So many hours spent out on the bike and at the pool really start to limit the things you have time for. My wife has been so supportive but it’s time to focus on my family. Those long training days will certainly be missed but its nothing that a few cold ones and some quality time with some friends and family can’t fix.
ST: What distances will you still be able to do?
John: Well that will be determined over the next few months as we sit down with the doctors and surgeons and try to figure out a plan. I hope to be able to race towards the end of next year and I think Olympic distance is where I will top out in the near future barring an invite to Kona. I will continue to take part in some cycle and swim events and will hopefully find a few friends willing to do some relays.
ST: We assume you will still be involved with the Christopher Reeve Foundation.
John: I certainly will be involved with the Christopher Reeve foundation going forward. Just because I will no longer be racing will not stop me from getting out there and advocating and raising awareness. I still owe them so much for what they have given me and will continue to take part in their events in a support role. The foundation has also put me in contact with an amazing kid named Kevin McDermott who is battling through a spinal cord injury that should have left him motionless for the rest of his life. Kevin is now working on walking and I hope to spend more time with him trying to help him get back to racing as well. I encourage everyone to check him out at kevinmcdermott.org and send him words of support and encouragement.
ST: You got love from the NY Times and Oprah recently. Is that surprising to you?
John: I was shocked when I got the call from the NY TIMES. I had met the journalist at an event a few years ago where she was hosting an event leading up to the 2009 NYC Marathon. She was leading a Q&A with Lance Armstrong, Dena Kastor and the late Grete Waitz. After the taping we were invited back stage where I got to meet Lance and the panel. I was still in the wheelchair and they must have thought I was nuts when I was telling them I was going to walk again. I exchanged emails with her a few times since and she had expressed interest in doing the story but it didn't finally come together till late last week. How the whole Oprah thing happened is a mystery. My extent of watching her show was the skit SNL did where she starts giving away amazing gifts and people in the audience faint and some of their heads explode. Very funny if you haven't seen it but in all seriousness the recognition for the foundation is amazing. When I started out on this journey my goal was to give back to a foundation that gave me so much. I think that I have done everything I can to make people aware of the great work the men and women are doing at the foundation. At the end of the day I think I did them proud.
ST: We think it is awesome and you have indeed made them proud, but is there anything else we should know?
John: I just want to thank the outpouring of support from the ST community as well as personally thank you Herbert also Jordan, Dan, Monty and the whole ST crew for keeping triathlon true to its roots. Without this forum my story would never have gotten out there and that would have been far less money raised and awareness for the Christopher Reeve foundation. Now I know I am young and you should never say never and with that being said if I ever decided to go long again you guys will certainly be the first to hear about it. It has been an amazing Journey and I feel truly blessed to have been able to share it with you all! So long for now.
(ed)
To get involved with the Christopher Reeve Foundation check out christopherreeve.org
To find out more about Kevin McDermott visit kevinmcdermott.org
