I know they add adrenaline to the novocaine to "potentiate" it, or make it more effective. The last time I had a root canal (I've had three ), I was more nervous than usual for a variety of reasons. I started to shake, hyperventilate, and cry after they gave me the numbing shots. It was so embarrassing. That's when I learned about the addition of epinephrine, or adrenaline, to the novocaine. I later told my regular dentist about it, and he informed me that he always does the same when he works on my teeth. I guess I was just pumping enough adrenaline myself, already, that the extra shot put me over the top.

He had to give you three shots to get you numb? It may be that you got more adrenaline than you could comfortably handle.

On a happy note...I was just reading the Triathlete mag "Road to Kona" edition, and the page about IMAZ leapt out at me! How cool that you'll be doing that. How many years ago did you decide you were going to do an IM?