Ever since I started training in triathlon, back in 2007, I watched Ironman on television. Wisconsin 2007 was one of the first episodes I watched. I set my TiVo to record them, and I watched them over and over - and still do. I was amazed when I saw Pro Paul F. stop mid-run and stretch his back, and then walk. I immediately thought, WTF? Pro's walk?? At Wisconsin I've seen Chris McDonald walk and go on to win! I've seen many other pro's walk IMOO. And many even drop out. Why? The hills? Late in the season? Who knows. But if it happens to people who train 30 to 40 hours a week, it can happen to anyone.
Back in 2008 is the same time I read the most inspiring race report to date. Some guy Fred did Ironman Lake Placid for the first time and he crushed it with a 10:49!! Are you kidding me... a 10:49 his first time out, and everybody on this site loved him!

After reading that RR, seeing his logs, I sent him a PM and basically said: Please put me on your friend list and let me pick your brain in everything triathlon-related cause I wanna follow in your footsteps and Be Like Fred!! A year later we roomed together at Eagleman and you gave me sage advice. You also introduced me to Paul F. at the bike racks race morning. I remember crushing the bike that day with a 20.6 mph avg. My wave was right behind yours and I kept thinking, I'm gonna catch Fred!! But then I was just 4 miles from getting off the bike and there you were, over 4 miles into the Run already!! I was just hoping for a sub 5 but walked in the oven to a 5:20 while you crushed a 4:38!!
Over the next few years I followed your logs every single day. Rermember when you were contemplating quitting triathlon and becoming a mountain biker?

I watched you crush two more Lake Placids. And last year, just two months post-LP, you climbed the Westernport Wall at Savageman and beat a few Pro's to the tape!! You've had extraordinary results for over four years running. Even this year
a bad Eagleman result was still almost 20 minutes sub 5, and you rebounded the following month at Musselman.
Did you deserve a 9:50 at Wisconsin based on past performance and this years training? Absolutely. Did you get what you deserve? Heck No. Was it a fluke? Absolutely. Does it suck? Yes indeed. Big Time. But the bottom-line is: I still wanna be like Fred. Everyone on this site still loves you. And you are an amazing inspiration to your girls and wife.
Ya know what... forget what I said about that 2007 RR of a guy crushing his first Ironman being the most inspirational report I ever read. I just read a better one. One that exemplifies the saying never, NEVER Quit.
Edited by Dream Chaser 2011-09-13 10:13 PM
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