Gray Guys/Girls Master's Focus Triathlon Mentor Group--CLOSED (Page 44)

I followed the race all day yesterday.  The heat definitely took its toll, yet Andy Potts missed a course record by 3-seconds so clearly the heat could be managed.  That said, I fear there were any number of athletes that thought they were Superman, were under-prepared, or didn't manage the heat as well as they might have the suffered immensely through the course of the race.  I have no idea what WTC was thinking by moving the start time to an earlier time.  All that managed to do was put the bulk of the AG'ers into the heat of the day on the marathon.  Had they moved the start time back, the AG'ers would have been running as the heat was abating.  Wait, that wouldn't have worked, that would have meant the Pro's would have been in the heat of the day.  Hmmm, maybe there is a bit too much favoritism towards the pros?

Scott, I hope all your friends made it though OK. I am sure it will be a great learning experience for all involved.

Steve,

I saw pictures on the news with the volume down and thought another fire had started in So. Calif.  My heart goes out to everyone effected.  We see it down here every fire season and with the high heat and drought, I have little doubt it is going to get much worse before it gets better.  Hope they get a handle on it up there.

I especially liked #8, seeing as how I once thought my demise was at hand from this very affliction!

Thanks for sharing.

Steve - I heard about your fire and I was going to ask if it was close to you.  This morning we had a bit of a haze that we suspected was from down your way.  Hopefully, they'll get it under control pretty quickly.  We've had lots of little fires but nothing too serious yet.  Q13 News just said the Wenatchee fire was man made.

Scott - Interesting stats on IMCDA.  Hope your group is all okay.  I knew two people in the race.  Lisa Fitzgerald finished in 15:03 and Mike Ellis DNF'd after a decent swim and bike.  I know Mike is very strong so really surprised he didn't finish.  

I finally got the clearance to get back in the pool this morning.  A little earlier than expected.  Doctor said my range of motion is pretty close to 90% and should be 100% after a bit more exercise.  All I really care about is I have enough ROM to swim freestyle!

Of course I had to immediately get in the pool and try the "new" shoulder out.  Swam 1,200 yards.  Averaged about 1:18/100.  I was pretty happy with that.  I have a ways to go, but no pain.  I haven't lost nearly as much swim fitness as I thought I might so it's all good!

My IM this year is out, but I can still salvage a couple Oly's and maybe a HIM near the end of the season.

Glad to finally be putting this chapter behind me!  I have had to deal with medical issues a couple times over the years, but this is the first injury.  The medical things, I never doubted that I would come back.  This time however, I just didn't know.  I have known for some time that this old body doesn't heal and recover like it did a few decades ago.  I have to admit, there has been a couple times in the past few months where I questioned whether I would ever be able to swim again.  Huge relief when I finished that first lap this afternoon and my arm was still attached to my torso.

Really great news Scott.  I bet the water felt particularly sweet today.  I imagine you were walking about 2' above the ground.

That's OK Steve, I can't run anywhere near a 7:00 mile.  I may beat you out of the water, but you'll crush me in the run!  Just really glad we have different long term goals!

I have to say the IM CDA heat was BRUTAL and I was part of the support crew and not an athlete.

My husband volunteered during the swim and the lake was flat calm and warm.  Those with farmer john (sleeveless suits) were probably very thankful.  My friend did a panic purchase about 10 days before and bought one and is so glad she did.   The blind army major doing the race was amazing to watch.  My hubby said watching their swim was impressive - no tether just taps on the feet for direction.  Bike was tandem and run was a piece of twine held by fingers.  All participants made it out of the water on time with the last one being across with 14 seconds to spare and did it with a bum shoulder - he posted later he missed the bike cut off by 4 minutes but has since hired a swim coach to learn side stroke and is ready for another one later this swimmer - his shoulder surgery will wait.

My friend had the swim of her life - great time for her - she looked and felt great heading toward the bike - first lap on the bike was decent - the furnace hadn't turned on full blast yet - she had a smile and thumbs up.  Second lap took its toll on many and her - as we were waiting for her to come in by the Bike In - and 4:30 was inching on her - they were unloading pick-up load after load of bikers either too sick to finish or throwing up the white flag - the heat was unbearable to the average Joe...  In the shade on the grass you were sweating and we weren't even riding or running.  Anyway -we saw my friend rounding the corner coming in to the bike in and I think we lost our voices yelling at her to get in - she squeaked in and they let her through - she got out of the transition in time - as the person behind her was halted he was too late.

The heat was still climbing at this point and she was walking - my husband walked with her for a bit - out to party corner - she was in great spirits and was jacked she swam 32 minutes faster than last year and made the bike cut-off - because last year she was pulled at mile 91- as the wind was hideous.   But... she didn't make the 13.1 cut off - probably missed it by 15 minutes.   I did see one gentleman run his heart out to the turn-around and still missed the cut-off, it was devastating to see him afterward.

IM CDA only had about 1650 registered - down from last year's 2150 and 374 of this year's were a DNF - I heard twice their normal number.   IM is such an incredible event but the heat really took its toll. Mike Reilly commented it was the hottest IM he had announced.  My friend said the bike water stations ran out of water for those back-of-the-packers--Cyclists were crossing lanes to get water wherever available.   The pavement burned their feet if they stopped.   But with all of the trials and tribulations of the heat - many were successful at crossing the finish with sheer determination, focus and perseverance .   I said many times that day - when you go through an IM, in any condition, especially today - you just have the ability to do most anything because of strong willed determination.

My husband didn't realize how much work and how tiring it is to be spectator/support crew for an ironman athlete (this year we only had 1, last year we about 5).  he also said if he had watched one first - he may not have done one.    If you are inkling to do an Ironman - I strongly suggest investing in the GPS tracker for your support crew - the IM update is very slow and it was hard to gauge where our athlete would be.

Kudos and congrats to any individual participating and/or finishing IM CDA.   Hats off - they deserve special treatment!

Scott - that is so great to hear.  I can only imagine how you felt when you did those first laps.

Congrats to you!

Steve,

So so sorry to hear about this.  We heard about the fire but I didn't realize the magnitude or devastation.  

Thinking of you and those in and around Wenatchee.

Last Sunday while out on my bike ride I had a flat tire.  No big deal, I changed out the tube and got going again.  Later I cut the ride short due to my saddle issues but I did ride 95km.

Today, I headed out for a ride on the same road and I'm riding over an hour without any pain (!!!).  Yay, but then very near the same spot I had my flat on Sunday, I hear a quick "pop".  I checked my tires they seemed good but a short while later I realized I had another flat tire.  I dismounted and started changing the tire only to realize I had taken my under the seat tool/gear bag off the bike on Sunday.  I had two full bottles of Perpetuem so I wasn't worried that I was in for a long walk.

My wife was driving "Sherpa" and ahead of me but not sure how long it would take me to walk to where she was waiting or how long before she would start to get suspicious of my absence.  I started walking.  A farmer offered to let me use his workshop to fix my tire and I would have taken him up on the offer if I hadn't had my wife to rely on.

I wound up walking almost 3 km (2 miles) in 30 minutes before I saw my wife come over a hill in the distance.  If she hadn't come when she did I would have had another 3km to walk.

I was disappointed to cut the ride short.  I've basically done nothing all week so I'm feeling guilty about it.  I was pleased to find I had no pain but I need to ride again on Saturday to see if I can last longer on this new saddle.

I hope everyone else is having a better week than me.

Tammy,

I have read so many stories about the horror show that was IMCDA, it was nice to hear from someone that was actually there.

Thank you for sharing!

George,

I missed that you have a new saddle!  Glad it seems to be helping.

By the way, going from riding with pain to riding without pain makes it a good week!