Ironman Florida : Official Thread (Page 58)

For what it is worth. My first ironman was in 2009 and I finished at 9:00. I went to the room showered and went to sleep. I missed the finish line party between 11 and 12. I am excited about number 2 and will not miss that again. I would encourage everyone to get their food and shower up and come back if you finish early enough. If I was not doing a second this would be my one regret from the first one.

In response to ChinaExpress's issues:

You never make it through an Ironman training plan without setbacks right? 

Well, my setback just came into town. This past weekend, my back was aching and I decided to put off my last long ride until this weekend to give my body some rest and to recover. Unfortunately, this wasn't able to happen. This Monday, I was having a meeting with my boss and I was moving an extra chair into his office. I brought the chair in, not heavy at all, and put it down on the ground. I didn't twist in any weird way at all, but the second I put the chair down, my whole back seized up and I could not stand up straight. Very strange how one small little movement like that can put your whole body down. 

Well, since then, I've spent the past 3-4 days in massive amounts of pain. I was in bed for most of Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday with excruciating pain in my hip, low back and shin. The doctor diagnosed it as a pinched nerve/sciatica and I've got some meds now, but nevertheless, I've been on the shelf since last week and am getting a little nervous of IMFL. I've done a decent amount of long rides bricks and culminating with a 100 miler with a 40 min brick two weeks ago. I have also been following the swim and run plan almost to the T (just have not been logging at all). 

Any thoughts or ideas on what I should do with the rest of my time? I'm un-officially in taper mode, but should I put in one last push when I am healthy again? 

I have had back issues for the last 20 years (and actually had a disc removed 19 years ago). I find I have to stretch constantly on my rides, but hey, it could be worse!

I have also had EXACTLY the same thing happen numerous times over the last few years and I have to say, the best thing for a quick fix (I needed to have it done after it happening to me two weeks before a surfing trip to South Africa) is a cortisone shot directly to the area where the pinching is occurring. After not being able to get out of bed - I surfed 7 to 8 hours a day for two weeks.

just my 2 cents worth

Edited by miturner 2011-10-24 8:00 AM

I saw that this morning and started to worry a bit. Not a strong swimmer and big waves would be the death of me!

Some of you may have seen this, but I had to repost it, great reading for Monday morning!

1. There are 6.5 billion people on earth. About 30,000 of them do Ironman. That’s less than 1 out of every quarter of a million people. That’s reason enough.
2. After clicking submit on the application your first thought is “WTH did I just do”
3. Because you tear up watching Ironman Hawaii on TV.
4. After watching the TV coverage of Hawaii Ironman, you dream of being there yourself one day.
5. To reach down and find strength you never knew was there.
6. because you don’t get older, you get more competitive as you age up
7. Beats watching reality TV
8. You get to create you own “Amazing race!”
9. for all the times you’ve heard someone say “I’d do one of those . . . I just can’t swim”
10. Telling people an ironman consists of a 2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike, 26.2 mile run…only to have them look at you dazed and ask again “now, how far is that race you’re doing again?”
11. Because you told everyone “one day I will be and Ironman!”
12. You can eat more than three times a day.
13. wearing a form fitting tri suite is motivation enough to stick to your diet
14. Testing the endurance limits of the iPod music collection in your head.
15. Spectators cheering your name as you run past
16. How many people can say they did something for 12, 13, 14, 15, 16. . . hours?
17. The volunteer at the finish line reminding you did finish b/c you are too disoriented to realize it.
18. Talking about HR zones at 3am after a night out with friends with a buzz.
19. Your bicycle becomes part of the living décor
20. Where else can someone ripping off your clothes in public be considered a benefit? (Wetsuit stripper)
21. To prove with hard work anything is POSSIBLE.
22. when people ask how many days it will take you answer “ONE”
23. Hearing the National Anthem before the swim start gives you chills.
24. Being in the right place at the right time to meet a few of the Pros.
25. While on the bike leg you are playing with one of your favorite toys and justifying all the money you spent on it.
26. Peeing your pants on the bike or the run is not frowned upon but expected.
27. It’s not just a hobby but a passion.
28. the huge crowds cheering you at La Grange both times you pass through (Ironman Louisville)
29. showing off your compression and people know what your wearing
30. The funny looks you get the week after when you’re still wearing your compression for recovery.
31. For all the 4:45am mornings when you wanted to stay curled up under the covers.
32. chicken broth and coke really are the ultimate power cocktail
33. making new friends on the run course to keep you mind off the pain you are feeling
34. the wristband that somehow becomes your favorite fashion accessory
35. because you feel like a super hero in your tri kit
36. You like the repetitive behavior . . . pedal, pedal, pedal for 112 miles only to end where you started.
37. Seeing mile 100 on the bike a feeling comes over you know one else can understand unless they have done an Ironman.
38. The fashionable tan lines you get from your tri shorts and tri top.
39. to find out who you really are
40. Being able to eat salt tabs like candy, especially on the run course.
41. Even when everything is hurting, you can still run!
42. High Fives from people you don’t even know.
43. you get to tread water with 2,000 other people
44. Triathlons make you smarter!
45. You get an awesome feeling of freedom going stupid fast on your bike.
46. Looking at your watch and seeing you are 9hr into the race and someone is already finishing.
47. Knowing that when you wake up at 4am race day, the next time you go to bed you will be a VERY different person.
48. The longer you are on the course the less per hour it costs.
49. You get to prove to your math teacher you really did pay attention, formulating your nutrition and caloric needs for race day.
50. You finally get to use what you learned in math class.
51. Because your parents tried to talk you out of it.
52. Being there is ten times better than watching or hearing about it
53. to fulfill a dream
54. Boot camp and cross fit just weren’t challenging enough.
55. You can talk about chafing or saddle rash at the dinner table and not find anything wrong with it.
56. Your friends and family sitting on the edges of their seats while tracking you live on the web
57. Because you got a C in high school chemistry but can now teach a class on lactic acid.
58. endless amounts of energy you didn’t know you had
59. people think your perfume smells like chlorine
60. Your friends still love you even with you lack of a social life.
61. There are the same amounts of cheers for last place as there are for first place.
62. walking to the swim start facing your fears
63. Watching people pass you on the bike and seeing them again later as you pass them on the run.
64. You get to be cranky, irritable and impossible to be around come race week and not catch slack for it.
65. A sprint distances was the beginning, half ironman was testing the waters but not enough.
66. Because everyone knows your training and you can’t stop now.
67. your co-workers think you’re nuts
68. you brother thinks you’re nuts
69. You Know you are nuts!
70. For everyone who ever asked you “why?”
71. for the ones the believed you can
72. …and the ones that didn’t
73. Building confidence in yourself
74. inspirational messages of chalk written on the road
75. Finishing your last hard workout knowing “I’m SO ready”.
76. The sponge is a fashion statement
77. Because marathons were not long enough
78. Because ultra marathons were not long enough
79. Glow sticks on the run after dark
80. The 12-step program to make me stop hasn’t been invented yet.
81. Because Winston Churchill said “Never give up. Never, never, give up!”
82. To say “I am an Ironman”
83. Being in the middle of your doubts at one point in the race – finding a new meaning of being scared.
84. Finding out that you’re stronger than those doubts you had a few miles earlier.
85. Seeing people on the side of the bike course and saying “it’s a long day – hand in there” and seeing them smile for a moment.
86. Ford inspirational mile billboard with you name in lights!
87. The feeling of ice cubes in your hat or down your tri top on a hot run never getting too cold.
88. Your gear being organized in bags and not scattered around your bike.
89. The thousands of volunteers that make it possible.
90. learning the power of determination and commitment
91. Finding a new level of patience.
92. Because people said you were a fighter.
93. The IV’s feel so good after the race
94. To Try and finish before midnight
95. Hearing people yell “you’re almost there” all day long.
96. Weekend plans are made around your training schedule rather than your training schedule made around your plans and it being okay.
97. an excuse to be bipolar on your LONG training days
98. That moment you KNOW you are going to finish for the first time all day.
99. Being nearly almost there – for real!
100. The first time you think “Holy crap – I’m doing an ironman!”
101. Thinking you are crazy for doing this when you see a 20hr week of training.
102. Being able to neglect chores around the house because you had a 6 and half hour bike ride and are tired.
103. Indulging on dessert b/c you earned that extra scoop of ice cream or second slice of cake.
104. Sharing a smile with people wearing the finishers T-shirt the next day.
105. Running down Fourth Street Live (IM Louisville)
106. Someday running down Ali Drive (IM Hawaii)
107. Because you’re a fighter
108. The Bragging rights.
109. A level of excitement you have never felt before b/c nerves are mixed in.
110. It’s not a race because you have all day!
111. You get to explore the city you live in b/c you have a 6hr bike ride!
112. Ice baths have never felt so good!
113. It’s never too late to shoot for the starts – regardless of who you are.
114. Learning the anatomy of your own body.
115. You persevere when everything, including your insides, hurt.
116. You build character.
117. Smiling for the photographers on the course regardless of how you feel.
118. Not knowing how to stop after you finish b/c you have been going all day long.
119. The energizer bunny’s theme becomes your own “and they keep going, and going and going. . .”)
120. Watching the sun rise as you start your swim and seeing the sun set as you finish the race.
121. Having the energy to still dance to the music on the run course even though every muscle in your body is achy.
122. You know it’s not easy.
123. Lots of “pace booty”
124. You are an inspiration to others.
125. For the love of Ben Jerry’s Ice Cream!
126. Who needs a list of New Year’s resolutions when you are training to do 140.6 miles in one day?
127. Watching the race being built a few days before.
128. Makes everything else seem so short.
129. To try and finish before midnight.
130. To see if it really feels as good to do as it does to dream it.
131. Seeing mile 25 on the run!
132. THE FINISH LINE
133. The first step after your cross the line, all the pain goes away for a split second and you think “Oh, My . . . God . . . !”
134. Hearing Mike Reilly say “Chad Perkins, YOU! are an Ironman!”
135. Getting the M-Dot tattoo
136. The 140.6 sticker for your car.
137. The Medal!
138. The finisher Hat and Shirt
139. After realizing you really finished, your first thought be “I think I looked down for my finisher photo!”
140. Because I say I can!
140.6. The feeling of accomplishment!

Longest run left :45
Longest bike left 1:40

Holy cow, it's that time, isn't it.

runNBD - I'm with you, I plan on having *multiple* bottles of Guinness post race

My bike...position is slightly different and I'll have blue tiress as I should be getting my Pro 3 lights tomorrow...may be worth about 3 minutes.

Edited by KathyG 2011-10-24 11:15 AM

Where are the fins

trying again





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Good luck everyone!! Below is swim start from '09.  I remember being overwhelmed by what 3000 racers + family and friends looks like all on the beach. 





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