I'm not an Ironman (IMAZ=DNF) (Page 3)

You did the hardest part of all.  You signed up for and trained for an IronMan; and then you gave it your all on the course.  That is something that 99% of the population couldn't imagine doing.  You may not have earned the moniker of Ironman (YET!), but it kinda sounds like you are one to me. 

Elaine - you've got nothing to be embarrassed about.  You did awesome, they had to literally throw you off the course.  You didn't quit.

I was riding a particularly long hill Saturday, and a stupid saying came into my head, "that which is most painful is most memorable."  You experienced something most people in the world will never get the chance to do.  No doubt you will finish an IM someday, but you will never forget yesterday, or what you learned about yourself.

That you didn't finish an IM doesn't change who or what you are (which is awesome )  

Chris

You did not get to an Ironman race by accident. You have already proven that you have the dedication and strength to make it there. This will make finishing your next one that much sweeter.

Those winds were brutal. I wish that I could have been there to watch the last 1.5 hours of your bike. It sounds like it was an epic battle of sweat and pain and screaming and heat and wind. Think of how few people have ever been able to experience something so big.

"Far better is it to dare mighty things, to win glorious triumphs, even checkered by failures, than to take rank with those poor spirits who neither enjoy much nor suffer much, because they live in the gray twilight that knows not victory nor defeat" - Teddy Roosevelt

Elaine,

I am awed by the effort and courage you displayed yesterday.  Pedaling through those conditions for 112 miles is unbelievable.  They had to pull you off the course--you exemplify the spirit of an Ironman!

You trained for and competed in an Ironman.  That in itself gives you bragging rights!

Thanks everyone! Only fellow triathletes can really understand.

Well, I did a race report anyways. I figured it would be good to capture everything right now how I'm feeling it and while it's fresh in my mind. This way, I can read the report again anytime I'm feeling like I need more motivation.

And I just registered for next year's IMAZ. It might sell out, and while I'm mentally not ready, I figured it's best to guarantee myself and entry and another chance to become and Ironman. Let the training begin! (Well...after this month. I need a little time off. )

Wow.  Elaine, you rock.  I was following you online yesterday and my stomach just dropped when it looked like you were MIA.  I too, am really glad to hear that you are still in one peice!!  I'm not sure I would have been mentally tough enough to get through half of what you just did, so cut yourself a little slack.    Its got to just suck to not end up where you thought you'd be at the end of the day, but you will get there!!!  I can't wait to read your next race report. 

Congrats on all your training and getting through the first 2/3 of an Ironman- that's incredible!!

Elaine, congrats on signing up for next year! It can't be any worse than this year, that's for sure! I am so sorry for what happened to you. I was so demoralized after the first lap of the bike. I totally wanted to quit. It was such a hard day.

I can't wait to see you finish next year. 

I am looking forward to jumping over and reading your race report.  Your day was full of courage and heart.

I was wondering what all you would change and what you believe you will do to better prepare?  (I want to learn lessons through your experience)

And way to sign up for next years! 

Elaine,

Sarah Reinertson didn't make her first bike cutoff either.  The way I see it, you just have some unfinished business....

Way to bust your ...with that mentality you WILL become an Ironman.  It just wasn't your day.

You know what's kind of funny...crying over NOT being able to do a marathon after swimming 2.4 miles and biking 112. That's probably why people call triathletes crazy.

There's a 65 year old woman in my tri club that has done 5 Ironmans, including 2 Konas. She told me her first one was IMCDA in '01 and she missed the bike cutoff by 3 minutes. She did IMNZ in '04 and missed the midnight cuttoff by 2 minutes. They sent her a certificate in the mail with her swim time, bike time, and a huge DNF for the run and finish time. She said she threw it in the trash, but now she wishes she would have kept it as that fueled her to keep going. If this lady can do it, then I can too!

Good for you signing up to do it agian next year!!

You've still done 114.4 miles of IM more than me!

The weather is the one thing that years of training can do nothing about.

Last year at CDA when the temps hit 100^o+ one of my training buddies who had completed 3 IMs, who was 18th over out of the water, and who did a 5:40 on the bike cramped up from the heat and resulting electrolyte imbalance during the 1st lap of the run.

It's unfortunate that such things can bring down the best of us, but those little (and big) humble moments can show us our true character. I see that you're signed up for next year. That's the character of an Ironman.