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Post by BrianStern on Sept 15, 2008 12:07:08 GMT -5
Ninety degrees temps, humid, and sustained 20 mph winds with 30+ gusts made for an interesting Half Iron at Deer Creek. The swim started with some winds and rising temps which caused the wind chop to increase by the second lap. One of the turn buoys was blown away. As you exited the water and ran to T1 the temp had increased to about 90. Then on to the bike course that seemed to have wind from three sides. I had a hard time remaining in the areo position (white knuckle ride). I think I actually saw the wicked witch of the north fly by one of the corn fields (or I was really dehydrated). Then into T2 for a sunny run with wind increasing to take away your breath. You could not get enough fluid into your body as it seemed to instantly evaporate. I had to lean side ways to run into the windy portion of the course just to stay on my feet. When I hit the nine mile mark I felt totally drained and dropped my run speed to survival and stopped looking at my watch. All I could do was look down and count the remaining miles. I finished 4:48:33 (11 minutes slower then last year) Kevin Park rocked the race course with a 4:30:59 to win (2 minutes faster then last year).
This was by far the hardest race I have ever done and it tested all my mental and physical
abilities.
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Post by mgorris on Sept 15, 2008 13:30:19 GMT -5
Brian,
Awesome job out there yesterday. Sounds like you overcame some "wicked" conditions. BTW- enjoyed the Wicked Witch comment.
I was thinking you folks were in store for another rough day watching the Weather Channel early Sunday morning. What is it with the Toyota Challenge...06 wind,07 heat and 08 BOTH...holy sh#T. Think the tri gods are looking for some attonement due to the name change in 2006 from Pineman to Toyota Challenge?
Oh yeah, give me some of that "survival" on the run ;D Nice job nailing the fastest run split of the day. Congrats to Kevin as well. Looks like he really hammered the course.
Again, great job to the two of you, any word on Durno? I see he DNF'd, hope he is OK.
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Post by MarkD on Sept 15, 2008 16:00:59 GMT -5
Yeah, I'm OK, thanks Mark. I bonked again. Just like Mountaineer, I lost it on the bike. This time it was about mile 35. Last time it was somewhere around mile 28-30. I don't think the weather had anything to do with me - I'm simply not fit enough for long course yet. I won't bore you all with rationale, blah, blah, etc. The simple fact is: 3 HIMs, 3 bonks.
At Mountaineer, I had enough in me to tough it out on the run and finish. At this one, I felt like taking a nap on the bike, but my bad stomach kept me awake. I tried to tough it out on the run, but couldn't muster more than a jog. So I said f%*k this - if I can't run, I'm not racing, so I turned in my chip at the 6.55 mark (at the turnaround). Besides, I probably would have barfed if I kept going. Once I got my wits back I helped HFP hold down their easy-up tents then went out and cheered on the brave souls who braved the toughest conditions we've ever experienced.
Kevin and Brian were absolutely amazing - nice work elites !
Lou and Dave were inspiring 'cause they kept on goin - never quit - they were on the course during the worst of the wind - 50 MPH - and almost got blown off the dam !!
I'm done.
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