REV 3 Ironman weekend lets hear it

[watchman]

As I am writning some of you are going through misery and pain and may be loving every minute of it.

lets hear some stories.

Even though I did mine yesterday I will share.

I have a whole new respect for all of you who have done Half IM and Ironman races. I used to look down on someone who said they wanted to just finish. Now I understand.

It was 59 degrees in water. Bad wind huge waves. Miserable. My feet were numb out of water. Not a good swim. I let the swim drop the last couple of months. 8th out of 14 in my age on swim.
Bike I was expecting 20 mph average. I did that until last 12 miles with huge headwind. dropped down to 19 mph overall. I was 6th out of 14 on bike.

The run was disappointment. Hip flexors were totaly cramping . The frist 4 miles I could not extend stride. Then bottom of feet felt like someone hitting with a hammer then shoulder from the weight of arms swinging. My goal was 8 minute pace ended up 10 minutes pace. It was not a cardio issue. My heart rate did not go above 144. My legs just would not move becuase of hip floxor pain and bottom of feet.

Overall I was 7 th out of 14. 75th out of 173 overall. I hope I did not embarrass the CTC .

I was humbled once again by doing less than expected. My plan was Ironman next year. I am not sure I am ready.

Overall time 5 hours 47 minutes.

The good news I see area to imporove.

Hitting the swim again like I did previous 2 years. More bricks . I can run but of the bike sluggish. As for the feet I think I need new bike shoes and my running shoes are a year old.

I have never felt worse in my life than on the 5 hour drive home but I want to do it again.

Now off to volunteerr at finishline at the REV 3. I hope I see some of you crossing the finish line.

P.S. My last my was a strong 7 miunte mile so at least that was good at finish.

BTW the Tawas Traithlon festival is a cool race, The town is really into it.

mike

[brooktrout48]

Embarrass CTC? No way. There were an awful lot of us sitting at home while you were "doing." Congratulations for being there; congratulations for perservering and congratulations for finishing!

[JMcAbier]

Watchman,

Regarding your statement about "embarassing the CTC":

Many of us triathletes fail to remember that we are accomplishing things that 99% of the population cannot even phathom. This easily happens as we begin to associate with like minded individuals (i.e. other active people become our friends, etc.)

Please do not forget that you are in the minority and even those who are mutliple time IM finishers still have the number one goal, at the end of the day, of getting to the finish line.

Any experienced athlete also knows that no one race or racer is comparable to the next.

IMO, it should always be about the journey.

Congrats on getting to the finish line!

[Eric]

Great finish Mike. Any time someone crosses the finish line it's a victory for CTC.

Awesome time none the less with the headwinds. We had winds at Rev as well.

[debbie]

Like Jay said... 99% of population cant even phathom nor would be bothered to attempt half of what we do. IT TAKES FAR MORE COURAGE TO GET TO THE STARTING LINE and more so for some then others. There are no failures in trying or should that be Tri - ing.

Don't forget to enjoy the process and journey... relax and don't be so hard on yourself. Each finish line is only the start of another one!

debbie

[watchman]

It is not so much as hard on myself. If I do my best the results are what they are. When I see things that are easily fixed that kept me from my best then I want to fix it.

I am actually very encouraged and I see some clear things that will help.

My strength seems to be the run yet I did the worse of the 3 on the run.

Pain in the feet can be fixed. When I realized that I never even came close to a hard effort it encouraged me when I thought of how would do without pain.

I already am working on the hip flexor stretches.

I am buying new bike shoes and run shoes.

Who is the best in city to get me in right shoes?

anyway thanks for encouuragement.

lets hear some other stories about Rev 3. it was cool to see many who finished. I was there from 8pm till it closed with my 13 year old daughter and my 9 yeard old son. They gave water , put medals on and we took the chip.

I am totally impressed with the new IM's. Next year is my plan for it. I can't wait.

mike

[jimdehner]

This weekend while volunteering at IM-Moo I was reminded how fortunate we all are as I saw a one-leg amputee and a blind athlete complete their IM - its not about the time - it is about everthing else

[JenCollister]

I love when people say they are so slow and then you ask them how they did and the response is "only 8 minute miles" or "only 5:47 in a first half-IM" attempt. Dude, got to get some perspective. There are many of us who would be dancing at the finish line for a sub-6 hour half-IM especially so on a first time half-IM. I was dancing at my 6:45 first time half-IM finish. I came in almost last, but never worried about embarrassing myself or the club. Mike, long distance races are all about persevering through the tough times that are handed to you and doing the best that you can that day. How many people can say that they raced for nearly 6 hours?! Plus, no matter what, you just set your PR and I'm sure you'll kill it next time!

I'm sure any of the local running stores can hook you up with a good set of shoes. Personally, I like Fleet Feet in Northfield or Second Sole in Rocky River.

[watchman]

The embarrassing the club comment is in the perspective that when I go somewhere like Michigan I want to represent Ohio, Cleveland and CTC in a good way.

I know it is more about personal performance and the whole improving every race .

I think my perspective might be unrealistic but I compare myself with guys likeyou and Matt, Durno, Reddy, Stern, Gorris, the Ausie, Janet E, Jen, Elizabeth H and others and I think I am lame.

I would rather do that and be humble than to compare with those I am faster than and be prideful.

I need the bar set far above me so in the end it is good.

Stonewall Jackson said he always wanted to be around people who were better than himself so that he would improve. No matter what area of Life.

There are amny here who have raised the bar for me. ( There are others I did not name, don't be offended if I left you out)

In every area of life I have found those who are the best then sought to learn from them.

thanks for encouragement. I was only discouraged until I found things that can be fixed.

Is a Cervelo p4c worth the $7000 ?

Just kidding. I know build the engine.

mike

[watchman]

The sore feet problem is fixed.

I went to Fleet feet. Jody said that you need new shoes every 300 to 400 miles. We added up and my last pair had over 1000 miles.

With all the details for a Half I completely overlooked this.

He put me in the pair with the most cushion in the forefoot since my heels rarely touch anymore.

I remember when my old pair was new at the turkey trot. It felt like I had springs in my shoes. It was so gradual but the spring is long gone.

Next up. Spin bike shop for some bike shoes with cushion instead of the pair that was already 5 years old on e-bay that I have had for 2 years.

Then I think a race wheel set. ( advice from the Aussie)

mike