Post by robreddy on Aug 19, 2011 13:16:15 GMT -5
It will take me a couple months to write all this up - be here is installment #1 of my trip to - 10 IMs......
Well IM Lake Placid a few weeks ago marked my 10th IM since Aug 2004 – now I realize that lots of people have done far more than 10 IMs, but still 10 is a nice number to reflect back on and ultimately look forward from.
As I think about ‘looking back’ there are two major areas to consider – first is simply to look at each individual race and second to consider what I have learned over the course of these years in preparing for and living the IM life style.
This post is about the individual races. Each is a unique and interesting experience in and of them selves. Of course the venues are all different, some I love and some not so much. I’ve done IM races absolutely alone while others were done with large groups of friends. And without a doubt each of my IM races have had some memorable (good and less so) moments. Here goes the list…….
IM Canada Aug 2004
The Venue – Penticton, BC is a L-O-N-G way from Cleveland but absolutely awesome. Completely beautiful as the town basically sits between two good-sized lake and within a huge mountain range. The people of Penticton are the BEST IM fans BY FAR. I know people love the fans in Placid, and they are great. But the fans there are mainly the people coming TO Placid to watch the race. The difference in Penticton is that not only do you have the fans that are there with their IM competitor, but also all the towns’ people are excited for the race. Case in point – I did a home stay there with a Russian immigrant family who had been in Penticton for about 15 years. These folks had nothing at all to do with triathlon. But the entire family came out on the run course to find me and give encouragement. They knew my swim and bike splits from earlier in the morning. After the race they stayed up late to make sure I had food to eat and then drove me back down to the race to watch the final hour and fireworks. This is how ‘into’ the race the entire town is. The other thing is this is a very international race. More competitors from all around the world participating than any of the other North American IMs. Finally about the venue – IMC is the oldest running IM in North America – more than twice the age of Placid – and there is a history and tradition to the race that none of the other IMs have – the parade of nations on Friday night alone is worth the trip, not to mention the TdF like crowds through town and up both the long (12k and 9k) climbs.
The Course – Again the best of all IMs. I loved this course – one loop swim in a crystal clear, cool lake. Perfectly set up transition with volunteer that REALLY know what they are doing (most all volunteers are prior IMC competitors). One loop bike – fairly easy first 40K, then a HUGE climb, series of 7 rollers that would be more like big climbs here in Cleve, another big Rocky Mountainesque climb up to Yellow Lake, and then a screaming fast descent and flattish ride into town over the last 10k or so. The run is challenging but not crazy – bout 12k false flat down across town and then another 10+k of rollers that get bigger and bigger with each passing k. Make a turn and run the same thing in reverse. About 24k is run along a lake and it’s a HUGE party as people come out and make a day of it on their lawns. Cooking, kegs and lots of cheering. The only thing that KILLS you on this run is that with about 1.5 miles to go you run within 100 feet of the finish line then make a hard left and do an out an back – hearing the ‘voice of IMC’ Mr. King announcing peoples finish and knowing you still gotta go another couple miles hurts ;] Can you tell I LOVE this course and race!!
My Day and Memories – As a first IMs go I had a great day. No major issues and based on what I knew at that time I executed pretty well. In terms of memories there were a few……
I did the race all alone, not even sure there was another person from the greater Cleve area there. But the family I stayed with was great (the son was an engineering college student – he built up and packed my bike – it was like having my own mechanic, the daughter helped me with the internet and the mother cook FAR too much food all week) and two other athletes from Victoria, BC stayed with us. It was great meeting new people from very different backgrounds. I mentioned the family finding me on the racecourse and that was touching.
My brother was to go to the race with me but he bailed last minute. He did tell me a friend of his would be in the area and she would find me during the race – I had met Marnie once several years before but really did not know her. Besides the crowds at IMC are HUGE. I figured there was no way I’d ever see her. Well I’m at about mile 22 of the run and have totally forgotten about possibly seeing Marnie. I’m actually a bit lonely, as I have not seen a failure face in more than a week. All of a sudden I hear some girl yelling Rob, Rob and runs out into the street and give me a huge hug. I can’t believe Marnie found me let along recognized me. It was a gigantic pick me up. She trotted with me for a while and took a couple great pics. I can’t tell you what a boost that was!
Final memory was driving – I flew into Seattle and drove the 8 hours to Penticton. Going up I knew I’d have to cross the boarder and was a bit concerned that if the crossing guard check my bags how in the world would I explain the two large zip lock bags of white powder (Carbo Pro) cuz it totally looks like coke! Of course the guard did check the car and pulled out the bags. Fortunately he bought the triathlete with nutrition story but it was a bit tense. Driving home was a cruel punishment – my 8 hour drive turned into 10 cuz I was so sore the next day. At one point I was driving through the mountains and came around a corner – I swear I saw about a 6 foot black bear standing in the middle of the road. I slowed and he lumbered off, jumping the guardrail and headed down the mountain – really I swear I saw a bear.
Final Thoughts – without a doubt IMC is my favorite IM – its worth the effort and cost to go out to Penticton. I can’t wait to do it again.
IM Arizona April 2005
The Venue – IMAZ is a fairly urban event. The main set up is at Tempe Town Lake/Park – the lake is really more like a river however. Overall everything is nice, but I can’t say that there is much of a town buy into the event. Now I did do IMAZ during the inaugural year – so potentially things have changed, but still this race does not have the “IM vibe” that you get at other IMs.
The Course - The swim is one loop and the water quality is poor. Nothing special about the swim. The bike (the year I did the race – I know it has changed some recently) was four loops and basically flat. No major climbs at all, but there were long stretches of false flats to 1%+ grades. Overall I thought the bike to be a fast, easy course. The biggest issue is WIND on the bike!! I did the race when it was still in very early April – and that is wind time in AZ – this can make the bike far more difficult – but then you also get the benefit of fast speeds when the wind is to your back. The run was two loops and fairly flat. I recall one or two longer hills, but again the grades were pretty minimal. You do run a portion on very nice gravel path (think pea sized stones), which was great. Overall it is a fair course but nothing very hard. Scenery is fine and definitely different than OH as you are racing in the desert.
My Day and Memories – Really it all started about three days before the race. My parents live part of the year in Surprise AZ, bout an hour north of Tempe. So I took my kids out with me for the race. Why, I have no idea at all – but on Thursday before the race I went to play tennis with my daughters. Short of it – I ended up stepping on a ball and broke the 4th and 5th metatarsal on my foot. By Friday my foot was swelled up huge and completely black. I never went to the hospital cuz I knew what would be said. So I just left my foot in a bucket of ice for about 90 hours. I figured at worst I could swim and bike – then do what ever I could on the run. I could barely get my foot in my bike cleat, but with the Velcro closure it gave me a ton of room. Off the bike I wrapped my foot as tight as I could and some how got it into my sneaker. Off to jog – by about mile 8 my foot hurt a ton. So I just took the wrap off and figured at least finish the fits loop. Some how I got through both loops and to IM finish #2 – The biggest thing I learned that week was that you never know what will happen in IM – and some times when you get thrown a bad break you better know how to adjust your goals and expectations because in the end the most satisfying thing in IM racing is FINNISHING an IM.
Couple other memories from this race - Unlike IMC where I had no one there, at IMAZ my parents and brother were there. Well they were sorta there. My mom and dad came to the swim start, stayed for 10 minutes after the cannon went off. Then went home. They said it was too dull to stick around and they had better things to do. This coming from two people who basically spend their entire day sitting around the house watching the news. A ‘Big Time’ is going to sit around at the movies. I found the comment about IM being dull comical ;]
And my brother – he did stay around for the entire race. And in true Durnoesque style got completely plowed. With 4 loops on the bike I had the chance to watch him get more and more drunk. By the time I came into the finish he was actually passed out (he claims just napping) on a median strip in downtown Tempe. It was awesome!
And finally – I did get him back. After the race I was in really bad shape cuz of the foot. It was a very different type of pain than after a typical IM – within about 30 minutes of stopping I was probably in close to shock. I ended up laying down on the ground while my brother got my bike and the car. When he came back I was just laying there shaking like I was having a seizure. He totally freaked – all I wanted to do was get in the car and blast the heat – I did and he said the entire hour ride home I was in and out of it, mumbling all sorts of crazy stuff.
Final Thoughts – I enjoyed IMAZ but I’m not sure I would ever go back. The race then was the first weekend in April and that is WAY to early for someone coming from Cleve. I had 2 outside rides (1 of 30 miles and 1 of 55 miles just a week before the race). It had nothing to do with the cold; there is just no way to pull 3-5 Epic Fridays in Feb and March. The only time I would ever do an IM before June 1 was if it was for an international IM, and simply enjoying the experience of that. I know the race is now in Nov. but again I would not want to do the long bike training necessary in late Oct. here in Cleve – just not for me. Also while the venue is nice, there is nothing special about it to me. The course is pretty easy and not all that exciting. The town really has no buy in to the race.
But as an experience, IMAZ may be the IM I’m most proud of for finishing and being happy with that finish. Overcoming not just the challenge of an IM but doing it with adjusted goals/aspirations taught me a lot – and that I value hugely to this day.
Well IM Lake Placid a few weeks ago marked my 10th IM since Aug 2004 – now I realize that lots of people have done far more than 10 IMs, but still 10 is a nice number to reflect back on and ultimately look forward from.
As I think about ‘looking back’ there are two major areas to consider – first is simply to look at each individual race and second to consider what I have learned over the course of these years in preparing for and living the IM life style.
This post is about the individual races. Each is a unique and interesting experience in and of them selves. Of course the venues are all different, some I love and some not so much. I’ve done IM races absolutely alone while others were done with large groups of friends. And without a doubt each of my IM races have had some memorable (good and less so) moments. Here goes the list…….
IM Canada Aug 2004
The Venue – Penticton, BC is a L-O-N-G way from Cleveland but absolutely awesome. Completely beautiful as the town basically sits between two good-sized lake and within a huge mountain range. The people of Penticton are the BEST IM fans BY FAR. I know people love the fans in Placid, and they are great. But the fans there are mainly the people coming TO Placid to watch the race. The difference in Penticton is that not only do you have the fans that are there with their IM competitor, but also all the towns’ people are excited for the race. Case in point – I did a home stay there with a Russian immigrant family who had been in Penticton for about 15 years. These folks had nothing at all to do with triathlon. But the entire family came out on the run course to find me and give encouragement. They knew my swim and bike splits from earlier in the morning. After the race they stayed up late to make sure I had food to eat and then drove me back down to the race to watch the final hour and fireworks. This is how ‘into’ the race the entire town is. The other thing is this is a very international race. More competitors from all around the world participating than any of the other North American IMs. Finally about the venue – IMC is the oldest running IM in North America – more than twice the age of Placid – and there is a history and tradition to the race that none of the other IMs have – the parade of nations on Friday night alone is worth the trip, not to mention the TdF like crowds through town and up both the long (12k and 9k) climbs.
The Course – Again the best of all IMs. I loved this course – one loop swim in a crystal clear, cool lake. Perfectly set up transition with volunteer that REALLY know what they are doing (most all volunteers are prior IMC competitors). One loop bike – fairly easy first 40K, then a HUGE climb, series of 7 rollers that would be more like big climbs here in Cleve, another big Rocky Mountainesque climb up to Yellow Lake, and then a screaming fast descent and flattish ride into town over the last 10k or so. The run is challenging but not crazy – bout 12k false flat down across town and then another 10+k of rollers that get bigger and bigger with each passing k. Make a turn and run the same thing in reverse. About 24k is run along a lake and it’s a HUGE party as people come out and make a day of it on their lawns. Cooking, kegs and lots of cheering. The only thing that KILLS you on this run is that with about 1.5 miles to go you run within 100 feet of the finish line then make a hard left and do an out an back – hearing the ‘voice of IMC’ Mr. King announcing peoples finish and knowing you still gotta go another couple miles hurts ;] Can you tell I LOVE this course and race!!
My Day and Memories – As a first IMs go I had a great day. No major issues and based on what I knew at that time I executed pretty well. In terms of memories there were a few……
I did the race all alone, not even sure there was another person from the greater Cleve area there. But the family I stayed with was great (the son was an engineering college student – he built up and packed my bike – it was like having my own mechanic, the daughter helped me with the internet and the mother cook FAR too much food all week) and two other athletes from Victoria, BC stayed with us. It was great meeting new people from very different backgrounds. I mentioned the family finding me on the racecourse and that was touching.
My brother was to go to the race with me but he bailed last minute. He did tell me a friend of his would be in the area and she would find me during the race – I had met Marnie once several years before but really did not know her. Besides the crowds at IMC are HUGE. I figured there was no way I’d ever see her. Well I’m at about mile 22 of the run and have totally forgotten about possibly seeing Marnie. I’m actually a bit lonely, as I have not seen a failure face in more than a week. All of a sudden I hear some girl yelling Rob, Rob and runs out into the street and give me a huge hug. I can’t believe Marnie found me let along recognized me. It was a gigantic pick me up. She trotted with me for a while and took a couple great pics. I can’t tell you what a boost that was!
Final memory was driving – I flew into Seattle and drove the 8 hours to Penticton. Going up I knew I’d have to cross the boarder and was a bit concerned that if the crossing guard check my bags how in the world would I explain the two large zip lock bags of white powder (Carbo Pro) cuz it totally looks like coke! Of course the guard did check the car and pulled out the bags. Fortunately he bought the triathlete with nutrition story but it was a bit tense. Driving home was a cruel punishment – my 8 hour drive turned into 10 cuz I was so sore the next day. At one point I was driving through the mountains and came around a corner – I swear I saw about a 6 foot black bear standing in the middle of the road. I slowed and he lumbered off, jumping the guardrail and headed down the mountain – really I swear I saw a bear.
Final Thoughts – without a doubt IMC is my favorite IM – its worth the effort and cost to go out to Penticton. I can’t wait to do it again.
IM Arizona April 2005
The Venue – IMAZ is a fairly urban event. The main set up is at Tempe Town Lake/Park – the lake is really more like a river however. Overall everything is nice, but I can’t say that there is much of a town buy into the event. Now I did do IMAZ during the inaugural year – so potentially things have changed, but still this race does not have the “IM vibe” that you get at other IMs.
The Course - The swim is one loop and the water quality is poor. Nothing special about the swim. The bike (the year I did the race – I know it has changed some recently) was four loops and basically flat. No major climbs at all, but there were long stretches of false flats to 1%+ grades. Overall I thought the bike to be a fast, easy course. The biggest issue is WIND on the bike!! I did the race when it was still in very early April – and that is wind time in AZ – this can make the bike far more difficult – but then you also get the benefit of fast speeds when the wind is to your back. The run was two loops and fairly flat. I recall one or two longer hills, but again the grades were pretty minimal. You do run a portion on very nice gravel path (think pea sized stones), which was great. Overall it is a fair course but nothing very hard. Scenery is fine and definitely different than OH as you are racing in the desert.
My Day and Memories – Really it all started about three days before the race. My parents live part of the year in Surprise AZ, bout an hour north of Tempe. So I took my kids out with me for the race. Why, I have no idea at all – but on Thursday before the race I went to play tennis with my daughters. Short of it – I ended up stepping on a ball and broke the 4th and 5th metatarsal on my foot. By Friday my foot was swelled up huge and completely black. I never went to the hospital cuz I knew what would be said. So I just left my foot in a bucket of ice for about 90 hours. I figured at worst I could swim and bike – then do what ever I could on the run. I could barely get my foot in my bike cleat, but with the Velcro closure it gave me a ton of room. Off the bike I wrapped my foot as tight as I could and some how got it into my sneaker. Off to jog – by about mile 8 my foot hurt a ton. So I just took the wrap off and figured at least finish the fits loop. Some how I got through both loops and to IM finish #2 – The biggest thing I learned that week was that you never know what will happen in IM – and some times when you get thrown a bad break you better know how to adjust your goals and expectations because in the end the most satisfying thing in IM racing is FINNISHING an IM.
Couple other memories from this race - Unlike IMC where I had no one there, at IMAZ my parents and brother were there. Well they were sorta there. My mom and dad came to the swim start, stayed for 10 minutes after the cannon went off. Then went home. They said it was too dull to stick around and they had better things to do. This coming from two people who basically spend their entire day sitting around the house watching the news. A ‘Big Time’ is going to sit around at the movies. I found the comment about IM being dull comical ;]
And my brother – he did stay around for the entire race. And in true Durnoesque style got completely plowed. With 4 loops on the bike I had the chance to watch him get more and more drunk. By the time I came into the finish he was actually passed out (he claims just napping) on a median strip in downtown Tempe. It was awesome!
And finally – I did get him back. After the race I was in really bad shape cuz of the foot. It was a very different type of pain than after a typical IM – within about 30 minutes of stopping I was probably in close to shock. I ended up laying down on the ground while my brother got my bike and the car. When he came back I was just laying there shaking like I was having a seizure. He totally freaked – all I wanted to do was get in the car and blast the heat – I did and he said the entire hour ride home I was in and out of it, mumbling all sorts of crazy stuff.
Final Thoughts – I enjoyed IMAZ but I’m not sure I would ever go back. The race then was the first weekend in April and that is WAY to early for someone coming from Cleve. I had 2 outside rides (1 of 30 miles and 1 of 55 miles just a week before the race). It had nothing to do with the cold; there is just no way to pull 3-5 Epic Fridays in Feb and March. The only time I would ever do an IM before June 1 was if it was for an international IM, and simply enjoying the experience of that. I know the race is now in Nov. but again I would not want to do the long bike training necessary in late Oct. here in Cleve – just not for me. Also while the venue is nice, there is nothing special about it to me. The course is pretty easy and not all that exciting. The town really has no buy in to the race.
But as an experience, IMAZ may be the IM I’m most proud of for finishing and being happy with that finish. Overcoming not just the challenge of an IM but doing it with adjusted goals/aspirations taught me a lot – and that I value hugely to this day.
