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Post by JenCollister on Jul 21, 2008 8:52:01 GMT -5
Everyone did awesome in tough conditions! I'm very proud of all of you! Tough day to be a spectator too, but at least we could come back to the cottage to dry out our clothes (3 times total - shoes are still wet).
Saw Tony, Linda, Joe and Sam finish. Smiles all around!
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Post by ryanchittester on Jul 21, 2008 20:15:40 GMT -5
Awesome job to everyone racing in LP....tough conditions! It's great to read back through the updates, and nice to see so many following the race...the CTC support is great! Durno, you were betting against me? !!! I'm guessing it was the 12 hour mark? Race report still to come (maybe tomorrow)
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Post by ryanchittester on Jul 21, 2008 20:21:14 GMT -5
Oh, can't forget the CTC support in LP too.... great job cheering on everyone and sticking it out through the constant downpour! It's a huge boost to hear people yelling CTC through out the race!
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Post by MarkD on Jul 21, 2008 20:29:40 GMT -5
Dude, I was the only one betting ON you. A bunch of us made time predictions on your race. I chose 11:58 and was the lowest time - if you wouldn't have blown up at the end, I may have hit it right on the knuckles. Anyhow - I think Reddy was the next closest - I won't call out the rest of them with their lame-asss predictions...
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Post by ryanchittester on Jul 22, 2008 5:49:55 GMT -5
Haha, thanks for the confidence in me! And here I thought I had the majority on my side Bryce, you were flying out there on the run! just saw your time.... 10:48 !!! AWESOME job!
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Post by Aussie Rob on Jul 22, 2008 8:36:27 GMT -5
I'll say it, i bet against you and once again you proved me wrong. Im done betting against you mate; it's stunning to see how much faster you've gotten since winter.
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Post by robreddy on Jul 22, 2008 8:51:57 GMT -5
hey ryan - again congrats
hope you did not take the bets the wrong way - dont think any were for or against you - we were just having fun and ALL very supportive of your (and all CTC members) races at LP
It is fun to try to predice what will happen on IM race day - it is soo tough an event things can go fantastic or horrible - not due to the preparation fault of the participant but because the IM Gods are VERY CRULE, having NO problem striking down Pros and AGs alike - the super fast FOPers and the back end MOPers can have good or bad days
More than Anything - CONGRATS again - to all who crossed the finish line regardless of time or place - that is the real victory in IM having the announcer say yuor name as you run under the finish banner
r
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Post by Aussie Rob on Jul 22, 2008 8:59:05 GMT -5
That's a good point, we weren't betting against you.....we were just trying to predict times.
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Post by Deirdre on Jul 22, 2008 9:23:30 GMT -5
It says something that all our Cleveland folks finished in tough conditions . . . . 17 pros bagged it.
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Post by ryanchittester on Jul 22, 2008 12:00:57 GMT -5
Yeah, I was kidding about the "betting against" part. It is fun to try and predict times while still understanding all that can happen in a race like that.
I really appreciated all of the texts before and after the race from everyone! The CTC support is great!
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Post by Jack Carney on Jul 22, 2008 12:40:59 GMT -5
Super job to everyone. Some very nice times in nasty conditions. Congrats.
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Post by Aussie Rob on Jul 22, 2008 15:36:17 GMT -5
Speaking of Bryce. Dude, is that fast enough to qualify for Kona? I heard estimates of 10 hours for our age group....you gotta be close no?
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Post by benmiralia on Jul 22, 2008 20:50:52 GMT -5
In spite of the weather I had a ball. I was about 20 seconds apart on my bike splits and felt good going into the run (I said good, not fast). Hooked up with a girl named Jen and we ran the first 14 together. She was diagnosed with cancer 6 years ago and her doc told her it is incurable. She became a vegan and started running and looking into all kinds of alternative medicine. She is in remission, but they still tell her it will kill her eventually so this was her "spitting in the face of cancer" moment. After 14 miles she couldn't run anymore so I stuck back and dragged her to the finish. A couple of times she just stopped and gave up, but I convinced her to keep moving. I knew it was going to be close. At the finish her family and boyfriend were there. She was crying, they were crying, I was crying. It was unbelievable. It was one of the best moments of my life. From a 26 year old with a death sentence to finishing an Ironman. 16 hours and 41 minutes never felt so good.
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Post by Aussie Rob on Jul 22, 2008 21:47:46 GMT -5
That right there is just plain outstanding. Awesome.
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Post by jodi on Jul 23, 2008 6:30:34 GMT -5
Congrats to everyone who raced on Sunday. What a tough day! I had a blast out there and it was great to see the red menace out in force. I hope everyone has dried out and warmed up by now!
:-)
Jodi
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Post by robreddy on Jul 23, 2008 8:27:35 GMT -5
hey ben
first off congrats - another IM in the books, way to go man!!!
I hope you will share more about your encounter (and of course race) - because what you describe is EXACTLY what IM is often times all about. Not just the individuals drive and spirit to acheive BUT ALSO fellow competitors selfless willingness to give and help other IM peeps - I've seen this sooo many times, have been the receipant of such good fortune and I can only hope return that fortune to others when ever the opportunity arises.
Andrew and I used to talk about "Paying It Forward" in IM - particularly when a person becomes an "IM Vet" - in some respects i believe this has become a very quiet, untalked about part of the sport for many of us. Without a doubt Ben you display that character, generosity and humanity. And I will venture to guess that even if LP 08 was not your fastest IM it probably has become your most rewarding.
Huge Ben simply Huge
r
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Post by sarazim on Jul 23, 2008 11:51:32 GMT -5
Ben, what a wonderful story! How amazing that you got to be a part of that moment.
Congratulations to all the finishers!
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Cat
Olympic Member
IMFL 2007
Posts: 90
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Post by Cat on Jul 23, 2008 11:56:28 GMT -5
Wow Ben!!! What a story!!! You will be able to draw on that IM experience for a long time to come!!! People come into our lives for so many reasons-amazing who we cross paths with... Thanks so much for sharing... I can only imagine what that finish line must have been like...
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Post by Charlie on Jul 23, 2008 14:37:37 GMT -5
Ben, That is a great story. Your smile at the finish was testament to your experience. I hope she never gives up. Congrats
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Post by MattCollister on Jul 23, 2008 18:57:56 GMT -5
Ben, Congrats on your finish. That's a terrific story. In spite of the day-long rain, there was a lot of good vibe in the air.
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Post by erinj on Jul 25, 2008 21:12:11 GMT -5
ben that is so inspiring...thanks for sharing and thanks for supporting her...that is why i love the triathlon...
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