So, here was my big shot at Kona. Went 9.35 last year in IMAZ and missed by 35 secs (had broken seat post bolt that I lost quite few minutes), so it was redemption time.
Training was spot on and the Florida heat preparation was perfect for this race. in matter of fact, that is why I selected IMKY.
As mate of mine says, anything which has KY in it means its going to hurt.....
So day started as planned, swim was solid in 58.10 5th place. Funny thing in that the last 4 IM and 70.3 events, I was 5th after every swim.
Ran thru transition, waved at everyone and jumped on bike.
Feeling strong (got to love the taper), and plan was to target 210 watts on all flats. Hit 250w up hills and haul down them. I am a bulky 157 lbs so i was dialed in on the watts.
So pace was fast and few peeps were hammering. Decided to grab a big guys wheel (legally of course) and let him bring me up thru the ranks.
Plan was working perfect and was in 4th until mile 40, then front wheel feels spongy........ oh the feeling........
decided not to panic, I can change it quick. pull over in shade, 3 minutes and it was all done.
don't panic, don't panic, I can make it up.
Then another 10 miles and i feel the tire go spongy. Lucky for me, it was just near aid station. Had the bike tech use my tube to replace.
don't panic, don't panic, I can make it up.
I head off and getting composed and it happens again. front tire goes flat one more time.
3 flats and only 2 tubes. big problem is that i have deep dish wheel set so need 80mm tube w/ removeable valve for the extender.
I pull over in a shady spot and just wait for sag/help motor bike. well that wait took over 90 mins to finally get help. its one of those things that happen. i must have been asked by about 100 athletes if i needed help. even had 2 stop to make sure.
When the bike tech gets there, he replaces the rim tape as we could find no cause for the flats.
So I have now lost over 90 mins due to the issues. I take off my chip, put in my back pocket and decide to call in a day. Hop back on the bike and decide to soft pedal in it. But after 10 mins of riding, a thousand thoughts had been going thru my head. Things like how am i going to explain quitting to my kids, all that training wasted, how could I leave KY with no medal, Rutger Beke walking IM Kona marathon but wouldn't quit so not to disrepect all the athletes, these were just some of them. (but note, the chip in your back pocket does NOT work as you cross timing mats)
I snap out of it and decide that i didn't come all this way not to finish, especially since there were no medical issues.
I go back to my race plan of riding but with a twist. I was going to become a moving aid station. I stopped and helped a guy with flat, another one with cramps (note to self, don't give all your salt tablets away).
It really gave me an eye opening for different aspect of racing. People that are aiming for 15 hours put just as much effort that a 10 hour racer. If anything, the longer the race goes on, the harder it gets. Plus add in the fact that there was no water at any aid station from mile 56 to 106, yep they ran out. Sure makes things tougher.
I get done on the bike and still have that pesky marathon to go. figure will run 4hr and have fun. Start out and there is a guy who is pacing about 8min/mile. He is on his 2nd loop and named Jimi Young from Lansing MI. Come to find out that he has missed out on Kona last year by 2 mins at this race. I now take it upon myself to get him to Kona. All I ask in return is that he has a huge icy cold beer the night of the Hawaii race. I become a sherpa and pacer. I really did enjoy it, this helping others is a weird feeling......
On the way I pick up my coach Shawn Burke as he has 6 miles to go. We run hard till the end, and i got to talk the whole way, and if you know me, thats not a problem. Near the end I try the hard yelling and tell them not to quit. It was actually fun to get pretend angry at them (felt like boot camp instructor). Shawn has fantastic race and hits 10.04, gets 3rd and books another ticket to Kona.
After Jimi finishes the race (and i checked last night, he was top 4 and going to Kona, so stoked for him). I have another loop to go. By good fortune, I meet up with mate Dan Costello who is doing his first IM. We run the last loop together and really take in the atmoshpere, cheering sidelines and helpful people. It was the most enjoyable 10 miles I had run in any race at anytime.
I get to the finish, kiss my wife before the chute and it becomes all worthwhile.
Still cant bring myself to look up my time but figured about 12.15
So offseason begins, take saturday mornings back to family time, and surfing becomes priority.
Sprint Races from now on.
But seems to waste to not use the fitness I have, doesn't it? mmmmm Augusta 70.3 is still open..... Perhaps I need to make sure there are no community slots for IMFL......... dont want to waste the fitness.....