Okay, my heart goes out to all those that raced IM moo on Sunday. With everything being realative no one could have been mentally preparred for a blast furnace such as that.
That said, I was hanging out at the shop today and we were discussing this and how attrition rates vary from race to race. The conclusion that we sorta came to was that you are more likely to see a high drop out rate at one of the IMNA or other WTC events then you will see at Kona b/c 1) the level of ability and preparation is greater with those going to Kona as well as 2) the expectation of the elements that are to be encountered. Determination is most likely equal in all competitors at both events but those fighting at Kona are in better shape to do the fighting. I also feel that if you have fought the fight before (i.e. your qualifying race) then the kona athlete is more willing to accept the pain involved. I mean 90% of the IMH folks already had to fight tooth and nail just to get to the starting line on Alii, I guess its sort of a survival of the fitest thing.
My apologies if this sounds elitist, just posting some observations/theories on how to explain the extreme drop out numbers on sunday. I wish mother nature had not been so cruel... Moo is a nice race.
36 kona qualifiers 2006-'23 - 3 Kona Podiums - 4 OA IM AG wins - 5 IM AG wins - 18 70.3 AG wins
I ka nana no a 'ike -- by observing, one learns | Kulia i ka nu'u -- strive for excellence
Garmin Glycogen Use App | Garmin Fat Use App
That said, I was hanging out at the shop today and we were discussing this and how attrition rates vary from race to race. The conclusion that we sorta came to was that you are more likely to see a high drop out rate at one of the IMNA or other WTC events then you will see at Kona b/c 1) the level of ability and preparation is greater with those going to Kona as well as 2) the expectation of the elements that are to be encountered. Determination is most likely equal in all competitors at both events but those fighting at Kona are in better shape to do the fighting. I also feel that if you have fought the fight before (i.e. your qualifying race) then the kona athlete is more willing to accept the pain involved. I mean 90% of the IMH folks already had to fight tooth and nail just to get to the starting line on Alii, I guess its sort of a survival of the fitest thing.
My apologies if this sounds elitist, just posting some observations/theories on how to explain the extreme drop out numbers on sunday. I wish mother nature had not been so cruel... Moo is a nice race.
36 kona qualifiers 2006-'23 - 3 Kona Podiums - 4 OA IM AG wins - 5 IM AG wins - 18 70.3 AG wins
I ka nana no a 'ike -- by observing, one learns | Kulia i ka nu'u -- strive for excellence
Garmin Glycogen Use App | Garmin Fat Use App