Hi all,
About a month ago I PR’d an Olympic distance race by about 17 mins, aided by a strong current in the partially down river swim. I rode pretty well on the bike, and felt good on the run. Successful day, right?
Well, here’s the thing. That strong current in the river caused a specific instance to happen to me, and ever since I haven’t been able to feel great about the race. The first part of the swim went partially upstream and mostly across the river, causing a lot of swimmers directional issues. I started slow and aimed way upstream so as not to have any issues Getting around the first buoy. However I ended up swimming right on it, and my legs somehow hit the line that was tying it down, which stopped my momentum going around. The current was pushing me into the buoy, which bobbed back a couple times and pushed my head under. I was a mess, and in a moment of panic I hollered for a nearby kayak. He paddles over, I free myself up from the buoy and line, now breathing heavy, and grab the front of the kayak. I give myself 30 seconds or so to get my bearings and then take off.
So I ask you all, would you still feel good about your race? It was all legal, I didn’t advance any, but it just hasn’t sit well. I’m not a fast swimmer, but I’m not weak either, so it was disappointing.
A swimmer experiencing difficulty and in need of assistance shall raise an arm overhead, and pump it up and down, and call or seek assistance. A swimmer, who has received official assistance, whether voluntary or involuntary, must retire and withdraw from the remainder of the race unless such assistance did not aid the swimmer in making forward progress. No swimmer shall return to the race if the official rendering assistance requests that the participant withdraw from the race or receive medical assistance.
You didn’t cheat or break the rules in any way. No reason to feel bad.
Hell there is a whole discussion on here about what many would claim is essentially a legal way of cheating with slingshotting. That provides an advantage, your kayak break did not time wise.
Wait till you have to walk in an Ironman.
I once walked an aid station and was so angry with myself I told Mike Reilly to go fuck himself, threw the medal back into the volunteers face and demanded they take me off the results list.
/pink
You think anyone ever one the Tour without a sticky bottle, sitting on the bumper of the team car after a puncture or getting their brakes “fixed” while holding onto the team car?
Was the kayak moving? this is the key piece of the puzzle. Grabbing onto a kayak, or paddle board, or boat is only illegal if they are moving and you are gaining an advantage. if they are not moving, then you were within the bounds of the rules.
I don’t think you would have felt bad about it if the kayak wasn’t moving. I bet the guilt you’re feeling stems from something and personally I wouldn’t have considered it a pr if I felt that I cheated during the race. If I were you I would have gone to another race and done it properly.
But again, I don’t have a problem with you feeling otherwise about it.
Just to clear up any confusion, the kayak absolutely did not advance. The guilt stems from taking a quick breather and not swimming it continuously from start to finish.
Also to the other statement, the 17 mins came overall. I picked up about 5-6 mins on the swim from the current, but also had a good bike and run that contributed to the 17 minutes.
