Well, to make a long story short, I DNF’ed my first ever race in 4 years doing tris. I got through the swim, the bike, and half the run. I was actually enjoying myself until about mile 80 of the bike. I stopped at the turnaround point to start the second loop of the run. At the time, I just couldn’t wrap my mind around going back out there after it took 3:30 to do the first 13.1. I looked at the time I had left, and decided to just make the pain go away. My feet were in agony…each step was awful, and my lower back (which I injured last year) was starting to hurt worse and worse, and my energy was gone. But, that decision was agonizing. I stood by my run special needs bag and couldn’t move…I knew I couldn’t finish, and I knew I couldn’t quit. So I stood there like an idiot for about 5 minutes, not wanting to do either. I looked at my watch and decided that at the rate I was moving, finishing was not in the cards. So I grabbed my bag, slipped through the barriers, and gave my chip up to one of the dudes at the finish, while hearing the announcer call out a name with “You’re an Ironman!”, which just about tore my heart out. The reasons are many and varied, but I think the bottom line is that I let myself get too dehydrated on the bike, and just could not catch back up without feeling queasy, which lead to severe cramping. I cramped so hard on the second loop of the bike that my right quad literally pulled my kneecap up. Today my quads feel like somebody has beaten on them with baseball bats. The same goes for the nutrition…I think I could only get 4 gels into me the entire day…which makes finishing a marathon a little tough. After I quit, I immediately called my wife and swore I was not going to register for next year, but by this morning, I was determined not to be beaten, but to come back next year stronger and smarter. So, I’m back on for IM Wisconsin 2006…my way cool wife signed me up after I realized I wasn’t going to be able to register on site and make my airplane. For some strange, unknown reason, my parents totally do not understand…in their supportive way, they told me they were hoping that I would call it quits on doing IMs after I had done one, to which I replied, I hadn’t “done” one…came close, but no cigar.
To all of you out there who finished IM Moo, congratulations on surviving a tough day, my hat is off to you…
Hey, thanks for the post. That took guts (to both quit and post). Probably the best thing you could have done - you should have plenty to fuel next years training now …
I realize it’s easier to be said than to be living it but don’t beat yourself up over it. Remember the amazing journey you took to get yourself to the start line, and how much you accomplished to be there.
I am aware of one lady at IMC who has been back two years in a row yet still hasn’t made the bike cut off. She trains hard, and has an “I will attitude” but has many things that make it difficult for her. However… she has not given up and she is determined to become an IronMan. So… once again she was back in the line up the morning after signing up for next year.
Remember you had the courage to sign up, the determination to train, and quite frankly it’s just too bad the day was as tough as it was. In my mind you are an IronMan and next year you will get to hear the announcer say… “YOU ARE AN IRONMAN”.
Sometimes I think we forget how much of an incredible accomplishment it is. We come to this forum and read about people with incredible talent (and times) and we start to think that we are not good enough. But… we are such a small percentage of the world population. At one time I heard that approximately 250,000 people in the world have completed and IronMan. That’s one small number. So… when your folks don’t get it, you can’t really blame them. We are a unique bunch to even consider doing the distance, let alone signing up, putting in hours of training, and showing up race day. Don’t ever forget that.
Best of luck at IM MOO 2006. Relax, recover, and then get back on the saddle.
More often than not it’s the journey not the destination that makes life what it is.
Dude, no shame in stopping yesterday. It was absolutely brutal out there! I mean, the winds on the second lap of the bike were amazing! I’m pretty used to wind, but that was something else. Coupled with the heat, it made a truely epic day. You’re all over that shit next year.
And, isn’t making us run up the helix just a little bit of overkill?
Congratulations on a smart decision. and a very hard one. It’s very tough to know when going on will only do more damage to you. there were a lot of people out on the course who didn’t make that decision and came back in the ambulance. you will be much stronger for it and now you’ve got a full year to plan for next year’s race!
Take your wife to dinner and get her a day at the spa! That is “WAY COOL.” My hat is off to you for making that decision. I think I totally understand when you say that you knew you couldn’t finish but you also knew you couldn’t quit. I think that would pretty much sum up how I would feel if I had been in your shoes.
Sounds like your wife is one smart lady!!! You will hear “You are an Ironman” next year…this year just wasn’t meant to be. Good luck in your next year of training!!!
Smart decision. Now, before you begin worrying about next year, take some time off.
I have a friend who called it quits on the bike course after hitting an aid station that was out of water and g’ade. They offered to refill bottles from the melted ice bucket. Is that true?
The volunteers were great…the whole course was awesome. I couldn’t believe the number of people out on the streets on the bike and on the run cheering people on. The support that race receives from the community was really outstanding.
Some ran out of water. That much is true. But they were working to get more. The volunteers were GREAT!
From what I witnessed, the volunteers were even better than that!!!
They still had Gatoraide and food. But the point moreso is that it’s not the volunteers fault or even responsibility. That lays on Ironman Corp. That’s where my $400 went!
The volunteers an IM Moo were the best I’ve seen of the three different IMs I’ve done.
Hey spot - your day sounds alot like mine. Sunday was my first DNF ever. First visit to a med tent. First IV’s (2 liters). First time I had to make that decision. I had my best ever swim, despite the constant beating I was taking, and thought the day was off to a great start. Felt great on the bike and managed to stay in my ‘happy place’ for the entire ride, despite the wind and a broken bottle cage. Hit the run course feeling really strong, but the cramping in my hamstrings started very early and worsened quickly. Taking on extra salt didn’t seem to help and the cramping had spread to my quads. My body was too far gone to recover. As I approached that last right turn on the Capitol Square, I realized that I had to make the call before I made the turnaround point. I saw some friends who tried to keep me going, but I was too sick to talk to them. My friend’s wife and kids were across the street, so I walked over and sat on the curb, agonizing over the decision I had to make. She tried valiantly to get me motivated, but I was too far gone. The spasms in my legs made it look like I had insects crawling around under my skin, and the cramps were hitting hard. Eventually, I got up, walked to the timing mat at the turnaround and did the hardest thing I’ve ever done - I removed my chip strap and handed it to the volunteer. He kindly escorted me to the med tent and my day was done. I realize that the DNF rate was the highest in Ironman history, but as you know, it doesn’t make it any easier to swallow. I think we both know we made the right decision. Sorry to hear that it wasn’t your day, but I hope you’ll recover well and come back stronger for next year’s race. Best of luck to you.
