My first IMC, and first WTC event.
Picked a doozy. I don’t do heat, don’t tan, couldn’t drink enough if I was hooked to a hose.
All my previous iron Man distances were in the Esprit, which is beyond different to this place.
Swim
2800 people penned in a short beach area, 20 - 30 deep was interesting. Mainly because those who couldn’t swim well were up in the front rows, in case they missed a PB, I guess. I was about 8 rows back, thinking people would self handicap, they don’t. So spent the first mile going around groups of directionally challenged swimmers, some of whom were obviously sighting on something , but what, who knows. Occasionally groped, one time pulled by an ankle and one light punch to the ribs. Got clear water on the last leg and things went well from there. It was a sort of water polo game without the ball.
1:10
(4th in age group 60-64, really happy with that)
Bike
That time group, 1:00 to 1:20 probably sees a majority of competitors onto the bike course together. Some of the directionally challenged obviously finished, because the concept of ride right, pass left was a little slow in getting through. And a special nod to the guy around 15-20 miles in who spent several minutes sprinting up the inside (right lane) passing all and sundry. Your number was in the 1860’s wish I had written it down. But you at least answered to the name asshole.
Richter was OK, Yellow Lake hurt. Got of the bike 4 times, with a chain drop, sunscreen pickup, special needs and a trip to the Johny at the top of Yellow Lake.
6:02
(9th, combined 7th, not unhappy)
Marathon
Death March
Came into T2 in about 7th place in my age group, so any hope of Kona was long gone, and saw no reason to worry about it. You could have given me Kona in a Lear jet at that point and I would have passed.
Ran a bit, walked a bit, ran a bit less, walked a whole lot more. Finally just walked. Nothing that went down was prepared to stay down, so water , grapes, salt and caffeine was it. Was walking faster than some runners by now. Kept catching the same people. I was the guy in the white knee socks.
I had no problems with the aid stations, although some of the sponges were a little funky. Maybe a sponge basket so they don’t have to scavenge them of the road, would help.
5:56’ish
13:27, with a hint of daylight.
So Esprit in 10 days, would that be really crazy or just normal Tri personality.
Cheers all!