Looking more like Morbidity and Mortality reports than race reports! People with rhabdomyolosis, incarcerated hernia with dead gut (and almost dead testicle), kidneys not working, and lots and lots of ambulance rides.
One theory is that these things are tough to figure out, especially for first-timers or people racing in intense heat. So their preparation leaves them capable of going about 11-13 hours, but they race like they’re capable of going 9-10, and that gets them into trouble. So they go 13-17 and end up in the medical tent or hospital.
Has any one stopped to think that maybe it just a little weird for so many people to actively engage in such a optional activity as Ironmans and that they seems to wind up with so many people getting I.V.s Also does any one know just how many I.V.s are given at these things. I was a volunteer outside of the Med tent at LPIM 2006 and it looked to me like a lot of folks were getting their arms spiked. Its a good thing we’re such a healthy bunch or our hobby would kill us for sure. Tim
It is interesting…I did IM MOO 2004 and had a great day. While sitting there chatting with a couple of people their friend suddenly pitched forward and had to be taken to the medical tent. It was in the high 80’s that day. Interesting how some people come through fine and others have the worst possible day and end up in the hospital tent.
Ya’ know, I was thinking the same thing! I knew there would be some carnage at IML, but jeez! All right, here is my abridged version:
OK, I had a very bad race (for me), missing my swim goal and run goal. OK bike at 5:29 to a very disappointing 10:52 (was looking for 10:30 easy to sub 10 possible)
So, there ya’ go! Oh, and I had ZERO problems with nutrition, stomach, cramps, etc. Heat slowed me on the run and that was that. Poor execution in a few things (esp transition as well) that costs me a lot. Learned a lot (as usual with a once per year race).
That is the part that creeps me out. Last year was slow but fine, this year I plan to go less slow (while still slow) but feel like I have a plan and I’m ready to go.
Im sure all these people had a plan too!!!
Interesting how some people come through fine and others have the worst possible day and end up in the hospital tent.
I was thinking about making a similar post earlier today. Again no disrespect to the posters, and I hope that everyone is ok, but I don’t understand what is causing all these problems. Are most of these problems associated with undertraining and overly ambitious race goals? It would be interesting if all race reports included a brief estimate of training volume and race nutrition/hydration.
Had a big time mid-summer burnout, decided to bike and swim as little as possible for the final 6 weeks going into IMC. Ran a bunch though.
Had a good race. Swim and bike came in nearly as expected (equal to last year) and had a really good first half of the run. Ran into a little wooziness at mile 23, walked a bit, ate two cookies at mile 24, then ran it in - beating last year’s run time by 17 minutes. Went 12:07. Except for that little mini-bonk, nailed my rest, nutrition, and hydration. Never wanted to quit.
See how boring that is?
I think the people who had really difficult times and/or were hospitalized or scraped off the road have really interesting stories to tell, which is why we read so many race reports like this. You are getting biased information. No stress. Do your thing.
thanks a milliion. Boring is really really nice. Just what I need a nice boring day with a similar swim and bike to last year (that leaves me fresher) and a little faster run.
Rod…were you really looking at a sub 10? In general, I find that the sub 10 crew can also do a fresh marathon in 2:50 or so…I think your Boston was north of of 3:15? Do you think your expectations were a bit high?
The funny thing is that everyone thinks that sub 10 is a reasonable goal. On paper it often is, but very few people at IMNA races can put that together. I think this was your second Ironman? Lots of dudes “take it easy” on Ironman number 1 and then they say, “OK, now I know what this beast is all about and I am going to race the second”…and end up going slower
Yeah, I could be close. Lack of a wetsuit cost me 7 mins I figure. Also, pretty bad (and long) transitions there! My mary PR is 2:49 (while ago), but 3:07 just last fall. My Boston 3:14 was an easy run with zero taper in the worst weather they had in 100 years and I was pacing with another guy for fun (was supposed to be my father but he developed a hip stress fx). Bike was to be 5:15 to 5:25. So … add it all up and 10:15 was my time goal. 10:30 with the heat was what I told the family and 10 if things went well. Blah …
edit: Oh, not my 2nd - 4th so I knew what to expect (except for the heat)
Rod, OK, but be honest with yourself. Were you in 2:50 marathon shape on the day of IMLouisville, and also in 2:20 half Ironman bike shape…if not, 10 flat is certainly a big stretch. I’m guessing that 3:07 last fall given what I know about your biking puts you more at the 10:30 range.
There are a ton of guys who are really in the 10:30 range who end up closer to 11 because they have their eye on the 10 hour cherry. Much safer to play to your reality and shoot for 10:30 and see what the day brings…are you sure that that sub 5:30 bike was not partially to “make up for lost time” after the slower swim…thereby hurting the run?
I’m just making you ask honest questions about going sub 10. Did you race a 4:20 - 4:30 half Ironman this year on an equivalent course? That would be a strong starting point to determine if you had a chance at sub 10 or even sub 10:15 (taking the 4:30 high end).
