Well, I need to decide. I kinda lost interest in IMLP a few weeks ago. I have not really trained at all in about 6 weeks. Should I still go? I wonder if I can even make it with that long off…last time I really trained was at a 1/2 IM where I was 4:54…what would you all do? Plus, I have been VERY sick for a while now too…lost about 10lbs in a week or so.
Why not just go and have fun? I participated in a 15K race last weekend, it was my first run since fracturing my femur in March. Like you, I had contemplated not showing up. I ended up pacing a much slower friend and had an amazing time. It was great to not worry about times or AG placings. Granted, IMLP involves much more time/energy/mental strength, but I think if you go through with it you’ll be much happier when it’s all siad and done. Good luck.
Go to pool, drink a margarita? Id think it would be a miserable day?
Sounds like you already know the answer is no, but want some others to say it for validation purposes (we’re all like that sometimes).
Haven’t trained, have been sick, lost interest … what part of that says “Hell yeah, go for it”?
I know I could finish…I would guess sub 12 still…I dont know. I dont know what the reason would be to not go. Then again, I am not sure what the reason to go is.
I would go, but don’t try and be macho that day. Enjoy it. Just have fun. Do like Tom D. did in Thailand. Help people with flats, encourage people you see struggling. Do it in an outfit of some sort (dress up as Mr. Tibbs…)
From what you have told us about your health issues, I would keep doing the things that you enjoy.
What pisses me off is that I get sick before a damn race that I was so excited about. I just love to think about doing an IM while I am shitting blood from my torn apart abdomen that is still damaged from the fucking drugs…then the damn drugs to fix that makes me even fucking sicker.
I was in a similar situation going in to CaliMan. If you can divorce yourself from expectations(not easy to do), go and have fun. It’s a vacation.
Otherwise, blow it off and find some fun local sprints/oly’s that you would have missed out on by racing LP.
When you do things like this, that require a year or more to prepare and plan for, it’s hard to cancel, because you have so much invested in it. But if you have no personal reason to do it, other than, “I did it last year, and the year before…” then perhaps you shouldn’t do it. You should do the races you do because you want to, and if you have become burned out, maybe it’s time to rest and do something else for a while.
OTOH, if you think you’ll still go sub-12, then you’re faster than me, and the personal victory of that should stand on its own merit.
If you’ve been sick, lost that much weight, and haven’t trained much for 6 weeks, my advice is not to race. You could do more damage than good. It’s one thing to fake an olympic distance with no training, or a half ironman after a cold and not much training for a week or two, but this sounds serious. You’ve had some serious health issues plus it sounds like you’re having some nasty side effects from medications.
As I said above, my advice is not to race…HOWEVER, as you already have made plans to go and have accomodations, then go and volunteer, help make someone’s race incredible, party like a frat boy with friends and rediscover what got you enthusiastic about triathlons in the first place. When you get there seek out one of the volunteer directors such as the transition director or bike course director, and let him/her know you’re available to work like a dog and have a ton of race experience. Believe me, you’ll be gold.
FBMom … that’s a great idea
Come on now troop. We all know you are going to be there. First off, you have promised me lunch. You won’t be renegging on that commitment.
Second, everyone on this board knows that I am showing up to play and you are scared to death that you won’t be able to lap me. Understanable, but you aren’t wimping out that easily.
Show up and have a good race. You are well taperd. You will be healthy come race day.
Record,
I recently endured a long day at IMCdA for similar reasons. I’ve told everyone I knew the same thing…
“I’m proud that I finished, but I’m really disappointed that I started.”
Simply put, it’s easy to lose our balance when training for endurance events. They are such an extension of our inner-selves (goals, fears, etc.)
I got sick (flu, sinus infection) 3 weeks before CdA. I did everything to recover and yet knew I hadn’t when I decided to drive to CdA. Of course, I hoped that “everything would come together on race day.” The reality is that Antibiotics, illness, and Ironman don’t mix. Sure you can complete the race (I walked the final 11 miles of the marathon and looked unhappy all day). The question is…Why would you?
In my case, it was a bad decision because it magnified how unbalanced my approach to the race had become. For you, the results might be different.
Ultimately, it comes down to defining why you want to race and can you meet that objective by going. Only you know. Good luck with the decision.
In addition to volunteering, there’s one other thing you can consider - see whether they need any officials. They often have an official’s clinic on the day before an IM. If you did, then you could still be at the swim start, get to be in transition, get out on the bike and run courses.
Excellant suggestion. Becoming a certified marshall is invaluable. It’s always hard to get good ones for triathlons, plus it keeps in in the sport. It gives you a very different view of the race (not just as an athlete).
Go, but race on a fixie. Or one of those new Schwinn Stingrays. Failing that, show up with NO equipment and one of those “I need a miracle” signs mentioned in another thread. See if you can borrow: speedo & goggles, bike/shoes/top/lid, and some running shoes. Bum food along the course if you can’t make it just off the aid stations.
Or you could do as FBM suggested and go volunteer. That’s cool too.
Rec,
You've done this race how many times? And raced it well. There is no reason to go and have a bad, I won't even call it a race, sick and untrained. What will it prove? That people really can walk 26 miles? Sometimes it is best to know when to pull the plug. Rest up, get healthy, find you motivation again. You'll race well again in the future.