We watched the final swimmers come through in Lake Placid. Most were the expected injured/older/heavier people looking shell shocked, but the last swimmer to make the cutoff (2:12) looked very fit and sprinted out of the water.
Turns out this dude ran a 3:51! He passed 827 people on the marathon to finish in 12:55. That has got to be some sort of record, passing more than 1/3 of the field on the run. That is a pass *every 17 *seconds!
Anyone know his story?
DUSTIN WILLIAMS BIBAGESTATE/COUNTRYPROFESSION 321 31 SPANISH FORK UT USA ATHLETIC TRAINER SWIM BIKE RUN OVERALL RANK DIV.POS. 2:12:06 6:42:03 3:51:50 12:55:41 966 133
“Not a good swimmmer” is 1:40, not barely making the cutoff. I can’t imagine how a very fit guy in a wetsuit can swim that poorly.
How about the fellow who came in 20 minutes after the cutoff? Man, that was tough- not a dry eye in the house. Did you see him when he stood up and saw he missed the cutoff? From our vantage on the dock he looked shocked and really disspointed that he had missed the time. It seems hard to beleive he did not know this, when he missed it by such a large margin. Then with his wife and kids in the water, what a scene.
I once must have passed at least 450 people on the run potion of a half ironman that had about 1300 people. My rank was triple digits (high triple digits) on the swim and bike but single digits on the run. Plus I started in one of the last waves so I got to go by a whole lot of runners. My final race place was still in the triple digits.
Basically all I took away from it was that I was a runner who really sucked in the swim and bike. But I knew that going in
I can’t imagine how a very fit guy in a wetsuit can swim that poorly.
If you haven’t been a crappy swimmer, it’s hard to imagine. I’d call myself a fit guy, but I missed the cutoff at my first attempt at IM by 30 seconds.
I’ll never be that poor a swimmer again, now that I’ve finally learned a little about swimming… but man, is learning to swim hard when you’re a slow learner like me.
I swam a 1:28 last year at placid (injury), and was 1980th out of the water. Finished the bike at 1110th place.
He also passed 464 cyclists, moving up a total of 1291 spots on the day.
Hopefully we get the story on this performance. I wondered if he had trouble and was hanging on a kayak for a while, but his swim splits were 1:02/1:09
I think a Slowtwitch article is in order. Let’s get him interviewed. It would be interesting to hear his story and find out what his preparation was like. Why he didn’t swim more…or maybe he has?
Maybe he had a 52min swim and got an extra hour or two of sleep… then was able to “legally” draft off all the slower riders making his way through and explode on the run.
He wasn’t disappointed; he’s a local who traditionally comes in last, just making the cut-off. Earlier year, he had a stroke, and lost much of the use of his left side, including his arm. He wanted to finish the swim one last time, even though he knew his day was done… you’re right, tho, not a dry eye on the beach, and the crowd applause and support was amazing as he limped out of the water and up the carpet… Reilly had to go, but asked as many Ironspectators as possible to stay and bring him on in… every kayak and board went back out, they kept the timer and finish inflatable going… it was, very emotional… it should remind us to be greatful to be able to S/B/R every day…
*How about the fellow who came in 20 minutes after the cutoff? Man, that was tough- not a dry eye in the house. Did you see him when he stood up and saw he missed the cutoff? From our vantage on the dock he looked shocked and really disspointed that he had missed the time. It seems hard to beleive he did not know this, when he missed it by such a large margin. Then with his wife and kids in the water, what a scene. *
** That scene was more emotional than any finish line scene I have ever witnessed. When the guy looked up at the clock and then started crying while he hugged his (I assume) wife and daughter everyone was losing it. There were lifeguards crying and every woman (and quite a few guys) were wiping away tears. It was amazing the ovation he got from the couple hundred spectators who stuck around to bring him in.
Dustin Williams to compete in Lake Placid Ironman
Dustin Williams, well known athlete from Arco, writes from Provo, Utah to friends and family in Butte County:
While working at the Olympic Training Center in Lake Placid a few years ago I worked the Medical for the Ironman Triathlon. I thought working the medical would discourage me from doing one myself, but it had the opposite effect.
After having done 10 marathons I decided it was time to challenge myself in a different way. On July 26th I will compete in the Lake Placid Ironman in Lake Placid, N.Y., 2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike ride followed by a marathon (26.2 for those who may not know.)
A few months ago I read an amazing story about Matt Long. Matt was a Fire fighter from New York City, who was hit by a bus while biking to work. He had completed several marathons and an Ironman before his accident. As part of his recovery he started training for them again. This month he will attempt to complete the Ironman. Matt started the IWILL Foundation to help individuals accomplish what he has been able to do the last few years since his accident. I found out after reading Matt’s story in Runner’s World that a good friend of mine from graduate school turned out to be his Athletic trainer and therapist. My friend told me that Matt was looking for teammates for the Ironman who would help support his cause, and that is what I am doing.
My goal is not only to finish the entire 140.6 course in 11-12 hours, but I decided to support Matt’s amazing cause by competing for the IWILL foundation. The non-profit foundation was created to help those with a traumatic or life changing injury, through coaching and training, to work hard and overcome their adversity.
Please read Matt’s story from Runner’s World to get the full amazing story http://www.runnersworld.com/article/0.7120,s6-243-97--13053-0.00..oo.html
As part of the IWILL team I have committed to help raise funds to support the foundation. I am hoping you all can find it in your hearts to donate just a little to Matt’s cause.
Every little bit helps those who have had their lives changed by a serious accident and have the dedication to push though the adversity. Thank you so much for your time and I hope you can help me in supporting a great cause! Sincerely.—Dustin Williams.
Feel free to forward on to friends and family, Thanks for your help!!!
Dustin Williams MS, ATC
Brigham Young University
Head Track and Field
Athletic Trainer
1142 SFH
Provo, UT 84602
Office (801) 422-8774
Fax (801) 422-0038
E-mail: dustin_williams@byu.edu
That scene was more emotional than any finish line scene I have ever witnessed. When the guy looked up at the clock and then started crying while he hugged his (I assume) wife and daughter everyone was losing it. There were lifeguards crying and every woman (and quite a few guys) were wiping away tears. It was amazing the ovation he got from the couple hundred spectators who stuck around to bring him in.
I saw something similar one year when I volunteered as a wetsuit peeler. There was a woman who was close to making the cutoff that everyone who was still down at the swim area was cheering wildly for to help get them in under 2:20. She made it with seconds to spare and everyone went nuts, especially the woman as she came out of the water and crossed the timing mat. The enthusiasm quickly disappeared as everyone realized there was still one more swimmer out there, who came in minutes later and was devasted when she realized she didn’t make it. Very emotional moment to watch.
I thought Larson might have been close at LP in 2001 but I was wrong. But, there was a pro in that race who greatly exceeded this number. a 1:25:16 swim finishing in 1576 place and eventually being 472 at the finish. Over 1100 passes.
472 11:34:30 Yurow Pierre MPRO 27/34 34 1576 1:25:16
He wasn’t disappointed; he’s a local who traditionally comes in last, just making the cut-off. Earlier year, he had a stroke, and lost much of the use of his left side, including his arm. He wanted to finish the swim one last time, even though he knew his day was done… you’re right, tho, not a dry eye on the beach, and the crowd applause and support was amazing as he limped out of the water and up the carpet… Reilly had to go, but asked as many Ironspectators as possible to stay and bring him on in… every kayak and board went back out, they kept the timer and finish inflatable going… it was, very emotional… it should remind us to be greatful to be able to S/B/R every day…
I thought Larson might have been close at LP in 2001 but I was wrong. But, there was a pro in that race who greatly exceeded this number. a 1:25:16 swim finishing in 1576 place and eventually being 472 at the finish. Over 1100 passes.
472 11:34:30 Yurow Pierre MPRO 27/34 34 1576 1:25:16
1576 overall after the swim, 374 overall after the bike, 459 overall after the run. (I know I can’t swim)