So, I thought I had experienced a lot during races. However, this weekend took the prize. Not naming the event because I respect the organizers and the quality of race they put on. The race was a typical race in the PNW with rain and 50 degree temps. Did my time in the lake coming out 6ish, got on the bike started riding and had a derailluer melt down. Two 30 second stops and I’m going well. Within 20 miles I catch all the bikes in front of me and figure I’d better ride as hard as I could because there are some wicked fast runners behind me. I get to the end of the bike figuring I have around 8-9 minute lead over the guy I’m worried about. Good news I should be able to hold on. Go to my transition and 1/2 my stuff is lying in the rain the other half containing my shoes are gone!!! So here I am the announcer yelling my name the crowds cheering and I’m yelling expletives like there is no tomorrow. After searching around the transition for a while I realize the day is over. Someone/something/somehow my transition was pilfered and my day was over. Then someone yells from the crowd “What’s your shoe size” People start taking off there shoes and I’m just standing there in shock. The RD runs up and says What the f is happening" I tell him my shoes are gone. He rips his Newtons (yes brand new Newtons) off and says take these. I jump into them and start running. Little did I realize at the time the shoes were a size and a half too big. Who cares I couldn’t feel my feet anyway because of the freaking cold rain. That was until about 6 miles into the run. Holy crap! It was like I was running on hot coals. Grinding through it I continue following the escort on the bike. Well the escort conveniently steered me off course about 50 yards costing me another minute. Finally mile 10 the guy I was worried about comes on me. He comes along side and tells me it’s not right. I of course tell him to go on and take the win if he can. And he does. Good for him he totally deserved it. He ended up beating me by 2 minutes and getting a nice pay day. The funny thing was it was the guy I bet before the race that the loser had to hand wash the winners shorts. thankfully, he let me off the hook for that. So, I guess the moral of the story is you can never be prepared or predict what will happen in a triathlon. Take it in stride and be happy your healthy enough to at least loose your shoes in transition. Oh, and don’t ever loan your new shoes to a fellow athlete. I don’t think he’ll ever be able to get out what I put into them.
Did you ever find out who got into your transition bag…
EXCELLENT! I’ve been racing a long time and this is one of the most inspiring stories I’ve ever heard. Good for continuing thru all that crap. I don’t think I could have done it. It reminds me of that really bad day that Lance had in the TdF and he marches on. I have a very difficult race coming up and i expect things to go wrong-this will certainly help me get thru those difficult moments. thanks!
We have a HTFU award winner of the week!
Bike problems, LOSING SHOES, and losing by that little, great stuff.
The guy who lent you his shoes probably feels honored that they kicked that much butt.
Great story. Thanks for sharing.
What ever happened to your shoes?
With the size of the sport and some of these races, I am surprised that this sort of thing does not happen more often.
With the size of the sport and some of these races, I am surprised that this sort of thing does not happen more often.
Fleck, can you clarify that a bit?
This is a little suspicious. I think it was probably the Newton people taking guerilla marketing to a new level and wanting the race winner to wear their shoes.
As for the shoes one did come back. One was found several rows down in the bush. I have not talked to the RD again since the race. I will be curious if they found the other during clean up.
That really sucks! So, what’s the theory? Did someone try to sabotage your race? Was anyone else’s stuff messed with?
That really sucks, sir. Good for you for sticking it out though. And three cheers to everyone who volunteered their shoes. That was damn cool!
I saw somebody at Big Creek running without shoes and wondered if the same thing had happened to him. Or maybe his feet just hurt. In the middle of a race, I could see how somebody might grab the wrong bag, but as you were out in front there doesn’t seem to be any good reason for what happened to you. It’s too bad you couldn’t have had a fair race.
FWIW, I always have a bag with my warmup/post-race clothes (and shoes) waiting for me just outside of transition. I hate it when people pile crap up in their t-area, so I always move my bag outside the fence, but it’s right there if I would need it. Since I just wear old running shoes on my way to the race, I always have an extra pair nearby, just in case.
I hope this is the only time something like that happens to you I suspect that, with your attitude, there will be many more races for you to win. Continued success,
mm
i had something like that happen like that about 5 years ago, except it was my bike. Me and another guy had the same bikes, pretty much everything the same ( helmet and shoes as well)except mine was a 58 and his a 56, and his was racked one rack over, same position. I get to T1 and cant find my bike, and realize his was still there( he normally beat me out of the water by a minute in other races). So I grab his stuff and take off. I catch him around mile 10, and we stop and switch. Then he commmences to smoke me . at the finish we share a few laughs and a couple of beers and call it a adventure.
The only theory I could come up with is that my shoes were coming to an end and had been run in a couple of races. Thus, the smell that had built up attracted some kind of wild animal. The animal thinking there was a free meal in the bag tore it open only to find my shoes. Thus, dragging them off and burying them. I’m taking the high road here because I can’t believe a fellow athlete would do such a thing. The other funny thing is that the RD wanted to be funny and gave me # 69. I had it attached to my race belt in the bag. Guess what. It was missing as well. Nothing like an animal with a sense of humor.
What was your bike split?
Herbert
2:2?:??. Have not seen the official splits yet. Best guess based on my computer. It covered a lot of the same course as Nationals.
I did that race. The RD was great. My wife told me about your problems. Problems aside. You lapped me at mile 6 on the run. Hmm. I thought the race was really well run for its first year. But I was pleagued too. I broke my chain at mile 2, almost got hit by a deer as it jumped into the road, Just about hit a huge yellow dog in the road as I was passing another rider, then ran over a small squirel as he ran out in the road nearly cutting him in half and spraying me and the poor guy behind me with guts. yuck.
Mostly I admire your attitude for handling the situation. Really classy.
Oh, results are posted now too.
t
The results look funny, it said you had a 1:59 split?
Either way though, we all ought to commend your great attitude.
H
I was there watching…You handled a tough situation with a lot of class/grace (despite a few unsavory, but understandable expletives).
Nice job. I know the RD cares and was really concerned for you.
You’ll get another shot soon and the mental toughness displayed on Sunday will ensure victory.
Regards,
Jonathan C. Puskas
Ironheads Triathlon Team
Yup, the results are a bit wonky. My computer said I did the bike in 2:45. the results said 2:47 which means that I fixed my chain and stopped to help two people on the course with flat tires in only 2 minutes. I fixed that chain quickly, but not that fast.
t
A month ago a similar thing happened to me. Actually my transition bag was moved from the end position where I placed it the day before to about fourth in and it was covered up by other bags. I panicked and spend at least 1 minute looking up and down other isles until I cooled down enough to dig around and find it. I ended up getting past in T2 and losing 2nd (last Kona Slot) by 40 seconds. I actually do not blame the person who moved it since I should have ran a little faster and it would not have mettered however, it amazes me how in considerate people can be.