I was wondering if anybody had a direct contact (Race Director) for the Orlando 70.3 race. Reason I am asking is because I’d like to see if I could transfer my entry from 2009 to 2010. I have a fairly serious medical condition that won’t allow me to compete.
I was recently diagnosed with Bilateral Pulmonary Embolism (PE). Which basically means that I have blood clots milling around in both my lungs. This was the result of a bike accident that I had several weeks ago. Evidently I suffered compartment syndrome in my left calve. Once the swelling went down in my calve all the blood that had no where to go now did. Unfortunately some clots ended up in my lungs. Trust me. It was a rude awakening at 2:00 in the morning for me when my body finally told me it was time to go to the ER.
Right now I am taking Lovenox shots in my stomach twice a day. My stomach looks like a pin cushion right now. Plus, there is some serious bruising with each shot. I am also taking Coumadin (blood thinner) for the next six (6) months. There will be no riding outside for this period of time. I’ve been told repeatedly that thin blood and bike accidents don’t mix. I guess I am going to have to take their word for it. Which brings me to yet another question.
Does anybody out there have a contact at RacerMate (CompuTrainer)? If I am going to be stuck indoors for the next six (6) months I’d like to do some training that is a little more “realistic” than just riding my trainer. If anybody has any other ideas for this, please let me know. I actually sat on my bike yesterday for about an hour. First “activity” I’ve done since being diagnosed. I say sat because I don’t think you’d call what I did during that hour a workout. But, baby steps. What I can’t have happen is to throw another clot. I don’t know if that can happen with all the meds I am taking but you never know.
Anyway, looks like my season won’t start until July (if at all). It’s a pretty depressing realization. But, considering that alternative, I’d take this predicament any day of the week (and twice on Sunday).
So, if you have a contact for the Orlando 70.3 race or a contact that I could talk to at RacerMate (CompuTrainer) please let me know.
Tom Ziebart who frequents these forums is involved with the Disney race. Hopefully he’ll chime in. Though he may be a little busy as he is putting on a couple of races this weekend.
And…good luck! Be thankful…PE can be pretty bad. You’ll be heading the right directions, now that you’re getting the treatment.
Bruce - Good luck with your recovery and I hope you will be back racing quickly. I’m the RD for Ironman 70.3 Florida, but I have no say in the refund/transfer policy for the race. You will need to contact Ironman.
Now if you are signed up for IM 70.3 Kansas or the Whirlpool Ironman 70.3 Steelhead, then I’m the one to contact. Z
Thanks everybody who chimed in and wished me well and gave me contacts. I appreciate it. I did contact the people at Orlando 70.3 and did find out what the refund policy is. I am not normally one to complain but only getting $75.00 back on an almost $300.00 entry fee is pretty lame. Especially if you have to pull out this early in the game. I think the WTC should adopt new refund policy based on how long before the race you pull out. Maybe use a three tiered approach. Three months or more before the start of the race you get 75 percent back. Between two and three months you get 50 percent back. Between one and two months you get 25 percent back. Anything within the one month time frame, well, you just have to eat your entry fee.
Because I am only getting $75.00 back I will go ahead and race. I visited the docs today and he doesn’t have any problem with me doing so. It’s all about risk. In the twenty (20) plus years I’ve been competing in triathlons I’ve never crashed once in a race (knocking on wood). May 23rd is a long way off. I’ve been given clearance to begin training again. My INR was 1.90 (up from 1.55). My doc even told me I could ride outdoors. Obviously I’ll be riding with people I trust and take it a bit easy on the downhills. So, all systems are go. Disney 70.3 here I come.
Again, thanks for the responses guys!
There’s a reason why this site is the most visited triathlon site on the web!
Nope, I never expect anything for free. I was maybe hoping to see if I could get a “Pro” deal. I think that would basically have me paying $1,000.00 instead of $1,500.00. Hey, it’s only $500.00 but every little bit helps. And I am still looking to see if that might be feasible. I have seen a couple for sale here (Classifieds) in this price range but they have all been sold. Again, I never expect anything to be handed to me.
And yes, I have had won a couple in the past. I did sell them. Mainly because I was being coached by Troy Jacobson and he was having me do his Spinerval sessions using a Kurt Kinetic Trainer. Didn’t really see the need to keep them.
But, now with “potentially” not being able to ride outdoors for six (6) months it would have made sense to try and get a tool that will mimic “road riding” more so than a trainer. Make sense?
Second, use this time to explore new things - Hungry Man dinners, all you can eat buffets, ice cream, and hostess cupcakes - for starters. With six months, you could do a really good in-depth study on the effects of eating high carb/high fat fast food at every meal. The guy who did it for a month has nothing on you. Call it science or a health experiment. I’m sure you could discuss your findings with those in the BOP at Gulf Roast 2010 who in 2008 seemed so interested in blasting you for RACING.
This has nothing to do with the fact that I age up in 2010.