The doctor supported one of his shoulders while I lifted the other so he could sit up enough to sip bullion. We knew he was regaining coherence when he managed to croak, “Oh, this is a good idea” after a sip. What fun we had at Silverman!
We had been intimidated for months over the 9,700’ of elevation gain on the bike and 2,000’ on the run, so we went on grueling 7-hour rides and 4-hour runs. Scott took swim lessons. His wife admired his new guns as swimming Brought the Sexy Back.
We were ready.
There was just one little thing we didn’t consider: what if the winds came up overnight and made Lake Mead rougher than the roughest Escape From Alcatraz swim?
Here I am being steadied by one of the AMAZING volunteers after the swim:
One of the elite swimmers after his swim leg:
Major bragging rights after that swim. And you get rewarded by the best bike course in the business:
It wasn’t Kona wind on the bike, but it definitely added to the stories after the race. More bragging rights.
That girly boy Lance Armstrong said after his New York Marathon, “Oh, my. That flat, cool marathon I ran with fresh legs was the toughest thing I ever did athletically. 3 hours of effort. Oh gosh.”
I thought about those words as Scott and I passed each other on an out and back on the marathon, me pounding the quads down a steep and him chugging up. All I could utter was a low, “Scotty” with no gesture. His dazed eyes never moved nor could he manage a grunt, but his right hand gestured a little to acknowledge his name. The lights were on but nobody was home.
It was actually a great run course that included running through a fancy outdoor shopping strip/mall with an REI store, etc.
Scott was concerned that he wouldn’t break 2 hours on the swim. In really rough water, he gutted out an admirable 1:41. What he could never imagine is that he couldn’t break two hours in the med tent.
The doc asked, “Sir, can you tell me what you think happened out there?”
Scott: “I laid all my turkeys out. It’s the way I do it. I always do.”
Doc: “Well, sir, it looks like it’s working for you.”
All teasing Scott aside, he outbiked me and got a trophy for 4th in our age group in a sport he doesn’t train for year-round. In a complete reversal of what’s supposed to happen, I outran him and placed 2nd. But if I join him for one of his 100 mile trail runs, I’ll be the one in the med tent–and not at the finish line.
We really got our money’s worth from this one:
I wouldn’t trade the experience for the world and we’ll both be back next year. I like the other IM courses, particularly Lake Placid, but this was special. The race directors and volunteers here are full of passion and excitement; you feel a special camaraderie.
I’ll remember this one forever.
More photos: http://cmac.smugmug.com/gallery/2132566