Should I do IMMT?

tim cronk

4 weeks ago tomorrow I crashed my bike and broke my clavicle.   3 weeks ago today I had surgery .  

I took 9 days Completely off from anything 6 days pre-surgery and 3 days after surgery.....then I  started riding the trainer and walking easy ....  originally the Doc said I wouldn't be able to lift my arm above my head for 8weeks...  The follow up appt 9 days after surgery I told him I could lift arm above head already.... After xrays and checking me out , said I could do whatever I want and let pain be my guide....He said dont submerge yourself in water for another week ,  bike on the trainer ,  and run if you want but it will hurt and llet pain be your guide...   I waited one more week before getting into the pool.... Since then I have logged 9000yds in 5 sessions , 1 session was 2.4 OWS in 1:10 , today was a short 1/3 mile in rough white cap water....  Logged 9 bike sessions totaling 11hrs with today being first outside bike(little nervous but ok)...... Run logged 10 sessions and 42 miles with last 5 being run only.  I'm experiencing no pain or discomfort with any swim,bike, run activity, and am feeling better by leaps and bounds every day.... With 3 more full days to go until IMMT.....

So here I am , feeling great, the weather forecast looks perfect , spent a ton of money on entry fee, condo , etc.... I originally did not want to do it if I could not RACE... I still can't/won't race but I can certainly take it easy and enjoy the day....  I havent decided yet but I sure am leaning towards it......   I really had no intention of participating ,  in fact I left my disc cover, Newtons with quick laces, and race nutrition at home.

The remainder of my year is KONA and IMFL...... The plan was always to Race IMMT hard , recover and train towards IMFL with the idea of going really easy in KONA to save myself to race IMFL....  At this point I really see no downside to doing IMMT easy...  With the exception of crashing my bike but then that is always the exception now isnt it?

Please throw out your thoughts or comments!   

robin sarner

my thoughts.  for what they are worth.

you are a crazy physical specimen.      much more rugged and recover faster then me and many others.    so it is great that you are feeling good and probably could race.

regardless, my answer would be HELL NO.        Do not race.   

Can only hurt yourself.  (falling off bike, punch from another swimmer, hurt soft tissue in the shoulder area that still needs to heal, etc).             Nothing to gain.     Kona race to miss out on.  

Brad Marcus

Tim - I'm hesitant to add anything here, having not attempted a full IM yet. That being said, I will throw in my two cents: I think you need to ask yourself your reason for wanting to race. My wife crashed last Summer (broken clavicle) and completed her first HIM exactly 5 weeks later. I personally did not think that she should race, since she missed much training and knowing her competitive nature. She had no expectations of competing at the high level at which she normally races and was at peace with that going in. She ended up having a great experience.

You obviously compete at a higher level than most. Are you ok giving leaving that on the table for IMMT? Can you honestly go in and not push yourself to the level that you are accustomed to? Moreover, Kona is a dream for most; one that you have to look forward to this year. Is the lost $$ or the missed experience of IMMT worth risking any shot of you missing Kona? Think of all your hard work to reach where you are now. I go back to my first question: What is your reason for wanting to race on Sunday?

Im sure that you will make the right decision that suits you. Good luck in whatever you decide!

Al Truscott

OK, I've been there from each side, doing/not doing. so here's my advice based on my experience. First time, I showed up at IM AZ 8 weeks after my bad crash. I'd signed up, etc, and badly needed the race and team mojo. I could maybe have finished a sprint @ IM pace, so there was no way I was getting out on the course. But I did register, get a bracelet, and did all the stuff, which included seeing an IM swim start for the first time, watching Jordan Rapp in HIS comeback, and seeing Chrissie finish in record time after her Kona DNS. I also signed up for the NEXT year, which was good cause it sold out in 90 sec online. ( And got me another trip to Kona, thank goodness) Best part was my bracelet got me into transition and to the finish line, where I could greet team mates as they came across. So there's a lot of cool stuff you can get out of being there without racing, which is only available to registered athletes.

FF two years, and I'm still healing - a bunch of minor surgeries on my mouth thru July, and I was signed up for Canada and Kona. It was fun at Canada until about mile 11. I'd told myself I was'nt racing, so guess what, miles 12-26 were NOT FUN, cause I just didnt want to make the effort needed to maximize my potential on the day ... Fear of messing myself up for the Big Island, not really being trained properly, etc.

In short, I'm with Robin. You never know - you just never know - if you're getting another trip to the Big Dance, so why play with fire? Enjoy the day @ IMMT from your new perspective. Ride the course on Saturday for fun. Swim in the lake with the other athletes. Go backstage from 5-10 PM. Sgn up for 14 if youre so inclined. Feeling OK or "good" is different than being healed. As a surgeon, Ive got a bunch of stories about people who did too much to soon and regretted it. Fifty is not the new thirty, when it comes to the body's recuperative timetable. Unless your doc has done an IM or ultramarathon, he's really got no idea what you're suggesting putting yourself through.

FWIW, I've had 3 IM DNS in my career. (Lost condo $ for two of them.) They're always bittersweet, but they weren't the end of the world.

glennusmc

Tim, I say listen to your body, how do you feel. You have to make the final choice. You will have our support no matter which one. Can you line up last at the swim to avoid maximum contact?? Anyway, at 50++ years old, healing that fast, proves you are a machine. Listen to your conscience.

Steve West

Tim - I know you planned to run Kona easy and enjoy the experience. Are you willing to forfeit that for your inner ego telling you to race IMMT?

Sure, you just may do fine at IMMT , finish without additional injuries but what if you don't? Ask yourself what the downstream cost of going in injured vs continued healing and training and arrive at Kona @ 100%? What are the benefits of racing injured? I don't see any.

I think an OK to mediocre IMMT has so much less value than experiencing Kona on a full tank.

Nope, not a good idea race/participate. Go to soak in the vibe, cheer on the team, volunteer on course or the finishline.... It will still be there next summer or when ever you are ready to go again.

Cary Blanco

Another vote for what Al said

Peter Wick

Holy Shnikees, Tim. Where the hell are you? Right now. I'm going to come over there and uh, I dunno, steal your front wheel or something.

Nemo Brauch

I'm with Al and Robin. There's nothing to be gained here and you risk screwing up your next 2 big races. Pick up the bracelet and get access to everything like a rock star, but please don't race. One bad kick to that shoulder during the swim and you could really set yourself back again. It's just not worth it.

Brenda Ross

I'm with Al and besides I want to have the experience of hanging out with you as a sherpa. Do not race please.

Joe Matchette

Tim - gotta say I am in firmly in the chorus. I *completely* understand your reasoning for wanting to do the race. But is the reward worth the risk? I think a simple "Upside Potential versus Downside Risk" analysis will point significantly to the DO NOT RACE side.

Nate Parady

Ultimately this is your call. I think Al said it best here, "Feeling OK or "good" is different than being healed." The training you have been able to do is very impressive considering what you have been through.

John Withrow

I totally understand where everyone is coming from above. And as a friend (even though we've never met) and teammate, I'd also have to advise you not to race because it is just a really, really stupid idea. It's super easy to tell "other" people what the "right" thing to do is.

But, if I'm being totally honest with myself and with you... If it were me, making only the decision for myself and not asking anyone's permission or telling anyone else (especially my wife) about my plans... I'd say "F- it" and race (if it wouldn't cause me to be divorced that is)... But, I personally think I'm invincible, even if my wife and my parents never seem to believe me when I tell them that. Would make for a hell of a story if you can actually pull it off without the high probability of you screwing up Kona and Florida actually happening.

Racing Yoda

Tim,

Feb 2006 I had just finished a nice 2 hour run. Got in 16 miles prepping for Ironman Az. Back when it was in April. Two days later, I was called to check a suspicious package along the President's motorcade route. It was under the bridge of an Interstate over pass. One thing lead to another and I fell off the Interstate overpass. Roughly 16 ft. with a lot of gear on. I was able to land some what upright and tried to roll out of the fall. I did as well as I could but man I was in pain. I thought I had a compound fracture in my left leg it hurt so bad. All my pain was in my left side at the time. They took me for scans, X-rays etc...and... well ruptured tendons in my left foot (still gone), avulsion fracture left foot, heavily damaged talus left foot, microfracture left knee. Nothing was checked on my right side as the pain wasn't there. The fall was 11 weeks before IMAZ. I pushed and pushed and pushed in rehab. I did everything they asked me to and I water ran for hours, every day for aerobic fitness. The doctor released me 1 week before Arizona and said let pain be your guide. When I got to the run, it hurt on every incline and decline when I ran. So I walked and ran where I could and did the race.

Fast forward January 2010. I am playing soccer and I hurt my right knee. Doctor eventually did an MRI and found a torn meniscus. But, he asked me if I had any big trauma like a car accident, fall etc... in the past few years. When I described the fall he said that would be it. I had torn my PCL in the fall. It is one of those ligaments you don't need as much and can get away without it. If you are active your surrounding muscle tissue can really mask it. What it did do was completely wear down my meniscus to the point of the injury over those 3 years. I was in such a rush to get back to training and doing the Ironman. I didn't take a step back and think about what had happened. I should have asked the right questions on what was checked. My focus was not on my health. It was on that race. I think it was wrong to do that race. Those races will come and go. Don't let a race get in the way of your health. There truly is no need to rush into a race.

The kicker, the "device" was a homeless person's luggage.

Gordon Cherwoniak

Tim,

I see many negatives on the down stream as pointed out by others I vote for not doing it as well.

- Swim contact could be an issue

- Biking with 3000 friends and you were still a little nervous personally on your first bike ride outside

- 9 bike sessions of 11 hours - you will be out there for 5+.

- I forget which shoulder but will it be an issue at the aid station.

- You have put up some good numbers since coming back but IM will be a 10+ hour day how will that impact your shoulder or recovery as you are still healing.

Stick to you decision not to do it if you can't race.  Use those days for some targeted workouts, swim, ride, run on the course. Focus on getting to Kona and you still have IMFL to crush at the end of the season.

Gordon

 

 

tim cronk

Thanks so much everybody for your comments and opinions... I read em all and thought about them....I'd like to say it didnt make a difference but it did... I did not ask familiy LOL.... Bottomline... I picked up my $700 dollar backpack and DID NOT PICK UP THE TIMING CHIP !!! I'm out!

@Robin.... You just wanna make sure you have someone to hangout with in KONA after you KQ in Canada..... How selfish is that???? Thanks big guy cya there!
@Brad... your wife is a tough cookie! I met a woman here still in a sling 8 weeks after surgery.... Her injury is obviously much worse than mine.... It was more about why I shouldnt participate instead of why... Racing was off the table ...
@Al,Cary, Nate..... The voice of reason that haunts me... feeling good vs. being healed..... I'm not a 100% and I suppose if I'm gonna be serious I should start from this level instead of taking it 2 weeks backwards first.....
@Steve West.... yep gonna plan the training from here instead of digging myself a hole to start...
@Glenn, Peter, Nemo... thanks cant wait to meet you all and watch you race IMMT
@Brenda... Hanging out with the Ross's and being able to watch Heather start to finish were high on my decision list!
@Joe.... I hear the risk... But your talking to a guy with 500+ basejumps LOL!
@JW.... loved your honest opinion... telling what you had too... and then what you thought... I could pull it off... Knowing that will be enough... Cant wait to meet and race with you in IMFL! I hope your active on that thread!
@Steve Hall.... what a story... are you on a bomb squad? Glad to see you racing ...What is your next race?
@Gordon...Very good points about the duration of bike/run.... that was a big unknown and part of my decision to stand down.

KONA.... is about the journey to me and not the destination... Qualifying is what I wanted.... Hence wanting it again ... Earning the right to be there is what is really all about IMO... I will enjoy KONA no doubt but that is just the icing on the cake to me.... That reminds me I have everything reserved except TBT.

Heather will certainly appreciate having her sherpa! I've been her sherpa for a couple HIM's but never a IM. She doesnt miss any of my IM's. So while it wasn't originally planned it will be a nice side effect... The dog will appreciate having someone around as well since we brought her to her first IM......

Thanks again everybody!

Trish Marshall

Phew! My mother hen feathers can settle down now that you've taken your teammates fine advice.

Have a great experience out there!

Nate Parady

$700 back pack...that's a good one.

Enjoy the day as a spectator...

Nemo Brauch

WHEW!!!!!

Steve West

Doing the smart guy thing. Good news!

Brenda Ross

Yippppeee, Tim is on board the Sherpa train with the Ross's.

Peter Wick

Yay!! Now I won't have to break into your room. One less thing on the check list. Seriously, I applaud your decision to stand down. Plus, that means there's one more triathlon expert for my wife to hang out with on race day. Now I almost want to DNS just to hang out with you guys. Maybe.

Scott Alexander

A little late to this party, but I'm pleased with your decision to stand down. I look forward to a well-trained Sherpa and spectator (one that won't ever say "you're almost there!").

Paul Hough

Good decision Tim! All I could think of was that commercial with the announcer who says in a deep voice - "DON'T DO IT!"

Racing Yoda

Tim,

I was in the Bomb Squad. Retired "ish" from my old department. Next race is Tahoe. I am glad you didn't race. I think it will be better for you in the long run.