IMSG spectator/volunteer report
I didn’t race, but I have a report as a volunteer and spectator.
First of all, CONGRATULATIONS TO EVERYONE WHO FINSHED THE SWIM, AND TO THOSE WHO FINISHED THE RACE!!!! All of you who finished that course on that day accomplished something special.
I went to St. George to support my sister who was racing, and cheer on EN team members.
My week in St. George started bright and early Thursday morning volunteering in the registration area (my sister was the volunteer captain for registration, and she talked me into it). I had never volunteered before - what a great experience. I checked in about 150 athletes from first timers to veterans. Everyone was so positive and so much fun to talk to. Friday and Sunday we registered athletes that wanted to race next year.
Saturday morning started with a ride to the lake. It was really cold. Low 50's when I got to the lake at 6:00 to watch - the report was that the water temperature was also reported to be in the low 50’s. My sister put on her wetsuit, neoprene beanie and swim cap and took off for the swim start around 6:45. I had never seen the start of an official IM before – the swim start is really something. The volunteers pulled my sister out of the water about 60 minutes later, cramped and shivering uncontrollably. Once they got her to the medical tent, they had to move someone off of a cot that was in a little better shape. Unfortunately, I had been at the start and was walking over to the finish when they brought her in, so I didn’t realize where she was until I went over to the medical tent at about 1:45 – about 20 minutes past when she was supposed to finish. I did see several of the team finishing the swim while I was waiting and gave you a big cheer. Congratulations again. The conditions in the water must have been really awful – I think there were about 100 people who couldn’t go on after the swim – I saw a few taken away in ambulances.
As those who did the race know the bike was also very difficult. Hilly and the wind really came up later in the afternoon – at least out by Veyo at the top of the course. I heard there were a lot of crashes, and many people didn’t make the cutoff. Then you got to do the run!!! I bet it was nice to see friendly faces at mile 18.
We spoke with Huddle when we were registering athletes for next year. Curious whether they might change the course slightly, or move the date a week or two later. He didn’t think so – IM’s are supposed to be hard. I’ll tell you though, the statistics aren’t pretty. 2500 people signed up. Not sure how many people actually started (the paper said over 1900), but we registered about 2100. Last time I looked there were 1627 finishers. We registered only about 150 people on Friday and Sunday for the 2011 race. I imagine it will fill, but I bet it will take a while.
0
Comments
I had heard about a bunch of crashes on the bike, but I'm so glad I didn't actually see any of them. One guy told me that a few people actually just tipped over while trying to make it up the wall. Yikes! I can't imagine.
Please let your sister know that I hope she's feeling better!
A 3.8 km swim in low to mid 50s water is not "hard"; it's closer to suicidal for those who are just seeking to finish - the bulk of WTC's customer base. I hope Paul and WTC re-think the value of having an Arctic version of the 140.6.
I have to believe the cold water was very hard on both the slower swimmers in the water for more than 90 minutes and also those with very little body fat, regardless of their speed.
I worked to prepare myself for cold water and it was still hard for me. There are a lot of people who have no access to training in those conditions and only experienced it race week. Holy Crap!!
Bob- I am so sorry to hear about your sister. Such a bummer.
The first 2.5 hours of the race were to me like " survivor". I had gone there to truly race the course and in 15 minutes of thar swim, it had changed to survival. Then once out of the water, racing was out the window, I was just trying to get dressed with my nubby frozen hands and feet.
I cringe as I relive it:-(
CC
I cringe just hearing about it!
In Huddle's defense, he made the comment on Friday morning in reference to the bike and run courses being hard. I don't think anyone expected the water to be that cold. I'm sure he wouldn't have said that after the race.