AT Kona 2015
Brief race report as explanation (NOT excuses) for my race:
Swim: 1:41. I just kept moving my arms, but they don't seem to have the oomph they used to, at least in a rough water non-wet suit swim. Explanation: bike accident >> spinal cord injury (central cord syndrome) resulting in, among other things about 20% reduction in strength in my upper extremities. EG, I was able to go 1:12 in Lake Placid, and before the accident I was able to go sub-1:20 in Hawaii IM, and sub 30 for 1500 meters in Maui Xterra race. After, obviously another story. Certainly not a training issue, I've done 310,000 meters in the last 12 months @ an average pace of 2.7 km/hour.
Bike: My Garmin says 7:10, with 6 minutes stoppage time for peeing (twice, can't do it while riding anymore, another residual of that SCI) and SN. I was very satisfied with how I felt on the bike, keeping my energy up, my fluids renewed every 12-15 minutes, and no loss of positive or at least neutral mental attitude.
Run: I stopped my Garmin after 13 miles, as I had shut down the run at that point. If this had been any race except Kona, I might not have even started. I've been nursing a moderate-severe high hamstring tendon injury with some fraying and a lot of inflammation there since after Lake Placid. A prudent man would have take 2-3 months off to let it heal. Stubbornly, I tried running 25-28 miles most weeks before the race, with long runs of 2 hrs and 2:20 at a pretty slow pace. But each and every step hurt during training, likewise in the race. I walked up Palani Hill after mile 10. Started running downhill for about half a mile after that, then neither my brain nor my body was up to the task of starting up again. So I walked ... and walked.
There was also the little matter of having surgery scheduled in 3 weeks for a growing inguinal hernia. That's not painful, but it affects my movement, and was certainly on my mind during all this.
The future: this was Ironman finish # 25, Kona #6. I've achieved far more than I had ever dreamed of in IM competition: 7 AG wins, 3 AG course records, 9 KQs. To say nothing of 5 IMs in the last 15 months. I've concluded that I do not have sufficient motivation to muster either the training or the race-day effort required to keep performing well, so I am taking a sabbatical from IM racing for 2-3 years. Next two years will be SC and ITU LC racing, at the national and world championships. Then I could very well find another IM when I am 70 in order to KQ again. And, for the next 2-3 months, my body needs a break if its going to last as long as the number of heartbeats and brain cells I expect I have left. My resting pulse is 39-40, so I figure that's not going to give out anytime soon.
Comments
Al,
you know your body better than anybody and the decisions you made were the best given the circumstances you faced. you are always an inspiration on this team whether its racing in Kona or sharing your expertise and experiences to help others learn from the good,bad and the ugly for sure.
thanks for sharing and recover soon
James
I know you will master your next couple years goals...ITU LCW is a fun way to go long but not too long.
So, do you want to adopt a 50 something female who still wants to improve at the IM? *cough, me cough*
Few people know more about racing, training and making comebacks to IM than you do Al. A sabbatical period and change up is wise ( as usual!) And you will reap nice benefits from the change of focus. While still chomping at the bit this year in my forced year off, I've regained some nice perspective, and refreshed my love of the long run for its own sake. I gotten excited about doing other things again, mtb,, trail running, that are more about just getting out than getting training in. Getting that joy in training and building new excitement to get back to racing has been a great reward for paying my due diligence to my health. I know it will be yours too. Congratulations on an awesome season. Heal up and rest up!
Al...I think your brief summary of your career is all that needs to be said. What an impressive record of achievement!
It was a tough day out there. And you made smart decisions along the way to get yourself home again. And at Kona all that really matters is getting to come down Alii' Drive to cross the line to the cheers of the crowd. You did that once again. Congrats.
I understand your desire (need) to take a break. I hope to stay in touch and hear about your SC racing plans over the next few years.
Thank you so much for all that you have taught me and others in the Haus about IM training & racing, but also about life. I have really enjoyed reading your blog this week and seeing your perspective on the things that are right in front of me. Best of luck to you.
I think a sabbatical from IM is a good idea. You have accomplished a ton in your racing but for the past several years you have been pretty clear about struggling to find appropriate goals, sufficient competition, etc. Perhaps if you take a few years off from IM, recharge and sharpen with SC (or even other sports??) you would come back to IM viewing it once again as a challenge with unknowns to be conquered. I suspect returning to IM at 70 would feel like a new challenge.
In the meantime I look forward to seeing you at some races. Since you won't be doing IM there is a much larger chance I'll see you around!!!
Al, it was a pleasure spending time with you and Cheryl this week. Thank you for the advice and tips on the race. Enjoy your break and heal up well after your surgery. I'm thinking you will be back to top form just in time for our pact!!
You have accomplished more in the last 3 years than most people on the planet will in a life time, and when the system needs some rest you have to listen. Rest up and get ready for a new Ski Season which will be here before ya know it.
Thank you for your wisdom race week and encouragement on race day (GO!!!)...you never seem to utter a word without first thinking how to use it...and we are all better for it.
I don't envy your competition's task once your are rested and healed...enjoy your winter and I look forward to your 2016 and beyond!
Nagging injury and IM builds don't go to well together. Sorry you had to go through that but you showed your grit by finishing the drill. And, you did get to suffer in a cool place, if that's any consolation.
Had an inguinal hernia for 5 years before I got it fixed. It. Got. HUGE. Never wanted to take the time off to let it heal properly. Even did a few tri's looking like horse in my tight tri shorts. You know how this works. Not a big deal but you'll be happy you finally got it repaired.
Get healed up. Looking forward to seeing how you play it in 2016.
Now a week post-race, I'm realizing I was BURNED OUT. My weight was down 5# below racing weight at the pre-race weigh-in. Post race, I have been napping for AN HOUR A DAY, and I have NO DESIRE to get back out on my bike or run or swim, which is not normal for me post-race - I'm usually ready to go by Thursday or so.
My heart still wants to be going to "work" every day @ triathlon, but my mind is smart enough to have scheduled this surgery for enforced rest, much needed physical and mental downtime. I am looking forward to getting back (a) to the slopes in December, the (b) with the team in April May @ BRC and ToC, then (c) on the horse for some Racing In The Streets next year. Local shorter stuff and most likely Boulder 70.3 in June, and USAT LC (70.3) Champs November 13 in Miami, FL.
Come spring, I'll make a decision whether to go for an Ironman® in the Aug 28-Oct 9 Fall busy season. No secret that would be for a trip back to Kona 2017.
October 16: "Come spring, I'll make a decision whether to go for an Ironman® in the Aug 28-Oct 9 Fall busy season"
Amazing what a few days of thoughtful reflection (or just stewing) will do, eh? For the record I stand by my original comments. Take the sabbatical. Honestly. Come back really, really fresh. Yes your fitness is "use it or lose it", but you'll stay fit with other stuff.
Matt, Tim, thanks (really) for your comments. I had a hard time getting an objective read on my state of mind, so I had Cheryl read the exchange. Her response: "What, are you NUTS!?" You guys are right. I retract any thoughts of IM/KQ. That's the last thing I need right now. I feel good about the rest of my plan.
It is hard to make the mental and emotional shift from years and years (5? 10? 15? hard to know how to figure it) of structured IM training to...something else. But I don't want Tim showing up at my house with Heather and a crew for an intervention, so I'll stand down.
I had a similar thought process to you. I felt burnt out leading up to CHOO this year and told myself I would wait until spring to make a decision on signing up for an IM next year if at all. The nagging itch to sign up for an IM began 7-10 days after CHOO was over, ha ha. I agree with Tim's comment that this stuff is definitely addicting but there is something else too... It's extremely hard to be a part of this awesome team and see so many great people doing awesome things and not do it ourselves. Enjoy your break and heal fast. I look forward to seeing what's next!
Al, you've been on the Ironman merry-go-round for a long time and have racked up a resume that few will ever equal. It's no wonder your body, and more importantly your mind, needs some time to recharge. I think it's a great call to shift your focus elsewhere and look to do some short course where there is no doubt you will have the residual fitness to compete without the physical/mental toll of IM training. I was planning on skipping Boulder 70.3 for the first time in 4 years but if you're planning to race it i may need to reconsider.
Also, i can't say enough about how much i enjoyed reading your Kona posts during race week. As always, thanks for sharing!