JIM EBERTS 2015 IMMD DNF REPORT
IMMD 2015 RACE REPORT
As I was a DNF (1 0f 3) not a DNS (5+) I will take the
Thomas Edison experiment approach to the race. It’s not a failure since I
learned what didn’t work (or at least did not seem to help).
I arrived on Wednesday evening. I had a race plan printed
out with several lists. Thursday morning, I thought the expo opened at 10. I
got there way early and talked with a knowledgeable racer who knew the
registration didn’t start till noon. Rather than waiting 2 hours I decided to
drive the bike even though I’ve done the ChesapeakeMan and half IM. There were
some route changes and though there were orange tape arrows on the road I
missed a turn and never figured out really how to get back to town after the 2
loops. Not time poorly spent but it meant I would be standing in a line for
several hours waiting to get registered. Not really an issue since timing chip
issues caused more than an hour delay for the start of the line in getting
their equipment. Because I was in line
around lunch I really had no good lunch.
The information was that the water temperature would be around
67-68. I had a neoprene cap but you can’t use booties unless the temp is below
65 (brrrr!) Much of the rest of Thursday was used going over race changes (so I
don’t get somewhere 2 hours early). And
I was preparing for the big EN dinner. My GPS took me across the river and then
back to find the restaurant just before you cross the river but on the other
side of the street. It was a new GPS and maybe if I’d set some system rules for it I might not have had to go way
out of my way and waste time (good Administration?). After several texts with
ENers I met Wolf and his family at a nice place in town on the water; Portside.
His family were great and as an IM foundation member he gave me some good info.
FRIDAY: I biked the run. It was good since as soon as I
started my Garmin said my power tap battery was low. After straightening out
where to get help between the expo area and transition area a battery was
replaced in my Garmin RMP counter and the power tap was working (put I fear it
was just a “low” battery & would have worked hd I just tried using it on
this short ride). But this was much time used that was not scheduled. I
attended the last orientation meeting at 2pm and found out the water temp was
63 and not likely to get any warmer. I have scuba booties at home…I hate being
cold and understand getting out of the water I was unlikely to feel my feet
(not good at my height and age). My cell said I could get booties only an hour
away. I had time so put it in my gps (said 2 hours to the site). Still time to
get there and back with warm feet that help my long legs stay on the surface.
Long story short it took 5+ hours going through DC. I called the race director
and she said just drop the bike off at 5 am. Orientation speaker suggested
buying cheap sweat shirts to but in equipment bags to use or leave. I did that
after picking up the booties. Shorter drive back since no DC commuter traffic.
Filled my Needs Bags…but got only ONE HOUR sleep. I know you seldom get a good
8 hours…but I said I’ve learned lessons from this IM.
SATURDAY: got to
transition at 5 am. Had on my rented full wetsuit & new booties. I have
tender feet. I still don’t regret the “booty trip”. The water was glass! Great!
Set up my double AquaCell on my aero bars. One bottle in the down tub. All had
FRS, but different flavors. I training I use White or Green Tea with the FRS
but I hoped to limit the need to pee. Left seat tub empty for hydration at the
aid stations. I’d fill the aero cells with that and replace at the next aid
station. Chocolate waffles and wafers cut to size in Ziplocs with caffeine gum,
and ibuprofen in my bento box and long sleeve bike shirt. More than enough for
the bike and some to use on the run rather than aid station items.
hen came the wind! I was standing with folks by the start
and we all just walked away (not good!). Just before the start the announcement
came, in the dark, that the wind speeds were 15-30MPH and small craft warnings
were in effect and the route was being changed to a more protected area. It
would take approximately 30 minutes and the route would be less so the race
would still end at midnight. I’m a swimmer so I was some disappointed but high
winds and 63 degrees had some weight. After a while it became a bit lighter and
I went to look at the new route. The water was still rough and with the sun
just coming up…I saw nothing. Get into the line where you think you should be.
SWIM: Swim out to the big red buoy and turn right…again,
into the sun. I expected a triangle but could see few buoys but followed
bathing caps. Not always a good idea but I don’t swim straight so not as much of
an issue. Where is the turn? Where is the Turn? Finally a turn and uncharacteristically
I stopped at the first emergency paddleboard to look for the route. Still not
sure I asked the paddleboarder who was in he water with several folks hanging
onto his board. He thought it was an oval…Thank goodness since I don’t swim
straight but to the left…but the curve would be to the right. Follow those swim
caps. Made it out… 01:14:10.
T-1: I planned to make a complete change to dry off(?) and
put on a tri kit, arm and leg compression, one of my new sweat shirts and my
long sleeve bike shirt. My main concern was a left big toe dislocated since
high school. It always caused pain after several hours on the bike. I took
pains with getting my bike shoes on as best they could be. The tent was kinda
warm and I took my time. My goal was just to finish since my training was only
about 60%, I hate the cold, ONE HOUR sleep, etc. About 30 minutes…
BIKE: At the start I
was warm! Of course my Garmin again said low power tap battery. My heart rate
said Zone 0.2. Under the best conditions
it would say 0.9. I don’t remember my Garmin never giving me good heart rate.
I’m luck to use peddle rpms. EN training says take it easy the 1st
hour. That allowed the Garmin to start working. Folks passed me but I wanted to
stick to some type of plan. About 2 hours in a young rider speeding past me
said “good work” (maybe Wolf?). I started passing folks but stopped twice to
pee (fear of a wet leg in the cold wind).
The second time to alter my layers as I was very cold even with all my
layers (took off the arm compression). I may have begun to go faster since I
warmed up and kept passing riders. I was now chewing caffeine gum. I had a fear
I might be going too fast for a good run but faster gave me more run time and I
didn’t seem to be really “pushing it”. (IMLV bike 07:27:11, in 2012) on 10/17/15,
07:13:36. Not good but not bad since IMLV, I consider a technical bike with the
hills and turns and IMMD is flat, was dry this time and I did no sweating (only
occasional shivering) in the cold winds.
T-2: I had newspapers in each of my gear bags to use like
Tour De France riders often used on downhills to keep warm. I should have
dropped the wet base laer I had on and
inserted the paper. I changed nothing but had a chocolate milk and loose
wafers to start the run.
RUN: I already had on both my new sweat shirts. I was cold
but the first lap I went better than 5 mph remembering the plan to start the
first hour slower. At aid stations I walked and took Gatorade, Coke, and warm
soup. Several times I took a banana and some pretzels from the pile everyone
had their hands in (big mistake; I was on antibiotics by Tuesday). I never
touched the chocolate wafers, waffles, and peanut butter cheese crackers I had
in my bike jacket (also big mistake!). It was getting harder in the second long
lap. It was very dark. Folks along the route had thinned out. There were no
glow in the dark rings as in other IMs but I had a red light on the back of my
hat I hoped was working. My feet never caused an issue. Probably due to the cold
and strong winds. The second lap I was on target to finish if I could keep up
4+mph. I continued a high 4+ mph running the first half of this second lap. I
then reduced to walking 100 paces and jogging 100 paces for the 2nd
half of this lap. Near the end I found I did not drink or eat well. I had no
pains put had trouble walking fast swinging my arms. It was about 1030pm and I
only had the small loop to complete. The orientation speaker noted though the
race was technically over at midnight he would be keeping the route open and
anyone who finished would be considered an IronMan. I’ve been very cold before
but not at this point in an IronMan. I was not going to do much better than
finish (my other 2 IMs I was on the podium for my AG). I don’t remember ever
being hypothermic but I considered it a good possibility if I continued…so at
the start of the small loop I didn’t.
My pickup was parked at the finish and I drove to transition
to turn in my chip and pick up my bike. As I walked from my pickup I began to
shiver. I returned to my car and found a police officer watching the transition
area. I told him I was dropping out of the race and asked if I would be able to
drive into the transition lot to get my bike and bags. He said I must come back
after midnight to drive that close to my equipment. I returned to my room to
wait and woke up in 5 hours. I drove into the transition area where the officer
was in his vehicle watch about 15 bikes and their gear bags. I got my bike and
drove to the finish to pickup my morning bag which had my cell phone. Wolf had
texted about my condition and I texted back of my “experience”…registered for
IMMD 2016 that morning. In 2016 I’ll now be at the young end of my AG, not the
older 2015 end).
THIS EXPERIENCE TAUGHT ME
Get much more than ONE HOUR sleep
-
Though I hate cold weather and would never
register for a cold weather tri I should practice in some so if this happens
again, and it probably will, I can be better prepared with clothes to keep me
warm…not keep me cold. -
Not really sure what my 8 hour drive for
neoprene booties taught me other than I’ll add the cap and booties to the bag I
always bring to tris of those “who knows, you might need it” equipment. I got
neoperene arms for my sleeveless wetsuit and should practice with that to see
if it’s enough in cold water. -
Reenforced, I already knew, in 2016 I must add
weight training and getting closer to all the training in the EN workout plan. -
I could keep adding but it’s already long and
late. I’d like to find another report from a DNF (so we can cry together).
Comments
2016 will be your revenge year at IMMD...Good luck.
tks. Nate.
I've already registered for 2016 and have been experimenting with clothing options on the occasional cold day we have at this time.
See you next year but at my age I doubt I'd finish before dark even on a good day.