Turby's IMMT Race Report
I can't say enough about this race, the beautiful venue, and mostly the people. These Canadians are the best! They really make you feel welcome and make you want to come back. In spite of horrific weather there were people out on all parts of the course cheering! I saw some of the same people on the bike course still cheering 3 hours later in the pouring rain! Carol and I arrived on Wednesday and had perfect weather every day including Monday when we left. Race day not so much!!
Swim, goal: sub 1:20, actual 1:17
We were lucky to have the swim as they had plans to shorten or cancel the swim because of possible heavy fog from the storm coming in. I felt so lucky to swim in this beautiful fresh water lake! This was the most contact I've ever had in a swim including mass starts. Not sure why but it seemed crowded the whole way. The first leg out the water was fairly calm with a wind at our back. Then literally the second you turned right at the first turn buoy it felt like the Atlantic ocean! We actually stopped to look because we all thought some large boats went through and left wakes. It was so strange that it was almost funny. So around the next turn buoy we were swimming into the wind and waves making the splits much slower. Still much work to be done but I'm very pleased with my swim.
Bike, goal:5:45-5:50, actual 6:10 TSS 333, IF .735
This was the scariest bike ride of my life!!! I am a chicken on the bike. I have no desire to go screaming down descents in aerobars at 50 mph even when it's dry(62 year old bones don't heal well)!! The rain started about 1/2 hour into the bike and came in torrents! Add in strong gusting winds and some steep descents and I made a decision to slow down, sit up when in doubt and try not to die! Coming down from Lac Superior on the first loop I was just behind the worst crash I've ever seen, Looked to be at least 4 or 5 people and I was thinking I hoped everyone was alive! I have low thyroid and am always cold so thank goodness I had my EN cycling jacket with me or I would have been out with hypothermia for sure. My power and speed were slightly higher on the second loop because the field had thinned out some but it was just a matter of getting two feet on solid ground!
Run, goal: unknown, actual 4:06
I've had an injured right hip that radiates down the hamstring since late April. Typically it wouldn't be too bad for 7-8 miles then start to get worse and be really bad the last quarter of a long run. So it's been minimal mileage and no quality running since May so I really didn't know what to expect. It started hurting a little when I got off the bike and was running to the tent which was unusual. Maybe the hills and cool rain on the bike? I was thinking maybe 9:15 pace might be doable and was watching the splits to keep from going too fast. HR was never a factor at 112 average because of the rain. Right on schedule it started to tighten up and hurt and by 15 miles I stopped looking at splits, stared at the road and put one foot in front of the other! This was by far the most pain I've had in a race and I was trying to think about Carol, my kids, my grandkids and anybody else I could think of to distract from it! It was great to hear Mike Reilly announcing in the last couple of miles and know it was almost over. The finish there is awesome as you come down a chute of people down through the village!
Finish time: 11:49 8th AG
Shout outs to all the EN people there! It was so great to see everyone! Special mention to Satish who had an amazing 1st IM race and Dawn Cass who had a big PR in awful conditions. I saw her 4 or 5 times on the run and she was strong right till the end! She'll be heading to the Big Island in the near future! Extra special mention to my training partner, best friend, and love Carol who's support I couldn't do without!! I'll return the favor on Oct 8th in Kona, baby!!
Comments
Nicely done
~ Coach P
I agree with your comments on the swim and the bike..lots of people on both fronts which I think took us both by surprise. I think the best thing you did was to be safe and take it easy on the bike...there is nothing worse than a crash and potentially not finishing. The day took more mental strength than anything.
The run....almost selfish to say on your post...but need to make it public....thanks for all the high fives and shouts of encouragement. Seeing you coming around on the run was something to look forward to and to be honest...made me jealous you looked like what we were doing was a piece of cake! I would have never guessed that you were injured by how you looked. Thanks so much for being my cheerleader and hope I can return the favor to you sometime. Thanks as well for your comments above....I now do have the appetite for the big island....why don't we make a deal and try to meet up there next year?! ;-)
Congrats again Turby....I hope we can keep in touch and enjoy race day in Kona with Carol. I look forward to seeing what your plans are for next year.
Thank you all for the nice comments. This is why EN is Numero Uno in my book!
@Tim, Yup it was a 6 min PR on the swim for me. Also, I think there were a couple of more minutes to be had out there because of the waves and wind on the second and third legs. The pros seemed to be 2-3 min slower than usual. Very happy with the swim!! I was thinking of you on the bike because I know we are the same in the cold! If I hadn't brought that EN jacket It would have been DNF for sure!! Yes, the injured leg and equally the lack of training cost me on the run. There were a couple of guys that did have good runs and I look forward to getting healthy and running them down in the future. Payback!
Often (usually?) the best races are not the ones we win, but the ones which simply make us feel accomplished. This sounds like one of those for you - a chance to enjoy the day despite the bad conditions. Reminds me of one year in IM CDA when I felt great about running the marathon while it was 48o and drizzling. I don't remember what place I got or my time, but I do remember smiling when I noticed all the spectators in their winter coats!