IM Lou
I'm back in Mississippi and recovering from my attempt at my first IM. Let me start off by saying I met a ton of great people at the dinner Friday and I appreciate any and all advice that was offered. I tried my hardest but in the end I just couldn't make it.
Swim: I'm not a great swimmer and I honestly had a goal of getting out of the water with as little effort spent as possible. I was targeting a 1:30 swim and my actual time was 1:33. I was pleased with the results. As soon as I got out of the water, I ate a gel and drank a cup of powerade, trying to replenish some calories.
Bike: The bike started off great. I felt good at first, but noticed that around mile 20 I was starting to have some GI issues. I'm assuming that meant I was getting dehydrated. I stopped at the aid station at around 22 or so and used the port a john. After that, I started feeling good again until around mile 50, when my legs started cramping. I had these same issues at the Longhorn 70.3 last year. I've never been able to figure out what causes my cramps. Electrolytes, dehydration, heat, fitness, all of it??? The strange thing to me is that I did not have a single issue all year with cramps while I was training. By the time I reached the aid station, I was starting to cramp pretty bad. At mile 77, I had to stand to climb the second steep hill on Ballard School Rd. When I did so, my left leg completely locked up and I wrecked. A man standing outside his house with the water hose brought me some ice that I rubbed on my quads. They loosened up and I was able to ride to the next aid station. I sat there for about 20 or 30 minutes in an attempt to get some nutrition and fluids in. I asked the volunteer how much time I had to make it to T1. I had about 2:50 to get there and I was 35 miles out. Normally that would easily be done, but not that day. After 30 minutes I was still cramping and figured it was time to call it quits. I think the heat killed me. I honestly believe that had it been 80 degrees, I would've finished the race.
I've talked to my wife about where I am and what I want to do. Next year i'm going to do nothing but HIMs and really try and get my execution down. I've also signed up for Augusta at the end of this month. I figured it would be fun to do another race before the end of the season.
I started training for my first triathlon in May of 2008. I was 228 pounds and could not run 100 yards, let alone dream of being able to even participate in an Ironman. I'm 30 years old and I have absolutely no background of any sort of athletics, other than weight lifting. Today I'm 170 and I feel accomplished for having been in a position to do what I'm doing. I appreciate everyone's guidance and I look forward to training with y'all for whatever race I decide to do next.
Comments
sorry to hear about the day! But wow... reading how much you've accomplished (and how much weight you've lost), is amazing! I'm sure dialing in your execution with the HIMs next year will do you some good... and you'll be an Ironman yet!
Great to meet you at the team dinner & sorry to hear your day ended prematurely.
The heat and stress of race day caused some unusual problems with me, too. Have fun in Augusta. I hear that's a good race.
Dan
Great to meet you at the dinner and talk a little after Patrick's four keys race. You are an inspiration to me for transforming yourself the way you have. I am sure others are watching, too. With your great attitude, I am sure you will conquer Augusta and what comes next. Thanks for being a great example Scott
Branan - tough, tough day for your first attempt at an IM. The most impressive thing here is your quote: "I started training for my first triathlon in May of 2008. I was 228 pounds and could not run 100 yards, let alone dream of being able to even participate in an Ironman. ... I have absolutely no background of any sort of athletics, other than weight lifting. Today I'm 170 and I feel accomplished for having been in a position to do what I'm doing."
You've come so far in such a short time. There are no overnight successes in Ironman racing. I think you're making a good choice to work on shorter races and execution skills while you put in the requisite miles and time needed to feel comfortable with the longer distance. There is simply no substitute for the time your body needs to allow you to evolve into the hidden athlete you already know you have inside.
Sorry to hear your day ended prematurely. It was a hot, tough day. You should be proud of your accomplishment.
It was great to see you and chat with you on the 1694 hills. You helped me to climb in the EN way. Good luck on your next race!
Congratulations on all that you have achieved---the courage and work it takes to make that kind of change in your life is inspiring.