Rhode Island 70.3 Race Report
Imagine you’re a carpenter. A relatively new apprenticed carpenter actually. You’ve worked hard to learn the basic math, measurements, and other industrial skills that make you successful at your trade. Most of your work involves building single family homes or small jobs here and there. Over time you work and hone your skills to become good at what you do. You even have shiny new tools that make building things easier. At some point you’re given the opportunity to build a mansion. No more two bedroom homes, but now you’re in charge of crafting an eight bedroom estate complete with a pool. Folks who hear you’re going to do this say you’re crazy for taking on such a monumental project. Why, they ask, would you ever want to work on something so overwhelming? You take their questioning in stride and continue to do what you love. You start laying the foundation, then put up the framing, eventually the windows go in, plumbing and electrical too. Finally, the only thing left to do is paint and decorate. However, the day you come in to work to start putting on the finishing touches you come to discover your house is no longer standing. A freak electrical fire caused the entire property to burn to ashes. Everything you worked so hard and diligently on has gone up in smoke – literally. There was nothing you could have done, some times these things just happen.
Today I was that carpenter. My initial attempt at the half-ironman distance ended in utter failure, but by no fault of mine. Around mile 28 of the 56 mile bike my rear derraileur snapped off its hanger causing the chain to tear in half. My day was done after only 29.8 miles (1.2 mile swim + 28.6 mile bike). I finished only 42% of the race. Eventually a few tech guys showed up, but unfortunately they didn’t have the necessary parts with them to get me fixed and on my way. They called the Shimano rep who was on the course to have him come by to see if he had the parts, but upon his arrival the only thing he could do was confirm my day was done. Three miserable hours later the sag wagon finally came by and picked me up. I had to wait as the very last rider out on the course rode past the last aid station where I sat waiting patiently. He dropped me off at T2 where I had to pick up my run stuff before I could head back to the hotel. The real kick in the nuts was the finish line was only 25 yards or so away from T2. So as I gathered up my belongings I had to hear the announcer call off folks who had just crossed the finish line. Why couldn’t that be me? That should be me.
The walk back to the hotel was in reality only 20 minutes long, but it felt like 20 hours. I have enough self awareness to realize it was just a race, but I felt miserable. I wanted to just throw my bike on the ground, kick the crap out of it, and then leave for them to throw in the trash. Had someone had a match I probably would have set it on fire as well. Okay, yes, this sounds a bit dramatic, but I put a lot into this. I wake up early and go to bed late training for these races. I sacrifice a lot of quality family time preparing to succeed and to be limited because a mechanical failure seems just plain unfair. Ask me tomorrow and I may feel different, but right now the stinging feeling is still pretty strong.
I will say that not all was lost on the day. Ironically enough, two other competitors happened to have mechanical issues around the same area I fell apart. First was Steve (bib #571 from the Philly area), who’s rear tube went flat. He stated that earlier up the road he hit a pot hole and all of his tire changing tools flew out of his bento box. He literally had no way to change his tire. Fortunately for him I had all the necessary stuff. I don’t think he had changed a tube before, so I took the reigns and changed it for him sending him on his way. I’m happy to report he went on to finish with a time of 6:18:58.
The second competitor was in a similar situation, but a bit more distressed. Roxanne (bib #1610) stated she was using this race as a qualifier for the World Championships in Las Vegas later this September and this was her last chance. She was frantically trying to change her tube as well, but was so overwhelmed her hands were literally shaking and she just couldn’t concentrate. Again, I took the lead changing her tire and she was off. Roxanne finished as well – 5:51:25. She finished 8th in her division which doesn’t automatically qualify her for the World Championships, but if the folks in front of her decided they didn’t want to go or didn’t claim the spot then her ticket is punched. Either way, she finished and I’m glad I was able to be apart of it.
So as I sit here writing this I’m still wondering what the next step is. It’s easy to wallow in my own puddle of misery and cry how things just aren’t fair. The reality of the situation is IMLOU isn’t waiting for anyone. The longer I sit idle the more unprepared I will be come Aug 28. I’m going to take down an entire bottle of wine tonight and once I go to sleep I’m putting this in the past. Tomorrow morning the train is back on the tracks and heading toward Asskickinville.
E
* one final note - congrats to the few EN folks who competed. I saw two guys in full EN gear out there representing strong!
Comments
B/T/W - how did the swim go? I hear it was in a pond this year?
I did this race in '08 (swam in ocean) and they have apparently totally changed all 3 courses.
but I guess you didn't get to see the whole course....(duh)..
Not much you can do about a derailuer. A chain, a tire, maybe...but there isn't any maintenance schedule for a derailuer cage. Replace it with a good quality one (ultegra or better) and get back on the horse.
I, however, had a different experience. Although there was no excuse for the last 10 miles of the bike course, I felt the first 46 were generally scenic and fair. (check out slow twitch forum there are lots of complaints about the course and race in general). I was lucky enough to be in the third wave (not sure how that gets picked) so the pond was relatively nice..I couldnt have imagined being in one of the last waves and swmming through a churned up pond without a wetsuit!(BTW, the locals call it "goose poop pond"). I had trouble sighting with the sun but im not suprised with my time...my swimming just plain stinks! and without a wetsuit...fogedaboutit! On the bike, i felt like I was pretty much out there alone which turned out to be good so i could race within my zones and stay focused on feulling for the run. and lastly, starting earlier meant finishing earlier so i was able to avoid some of that heat during the run!
I didnt PR but placed thrd in my age group for my first podium finish in an Ironman event and a trip to las vegas in september! Wish i could have had and EN kit on but joined a little too late! (wasn't going to borrow one
Bike Mantra i found helpful..."ride the bike you should, not the bile you could"...kept these rested legs from going out too hard and not once did i look at my mph (rode mid to high zone 3) and on the run i used heart rate rather than pace and went out EASY! i passed 5 women in my age group on the run...just picked them off 1 by 1. It is so much better than going out too fast and trying to hang on for dear life!
@ joscelin - great job and congrats!!! the EN way really does work. i was smiling when i saw guys powering out of their saddle in the early parts of the bike. i'm sure you were doing the same. it's such a gratifying feeling to pick people off one by one. the pond wasn't all that great, but it wasn't all that bad either. during my time on waiting for the sag wagon i spoke to a number of volunteers and locals - all of them said they NEVER swim in that lake. made me shutter a bit at the overwhelming sentiment, but it is what it is i guess.
thanks for the kind words and congrats again!!!