Perhaps it is just me, but especially after the many discussions on the EN Forum concerning the health risks of these events, I found myself more troubled than inspired in watching those two old guys at the end bounce off cars, signs and spectators as they tried to keep moving forward.
@ Al, yes, I too had trouble with those scenes, for several reasons. First, I know those guys - France Cokan is an MD (retired) who lives on our "Eastside" (east of Lake Washington, that is) and is a health food nut - he's been doing IMs for decades - his web site is "FeMan" (Fe=Iron on the periodic table of elements). He's won his AG multiple times @ IMs over the years, and done well in Kona since the last century.
And, it's one thing to see a naive 30-something guy or gal putting themselves into and thru the red zone - it's another thing entirely to see guys who should know better forcing themselves past that point. I felt a wee bit insulted that somehow old folks were being shown in a negative light. Meaning, the non-triathletes in the audience might be mumbling - "what's an old guy doing out there anyway; he shouldn't be doing that to himself." When you and I know better.
I suspect that, given the broadcast's history of showing people is distress over the years, the fact that these were the only folks they could find who demonstrated the prototypical physical collapse speaks volumes about how far we've come as a sport in understanding pacing and nutrition.
@Al squared. I thought the same thing. Joe Public can't get over the Julie Moss phenomena, at least that's what NBC apparently believes. I found it moving but also disturbing. And yes, it seemed to shed a negative light over older competitors.
I agree with you guys about these scenes. I have utmost respect for those guys and would love to still be out there at that age myself! But it was really disturbing to see them push their bodies beyond their limits in a way that looked really unhealthy. I also thought it cast ironman in a somewhat disturbing way in general. I applaud those competitors for finishing through adversity, but at the same time, wish that NBC could have allotted some more time to some of the other inspiring stories. I think they could have promoted the sport in a more healthy way. I wonder how those athletes felt about that coverage and the way it looked for Joe Public....
On a positive note, I don't know Liebs but that shot of him was impossible to miss, and it was awesome!
Liebs crossing the line was probably the highlight for me. Super cool celebration!
...BUT, the Euro Pro's among the crowd were probably gravely disappointed that he forgot to zip up that jersey before the finish line photo...next time Liebs...next time!
I had similar feelings on the focus on two veteran ironmen struggling to cross the line. The broadcast has focused on that in the past But I was suprised they chose to show two or three folks basically with the same story. There are clearly other stories that are worth sharing and telling that don't involve watching two guys who are probably still feeling the effects of race day (well, maybe not, but you get my point). I guess two guys crawling to the finish line is just sexier and more romantic than showing someone negative splitting the run. "what's a negative split?" yells the average joe from the couch... Overall, I thought the broadcast was great. And the EN jersey looks freakin awesome in HD!!!
Hey guys lol at the comments. This has been both the most amazing - and the most painful - year of my life. But Sunday's broadcast was the biggest exclamation point one could ever ask for. I am so thankful I've had you all to share it with. Fate works in very, very, very strange ways. Yes I pulled a Macca and forgot to zip my jersey, even when just 1/4 mile before I had reminded myself (at least I didn't have "bitch t*&s" from sponges like he did though lol). Then again, I had failed to recognize teammate David Ambrose as in fact David Ambrose at that point, and was wondering who this guy was running backwards in the dark with me the last quarter mile with a camera and who knew my last name. LMAO I guess our minds go to strange places during events like these, and at times like those. Regardless of who, how, or how many milliseconds, I am happy for Coaches that we got the EN colors and logo up there several times for them - they have worked insanely hard and deserve recognition for the "brand name" - the family - that they have created. And while many people have commented to me privately that there is no way to "top" this experience - I don't think I ever need to. Sure, I want to get fitter and faster, healthier and happier - but this entire experience happened for a reason and I will enjoy spending the rest of my life figuring out why. But until I do, I'll just keep checking the EN workout schedule every day and seeing what's on tap for the day, just like you fine folks. Have a great day and thanks for sharing this whole journey with me. -Liebs
I was also disappointed that this year's broadcast didn't have as many AGer stories as usual, seems to me like the quality has dropped a little, so they had to "fill" the 90minutes with focus on the struggling/falling/ailing folks, especially the "elders".
No doubt the pro race was a great story in and of itself, both men and women, but they need to focus on the "everyday folks", which is their bread-and-butter (WTC and NBC).
And, anyone else SICK of all the "built-in" commercials? How many times did you see a Ford in that broadcast? How many times did it take you to learn that it was a commercial over part of the broadcast program?
So happy to read the like-minded perspectives on the falling-over-old-people coverage. Personally, I felt Mssr. Cokan seemed overcooked to the point of danger. I don't find those finishes compelling anymore, and I I will admit, I once did in my much younger days. I dunno, I no longer see those things as heroic or role-modelish. I think "permanent damage" and possible death--don't be stupid and STOP! Sure, it should get hard, one has to push through it, but then there's that whole other level of crawling-on-the-ground-supposed-heroism that compels people to do IM. It now repulses me. That's the evolution of my perspective on that whole thing. :-)
The coverage was OK, but have liked other years much more. The showdown between Lori Bowden and Karen Smyers--I still rewatch that one. And, yes, the embedded ads are really annoying.
Agree with all about the focus on the extremes in the older athletes this year, was rather prolonged and slightly distasteful in my opinion. Also agree about the ridiculous Ford and RoadID informercials - I even warned those around me about them and predicted the "Ford SYNC Ironman Vehicle Experience" as was aired last year. And, even considering my own footage, I agree the 2010 broadcast was MUCH more riveting with Clayton Treska and the heart transplant recipient back for a second go at it. Of course IronWar II made 2010's race that much more enjoyable as well.
Did anyone else notice the commercial for Afib drug. I thought that was an interesting target audience given our recent discussions about heart health and endurance sports. Great EN showing!!
NBC Kona coverage seems to follow these priorities: 1) Show the pro race; 2) Fill the intermediate space with human interest profiles; 3) Cap it with scenes of implosion! I liked this year's race because it seemed like they gave more time to the pro's than they have in the past. Although, I don't mind the other stuff, I would prefer a broadcast of the same length with pro-only coverage.
As to the 70+ guys, I simply felt their pain. I'm not sure what happens when you see the folks listing like that...it's like something in their back has gone out and they can't straighten up. However, I don't presume that a back issue implies other more serious issues going on. In fact, they both seemed quite lucid, had their wits about them, but their body would simply not let them stand straight.
I thought it was great that they had the oldest ever woman's finisher at 76, and she looked pretty good at the finish line. I read somewhere that physiologists felt that 82 was the maximum age anyone could be and finish IM Hawaii. I don't think Lew Hollander is going to meet that. He won again (amazingly with 2 other 80+ finishers), but he slowed a lot since last year and only has a 15 min margin if he comes back. It would be nice to see someone finish at 83 but I don't think it's in the cards until someone like Ken Glah gets up there.
Ditto on the 76 year old woman. She looked really great coming across...wonder what her time was. The pro race was awesome...men for the way Craig Alexander put up a 15 minute improvement over last year's bike time and Chrissie for running everyone down and holing off Melinda C. Really great stuff.
We completly missed setting up the DVR to record it. Could anyone that has it recorded make a DVD for me? Pretty please? Look, I'll pay you for it, wtf.
I can't burn a disc from my cable DVR box - it will be aired on NBC's smaller subsidiary Universal Sports on 12/18 I think. Plus, as a Passport Club member I'll get a complimentary DVD every spring - so once I get the disc I will figure out a way to "take care of" any EN teammates that I need to in that regard. (i.e. read between the lines lol). Incidentally, Passport club = $50, but I figured the DVD was worth $30, and it was worth the extra lottery entry it gave me as I figured most of the other lottery people do the Passport Club also. I think I figured right.
We watched at home with the girls and it was awesome to hear them ask so many questions. Triathlon for them seems to involve kissing mommy or daddy goodbye and then clapping alot until they stop and you can hug them when they are sweaty and tired. Very cool for them to see it all. That said, they were totally thrown off by the slo-mo stuff (I think if you played it real time the broadcast would have been 20' faster!) and had no idea why people would drop out / stop racing.
The guys at the end were just bad, really bad. Nobody wins in that scenario...both were lucky not to get truly injured.
i hear everyone focusing on the guys at the end. THE guy, however, is Lew Hollander. He is still racing this thing and finishing (as strong as one can at 82) in a reasonable upright fashion, perhaps that is why he got so little air time. They did a nice profile on him two years ago, he starts off by saying, "half the people my age, are dead..." incredible guy. based on how he presents himself, i would expect him to not finish like the two stumbling guys they showed.
@ Al: bear in mind that the Kona broadcast is completely produced and controlled by WTC, not by NBC sports. All the production decisions are theirs alone, and I am in agreement with you that their fixation over extreme physical distress has become (for lack of a better term) tiresome to watch. WTC has made the marketing decision that this is how they want to present their marquee event.
Somehow I can see how guys like that would push themselves to that point: none of us is ever guaranteed another race, but if you are in Kona and past 80 you have to believe that race will be your last IMH (possible exception of Lew Hollander, who stands a decent chance of finishing at 90 by the looks of him). Knowing what these guys are like, and how I imagine I would be if I were strong enough and lucky enough to make it to IMH at age 70, 80, whatever, I can see how their attitude was "I am going to finish or they are going to carry me out on my shield."
It is amusing how the footage they crave is becoming rarer each year: they keep recycling Chris Legh's stagger-fall, and I recognize bike crash footage from 7 years ago.
Comments
Juat home, got it on DVR. Really excited to watch now that I know Liebs made the cut!
But, really, Chrissie's road rash was on screen longer than Liebs.
@ Al, yes, I too had trouble with those scenes, for several reasons. First, I know those guys - France Cokan is an MD (retired) who lives on our "Eastside" (east of Lake Washington, that is) and is a health food nut - he's been doing IMs for decades - his web site is "FeMan" (Fe=Iron on the periodic table of elements). He's won his AG multiple times @ IMs over the years, and done well in Kona since the last century.
And, it's one thing to see a naive 30-something guy or gal putting themselves into and thru the red zone - it's another thing entirely to see guys who should know better forcing themselves past that point. I felt a wee bit insulted that somehow old folks were being shown in a negative light. Meaning, the non-triathletes in the audience might be mumbling - "what's an old guy doing out there anyway; he shouldn't be doing that to himself." When you and I know better.
I suspect that, given the broadcast's history of showing people is distress over the years, the fact that these were the only folks they could find who demonstrated the prototypical physical collapse speaks volumes about how far we've come as a sport in understanding pacing and nutrition.
@Al squared. I thought the same thing. Joe Public can't get over the Julie Moss phenomena, at least that's what NBC apparently believes. I found it moving but also disturbing. And yes, it seemed to shed a negative light over older competitors.
I agree with you guys about these scenes. I have utmost respect for those guys and would love to still be out there at that age myself! But it was really disturbing to see them push their bodies beyond their limits in a way that looked really unhealthy. I also thought it cast ironman in a somewhat disturbing way in general. I applaud those competitors for finishing through adversity, but at the same time, wish that NBC could have allotted some more time to some of the other inspiring stories. I think they could have promoted the sport in a more healthy way. I wonder how those athletes felt about that coverage and the way it looked for Joe Public....
On a positive note, I don't know Liebs but that shot of him was impossible to miss, and it was awesome!
Liebs made the cut TWICE! Did they show anyone else twice other than the pros??? NOT! Go LIEBS!!
Whether you know him or not, Leibs in general, is impossible to miss. And yes, it was awesome!
...BUT, the Euro Pro's among the crowd were probably gravely disappointed that he forgot to zip up that jersey before the finish line photo...next time Liebs...next time!
I guess two guys crawling to the finish line is just sexier and more romantic than showing someone negative splitting the run. "what's a negative split?" yells the average joe from the couch...
Overall, I thought the broadcast was great. And the EN jersey looks freakin awesome in HD!!!
No doubt the pro race was a great story in and of itself, both men and women, but they need to focus on the "everyday folks", which is their bread-and-butter (WTC and NBC).
And, anyone else SICK of all the "built-in" commercials? How many times did you see a Ford in that broadcast? How many times did it take you to learn that it was a commercial over part of the broadcast program?
So happy to read the like-minded perspectives on the falling-over-old-people coverage. Personally, I felt Mssr. Cokan seemed overcooked to the point of danger. I don't find those finishes compelling anymore, and I I will admit, I once did in my much younger days. I dunno, I no longer see those things as heroic or role-modelish. I think "permanent damage" and possible death--don't be stupid and STOP! Sure, it should get hard, one has to push through it, but then there's that whole other level of crawling-on-the-ground-sup
The coverage was OK, but have liked other years much more. The showdown between Lori Bowden and Karen Smyers--I still rewatch that one. And, yes, the embedded ads are really annoying.
As to the 70+ guys, I simply felt their pain. I'm not sure what happens when you see the folks listing like that...it's like something in their back has gone out and they can't straighten up. However, I don't presume that a back issue implies other more serious issues going on. In fact, they both seemed quite lucid, had their wits about them, but their body would simply not let them stand straight.
I thought it was great that they had the oldest ever woman's finisher at 76, and she looked pretty good at the finish line. I read somewhere that physiologists felt that 82 was the maximum age anyone could be and finish IM Hawaii. I don't think Lew Hollander is going to meet that. He won again (amazingly with 2 other 80+ finishers), but he slowed a lot since last year and only has a 15 min margin if he comes back. It would be nice to see someone finish at 83 but I don't think it's in the cards until someone like Ken Glah gets up there.
Kurt. Try this guy at ioffer.com
http://www.ioffer.com/i/hawaii-iron...-502098712
I have bought from him before.
Legal?
The guys at the end were just bad, really bad. Nobody wins in that scenario...both were lucky not to get truly injured.
@ Al: bear in mind that the Kona broadcast is completely produced and controlled by WTC, not by NBC sports. All the production decisions are theirs alone, and I am in agreement with you that their fixation over extreme physical distress has become (for lack of a better term) tiresome to watch. WTC has made the marketing decision that this is how they want to present their marquee event.
Somehow I can see how guys like that would push themselves to that point: none of us is ever guaranteed another race, but if you are in Kona and past 80 you have to believe that race will be your last IMH (possible exception of Lew Hollander, who stands a decent chance of finishing at 90 by the looks of him). Knowing what these guys are like, and how I imagine I would be if I were strong enough and lucky enough to make it to IMH at age 70, 80, whatever, I can see how their attitude was "I am going to finish or they are going to carry me out on my shield."
It is amusing how the footage they crave is becoming rarer each year: they keep recycling Chris Legh's stagger-fall, and I recognize bike crash footage from 7 years ago.