Please Vote: Should I Bail From IMAZ?

jmoss70

Today is the last day to withdraw and get $150 of my hard-earned cash back from IMAZ.  After a rough and injury-riddled IMCDA in June, I laid low until Labor Day to let my back heal.  It's come a long way but not 100%.  Doc cleared me to start training for IMAZ and I'm way behind on Long Runs - longest so far is 1:50 and splitting the LR up into two days (Thurs & Sun) has not really worked that well - pretty shelled and nagging injuries cropping up everywhere.  Swim is almost back to where it was.  Bike is solid - hardly lost any watts during the downtime.  However, I can't ride TT bike at all - hurts my back way too much and yes, the fit is right.  Add to all of this that I badly strained my left glute muscles about 10 days ago - no way I can run long (or at all) tomorrow.  Might be able to run again on Sunday for an hour.  So no Long Run this week.  Low back issues are starting to slowly creep back - holding them at bay for now.

So here's the summary IF I decide to DO IMAZ:

• No TT Bike.  It's just not an option.  I can't integrate it into my routine gradually enough to keep from sending my low back into a tailspin.
• Missing a Long Run this week and maybe next.  Longest run might be 2:10-ish if I am super lucky.  So plan on walking the entire 2nd half.
• Do I want to do it?  Yes/Kinda.  Why?  Because I have a lot of buddies doing it and it would be a fun weekend.  I've totally resigned myself to any time goals.  Just want to go do it.  The idea of effing up my back again is not something I am comfortable with and I'm not stoked on the idea of riding a Road bike in a triathlon.

 

 

 

Coach Rich

 Sounds to me like you're 100% sure you're going to have a very long and painful day. If it were me, I'd bounce the experience of _that_ off the experience and expense of going out to IMAZ with your friends and training partners.

As with all things, if it sounds like fun, do it. If not, don't do it. In your case, you need to also consider what it will be like to likely be uncomfortable on the bike very soon into the ride and then carrying that over to the run.

Coach Patrick

I say no. Get better and begin plotting 2013 domination....

Brenda Ross

I know this sounds silly, but what does your gut say? To many of us do not listen to that little voice in our head or the feeling deep inside that is giving us the answer. You know it is the right decision if after making it, you feel relief. Have you done that? That Ironman is going to be around after you figure out your injuries and get treatment.

new2703

I wouldn't. Sounds like you are one bad day away from aggravating your injury. time to rest and let your body heal. Would hate for this to linger into the 2013 season. Wouldn't be much of a fun weekend if you hurt that back

Al Truscott

 Jim - Not advice for you on whether to race, but just the story of what I did two years ago when injury forced me to shut down training/racing three months before IM AZ.

 

I ate the entire registration fee and went down anyway. The advantages I got were: I saw an IM swim start for the first time. I got some great EN mojo watching and cheering. I registered, so got the wrist band which allowed me in transition before during and after the race, where I could help out ENers and other friends. I signed up for the next year. I ran a bit on the course, which was good for the soul. if I'd had the strength, I could have swum on the practice days (only athletes are allowed in the water.) I also would have volunteered, like Bike Catcher, but again was not strong enough. My wife and I got to see her aunt, who's not getting any younger.

 

All in all, it was worth much more than $150 to me as part of my healing process and simple IM/EN mojo.



Sent from my iPad

On Oct 3, 2012, at 7:28 AM, noreply@endurancenation.us wrote:

 

 

A message was posted to a forum you are tracking.






Jim MossPosted:03 Oct 2012 11:28 AM
Subject: Please Vote: Should I Bail From IMAZ? 



Today is the last day to withdraw and get $150 of my hard-earned cash back from IMAZ.  After a rough and injury-riddled IMCDA in June, I laid low until Labor Day to let my back heal.  It's come a long way but not 100%.  Doc cleared me to start training for IMAZ and I'm way behind on Long Runs - longest so far is 1:50 and splitting the LR up into two days (Thurs & Sun) has not really worked that well - pretty shelled and nagging injuries cropping up everywhere.  Swim is almost back to where it was.  Bike is solid - hardly lost any watts during the downtime.  However, I can't ride TT bike at all - hurts my back way too much and yes, the fit is right.  Add to all of this that I badly strained my left glute muscles about 10 days ago - no way I can run long (or at all) tomorrow.  Might be able to run again on Sunday for an hour.  So no Long Run this week.  Low back issues are starting to slowly creep back - holding them at bay for now.
So here's the summary IF I decide to DO IMAZ:

No TT Bike.  It's just not an option.  I can't integrate it into my routine gradually enough to keep from sending my low back into a tailspin.
Missing a Long Run this week and maybe next.  Longest run might be 2:10-ish if I am super lucky.  So plan on walking the entire 2nd half.
Do I want to do it?  Yes/Kinda.  Why?  Because I have a lot of buddies doing it and it would be a fun weekend.  I've totally resigned myself to any time goals.  Just want to go do it.  The idea of effing up my back again is not something I am comfortable with and I'm not stoked on the idea of riding a Road bike in a triathlon.

 
 
 





To view the complete thread and reply, please visit:http://members.endurancenation.us/T...fault.aspx



Thank you, Endurance Nation

jmoss70

I'm out.  Just sent the email.  Rich's comments about long and painful day brought back a flood of bad memories from IMCDA.  I've been lucky enough to complete 4 IMs...there are more for me to do but I want to do them on my terms when I am healthy and can perform my best.  I have to truly sit back and assess this year, next year and think about what I want to do.  I was unable to do that during July/August while nursing a bad back and having the date of Nov 18th looming over my head.  I have the best wife ever and she would have supported me at IMAZ...however, having been married for 20 years I know that bailing on this race will buy me a ton of goodwill with her for the future.   

Good luck to all of you who are competing in IMAZ...I will be watching and cheering for you.  Stay safe and have a great race!

GMAN 19030

Take your $150 and live to fight another day.

cgres123

I'm with you Jim bail out.

robin sarner

Ok.   See you there next time.

ezellrh

Jim, late entry to the discussion, but if it were me, I would have made the same call. As a group of type A, never say stop folk, we're way too prone to push through stuff and end up worse on the other side. Bravo for listening to what your body is telling you and packing it in. There will always be other races! Good luck with the recovery.

Cary Blanco

I think you did the right thing. Heal up and kick butt in 2013!

BeckyH

Smart choice Jim, sounds like you knew what to do before you posted... you just wanted someone to confirm it. Good luck getting healthy, and looking forward to the comeback when it happens!!

gamb

I think you made the smart choice. Ironman doesn't sound fun to me at all really but starting it in pain .. shiver

Pina

Good decision Jim. More importantly, what's your diagnosis and what are you doing to heal??? That's the new important question and focus.

Peter Wick

Yes, cut your losses. Maybe consider going out there anyway and spending the day cheering on your peeps. Bring your bike and toodle around the run course (safely, that is) and cheer them on, say funny things, take pics, etc.