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KAR
Posts:31
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| 09/21/2008 11:36 PM |
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I know the contest for free race entry is over, but what the heck, maybe this can be of use to someone.
I nearly walked away from this sport in '99, I was tired of the same sprint races ove the same courses year after year. Then the June '99 issue of Triathlete came out, and showed how an IM can be completed on minimal training. I thought about it for quite awhile, did a search for a late season IM, found the GFT in Clermont. I signed up, and then wondered what the heck had I just gotten myself into. I started reading the forum, learned quite a bit from guys like Tony G., Rock Cogar, Yakabo, IP, REM, Choo-Choo, Cliff, E-Dad, Steve Handwerker, Allen E. Irontoe(later named) to name a few. I put the miles in, showed up in Clermont, not just a little nervous, but absolutely terrified! I remember it rained all day on Thursday, Friday was cool and clear, race morning was picture perfect. My game plan was to get from point to point as comfortable as I could. The swim was wetsuit legal, of course, I was one of the only few to go w/o. Anyway, on the marathon, a cold front came through during the night on us late finishers, I had a gray sweatshirt in my run special needs bag left from early in the morning. I crossed the finsh in 15:10, with my sweat streaked gray sweatshirt. I remember alot about that day, but what really stands out are the volunteers. I could not have done it without them. I was on a high for days after, what a day! I knew I wanted to come back every year for this special event.
In 2000, I learned quite a bit about preparation. I flatted three times on the bike. I knew I didn't hit anything, couldn't figure out why so many flats. And they only happened after long, fast downhills. The flat tires disrupted the entire day, really threw me for a loop. (After the race, I found a worn spot on the rear tire.)My nutrition was thrown off. I ended up a "dnf" twelves miles into the marathon. I felt hyponatremic(sp), and had a really sore lower back. I could not overcome it. Before I dropped out I had to settle it in my mind that it is OK, it can happen the best of them, and by continuing I may do more harm than good, and there is always next year. But, man, dnf's SUCK!! It stays with you for a long time. It kept me going for next years race.
In '01 and '02, I finished in 14:39 and 14:25. In '02, I ran the second half of the marathon in just over two hours. I didn't forget it.
In '03, I was riding with a group(oops!), we were at mile 105.5, just outside of Montverde. My rear wheel came apart. I needed bike support, but it would be one hour before someone showed up. I started walking back to T2, thinking I could still make the deadline. My feet became blistered by walking along the road barefoot. I finally made it back to T2 and handed in my chip. Another dnf.
In '04, no one would have thought we would go through such an active hurricane season. The entire month of September was completely wiped out for me. I showed up for the GFT anyway, thinking that endurance and determination could get me through. Wrong. At mile 80 on the bike course, I couldn't even go 10 mph. I packed it in.
In '05, I got five centuriy rides in, the taper went just right, I was ready! The day I was supposed to start packing for Clermont, a 185 mph monster was born in the Gulf of Mexico, Hurricane Wilma. I could do the race and fly home right after the finish to board up the house, or skip the race and start prepping now. I decided to skip the race and stay home.
In '06, it was a race that you only dream about: if you're having a nightmare! My goggle strap broke on the second lap of the swim, I zigged and zagged in 2:01. The bike course was over 115 degrees, and there was no way I could keep up with the fluid loss. Two flat tires, I finished the bike in over 8 hours. Ouch! I vomited twice on the marathon, before packing it in.
In '07, I entered, but withdrew, my run training was going terribly. A bad case of plantar fasiitis was the culprit.
If any of you can learn something from this post, learn to be prepared. It's a LONG day and anything can happen. The difference between crossing the finish line and a dnf will be your ability to overcome these setbacks. IronPenguin has a couple of posts on "just finishing". Find it, print it, read it and memorize it.
As the founder of this race, John Collins, said, "Swim 2.4 miles, bike 112, run a marathon. And then brag for the rest of you life."
Kerry Riggs
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