Bad day for Spike - Triathlon Week

Spike10 · 06-19-2006, 11:57 AM

As in the title you now know it diddn't go too well on Sunday. It started out to be a very good day, the sun came up and warmed us all in the transition area as we all set our gear out and made idle chit chat with our new friends. The weather was made to order, no clouds, no wind, and calm water, this is the picture purfect start to a triathlon, I was in wave 6 so we had lots of time until we were to get wet. As the transition area closed down and all athletes merged to the beach the sun was bouncing off the water at the angle that is real tough to see very far, but we knew it was just right. As the horn went off so did my adrenilin, bang-crunch went my heart rate and we were off, water was a mere 68 deg. chilly but not alltogether unpleasant (if you were in a wet suit that is) I was in the rear of the pack so as not to get a foot in the teeth, stroking normal and smooth then it went all wrong. As I went to roll for some air I opened my mouth and started to inhale and WHAP in came a wave from the life guards jet ski. The coughing commenced and he said "do you need help?", unfortunatly the only reply I had was a series of deep gut wrenching coughs, he positioned himself between me and the pack that was now slipping away and asked again if I was ok, my reply now was "can I hang on to your jet ski until I catch my breath?", the reply was "No I have to pull you out", this is when I started to object and he pulled me anyway, I did this all the way back to the dock

As I walked towards the TA, I ran into the race director (a very cool guy) and asked him where I could turn in my chip?, he turned to me very concerned and asked why, so I told him, after he directed me to the person for my chip he also added that I needed to go to the med tent just to be safe (I agreed, but I was still upset) At the med tent I was checked out and cleared after a few minutes, the head Med guy (also very cool) leaned over to me and said "If you feel up to it why don't you go do the ride portion" my reply was "ya know, I think I will, so I did. Since my chip was already turned in I didn't beep as I went over the mat, this made the people there confused and they said my number diddn't register and with that I was off and riding (and coughing) knowing full well that I would get a big fat DNF after my name, I rode with more than a little bit of anger. I settled in on my new aero bars and mashed away, I had my computer on cadance and distance modes, since this is how I train I diddn't want to know my average speed until the end, sort of a surprise present to yourself I quess. Well the ride was one of the best of my life following one of the worst swims of my life, when I crossed into the TA I looked down and what did I see, 20 plus MPH over 17.5 miles that worked for me. In the TA I caught up with my rack mate and chatted a bit and I told him that I was out of the race and I would see him later, I diddn't do the run because I absolutly did not want to get in anyones way and my lungs were clear now so I just turned into a chearleader in a tri suit :) My day ended with having to tell this story to my whole family one person at a time because they got home and all different times yesterday. It helps to type it and tell you all, the next race is in July and I vowed to myself and to the tri-gods that this will not happen again.
And Scott (I know you are reading this) sorry to hear about your flats, and I will post a new pic of the new bar set up.
Talk to you all soon.
Spike.

hmullett · 06-19-2006, 02:28 PM

Sorry to hear about your bad day! But, you capped it off with a great ride!

Heather

Hernan96 · 06-19-2006, 03:30 PM

Sorry to hear about the swim. Glad you were calm and hopped on the bike and posted a good ride. Looks like the training is going well. Keep it up and don't let this get you down.

Chris

Spike10 · 06-19-2006, 03:45 PM

Thanks guys, I knew I would feel better talking to you, that's one of the main reasons I joined this site.
Outside of my family this place gives the best support anyone could ask for.
Thanks again.
Spike.

sfricks · 06-20-2006, 06:13 AM

WOW DUDE! I'm really sorry about your swim. Keep your head up. I love your demeanor. Great atitude despite your adversity and WOW, GREAT RIDE! Since you didn't finish that one, I guess you're gonna have to meet me in FL and go long!
Scott

dcornettjr · 08-28-2006, 08:28 AM

Not sure of my race was as bad but.....

This past Sunday I did a Int Tri. Weather and water were perfect. My age group was the last to go, which I like cause I don't have to worry about any body coming up behind me. About 200 meters in, my googles fall off my face, and when I look down, the strap has broke. I throw the googles aside, and keep trucking. I hate water in my eyes, and had to stop every 50 to 75 yards to sight my self.... I was not happy, it added 5 min to my swin..... Made the transition in to T1 and out in 1:45, so far things are looking up, the bike went well and had a PR, averge 17.8. I come in to T2 and and my son asks me... "Hey Dad wheres you Shoes?"

I say someone must have taken them, to which he replys, I called mom and she said all 3 set of shoes are still in the grague...... AHHHHH. So he askes me "What are you going to do?"...... to which I reply, I have been working for this race since Jan, and I am not going to quit now!, SOOOOO
I put on my socks (good thing I don't run sockless), and off I go. Other Athelets are looking at me like I am crazy... but hey if finished, sore feet and all.

But on the good side.... I beat my best run time by 10 second... go figure. And I would not recommand running a race with out shoes!

:)

sfricks · 08-28-2006, 01:16 PM

Holy Cow Dude! You must have feet of steel! Forget the split times, your tough!

Reminds me of a guy who broke his toe when he jammed it into a log running into the water. It was at the begining of his Ironman. 140.6 miles on a broken toe!

You guys are men in my book!

dcornettjr · 08-28-2006, 05:26 PM

Bull headed more then likley. Told my self I would finsih dead last, before I QUIT.

As one of the officals at the race said "This is your race, and that is what count"

Still debaiting the 70.3.... have to see how the off season goes.