quick IM Kona Debrief
Well it is called Ironman not wussie man.
My first feelings immediately following the race were to apologize to all of you who have supported me in one way or another. I have tried to make a trade mark of coming through in clutch situations, especially when long bike rides are involved.
Until I woke up (not trembling) Sunday, morning, I was really disappointed. I felt that I’d let down the huge number of people who have supported me this season. If I had wrote a blog entry last night it would have looked like this:
I’m sorry.
Today, realize that a 13 months ago I was a cyclist dreaming of just qualifying for IronMan. Now to be 2nd Canadian, and 60th overall in the world is amazing progress. But fak, I really wanted something different, but just didn’t quite have it on the day.
I didn’t sweat out the eyes on 3h elliptical trainer workouts to be 14th amateur. I have some hypotheses but am not going to whine on with a bunch of excuses today. At the 90 minute mark of the bike I stopped feeling good, and by the 2h mark I had to re-evaluate my plan. I’ve had training rides which were longer with better wattages, my legs just weren’t ticking over right. On the run, the eventual age group winner came past me around 4km in. I knew I should be feeling relaxed ta my running pace, but while I was thinking ‘relaxed’ I was a little nervous that I wasn’t feeling that way. Either way I kept tossing the ice down my top and hoped that my legs would come around. They didn’t. To have 22 people pass you in the final 12km (it was a LOOOOONG 12km) was tough, but I just could not go.
A guy passed me with 1km to go, and put 90 seconds on me - that’s ugly.
2 weeks until Xterra worlds, and after that an off season of strengthening those small muscles that bikers don’t have but runners need.
Thanks again to everyone who has helped me this season.
Thanks also for the people giving me encouragement by name on the course. I did get a few ‘dream crusher’ hollers, so that was nice.
Otherwise I don’t know that I will have very much internet access - and am off to Hilo HI… then Maui for a few days.
N
PS you won’t believe the tatoo I got!
Hey,
When I came here I didn’t have a confirmed Xterra entry as I wasn’t able to attend any qualifiers. With help from Glynn at Xterra Wetsuits I’ve got slot for the Xterra (mountain bike) Triathlon World Championships in 2 weeks.
Boof the fire is back on. I’m going to be renting a car and checking out the lava, and all that stuff for a few days and then will be doing some tune up training to stay sharp over the next little while.
Nat
Comment by Nat — October 13, 2008 @ 9:06 pm
Are you kidding me. You don’t need to apologize. We are all super proud of you. What an accomplishment to come 60th in the World Championships the first time you do an Ironman. I am sure you will meet your Ironman goals in future attempts.
As an aside I have never watched one sporting event for 9 plus hour before. I was watching Cross Nationals at the same time and it was a funny contrast. Each category would race then have a podium ceremony then the next race all the way through the different categories and meanwhile you are still racing the Ironman.
Comment by Sheri Jay — October 13, 2008 @ 9:34 pm
Nat: what an unbelievable accomplishment. What you were able to do– on your first try — is so unbelievably impressive. I had a cousin here visiting us from Britain, and he simply could not believe that there was an event as difficult as this. You should be incredibly proud of yourself.
Tug and Koufax are looking forward to seeing you soon! Andrea and Yves
Comment by Andrea, Tug and Koufax — October 15, 2008 @ 2:36 pm