The Thanks
The kids (Best supporters ever and my inspiration)
Wife(Kid wrangler and mover shaker)
Dad and Brother (Best transition team without them my race would not be what it is)
Tri It Multisport Calgary (Best tri store around, Iron Elvis lives)
Alberta Paraplegic fund (helping out with equipment needed to even attempt)
Rest of my family, friends, Spanish Villa group, volunteers and supporters
Steve Fleck (doesn't know it yet but is going to hook me up with a nineteen wetsuit and shirt)
Pre Race
Had a great sleep, felt great got to T1 setup talk to some pro's (Jordan) wished them luck
Swim - 1:26:45
I had planed to start for left as I heard that would be the best place to not get beat up but its so shallow and since I don't walk I decided on just left of the buoy line deep enough that everyone had to swim about 4 people back. I was fine until I hear a guy say "No broken noses" and thought WFT never thought of that and we are off.
First 400m a little rough but much better then I thought it would be I swam the buoy line the whole way out got bunched at the front of the buoy but after the buoy was open, I got elbowed, dunked and grabbed but felt it was ok, if someone was overly aggressive or zigzagging I just stopped for a sec and let them be. Turns felt fine and stayed to the right of the buoy line on the way back.
Super pumped for the swim I kept thinking I would be 1:30 - 1:40 and really figured it would be 1:40 so at 1:26ish happy and surprised
Bike - Offical DNF - or just under 11hours
Was out on the bike in 1:35ish and felt great I was aiming for over 25km average out to the bottom of Richter Pass, I was passing people and being passed hit McLean Creek felt good, my plan to get water at McLean Creek was to not happen as they were out, got through the top of McLean Creek unscathed by the tacks but saw a lot of victims tore done to Ok Falls and on my way to Richter Pass.
Just pass Ok Falls by shoulders started to feel crappy something I had not felt before so stretched a bit and kept on going.
I hit the bottom of Richter Pass at over 25km average and felt good shoulders sore, again no water, now as I was climbing it just did not feel right I just did not seem to have the power to climb I was loosing time fast and being passed a lot, I just kept going lots of support from everyone even when I got passed by sister Madonna Buder she called my name and wished me luck.
At the top of Richter I knew that I was going to miss the cut off my average speed was destroyed and now I just wanted to see by how much I would miss it.
Great going down, rollers no big deal just got through them hit the section after the rollers and again could not find the power to put down.
Must have gotten a second wind on the out and back felt good speed was up, hit the special needs, at this point I am the last person they find my bag I switch out my camelbak and keep going at this point they are closing aid stations as I keep going but I have been able to get some water and I am fine for nutrition so I keep going, I am told by the great support crew that I have a few hours to the cut off and they will keep supporting me till then.
I turn right after the out and back towards yellow lake and I start the long climb to the top, again the power just does not seem to there my shoulders are angry and my speed is not so good.
I hit the penalty tent at yellow lake at 5:30 I meet up with the official and given two options go back with them(recommended) or continue unsupported I choose to continue.
As I am climbing I keep thinking if I see that van again I am getting a ride back I am no longer having fun, I am sore and keep thinking this was just to much to soon at times I am doing 3km/hr and stopping every 1km to rest, I finally hit the very top and cruise down to transition and arrive to meet my family my boys are waiting and run with me into transition at 7:30.
Post Bike
Everything feels fine accept for my shoulders it was strange mentally I felt fine the rest of my physically felt fine but my shoulders were just done something I had not thought as I had not had an issue with them like this before.
Post Race thoughts
-Swim great
-Bike an hour longer then I wanted to be I figured I would be at worst 10hours on the bike not 11
-Not sure why my shoulders gave out so fast, could be from the swim, I think it could also be from pushing around Penticton for a week before the race more then I would at home.
-So much support from everyone
-Two guys from ST I met stood out not sure why but they offered words of encouragement, Steve and Nick thanks for you kind words
I am still decompressing and not sure what I will do next, I have a lot of support from people to try again next year but I am not sure, the bike may not be doable within the time cutoff, I might focus on some halves and sprints but I keep having this feeling of unfinished business.
I have to give huge props to David Lee, he became the first wheelchair athlete to finish IMC within the time cutoffs. He was a paralympian in Beijing for handcyling a personal trainer and devoted a month of training in Penticton to finish the race.
I heard a quote from Jordan and it has been eating away at me
"Chase your dreams, don't believe anything is impossible, only believe in the possible" -Jordan Rapp
IMC is my impossible but also a dream I hope mentally and physically it can become my possible one day
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5 comments:
After what happened to Jordan, he can state that anything is possible. And after what you've accomplished you know it is. But sacrifice and time is required and that is what needs to be balanced. Next year may be too soon to give you enough training to build up to a full Ironman, that's something you'll have to think through.
brian, you were out there giving it your all. I was so proud of you and i only met you on here..next year i hope to do the impossible...
Yes, i was very shocked at the out and back and we stayed to make sure that some of the last athletes we knew were coming knew where to go. I personally was upset with the situation i saw out there. no water and volunteers packing up early and even the garbage truck out early to pick up items, you had to weave around this before you turn around..you totally were ok with that..i was not and felt bad as i know in similar circumstances i would not be ok with this...we have photos of this occurence and even commented to the volunteer manning that aid station..hopefully they can rectify and learn from this situation if nothing else...but you should be proud...
@Anonymous 2
Thank you for your support, its great volunteers like yourself that make this race.
What an inspiration!
We are looking for Ironman 70.3 events that cater to para-athletes, preferably in the eastern side of the states - are you aware of any?
A para-triathlete friend of mine is looking for an event but is coming up short on chair-friendly race directors.
Hi Brian. Jeanne here and I know it has been a while but Kraig was watching TSN a while ago and saw an interview with you after a tri in Denver! We've been keeping a lookout for the interview but haven't been able to find it. Seems our lives both took a healthier path. Kraig and I quit smoking 7 years ago and did our first marathon in Berlin last year. Would love to hear from you at meejcf@yahoo.com.
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