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IM France Race Reports
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I'm in agreement with the majority here, and think we really ought to get the full details, it sounds like an unfortunate accident.
As stated earlier at only 4Kms peolpe were bound to be settling down etc. please also remember that in this country we drive on the left and pass on the right, therefore whilst the accident was without doubt unfortunate, a momentary lapse of concentration could result in this happening assuming of course the person was British (Don't think we have many European Pirates)
It's clear JM is dissapointed, as I think I would be too, but putting everything into perspective there are more important things in life, and there is always next year.
JM - genuinely gutted for you about the DNF - but also glad to hear you are OK - there were some rumours about some very serious injuries (casualties!) on the day. As others have said, it does sound like your crash was a racing incident and not one where fingers should be too hastily pointed. I hope you get a chance next year to look back on this with an m-dot smile.
popsider - generally, yes. However, in this particular race they decided not to hold a race briefing - and the powerpoint they sent out only said "respect the rule of the road" and "keep to the right" - I don't think it had anything in it about overtaking - http://www.ironmanfrance.com/IMFR2008_Briefing/IMFR2008_Briefing_web_EN.ppt#328,59,BIKE Rules. With 2500 athletes in a mass start, plus with the swim putting many faster cyclists further back then they'll eventually finish, then the bike leg is very, very busy and everyone needs to be careful (note that I'm not implying fault here on anyone in this incident - I've no idea if either party could have done anything to avoid this crash)
have to say T1 looked a nightmare - like some kind of biking protest or a bike traffic jam.
is it always like that? naturally the place is deserted by the time i get to t1
some photo's (actually a lot of photo's butmost are of the head's cut off and elbows in corner variety, fancy camera that I just don't know how to use!)
http://picasaweb.google.com/fearonj/Nice_2008TheSwim
http://picasaweb.google.com/fearonj/Nice_2008TheBikehttp://picasaweb.google.com/fearonj/Nice_2008TheRun
http://picasaweb.google.com/fearonj/Nice_2008NonRaceStuff
My preparation was good. My swim was good - I was happy with 1:30, whatever anyone else says, I think its a respectable first IM swim, especially since I dont like the sea, and my goggles leaked. I still have no idea where I swam, the course "marking" was a joke. No jellies though!
I had several problems on the bike. The first was the front deraillier, which pretty much stopped working. For the first 50km, when I tried to change to the big cog, it kicked the chain too far to the right, and pedalling wouldnt pick it back up again, so I had to stop and physically place the chain back on the cog. For the entire ride, changing down was variable - sometimes it would, a lot of the time it wouldnt, or it was very very slow to change. The last hill (after the out-and-back bit where the supporters were) I had to do in the big ring, cos it wouldnt change down. My second problem was obviously shared by many others, which was lack of water at the stations - I hate Poweraid so I was carrying PSP22 powder, but with nothing to mix that with, my nutrition plan went out the window.
To set the record straight, I did a lot of training for this event. In the last 24 weeks, I have cycled over 2200 miles, swam about 145km and run about 450miles. I did several cyclosportifs, including the Kent Castle with 2200m of ascent in 100miles and an 80mile one in Wales with 2100m of ascent. I trained, and I trained and I trained. I was on my bike, all winter and all spring, at 5:45am, in the wind, and on hills. But I didnt make the cut-off. I was slow on the hills. I made the 117km one, with not much time to spare, not far behind Squish and KegKiller, but despite the pedal to the metal, and flying down the descents (I didnt find them at all difficult) I missed the final cut-off by about 10mins. The headwind on the last 20km, and the final aid station being closed didnt help there either. Yes, I'm a girl - I bawled my eyes out. I was so tired from going as hard as I could, and hoping against hope I would make it in time, that the emotional collapse was enormous.
So, I sat and cried on the sidewalk for about 10mins. Then I remembered I was a Pirate and I hadnt come all this way to quit, so I asked for my transition bags. It took me a good while to persuade them to give me them though - the woman was adamant I wasnt allowed to carry on. But I put on my trainers, and started the marathon anyway, not really knowing how much I'd be "allowed" to do. I knew there was a 30km cut-off that by now I had no chance of making and I thought it likely they would shut down the aid stations, so I carried my Special Needs bag and tried to "store" stuff as well. I cried again on mellifera's shoulder, and when I first saw cougie, but I tried to cheer the other Pirates I saw on the course. Unfortunatley, at about 17km, I tried a Powergel, and vomitted soon after. Should have known better. So now, I was playing catch-up with my liquid and fuel, and since this was "for fun" I lost heart. I was offered a lift back in an ambulance, so I took it! This led to some confusion as I then ended up in the "hospital tent" with a shiny blanket, cos i was cold, but only cos now I'd stopped running. That was the only "medical intervention" I recieved.
I dont know what advice I can give as I result of my DNF, except to say that just because you do the training, doesnt mean you'll finish. I followed my training plan, and I was a hell of a lot more prepared than a lot of others who did finish. I did enough. And yet it still beat me.
But only this time.
like others who have DNF'd, you'll come back stronger with an even bigger base and nail the next one.....
hear hear
and most importantly, obviously, you will still be eligible for the coveted Most Piratey 145.
oh that's heart rending to read. how devestating. still, sounds like you're ready to tear up another IM soon. IMCH i hope.
in the meantime how about using your good condition to get a spare place at IMUK or (perhaps better) the big woody? i think we met briefly there. i'm sure the course will be accurate and of course challenging. it should be fun too.
*gulp* Have quite a lump in my throat and tears in my eyes after reading this thread.....
Firstly, I think every single one of you is an absolute hero, whether you finished or DNF-ed, I have respect gushing out of my entire body.
Secondly, never have I been more sure that I want to do an IM! (my boyfriend will, actually, kill me!) I'm a little similar to DV and probably quite a few others - don't own a bike and can barely swim (well, can do breast stroke ok but not crawl at all..) but just have this crazy idea that I want to enter an IM.
The pirates sound like a truly amazing bunch of people, would love to be part of something like that...........
So erm, when's the next big pirate outing and if I buy a bike really soon will I have time to do enough training?!
One good thing is that in 4 days time I am moving house and will be a 1 min walk from my local pool so good time to crank up the swimming...
Thanks again to all of you for massive inspiration and sorry about the long babbling post (afraid I'm a bit bad for that.....)
Tutu Much x
and - yes - of course it's doable if you start training soon - over 12 months to go
Flyaway - so sorry you got a DNF, never met you but that report made me just want to give you a hug.
KK - glad you are ok and in one piece to write your very honest report.
Hopefully you'll both come back stronger from the unfortunate experience.
Thanks for the comments everyone... have already checked out the Switzerland website
EVEN just ran it by my boyfriend who took it surprisingly well... well, his comments were along the lines of "you have to do what you want to do..."! It's the best I'm going to get I think...
Thanks again everyone and I won't hog this thread asking questions (I have about a zillion) but will maybe, hopefully, see some you over at the Switzerland thread!
Swam a bit quicker than last year.
Biked a bit quicker than last year.
Ran a lot quicker than last year.
Azur were.
Swam a bit (but mainly got punched and kicked)
Biked a bit
Walked alot
What is it with the swim that makes people become violent...? ok.. so, accidents will happen and people will knock into each other but deliberate punching and kicking, head pushing under water.. etc...