Crushing Iron

October 2, 2014

Video: Age Groupers at Ironman Chattanooga Swim Exit

This video shows hundreds of people (hopefully you or someone you know) running out from the Swim at Ironman Chattanooga. I have two more like this to post and will be doing it soon.

The best way to be in the loop on new posts is to follow the Crushing Iron by email in the upper right hand corner. I do this because I love triathlon and promise not to spam, or sell emails or whatever (although I did just quit my job).

I am also happy to have guest bloggers, so if you have an idea for a story or something inspiring to share, contact me on Twitter @miketarrolly.

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October 2, 2014

You Think You Train A Lot?

I’ve been known to skip a few workouts in my day, but the off season is a time to dream. When your Ironman is 363 days away, premature optimization is the glue that holds this mess together.

With that in mind, I have been reading a few race reports for inspiration and happened to land on Daniel Bretscher’s. He’s a pro triathlete who just happened to win Ironman Wisconsin, then get 2nd at Ironman Chattanooga 3 weeks later. I witnessed both efforts.

His report began innocently enough. He had some early season injuries, then a marginal performance, but that’s when he got serious. He pulled out of his scheduled races and focused solely on training for Ironman Wisconsin.

The five weeks leading into his taper were mammoth. He posted those numbers and I’m reposting them for you to stew on. He wanted me to be clear that this was not his normal schedule, but something he did as a max build for IMWI.

Daniel Bretscher’s Wisconsin training block

*I’m including this because the 5 week stretch spanning July 20-August 23 is the reason I won Ironman Wisconsin. What I did on September 7 only happened as a result of what I did these 5 weeks.

In 35 days I logged the following training totals

Swim: 26 sessions, 118,000 yards (23.6k avg/wk)

Bike: 32 sessions, 1934 miles (387 mile avg/wk)

Run: 32 sessions 323 miles (64.5 mile avg/wk)

Hours: 187:34 (37:30 avg/wk)

*19 days with 6+ hours training

Now, I don’t know about you, but I’m not positive I put in that many hours the whole year leading up to my race in Louisville. Maybe that’s why he set a course record and I crumbled like Little Debbie.

I realize he’s a pro and that’s his job, but it’s still inspiring. I figure if I put in even half that effort I will be knocking on Kona’s door. Hmm.

He’s a great guy, and it’s an honest and insightful read that includes gems like this from his run:

I started to feel slightly dizzy and had a few minutes of pure helpless desperation. I’ve never experienced such a feeling in my life and for a few minutes I didn’t know if I’d even finish.

Follow him on Twitter @DanielBretscher and of course I’m always followable @miketarrolly

October 1, 2014

VIDEO: Overhead View of Ironman Chattanooga Swim!

I shot this from the bridge at Ironman Chattanooga. It looks like a bunch of fish, but there are some close ups, too. Maybe you will recognize yourself or someone you know.

I’m working on a longer edited video (that includes the run) for Ironman Chattanooga, so make sure to follow me @miketarrolly on Twitter or sign up to follow Crushing Iron by email in the upper right hand corner. Thanks!

October 1, 2014

VIDEO: Ironman Chattanooga First Female Out of Water

This is Anna Cleaver first female out of the water at Ironman Chattanooga right after the male pro. Then a few more men followed by several other women. Pretty awesome.

I have some other cool video stuff coming up so be sure to follow this sight by email at the top right hand of this page or connect with me on Twitter @miketarrolly. Thanks.

September 30, 2014

VIDEO: Ironman Chattanooga Men's Pro Pack

Ironman Chattanooga Pro Men coming out of the water.

For more stuff like this be sure to follow Crushing Iron by email at the top right of this page or hook up with me on Twitter @miketarrolly.

September 30, 2014

VIDEO: First Pros Out of Water IM Chattanooga

Here’s Brandon Barrett and Eric Limkemann swimming, then running up the steep hill at Ironman Chattanooga. Swim course criticism aside, these cats are going after it!

For more of this kinda stuff, follow us on Twitter @crushingiron and be sure to listen to the Crushing Iron podcast, available on iTunes.

September 30, 2014

We Need the Pros at Ironman

While I don’t think triathletes will ever get to the level of major stars, I do believe the spectator landscape of sports is changing. I have all but lost interest in the NFL, MLB, and NBA, and think the type of person who does endurance sport is ripe for the same pattern.

The Long-Tail is a marketing buzzword that essentially means there is unique commerce space for the “little guy.” With relation to sports it means there will be fewer mega stars and more opportunity for lesser-known athletes (and sports) to “sell” their niche. The internet allows people to find what they want, rather than have LeBron James jammed down their throat all hours of the day. (I’ve touched on this opportunity before).

I’ve always enjoyed tracking pros at races, but sometime around 2:00 on Sunday at Ironman Chattanooga, it dawned on me . . . I really like pros at races. It’s one of those things that never ceases to inspire, and as an age group triathlete (and fan of the sport), that is a tangible phenomenon.

Earlier that morning, I stood at the swim exit waiting for the first pros to get out of the water. There’s been a ton of criticism about the ease of Chattanooga’s swim but that takes nothing away from the fact that the first two swimmers I saw, Brandon Barrett and Eric Limkemann, were absolutely hammering down!

Later, I eagerly watched (from my lunch table) the bike splits for an indication of the course and knew (despite four extra miles) we had a fast one brewing. When the pros get over halfway through the bike, you’d better be plotting your next move because they come in quick.

By the time we got to the Run Out, we missed the first pro, but watched the others mount their chase. The level of intensity blows my mind. Here are these guys and girls who just crushed a swim and 116 mile bike settling in for a 26.2 mile chase on foot.

In all of my races, I have only had one situation where it turned into a battle at the end. I was on the verge of third place at Rev3 in an Olympic this year and had to find a completely new gear. Let me tell you, it hurts, and I can’t imagine how it feels to be way out in front with a pack of great runners working to knock you down.

As a spectator, this is great drama. It’s the race within the race. We have our friends racing, but there is something more intense brewing between the seams. And frankly, watching a bunch of guys like me slog by in an Ironman gets a little old after a while.

We stood just under a mile from the finish and got to witness the first three women come through within minutes of each other. Their faces, their body language, their focus, all captivating.

Ironman has proclaimed they intend to get serious about pros next year, but that also seems to mean they won’t be at as many races. That is unfortunate but bigger pay days and intense competition are a good thing.

I’ve decided to do my part and give these athletes a little extra publicity when I can. The more I get to know the names, the more I am drawn to the sport. It would be awesome if more of these pro triathletes became household names, and knowing that we can actually compete in the same races with them makes it even sweeter.

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September 30, 2014

Pro Pics from Ironman Chattanooga

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Andrew Drobeck on the run out. 8:34:08 – 9th Place

Dude goes first at Ironman Wisconsin, then brings it back with a 2nd at Chattanooga. Daniel Bretscher, freak of nature.

Angela Naeth, first place woman at Ironman Chattanooga. If you were following me @miketarrolly on Twitter you would have been one of the first to know this.

Third place female at Chattanooga Jennie Hansen. She was making a strong finish for second right here, but came up a few minutes short.

The Shock Jock of Endurance Sports, Jim Lubinski hammering up the run out on his way to 12th place with an 8:41.

Doug MacLean steeped in the run out.

September 30, 2014

The "Voice of Ironman"

Someone once told me, “Everywhere you go, there you are.” Lately it’s been, “Everywhere I go, there HE is.”

Over the last 5 weeks I’ve driven to Louisville, Wisconsin, and Chattanooga for Ironman. Once to compete, twice to spectate, and within minutes of arriving to these wonderful cities, a powerful voice of inspiration floods my ears.

As of Ironman Chattanooga 2014, Mike Reilly has announced 138 IRONMAN races and if you haven’t seen one, you have no idea how impressive that is. His voice rings in the air from 6 am until midnight and the pitch never waivers.

I didn’t make it to the Swim Start in Chattanooga, but Mike was there, pumping everyone up and calming nerves at the same time. When you nervously await the start, as an athlete or a spectator, his voice is omnipresent and the words always seem to be right.

I had a brief meeting with Mike at Louisville pre-race as I was noodling around near the sound board. I was about to walk into a furnace and Mike knew it. He likely knows more about IRONMAN than most. On this day I was trying to impart my strategy when Mike politely stopped me and simply said, “Take it easy out there and try to have fun.”

He was right, of course, but I didn’t listen. I went after the run like a dog in heat and it ate me alive.

Yesterday, he stood high above the crowd in Chattanooga as the last swimmer battled to get out of the water. He did everything in his power to help her get home.

It was one of those moments that stops you in your tracks. She was alone in the water, battling demons while hundreds watched her labor to reach shore.

“Keep going, we’re all here waiting for you!” “Doggy paddle if you have to, you can do it!,” said Reilly with a combination of compassion and the tenacity of a father.

His day started before sunrise and he was still going as I watched the live stream from my hotel room until 12:15 am. His energy and passion for what he loves was just as enjoyable to watch as the finisher. He danced, joked, shouted encouragement, and dished high fives as the last runners crossed the finish line.

At 12:16 the lights went out and Mike Reilly was gone from my sight, but his voice was ringing in my core. “You are an Ironman!”

People always ask me why I write about Ironman and travel around to races and I think the simple answer is, I love it. I love to surround myself with optimistic people who stop at nothing to push their limits, and Mike Reilly has certainly been a great representation of that lifestyle.

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Here is Mike Reilly from this morning after handing my new buddy, Dave Richter his award and Kona slot.

September 29, 2014

Incredible Day at Ironman Chattanooga

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First of all, what a great city for an Ironman. Chattanooga is amazing and it lived up to a year long hype for me and several friends from Nashville who came to watch a blistering race.

It’s 11:58 and I’m back in the hotel after being on the course for about 15 hours and plan to write more in the morning at one of the awesome coffee shops, but for now, here are a few pictures, starting with my main man Corey Coggins who once again raised the Ironman bar for me.

Marc Swain, who worked his ass off all year and loves training so much he inspires everyone around him. So happy for him to have this under his belt. Many more are surely on the way.

Pumped for my good friend Vince Wyatt who kicked some ass today. Seemed like I saw him swimming at the YMCA every time I worked out. He had a great attitude the whole way and says he is a huge Crushing Iron fan. Congrats, buddy, I know the little man is proud!

My old college buddy Pete from Wisconsin called and said his friend Dave Richter was racing this weekend. Well, Pete’s friend not only raced, he qualified for Kona in 45-49. I’ve never met him, but luckily caught this picture of him at the last minute. Can’t wait to catch up with him in the morning and hear his story.

Crushing Iron may have been the first source to report Angela Naeth as the woman’s winner by taking this photo and posting on Twitter .5 miles before she won the race. Congrats Angela!

Great shot of Jennie Hansen, who was just out of second place and digging hard, but wound up with 3rd and her friends all over Twitter were tuned in when I posted this pic. Nice race, Jennie!

Here’s a great shot of 2nd place male, Daniel Bretscher who was one finished behind fellow Iowan Matt Hansen. Iowa is the Australia of the US.