Ironman chattanooga

October 24, 2014

My 2015 Race Schedule

What’s that saying, “An idle mind . . .?”

For the last couple months, I have been trying to slow my life down, but starting a new solo-career has been a major source of stimulation. In the process I have “let go” of training a bit. I’ve been focused on yoga, easy swims, and an occasional jog. But there comes a time when you have to glance at the map.

With that said, we’re going to wrap the bus in Crushing Iron logos and hit the road, but where will we be?

Ironman Chattanooga is in stone. That will be my A-Race, but there is no “A” without building the foundation.

I’ve been toying with the idea of redemption at Ironman New Orleans 70.3 but, I’m not sure it’s going to happen. They’ve made some changes to the race, which I like, but it’s a long ways to go to get your ass kicked in April.

The last two years I’ve done the Rev3 Olympic in Knoxville and that pattern will continue under the Challenge Knoxville title on May 17th. They also offer a half, but at that point in the season, I’d rather leave myself wanting more than struggle to finish.

Muncie is also on my radar, but I’m hearing rumblings of Ironman St. Louis 70.3 in June and that is much more intriguing. Muncie is a fine race, but I still have St. Louis demons I need to exercise from the 1982 World Series when the Cardinals stole one from my Brewers.

So, St. Louis looks like a lock if it shows up.

I’m sure I’ll be tempted to do The Music City Olympic in August, but if I do anything in August I will likely do USAT Nationals in Milwaukee and stay with my brother. His apartment is just a few blocks from transition and I will be poised to own the weekend on Crushing Iron after a cold-blooded-blogging-rejection by USAT in 2014.

Then it will be off to Chattanooga where I hope to be mentally and physically ready to push for a Kona slot in 2016. Considering I’ve never been lower than 30th in my age group in an Ironman, there is a ton of work ahead of me. I’ll have to knock an hour and a half off my best finish and I’m not sure where that will come from, but after watching Chattanooga this year, I can probably get an hour or so from the swim alone.

October 9, 2014

Ironman Chattanooga Tribute Video

Here’s another in my growing list of Ironman Tribute Videos, this one from Chattanooga. I didn’t make it to the bike, so hopefully the swim and run suffice.

The guy after Mike Reilly (The Voice of Ironman) raced in the very first Ironman, allegedly in cut off jean shorts, so I thought he deserved some special video love.

Special thanks to Brad Garrison for helping me pick up shots from the Swim Start.

I’m available to do something like this for your races, so feel free to email me [email protected].

Note: Video is cut to “The Man” by Aloe Blacc (more info on this below) from his album “Lift Your Spirit.” (Vimeo and YouTube versions below).

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VIMEO VERSION

YOUTUBE VERSION

The first time I heard “The Man” by Aloe Blacc was in Dallas at the Final Four. I was culminating my childhood dream of watching the Badgers play for the National Championship.

We went to the Jerry Dome about 5 hours early and spent much of that time at a Pep Rally, where they unveiled a preview video showing Wisconsin player highlights cut to “The Man.”

My first thought was, this dude totally ripped off Elton John’s “Your Song,” and I kept expecting him to say, “And you can tell everybody . . . this is your song,” instead of “I’m the man, I’m the man, I’m the man.”

I don’t think I heard it more than once or twice since Dallas, but it really stuck in my head. I’m not sure about the bridge where it goes into long and drones about how he really is the “maaaaaan,” but it may be growing on me after hearing it 50 times.

Fix your swim now with the C26 Coach’s Eye – Swim Stroke Analysis

October 6, 2014

The Ironman Announcement Nobody's Waiting For

As I left Ironman Chattanooga, four thoughts clanked in my brain:

1. “Rock City” was a great host and I loved the vibe.
2. The run course was legit and had great spectator support.
3. The bike times seemed out of whack.
4. The swim was disappointing.

Number four was a big one. It wasn’t as much the times as the effort (or lack of) the swim seemed to induce.

Triathlon is about the delicate balance of training for three sports, not two. The swim should have an impact on your bike and run. And when someone can literally float the course and make the cut off time, I’m not sure what to think.

Then, I thought, who the hell am I to criticize a 2.4 mile swim for being too easy? Some days it’s all I can do to walk my dog around the block.

It’s one race, on one day, and shouldn’t be compared to others.

I was 90% sure I wouldn’t race Chattanooga next year. But, as I drove to Nashville I couldn’t let go of how much I love Chattanooga, how great the crowds were, and how sweet it is to have an Ironman in your backyard.

So, after a night of pondering and numerous text discussions I decided to take the plunge. There will be no sitting around in a Badger hat . . . I will be racing Ironman Chattanooga.

Maybe they will make the swim a zig zag so you have to corner a few buoys or something. And, knowing my luck, it will be about 15 degrees hotter with no cloud cover, so the challenge will arise later in the day.

Either way, I am pumped to be racing an Ironman so close to home and hope my friends and family see the value in a Rock City vacation.

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October 4, 2014

Little Debbie Ironman Chattanooga Video

Little Debbie is getting serious about this Ironman business. I think it’s pretty shrewd, actually. They hired a film crew and shot all day at Ironman Chattanooga. Below is the excellent product.

I met one of their photographers on the bridge and he was a cool guy (who will also be in my video). It’s pretty wild to shoot a 12-15 hour race and edit it down into just over a minute, but I think they did a great job with this.

Scroll down to find a ton of raw video I shot while at Ironman Chattanooga.

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October 4, 2014

VIDEO: Ironman Chattanooga – Pro Run Out

Here are the 8 Pros I caught running out of T2 at Ironman Chattanooga.

List includes Per Bittner, Devon Palmer, Gergo Molnar, Patrick Evoe, Rene Vallant, Matthew Curbeau, Kyle Pawlaczyk, and Darrel Williams. My buddy Brad Rollins is also with this crew and unfortunately missed a trip to Kona by one slot.

This was the first Ironman Chattanooga and nobody really knew what to expect on this run course, but I think it proved to be tough but fair. Per Bittner ran the best of this crew with a 3:00:50 marathon at Ironman Chattanooga. Matt Hanson had the fastest run split of the day at 2:47:40.

Follow CrushingIron.com by email for more videos, training tips, and general triathlon philosophy. And be sure to follow me on Twitter @miketarrolly

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October 4, 2014

My Favorite Ironman Reporter!

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This guy is hands down my favorite Ironman reporter. I mean, how many Ironman reporters do you even know?

In this first piece he is blowing the lid off the $1,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of “Oil and Tack” Saboteur.

And here he is, confirming the breaking news that Little Debbie would be the title sponsor for Ironman Chattanooga.

October 4, 2014

VIDEO: Last Swimmer Out of Water Ironman Chattanooga

This isn’t quite as riveting as watching the last person finish an IRONMAN, but it’s still pretty cool. Lots of encouragement from the fans and Voice of Ironman, Mike Reilly.

“You got it! You got it!,” he yells . . . he even tells her to doggy paddle!

You can see her at one point look up, mere feet from the finish and seemingly say, “I can’t make it.” I’ve been there early in my triathlon career and that is not a good feeling.

I believe her swim time was 1:47:45. Pretty amazing what the body and mind can get you through.

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October 3, 2014

Illegal, but Cool Ironman Chattanooga Story

If I were to be completely honest, I’d admit I wasn’t 100% sure how to change a tire when I raced my first Ironman. I’m sure I could have figured it out, but it was a huge source of paranoia before and during the race.

I’m always nervous about flats, but not having a tube with you when you get one during an Ironman? Last Sunday, that was apparently someone’s fate.

A bunch of people were sabotaged by tacks, and one victim either couldn’t change his tire or didn’t have a tube. What happened next is a pretty wild story.

He punctures his tire and for some reason can’t fix it, so he decides he’s just gonna ride with a flat . . . for 22 miles! Talk about resolve. Certainly can’t accuse him of drafting.

Then, this guy, who happens to be taking a break from a Sunday joy ride and watching the race, ends up lending his back tire to the guy with the flat. He finishes the race, they connect through the bib number and the tire is returned in the morning over breakfast. Now they’re best friends, or at least soul buddies.

I know it’s illegal to get outside assistance during a race, but I feel like there should be an exception for lending out personal gear to complete strangers. Especially if an athlete has the nerve to ask a random guy for his back tire.

Because we all know what they say about race troubles, it’s not what happens, but how you overcome it.

It’s a cool story, check it out.

Oh, and please, please, please watch the video at the bottom of the story for some intense news reporting!

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Ironman Chattanooga Bike Transition — One of these bikes has an illegal tire.

October 2, 2014

VIDEO 2: Age Groupers at Ironman Chattanooga

Here’s the 2nd of three videos showing age groupers leaving the swim exit toward T2. Probably 2-300 people run by this camera.

Feel free to link this post in your groups, Facebook, etc. if you think they will be interested and be sure to follow Crushing Iron by email at the top right of this page. I will be posting a bunch more stuff from IM Chattanooga.

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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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