Tag: preview

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Ironman Chattanooga is Looming

Yeah, I wrote “loom” into another blog title.  I like to say Ironman looms, like it’s a beast you can’t escape or a tax deadline, or something.  But, it really does fit.

chattanoogalooms

It’s the date on the calendar that even old guys like me can remember.

It’s etched in stone and basically the benchmark for which all plans are made.  “Oh, shit, you’re getting married and I’m the best man and ‘Boyz II Men’ are playing the reception after a helicopter ride to a secluded Caribbean Island with the guy that landed the plane in the Hudson River?”

Damn, I’m sorry, my Ironman’s that day.

It feels a little odd that I’m not doing a race so close to home and so celebrated by local triathlon clubs.  The problem was, it sold out in a day, and I still hadn’t done my first Ironman yet.  I’m a risk taker, but that one seemed inappropriate.

I’ve been following all the chatter on the Chattanooga Facebook page and while there’s been everything but a social media riot about the extra four miles of biking and a shorter amount of time to finish, I’m pretty sure everyone (well, most everyone) is sick of talking and ready to toe the line.

I can’t wait to see the course, which can’t help but be beautiful.  It will be all I can do to stop from cutting that swim line and jumping in that gorgeous river.  And the mountain scenery along with the trendy, but approachable feel of downtown?  This race is sure to be a keeper.

What’s very intriguing to me is how well the town will support this race.

Many like to call Chattanooga the “Boulder of the South,” but I also hear that once you get outside of Chattanooga, you’re in Tennessee.  They wouldn’t dare heckle the bike riders, or worse yet, throw out tacks like every other city, would they?

Ironman Maryland was made up over over half first-timers and I’m guessing Chattanooga will have a similarly high rate.  There will be a ton of anxiety that morning and, as usual, I will be available for last minute temple rubs.

And after that, I’ll be everywhere, camera in hand, shooting video another free publicity video for Ironman starring tons of people from Nashville and anyone else who wants to join the Crushing Iron archives.

Good luck, everyone, and be sure to stop by tomorrow for a piece that could literally change your racing strategy for Ironman Chattanooga.

 

 

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Ironman Louisville . . . tick . . . tick . . . tick

I remember Louisville 2012 like it was yesterday.  My first peek behind the Ironman curtain. 

Jim and I walked in street clothes along side thousands of hopefuls, all dressed in skin tight suits, ready to throw it on the line.  We stopped next to Kevin and offered awkward verbal support, but I’m pretty sure just being there was enough.

It was before sunrise and most athletes stared into the darkness contemplating their race.  A massive grouping of men and woman, yet each stood alone.  Words were no longer important, it was simply time to show the work.  Louisville swimmIn a nutshell, I am pumped for Ironman Louisville.  I have three good friends racing and know the experience will blow me through the roof for Wisconsin.  Last year was my first Ironman experience, this time I will be spectating from a completely different perspective.

Being in the same training trench with these guys for 6 months builds something that can’t be taken away.  Whether it’s a grueling 110 mile ride in the rain or a slew of 6 am open water swims, the connection runs deep.

1004776_477533792337432_2080323831_nIt starts with Robbie Bruce, who I met at Calypso Cafe last Fall where he agreed to be my coach for Ironman Wisconsin.  I think he must have a sixth sense because taking me on as an endurance athlete seemed a stretch but he obviously knew something I didn’t.  He has pushed, pulled, and backed away at the perfect times.  I’ve done the work, but his style and insight has been the perfect combination to take me from the couch to an Ironman.  Make no mistake, he’s done the work as well, and now I will be on the other side as coach unleashes the athlete.

It continues with John Wasky, who I met on a random Sunday Fun Day at 3 Crow Bar.  Wasky shares many characteristics with me including bleeding Badger red and the ability to seemwaskyshades completely focused and scattered at once.  His biggest challenge at Louisville will be pulling in the reigns.  Wasky knocked out a 5:06 at Muncie 70.3 and he’s just warming up.

I told him he’s so pumped for Louisville he could likely swim halfway up the channel under water after diving off the pier.  His answer, “You might be right.”

Wasky was the great addition to our group.  He’s always willing to have a good time, but can instantly flip a switch and push our level of effort.

980328_10101392194078830_1194338109_oI just had a text conversation with them both and Robbie posted a screen shot of his bike and run times from last year at Louisville.  To say it grates his ass is an understatement.  He came out of the water 64th in the field, then fell apart halfway through the bike.  He battled to finish the run, but Louisville is a painful memory.

I asked Robbie if he was pumped to go back this year and this is what he said:

Robbie: I was more pumped last year.  This year, I’m just focused.  Last year I attacked it like the Godfather with a Tommy gun.  This year . . . like an Army Ranger sniper.

I pointed up at this as if to say it was a good lesson for Wasky, who replied,

Wasky:  That’s the hope.

Robbie:  Don’t hope.

Just great shit there.

247073_10151667354734973_1102075928_nCorey Coggins and I connected at Rev 3 in Knoxville.  He was tackling his first half Iron distance and I was feeling his pain.  The day was miserable.  56 degrees and rain the entire day.  I had the Olympic in front of me, but Corey would still be on the course as I made my trek back to Nashville.  And the whole ride I was checking for his splits and genuinely fired up when he finished.  That’s the connection that can be made when you share conditions like that day at Rev 3.  He spent over 6 hours in brutal weather chasing the finish line and it was a big moment for both of us.

A month or so later he made the decision to do Louisville and has been a mainstay at our open water swims.  We’ve gotten a lot closer and Saturday he was rolling with me for most of that 110 miles in the pouring rain.  Somewhere around mile 90 I was thinking it reminded me of Rev 3, and, about that same time, Corey said what I was thinking.

Last year Louisville was my awakening, this year will be more like confirmation.  Training for and putting your hat into Ironman is a game changer and now I know what it really takes.

Months of training will funnel three good friends into the Ohio River for the test of a lifetime.  They will take hot seat while I sit and watch, hoping my presence will somehow make a difference.