Ironman Longhorn 70.3 Race Report..... What A Day!!!
Good Evening Everyone,
I have finally arrived at home, bathed, am eating a bowl of spaghetti and have been thinking about writting this report all afternoon. So, without further adeu, here it is...
The morning started off early, as always! My buddy Craig and I roomed together, and drove together, he was in one of the first waves, I was in wave 15, next to last, so I had a little extra time to stand around and do nothing, which was kind of nice. We finally make our way to the water, gun goes off, and we are on the way. The swim was smooth, everyone commented that it seemed a little long, but it is all good, I had a great swim and was happy. There was a bit of a bottle neck at the swim exit to get to the wetsuit strippers, and after I get mine stripped, I make my way up a steep uphill climb into transition.
There was a lot of gravel on the ground in transition and it did not feel real good on the feet, nor did the gravel that remained stuck to my foot after I put my socks on and started cycling. What a 56 mile annoyance! Anyways, the bike was VERY challenging! There were 10-15 MPH winds, lots of hills and from my closest count, over 60 turns on the course! What that means is that you cannot carry ANY momentum for any period of time because there is a flippin turn coming up. On the 2nd or 3rd turn, it was a sharp right, and goes directly into a 9% grade hill... I literally saw 3 people fall off their bikes because they could not make it up! Anyways, everything is going well... I was taking a gel every 20 minutes, salt tab every 30 minutes, and a Cliff Bar at the halfway mark. I thought Gatorade was making me feel terrible so I practiced without taking Gatorade and up my gels to 3 per hour versus 2 and it worked well in training so I thought I would be money. So the Bike ends, and into T2...(Oh yeah... It was AWESOME to see Darrell and his daughters at one of the turns. Thank you guys for volunteering!)
After arriving in T2, it becomes apparent that I feel like CRAP! I did not pu**** on the bike at all, I just generally felt "Not good". I drank 1 full Camelbak of water, 5 x 24 ounce bottle of water, and turns out I came off the bike severely dehydrated!!! What's up with that??? If I drank more my eyeballs would be floating.... Oh well, I have to get that all in check in the off season. So I start running, and for the first real time, I get a taste of what you all talk about experiencing with Gastric Distress!!! I think it was probably due to the excess of Gels. The run course was 3 loops and had some ridiculously ssssssssssstupid steep hills that were looooong! Good times because you get to do these all 6 times! Out and back x 3.... UGH!!!!! So again at mile 3, just like Augusta last month, I get that familiar "My chest and throat are on fire" feeling, and I am again reduced to a walk. Here is what I have determined is going on... I AM ALERGIC TO CITRIC ACID!!! Through process of elimination, that's what it HAS to be. So, I will toy with that in the off season, and will get this confirmed with my PCP, but I am willing to put money on it that that's the problem. Anyways, the run turned into a death march, and for the first time, I actually felt like quiting! But, I didn't... I normally give all sorts of details about my race in my report, but I am keeping that bare-bones and wanted to get to the "Real" report.
Last year when I met with my surgeon to discuss my goals regarding Ironman, he said he would support me and took care of my entries. Keep in mind, I had only done a Sprint distance Tri at this point. Well, I end up registering for 4 x 70.3s and 1 140.6 MDOT brand races! When I first starting talking to people about my goals and races for 2009, everyone in my Tri Club said I was nuts, along with all my family and friends, and many were "Nay-Sayers", believing that a "Newbie" could barely handle one of these events, let alone 5, in one year! I have to say, in retrospect, that if I knew then what I know now, I maybe would have only done half of the races I did this year. Today, as I was struggling, and finding myself getting dissapointed in my result for the last race of my year, while on the final loop of my run, it finally hit me. This is the first time in my life I have EVER accomplished EVERYTHING I set out to do. And yes, I struggled on my run, yes I wish I could have been faster, yes I wish I could have placed in my group, the bottom line, is that I finished. I finished much more than just a race today. I put an exclamation mark on my goals! I turned the mocking of seasoned athletes, who would never dare to have such a crazy race schedule, to respect. I have proven to my friends and family that thought I was crazy to think of doing this in one year, that I am certifiably crazy, but also that I AM a finisher, and I am a doer now and not just a watcher. I think my life, in general, was summed up today in my race, and here is my thoughts...
I try my hardest to be a great father, and although I fall short, everyday, I wake up each day with a brightness of hope, that I can do better. I focus on trying to be a good husband to my beautiful and loving wife everyday, but usually fall way short of that goal. But, each day, of the last 17 years we have spent together, I try harder to love her more, in my own way. I concentrate on work, and try to be an expert at what I do, but I may fall a little short of being an expert, however, everyday I try to improve and gain more knowledge. In every aspect of my life, I may fall short of my ultimate goals, but in every aspect of my life, I am HAPPY, and I TRY a little bit harder each day. This leads me to my final thought... Life, triathlon, running, etc.... is not about perfection, there's only one who is perfect, however, it is about constant improvement. Today was the toughest race I had taken part in, to date, and by far the slowest finish I have had to date, but, it was the MOST gratifying, because when the easiest thing to do would have been to QUIT, I kept marching forward, and for that I am extremely proud. Well, that's it, Ironman Race #5, in the books, another SWEET medal to hang on the wall, and a course that would humble any who try to do it. VIVA LA VIDA.... My body is absolutely shattered, and I will not be working out AT ALL for 3 weeks. So, if I am not around as much, know that it is temporary, know that I will be focusing on the things that truly matter in life (Being a dad, good husband, soccer coach, provider, etc...) and when I get back to it, IT's ON LIKE DONKEY KONG YA'll....Much love to all of you who have supported me in this crazy journey called LIFE!!!
I have finally arrived at home, bathed, am eating a bowl of spaghetti and have been thinking about writting this report all afternoon. So, without further adeu, here it is...
The morning started off early, as always! My buddy Craig and I roomed together, and drove together, he was in one of the first waves, I was in wave 15, next to last, so I had a little extra time to stand around and do nothing, which was kind of nice. We finally make our way to the water, gun goes off, and we are on the way. The swim was smooth, everyone commented that it seemed a little long, but it is all good, I had a great swim and was happy. There was a bit of a bottle neck at the swim exit to get to the wetsuit strippers, and after I get mine stripped, I make my way up a steep uphill climb into transition.
There was a lot of gravel on the ground in transition and it did not feel real good on the feet, nor did the gravel that remained stuck to my foot after I put my socks on and started cycling. What a 56 mile annoyance! Anyways, the bike was VERY challenging! There were 10-15 MPH winds, lots of hills and from my closest count, over 60 turns on the course! What that means is that you cannot carry ANY momentum for any period of time because there is a flippin turn coming up. On the 2nd or 3rd turn, it was a sharp right, and goes directly into a 9% grade hill... I literally saw 3 people fall off their bikes because they could not make it up! Anyways, everything is going well... I was taking a gel every 20 minutes, salt tab every 30 minutes, and a Cliff Bar at the halfway mark. I thought Gatorade was making me feel terrible so I practiced without taking Gatorade and up my gels to 3 per hour versus 2 and it worked well in training so I thought I would be money. So the Bike ends, and into T2...(Oh yeah... It was AWESOME to see Darrell and his daughters at one of the turns. Thank you guys for volunteering!)
After arriving in T2, it becomes apparent that I feel like CRAP! I did not pu**** on the bike at all, I just generally felt "Not good". I drank 1 full Camelbak of water, 5 x 24 ounce bottle of water, and turns out I came off the bike severely dehydrated!!! What's up with that??? If I drank more my eyeballs would be floating.... Oh well, I have to get that all in check in the off season. So I start running, and for the first real time, I get a taste of what you all talk about experiencing with Gastric Distress!!! I think it was probably due to the excess of Gels. The run course was 3 loops and had some ridiculously ssssssssssstupid steep hills that were looooong! Good times because you get to do these all 6 times! Out and back x 3.... UGH!!!!! So again at mile 3, just like Augusta last month, I get that familiar "My chest and throat are on fire" feeling, and I am again reduced to a walk. Here is what I have determined is going on... I AM ALERGIC TO CITRIC ACID!!! Through process of elimination, that's what it HAS to be. So, I will toy with that in the off season, and will get this confirmed with my PCP, but I am willing to put money on it that that's the problem. Anyways, the run turned into a death march, and for the first time, I actually felt like quiting! But, I didn't... I normally give all sorts of details about my race in my report, but I am keeping that bare-bones and wanted to get to the "Real" report.
Last year when I met with my surgeon to discuss my goals regarding Ironman, he said he would support me and took care of my entries. Keep in mind, I had only done a Sprint distance Tri at this point. Well, I end up registering for 4 x 70.3s and 1 140.6 MDOT brand races! When I first starting talking to people about my goals and races for 2009, everyone in my Tri Club said I was nuts, along with all my family and friends, and many were "Nay-Sayers", believing that a "Newbie" could barely handle one of these events, let alone 5, in one year! I have to say, in retrospect, that if I knew then what I know now, I maybe would have only done half of the races I did this year. Today, as I was struggling, and finding myself getting dissapointed in my result for the last race of my year, while on the final loop of my run, it finally hit me. This is the first time in my life I have EVER accomplished EVERYTHING I set out to do. And yes, I struggled on my run, yes I wish I could have been faster, yes I wish I could have placed in my group, the bottom line, is that I finished. I finished much more than just a race today. I put an exclamation mark on my goals! I turned the mocking of seasoned athletes, who would never dare to have such a crazy race schedule, to respect. I have proven to my friends and family that thought I was crazy to think of doing this in one year, that I am certifiably crazy, but also that I AM a finisher, and I am a doer now and not just a watcher. I think my life, in general, was summed up today in my race, and here is my thoughts...
I try my hardest to be a great father, and although I fall short, everyday, I wake up each day with a brightness of hope, that I can do better. I focus on trying to be a good husband to my beautiful and loving wife everyday, but usually fall way short of that goal. But, each day, of the last 17 years we have spent together, I try harder to love her more, in my own way. I concentrate on work, and try to be an expert at what I do, but I may fall a little short of being an expert, however, everyday I try to improve and gain more knowledge. In every aspect of my life, I may fall short of my ultimate goals, but in every aspect of my life, I am HAPPY, and I TRY a little bit harder each day. This leads me to my final thought... Life, triathlon, running, etc.... is not about perfection, there's only one who is perfect, however, it is about constant improvement. Today was the toughest race I had taken part in, to date, and by far the slowest finish I have had to date, but, it was the MOST gratifying, because when the easiest thing to do would have been to QUIT, I kept marching forward, and for that I am extremely proud. Well, that's it, Ironman Race #5, in the books, another SWEET medal to hang on the wall, and a course that would humble any who try to do it. VIVA LA VIDA.... My body is absolutely shattered, and I will not be working out AT ALL for 3 weeks. So, if I am not around as much, know that it is temporary, know that I will be focusing on the things that truly matter in life (Being a dad, good husband, soccer coach, provider, etc...) and when I get back to it, IT's ON LIKE DONKEY KONG YA'll....Much love to all of you who have supported me in this crazy journey called LIFE!!!
Your Friend In Health & Sport,
Dan Benintendi - OH Support Group Leader
www.trimywill.com
www.swimfromobesity.com
www.trimywill.blogspot.com
Support Group: www.obesityhelp.com/group/Post_Op_PRs/
Dan Benintendi - OH Support Group Leader
www.trimywill.com
www.swimfromobesity.com
www.trimywill.blogspot.com
Support Group: www.obesityhelp.com/group/Post_Op_PRs/
Congrats Dan! Not much else to say, I know we don't really know each other except through this board, but you really are an inspiration, and I find that I refer to you and everyone else here as my friends. So your success really does make me happy for you and your family.
Best wishes, and enjoy your rest.
Scott
Best wishes, and enjoy your rest.
Scott
The first time you do something - It's going to be a personal record!
Congratulations Dan. This may not have been your fastest triathlon ever but it sounds like you really had to push yourself and isn't that what it's all about? Pushing the boundaries and seeing just how far we can go?
It doesn't always matter how fast you did it, but it will always matter that you DID do it!!
"Lifes battles don't always go to the strongest or fastest man;
but sooner or later, the man who wins is the man who thinks he can"
It doesn't always matter how fast you did it, but it will always matter that you DID do it!!
"Lifes battles don't always go to the strongest or fastest man;
but sooner or later, the man who wins is the man who thinks he can"
this is what's its all about, planning and executing goals in life.... great report, i think you've put in words what many of us struggle to do with this journey/experience. i did my century yesterday and will write a report on it in a minute, but when i started to bonk at around mile 86 my thoughts drifted to how this is all about the journey not about the finish, that really helped me push through as well...
Where are we going?? And why am I in this handbasket??
right now. somewhere. somebody is working harder than you.
right now. somewhere. somebody is working harder than you.
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