Over for 2008

This was an interesting day to say the least. I didn't know what to expect from the race. I wasn't even sure I'd be able to swim that far after surgery and just a couple swims in the lake. I had discussed plans from just doing the swim to trying to make it through and walking for 26 miles.

We woke up at 0430 and headed down to transition. It was odd not being nervous about time or where I would seed myself. I didn't even go to the bathroom successfully prior to race start. After pumping up my tires, we walked to the swim start. After about an hour wait, I was off to the water.

The air temp was 74 and the Ohio River was 84.6 degrees. Quite a change from last years Ironman Idaho event. I jumped off the dock at 7:20 something and was actually worried about that hurting. I remember pre-surgery jumping in the pool at the MAC and having that light up my leg and back. All was good and within a second, I re-surfaced and headed up river. I stayed in the current and even though I made it harder on myself, stayed clear of a lot of people. After the turn, I went out into the river to avoid contact there as well.

Normally a sub 1:10 swimmer, I would have been happy with under 1:20 since I didn't train much and all my swims since spring were in a wetsuit. I rolled in with a 1:17 and decided to give it a go on the bike.

After a moderate transition (about a minute longer than I would have liked) I was on my way. My plan was to stop at mile 38 in La Grange unless I felt stellar. the first part of the course is flat and I was cruising at about 21 mph average until the hills started. By mile 15, my back was starting to show signs of the swim trauma. At mile 17 I turned onto 1694 and couldn't carry any speed on the flat there. I knew I was done. I just didn't know if I could even hold out until 38.

From there it got worse with each mile and I knew I had to quit to save a possible medical emergency. The last thing I want now is another or more severe back surgery.

With my head down and severely embarrassed by being passed so much, I found my dad at about mile 40. I stopped, he loaded up my bike and we headed out.

I spent the rest of the day trying to distance myself from seeing too much racing. I love it so much but felt dejected not being able to compete.

The weather was just how I like it, sunny 94 and HOT. I am signing up for next year and EVERY year after that. This is my Kona place!!

I want to thank my father for putting up with me and for bringing me down here.

I want to thank my family, Trish and the boys for trying to understand why I am here.

I want to thank Jayne for implanting a thought in my mind about starting the race and how big a step that actually was exactly a month and a day after back surgery.

Last but certainly not least......CONGRATULATIONS to Trijimi athlete JODY CADY! She finished 1st in here age group at the Prairieview Olympic triathlon and had a great time.

Jodie, I've enjoyed working with you and you finished out the Tri season with a bang. One last running race and we will be looking at 2009.

Awesome!!!

Back to Michigan tomorrow and back to rehabilitation on Wednesday morning.

In Louisville

Well....... I thought I'd be here alone, sleeping in my Focus in the parking garage. My father offered to come despite knowing I'd most likely not even be finishing the bike, the leg that put me close to a Kona qualification last year.

We packed up the truck and headed out a little after 5am this morning. I arrived in plenty of time to check in, weigh in (scale breaker) , register, ride a few miles, freak out over the last year of my life, attend the athlete meeting, eat a nice dinner and enjoy an even nicer drink.

Thanks Dad!

Here are some photos. Notice the gear photo. This is IM #5. I can't begin to tell you how small this pile is. My Wisconsin photos look like a bomb went off in the room.

To those of you who knew I'd be here no mater what......God bless you, you understand me, I love you and I promise I'll be careful and stop when I have to.

To those of you with no faith in my ability to call it quits...FTF... sorry but you would be behind me anyhow if you were here.

I look forward to healing so I can get back on and give this a go. I love this race and it is hard to see people so happy and ready to go. On the other hand I'm excited to see the sport in such full swing and to see a wide variety of athletic ability here.

The water is 83 degrees, race day should be sunny and 92. I wish....... but that is not for now.

Good night and once again thank you to those who truly care!!!!!

Freezing yet fun

I'd like to take a second to tell Jayne thanks (again) for coming out to swim this morning with me. The air temp was 45 degrees officially but I think it was colder than that. The water was warm, foggy, pitch black, but the stars were out. Other than being crazy cold, it was a great morning.

Still making plans for Ironman. I wish I were medically sound enough just to finish this year. Surgery in April would have been a smarter move, right after Boston. Yeah.......some people told me so.

Have a fantastic week!!!

A move towards Hawaii?

Well, since the surgery my immediate plans for Kona have to change. I was so hell bent on qualifying this year, reality set in.

I actually was not taken off the list for Ironman Louisville for this year. I am currently looking for ANYONE who will take me as a room mate for Friday and Saturday nights at the Gault House......a couch, or even some floor space. I have put a couple feelers out.

I was only cleared by PT to swim and ride a little bit this week. I rode 15 miles today and I was absolutely disgusted with myself. It was heaven to be out there after almost a month but torture to be tied inside like I am.

My plan is to do the swim in Louisville this year. I will not even bring my Kuota or running shoes. I'd be too tempted to give it a try. I'm obsessed but not stupid. I will sign up for 2009 and ALL the years after that. I'll still have 1 more year until the 40-44 AG.

I'll strength train and slowly come back. 3-4 years may get me back where I was for this year.

Thank you to everyone who has been in support of my dreams!

Jimi

Another Trijimi Success!!!!!

Congratulations to Trijimi.com athlete Jayne Martin for a great race at the 2008 Lansing Legislator Olympic Triathlon. I went out there to watch her compete in her season A race.

The air temp was 50 and about as close to 49 as it could get. There was a 12mph breeze out of the NW.

Although I am not a big fan of this, her goal was to finish below a certain time. She pushed hard all day and followed an effort diagram we created together. She ran an almost flawless race, which means we could even improve more!!!!

Get this......she beat her wanted time by a long shot. She won hardware for the first time for 2nd in her age group. She was only a few short minutes from a podium spot.......She did amazing!!!!!

Great job Jayne!

New bike and First steps

Here is my new Kuota Kueen K. I've been waiting for months for it to arrive. It truly is a beautiful bike! The joints are smooth and it is incredibly stiff. It is perfect!

I also attached a photo of my kids supporting me in the hospital after surgery. My family was there for me and I also cannot thank my friends enough for coming.

Jayne, Jodie ( the coffee queen), Jef, Brian and Amy....... you guys made me feel special and added that extra boost when I needed it most. Seth, I am happy for the calls and I wish you were here.

Jayne, as your coach, having you help me take steps and walk again was a moment in time I will never forget. Thank you!

Congratulations to JT, Coach Bones athlete, for his great finish at the 2008 Ironman 70.3 Steelhead 1/2 Ironman yesterday. You did a great job and should be very proud of yourself. You had a fantastic season and I'm very happy for you!

A little shorter

I finally broke down and had to get it done. On 7/30/08, I had back surgery. I had a great surgeon that understood what I needed from and after recovery. Things were a little worse with the herniation than we expected but everything seemed to go okay with the proceedure.

My back is now healing and other than some bad nerve pain I should be fine very soon.

I want to say thank you to the people that came to see me. You made this the best experience I could had had! Some people were there for minutes and others for hours. I appreciate every second. I felt loved in the hospital and my spirits were kept high. Thanks to the out of towners that called too (Seth).

I'll be back soon!