Swim: I was disappointed in my swim I thought I should have been at least 2-3 minutes faster. I felt fast in the water so I was surprised to see the time 1:12 when I got out.
Bike: I felt great on the bike. My hip did not hurt at all. My heart rate was in the right range. I pushed hard for the first 4 hours and then took it down a notch for the last bit to get ready for the marathon. I biked a 4:44:14. This was the highlight of the day for me as things turned south on the run. I am happy that my bike is continuing to improve. I was glad to have a comparable bike split to some of the pros that I have looked up to.
Run: I felt really good running. My plan was to ease into the run and see how my hip handled it. It was working great and I was feeling like I could start to really get going down to a pace of around 7:00-7:15. But then I got to the hill on Palani. Running up hill must have really engaged the damaged tissue because it absolutely zapped my hip. My hip was painful, but the worst part of it was my glute. Where my glute connects to my hip was giving out. So after 12 miles I quit.
This is my 5th Ironman and the only one that I have not finished. It was tough not finishing. I thought about trying to walk the last 14 miles just to finish, but walking hurt my hip as well and I thought it would be better to not aggravate whatever I have hurt in my hip. I came into the race in the best run shape I have ever been in, but then last week I fell off my bike and banged up my hip. It is very disappointing to have my race end this way but luckily I let things go pretty easily. When I played football I played to win like the world would end if we lost, but when we did lose it never really destroyed me. I remember losing a game and our star player was crying on the bus and I didn’t understand. To me it’s like we lost it stinks but it’s over it’s done let’s learn from it and move on. That’s how I feel about this. I am not devastated. In the grand scheme of things it means nothing at all. Megan and I are excited to get home, be with our kids and attend to the more important things of life.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Well said, Spencer. The Ironman is great, but there are still things that are more important!
ReplyDeleteSpencer, so sorry to hear about the injury. As a fierce competitor at all I do in life, I understand the frustrations of being hindered by things like this. I'm very pleased though and happy at the positive perspective that you choose to have and not letting it get or keep you down. God has a plan for everything and lessons can be learned from all things. You'll bounce back and be better for it. Love and miss you.
ReplyDeleteToo bad. You handled it well, though. I love your attitude!
ReplyDeleteYou've had an awesome season man. I admire what you've done.
ReplyDeleteYou're a stud Spencer, hope you're enjoying your off-season! You do know what that is right? :)
ReplyDelete