Not Enough
As most of you may now know, I didn't finish the race. I struggled the entire day, feeling flat in both the swim and the bike. I knew half way through the bike that I was suffering from dehydration and fought through it, putting as much fluids in me as possible. I did not pee the the entire race.
Some say the winds this day reached gusts of 50 mph for those of us in the back. I know that it was unpredictable and that it slowed me down, but my problems weren't from wind. I don't think I have been healthy all week. I did not bonk. I felt flat all day and my energy though flagging in the end was not the normal bonk cycle of strength then weakness, like hitting a wall in running.
My over riding goal was to make the bike cut off and then see what happened from there. It took every ounce of energy I had. As I dismounted at T2, a club member grabbed me as I fell. Based on my physical condition she took me to medical and they put 3 bags of IV and nausea medicine in me before send me to the ER by ambulance. I took 4 more there with both arms being used.
I weighed myself before bed as I did when I first woke up. After 7 liters of saline, all the liquids I drank during the day and the food I ate at home, I was still 20 pounds lighter.
I have no misgivings about the race. It is what it is. It's Ironman and I respect that. I am not sorry or disappointed about not finishing, well maybe a bit disappointed but I will take my victory's where I can.
Some say the winds this day reached gusts of 50 mph for those of us in the back. I know that it was unpredictable and that it slowed me down, but my problems weren't from wind. I don't think I have been healthy all week. I did not bonk. I felt flat all day and my energy though flagging in the end was not the normal bonk cycle of strength then weakness, like hitting a wall in running.
My over riding goal was to make the bike cut off and then see what happened from there. It took every ounce of energy I had. As I dismounted at T2, a club member grabbed me as I fell. Based on my physical condition she took me to medical and they put 3 bags of IV and nausea medicine in me before send me to the ER by ambulance. I took 4 more there with both arms being used.
I weighed myself before bed as I did when I first woke up. After 7 liters of saline, all the liquids I drank during the day and the food I ate at home, I was still 20 pounds lighter.
I have no misgivings about the race. It is what it is. It's Ironman and I respect that. I am not sorry or disappointed about not finishing, well maybe a bit disappointed but I will take my victory's where I can.
posted by Comm's @ 9:45 AM
36 comments
36 Comments:
Comm's, I'm so glad that you're okay, and were well looked after.
Take care of yourself, buddy. I was pulling for you all day. You are one tough guy. Great job giving it all you had that particular day.
Get hydrated and well Comm. I know you gave it your best!
I'm just glad you're okay. You weren't completely well going in, so the deck was stacked against you from the start.
Live to race another day!
Yikes. That sounds serious. Get better soon.
Great effort! Here's hoping you recover soon.
Holey tamoley. Never thought I'd say I'm glad you didn't finish, but I'm glad you didn't finish, or even try to. To have gotten as far as you did in that shape is astonishing. Thank God you're on the mend. Sleep for a couple days, now, 'K?
I know you went into it unwell, I had no idea how bad. I'm glad you're OK. Definitely not a race (or condition) to be trifled with.
Get better!
Holy cr*p, Comm, that's too close to the line! Don't get yourself into that kind of shape again, okay? Mo needs you to live to be an old, old man!!
Glad you didn't attempt to keep going, and that we'll have Comm around to inspire us all again!
Brave effort!!!
i knew they would have to drag you off the course, and they did.
i'm proud of you.
get well.
Finish or no finish..we all still love you!!! Good try and know that there are tons of other Ironman victories to be had..:-)
You put yourself out there, knowing that you weren't 100% and gave it all you got. To make it as far as you did (and not pee), is impressive... 20 lbs...that's serious.
Good grief, Comm - you must have been farting dust for a few hours there - wow - you certaintly gave it your ALL! Time for some R&R, big guy, you deserve it!
comm - i am so glad you are ok. you fought a good fight, my friend. it was a tough day, with the wind and you not feeling 100%. there will always be another IM, should you want to try again, but in the meantime, take care of yourself and know how proud we all are of you.
Holy Smokes! I'm glad you are on the mend now.
Thank goodness you got dragged off the course! That's cutting it very, very close. You gave it all you had and it gave it back - harder.
Again - so glad you survived. phew!
Oh my! Thank goodness a club member was there for you at the end of the bike. Take care of yourself.
Comm, you weren't feeling good all week. Glad to hear your okay though. Rest and take care of yourself for a few days, you earned it. Rest up for you will fight another day :)
We definietly worried about you yesterday. Knew you were feeling under the weather last week and I always worry about that with you guys. Thank God someone was there to catch you and push you into the medics. So glad to hear you are okay!!You literally gave it your all plus 20 lbs. That's what being an Ironman is about. Giving it your all and then some. You definitely did! We'll be watching you on the next Ironman.
After you health went down the tank I was worried that might happen but the way you stuck it out in spite of everything is exemplary. Hats off to you sir.
Comm, if you were feeling "flat" in the swim, you're becoming a swim monster. You cut a bunch of time off your Florida swim, and I was totally impressed.
When I saw your bike time, I knew the health battles were taking their toll, and Nancy and I were both hoping you stepped off the course. Glad to hear you did, whether on your own or on a gurney. You toed the line, and then made the tough decision to call it a day.
Get some rest, recover, and take a few weeks off.
Good for you Bro. You put it all out there and on the line. No shame in giving it your all. Get healthy again. I am proud of you!
It has all been said already, but Hubby and I are so proud what you accomplished.
Your good people, Comm. Through and through.
I have nothing witty or insightful to add.
Thank you for your report.
Glad folks took care of you, as you take care of others.
Best wishes for your recovery, and then... speedwork!
Not much more to say that hasn't been...we wish you well and take care now.
Take care Comm. The tribe is praying for you.
So glad you're ok
Yikes. Glad you're alright - you sure proved your an Ironman - finish or not. Get better!
Oh Comms! I'm just glad you're ok. Take care of yourself and get those 20 lbs back! Way to leave it all on the course and giving it your all.
Despite being sick, you toed the line in true military fashion. That's what it's all about in my book. Now it's time to recover... take care of yourself brother.
Get better soon, Comm. You should be proud for making it as far as you did.
Chalk it up to bad timing. Such a bummer that a bug like this can get you at the most inopportune time. I know that if there were any way that you could have continued, that you would have. It certainly is never a matter of will with you, that's for sure.
Hope you're recovering well. And welcome to the off-season! :)
Hey you were out there and that's most than alot can ever say. You'll get'em next time.
There is only so much we can control in this process and have to allow the rest to fall into place. You did your absolute best out there and should be proud. I hope that soon you will find that "Not Enough" is replaced by "All I Had to Give" in your reflections of the day. For now, take time to heal.
holy shit, comm. i had no idea!!! (been out of blogland for a few days with work). i'm glad everything's better now and i'm so sorry that you felt so terrible out there. no matter what, you'll always be an ironman in my book. love ya, bro.
Great perspective. Congratulations on a winning attitude! Live to race another day.
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