Jim is also doing this race and initially his family was gonna go with. Not sure what changed, but he is going sans-family. We have a motel to stay at and firming up the plans.
A few weeks ago, I was riding by myself and I got to Moore's hill. A guy was standing half way up near his bike. I asked him if he's ok and he said yes. He got on and struggled up with me screaming support. I waited for him at the top and we started talking. Turns out he was doing Tobay * 2.5 times with a run as well. His friends blew by him already. So, I convinced him to climb 25A from Moore's hill instead of the Tobay version and we rode together to Oyster Bay. Turns out he is also doing Pocono and he told me some interesting stuff.
He went to preview the course and 1) there's a gravel road (what?) and 2) some roads on the map don't even connect (what?). He tried to preview the course and got lost a few times. Oh joy.
Jim confirmed this by what's on slowstitch.com. Apparently the RD replied that the gravel road is earmarked to be paved and if not the course will be altered. The truth is that I trust IM to either take care of this or alter the course. Forgetting the prize money here, Kona is at stake and they will not screw around. No doubt.
Bottom line is that 1 way or another, it's gonna be a very tough and hilly ride. Not an easy ride. Kudos to Jim for registering to this one as his first. He will do just fine. I know it.
Gotta start pre-race. A few days before the race, people on Facebook were asking if the swim was going to be on. What?!? They talked about the river being too low and too high and who the hell knows. IM said that as of right now, the swim is on and they will have to make a decision. And they did. And we are not swimming. Apparently, it's been raining and raining and raining and the Delaware River is flooded (over 8 feet in height) and the current is wicked.
Jim brought his wetsuit just in case but I didn't. As we passed the river, we both were annoyed but the truth is, they made the right call. The current was strong. They should have cancelled the swim or start the swim further upstream. You see, they initially wanted us to swim against the current and then turn into the current. The problem would have been either that no one would have been able to swim against the current or that we would have been swept past the finish. Personally, I really wish they would have had us walk up stream a little but with 2,000 athletes, I can see where that would be a disaster. Still hate them but the decision was right.
Tuesday instead of running, I did a mini-brick. Ended up with 3 climbs up Winchester on the bike and 3 loops around the track. Wednesday was Erev Rosh-Hashana so no workout. Thursday was the family lunch. And here's Friday.
Saturday, Jim came to pick me up and we took Jeremy and dropped him off at Yaniv's Bar-Mitzvah. From there on to the Poconos. There were 3 mandatory meetings: 10ish, 12:00 and 2pm. We decided to make the 2 pm meeting but to get there around noon anyway.
Initial weather forecast, rain but dry for us for Sunday. When Jim got to our house, we racked up my bike and covered both bikes with a tarp.
Made good time with the drive. The GPS worked well. Got to the hotel around noon. Check-in is not till 3pm but we both needed the rest room so took care of it. Left and drove toward the meeting at Fernwood. I've been there so many times. On the way, we stopped at Pub 570 to eat lunch. Had a great lunch. Our waitress' name was Nikita (how cool is that name?), a regular girl next door type. Pretty and wholesome - whatever.
I asked Nikita the weather forecast and she said that they are expecting Sunday to be in the 30's, cold, major rain system coming in and that they are expecting snow somewhere in NY. I am assuming she meant the State and not the City.
Left there and got to Fernwood and actually found parking. Checked-in, went to shirt pickup. I asked for a 2XL shirt but the volunteer told me it runs short and that I should take the XL. I told her, I would rather have the 2XL, so she gave me both! I told Jim, people love me but he doesn't believe me. Also, got 2 race belts (one for each of us) for free.
Attended the meeting. Some good stuff and some ARGH stuff. Yes - the swim is cancelled. We should pay attention to the road. Roads will be wet and they will sweep but and here he picks up this thing that looks like a small fastball and tells us that he picked this up next to the bear that he saw. Funny stuff. Walnuts the size of fastballs and bears - Cool. He also kept talking about the English right which I assumed he meant was some hill. I just didn't get it. Later, I found out what he meant. Because the swim got cancelled, certain things had to get re-arranged and we had this extra 1.6 mile out and back coming our of T1.
Coming out of T1, we make a left for an out and back. Well to make sure, riders don't criss-cross, we ride on the English right AKA the left side there and back. And through out all this, we have USTA riding and handing out violations.
They also explained race day to us. Since the swim got cancelled, we will go out in a time trial fashion, in mostly numerical order. The pros get 30 seconds between athletes. We get about 3 seconds. We go across the timing mat, run 75-80 yards and then mount the bike. Immediatly is an uphill in a turn. At the top, make a left for the out and back. By the waym the out and back was not easy. Rollers. Tons of them. But I am ahead of myself.
Left the meeting and drove to T1 to drop off the bike. Oh yeah, put bags on our seats and handle bars where the computer is. From there, we drove to T2 to drop our Bike-to-Run bag which includes our sneakers and our race belt. Made sure the bag was closed tight and instead of leaving it on the ground, hung it on the rack. Figured, if it would rain, then water would get in the bag. This way, trying to keep things a little dry. The Hotel was next for check-in.
Checked-in, unpacked and got things ready for the next day. From that point, it started raining. I had my dinner (cereal/milk) but I went with Jim so he could get his dinner at Perkins. He ordered eggs, sausage, pancakes (Oh My God!!!) and I ordered a fruit bowl. Took about 30 minutes for Jim to get his food. We kept on joking about how we need to wait for the chicken to lay the eggs or the cow to be milked.
Back to the Hotel. I ate and did some work. Also, got my stuff ready for the next day. Went to sleep by 9:45 but had trouble sleeping. I set up the alarm cock radio for 2am, set up a wake up call for 2am and set up the iphone alarm for 2am.
Had trouble going to sleep but suddenly the hotel phone rings along with the alarm clock radio. I quickly ran to shut in advance the rooster alarm on the iphone. Trying not to be to rude to my neighbors.
Got up and looked outside and OH MY GOD!!! It's not drizzling. It's not raining. It's freaking storming. WHATEVER!!! Got ready and eventually got the call from Jim that he's awake. I told him about the rain and told him to go look outside. He didn't believe me.
Got dressed: Tri-shorts with tights on. Thick socks. Tri-top, sleevies, long sleeve running shirt, bike Jersey and a running cap. On top of all that was sweat pants and my jacket. It was in the low 40's and raining. Sucks. Normally, I would just go back to sleep but here had no choice.
We left the hotel, only raining lightly, and drove the 1/2 mile to T2. Lots of cars already. They had us park on a grass field where they practice Football. That field was gonna get destroyed. It was a mudfest already. Parked, got our stuff and headed to the school bus for the ride to T1.
Sat on the bus for a long time. Don't know why. We were full. Jim was speculating that they might still cancel the race or at least the bike. I knew they wouldn't. Sat there for at least 20 minutes before we left. Rode for what seems like forever. At 1 point, the bus pulled into a parking lot but it didn't look like T1...Bus driver got lost!!! Needed the parking lot to make a U-Turn. C'mon people...
Got to T1 and immediatly headed to the porta-potties. Line was not long but it wasn't short either.
From there went into T1 and checked on bike. Filled the tires, opened my powerbaar, got it all ready. Walked around. Announcement that the race was gonna be delayed by 30 minutes. I guess they are still sweeping up. As we were on the bus, we were worried. Besides the roads being wet, there were tons of leaves and branches and walnuts all over the road.
Time passing by slowly. Very slowly. Decided on another stop at the port-a-potties. Stood in line and started talking to 2 guys there. Joking around. Very strange feeling. It's almost 7:30 (the new revised start time) and I am still on the porta-potty line. Normally, I'd be getting ready to swim. Still...Anyway, they started singing the National Anthem and I said something like, "Are those guys gonna get up too in there?" The 2 near me looked funny at me and I said "Hey, I'm from NY. I can say things like that", so they laughed. Suddenly, a guy comes out of the porta-pottie and said that he had to stand for the anthem so he came out. See, I was right!
Anyway, back to the bike and time to get ready. Took off the sweatpants and the Jacket. Switched shoes into bike shoes. Put on the wind breaker. Convinced Jim to wear a windbbreaker but later I saw that he took it off. OK.
Almost my row, time for this to be real. Walked my bike to the timing mat, ran and got on. That uphill, turn thing sucked. How are people not gonna draft? Riding on the English right, not sure what side to be on, people screaming. USTA motorcycle going by. Finally get to the turnaround and a guy rides past it with a motorcycle in tow. I wonder if he got a violation already. The turn around sucked. A hard 180 in a tight street. It's a wonder no one fell off. Roads are wet and we are in rollers tho most seem to be uphill. Past T1 and people are still streaming out.
With the swim on, I expected Jim to pass me on the bike or worst at T2 or run. Here, it was just a matter of time.
Constantly getting passed. All the time...
Going fast and uphill again. Took me by suprise and I am in the wrong gear. Big chain ring in the front, hard in the back. Almost made it up but had to step down for a minute. Got back on no problem. Only made this mistake once!
Saw a guy sitting on the side of the road. His chain broke and he is only a few miles from T1. Sucks to be him.
Riding.
Made a few realizations about Pennsylvania:
More than 1 section with an English right. Most people handled it ok. Some were real Bastards. Mass confusion as to which side to ride on. Most people where OK about it.
Roads were not huge and people constantly passing me. It was expected. Taking things in stride. It was getting annoying. I haven't passed anyone. Well, eventually I did pass some people but it's cool.
Couple of places there were some puddles. Couple of places there were moving puddles coming from the right side and heading to the left. I can see that area getting flooded.
And there it was. Around mile 10, Jim passed me. Good for him. Totally expected it and there it was. Was hoping it would have happened a little later but it just means that Jim was riding well. Good for him. Barring any problems, he's on his way for his first Half-Ironman finish.
At 1 point, I see a sign, "NO PASSING ZONE". Not sure what's going on but as I get to it, a guy zooms past me and says "WHEW...I MADE IT". I guess it means what it says...Realized it immediatly. The road was horrible there and the best way to go through it was single file. No one complaint about me. I tried my best to go as fast as I can there. The road sucked. As soon as I passed the "OK TO PASS", people passed me. Par for the course.
All the hills are manegeable at this point. They suck but doable. There is a bad one coming at 40. One at a time.
Wondering if I will see Jim again. It seems like every so often we go for a little loop and then come back to the road we are on to head back a little. I don't know the area so can't gauge it.
Road is marked every 10 miles or so. Realized too late that I could have and should have clicked the interval on my watch. I didn't. It was a mistake.
Constantly up and down. Always turning too. At one point, make a left turn and OH CRAP!!!! Almost ran over a kitten. Look and there are 3 kittens about to venture on to the road with momma cat watching approvingly. Geez.
Going down a hill into a tight right turn and I catch up to a USTA motorcycle. I'm not supposed to pass on the right but what do I do? They're holding me back. During the meeting, we were explictly told by the USTA folks that we are NOT to converse with the USTA people handing out violations. The only conversation is them explaining to you that you just got served. What do I do? Can't talk to them. Can't pass on the right. But it's not my fault. Figured, I'll talk to myself (no violation for that, right?) so I said out loud "am I allowed to pass the USTA on the right?". Nothing...And then the passenger realized what happened, looked at me (OH OH) and said, "yeah....Go ahead and pass". Whew...
Would be happy to get off the bike. Some guy passed me and told me that my windbreaker sounds like I have a cape on as I am flying like Superman. Cool. I realize that I am not very aerodynamic but I am not cold either. I think I chose my clothes wisely and happy for it.
I get to mile 40 and the dreaded hill. Sucked. It was long but doable. Got up there. And then I realized. The map I looked at with the hill at 40 was assuming a swim. Now, that there was no swim, they added the 1.6 out and back. The hill at 40 is at 41, right? Yes. I'm ok. People walking - I'm riding. No problem. Very fatigued. Keep pedaling. I stopped for a milli-second and that's that. I'm almost at the top and had to put my feet down. No way I could get back on. Ran up the very top. Embarassing.
There were 3 aid stations on the bike and they were dangerous. During the Patriot half, when I got to the drop off, the road was wider and there weren't too many people around. During the IM, the aid stations were also positioned better. Here, the roads were narrow in the first place so it was dangerous.
Managed to pass the first and second safely. Got to the third and ahead of me, someone takes his water bottle and throws it to the right toward the water bottle station just like you are supposed to do. Except(!!!), the bottle hits another bikers bike. What are the freaking odds? Anyway, he apologizes and the bottle rolls back toward the center of the street and more importantly, right in front of me. I can't and don't want to go right towards the tables. I got a biker on my left, parallel to me. I yell to him to "go left, go left". He does and I skirt the water bottle. Whew. Leaving the station, still going slow. It's a bit of an incline with a (what else?) right turn at the end, into a hill. Of course! In front of me to the right, a woman gets of the bike to walk. To her left, in front of me directly, a man struggles to get up the incline. Stops peddaling for a second and must get off the bike. Except OOPS....He falls with the bike right in front of me. Managed to avoid him. Can't stop now.
Get on the bike and continue. I'm riding and we get to a section with signs that say "SLOW DOWN" and "CAUTION". I'm not thinking. I go aero. It's a downhill. A volunteer sees me (THANK GOD!!!) and yells to me to get out of aero. I look at him. He repeats. I get out of aero and he tells me that I need to be up for this. Another 90 degree turn at the end of a downhill. Guy probably saved my life. Or at least saved me from a crash.
Nice section following. Sort of like riding in a forest. Very scenic. Would have been awesome to run through. Mile markers are now every 5 miles and I see mile 50. Almost there. I see 2 guys sitting on the grass. Asked them if they are ok and the guy responds to me with "5 flats and I am done". Damn...Still, only 5ish miles to go. Whatever...
I continue. Eventually out of the forest and onto streets that I recognize from the drive to T1 and T2 and the hotel. Still, turns and turns. I see the sign for T2. Leading to the parking lot. Pass some more people. Dismount and walk bike into T2. Almost slipped in the mud. Get to my rack, to my parking spot and there is already a bike there. What the hell do I do now? I can't balance my bike and take that bike out too. Luckily, I see a volunteer walking through. I ask for help and I tell her that she could sell, keep or throw out that other bike. That was wrong of me but I was beat up and not thinking. I get ready. Strip some layers and put shoes on.
There were 3 porta-potties in T2 and a line. I was considering pre-emptive action. My thoughts are to try to pee to take pressure off my stomach. Not with that line tho.
I go down the "run out" chute and as a guy comes in, he blows a snot rocket and I get hit. Never in my life and today I get hit. Not happy. The chute is all muddy. Almost fell. Decided to walk. I am NOT doing a face plant in the mud at mile 0.
Start running and we are behind the High School. Considering trying to pee behind a building when I spy a porta-pottie with no line! I go to check. Must be locked, right? Nope! It's unlocked, available and decently clean. I try to pee and glad I did it. Lot more came out then I thought.
Left the HS area and we are on city streets. I see some runners coming back at this point. These guys are booking. I mean they are fast. And I still have about 2 hours to go. Yay.
I miss the 1 mile marker but I ask around and someone tells me that we just passed it.
What? Can it be? Yup. Jim is there walking with another guy. Suprised. Never thought I would see him. Ask him if he is ok and he tells me to go ahead and not wait. I continue. I know I will see him again.
I comment to a guy that it seems like these miles are too long and they should shorten them. We kid and I continue.
The run description was some small hills in the beginning leading to a gradual incline to the turn around. Then a gradual descent will kickstart your return trip. Hm... Constant up and down. Nothing horrible but the realization is that any down is an up later. Sucks.
Running and running and running. Spoke to people and anyone not keeping up, I dropped. At 1 point, I pass these guys blasting music from their car. They had their own little aid station. As I pass, I yell thanks for the music. Also, I hear 1 guy said to the other that he wishes he would have brought his acoustic guitar cause then would jam together. Cool.
This girl and I keep trading positions. Her jersey said "Cannolies". Jim later told me that it wasn't spelled like the dessert but I have no clue if he's right. Still, she and I constantly joked around. I eventually passed her for good but not till I told her that I will have to call her Tracy (her name from her bib) because I keep thinking of eating Cannolies.
I start talking to a guy from Canada. His first Half-Ironman and they cancelled the swim. Had a nice talk. Ran together from mile 2 or 3 until mile 6. Was looking forward to the halfway. Really looking forward to it. Mile 6 passes and I have a feel as to my speed. I know when the halfway turn should come and it doesn't. When I get to Mile 6, there is a black woman yelling out that she's got Rum and Coke. Nice.
Turns out they had the halfway at mile 7. Sucks. Turned around and back to the last aid station. As I get there, I yell out "can I have a rum and coke hold the rum". Oh, that woman cracked up. Someone else gave me the coke because she was bent over laughing. Glad to make someones day...
I see Jim. He's running. Good! If he was still walking, I would have tried to encourage (yell) at him. I yell to him that I am waiting for him and that he needs to catch up to me.
Keep running. Mile after mile I click off. I run from 1 mile marker to another. I run from person to person.
I get to the guys blaring music from their car. I yell to them saying that I thought he was gonna get his guitar. They started laughing. Offered me a beer from their aid station. Plenty of empties there. Jim, later told me they offered him beer during the run.
Last 3 miles to go. I keep running. Still talking to people. It's almost over.
People still heading out for the run. Saw Superman, (short) cape and all, take off. Last out runner I saw was a little less than 2 miles to go. Long day for them.
About 3 turns to go. Aid station. Ask if there is another and they told me YES. Cool. Passed mile 12. Real hungry to finish. Asked a volunteer how long and he tells me about a mile to go. What?!? Should be only about a half mile to go. Next person I ask, tells me about 600 yards to go. Much better Answer. Told the runner next to me so. Last aid station. People there wearing pink tutu's. Jim told me he was joking with them. Cool. He must have felt better than. I know he looked better when I saw him at the turn around. Suprised he hasn't showed up yet. Still expecting to see him pass me.
Last turn. Guy passes me saying "this is it...". I said "too early" but couldn't help myself. Started going faster even if I didn't mean to. I asked if that next left turn was the final turn to Main street. They said "yes" and that guy is running and I started. Moving faster and faster. Make the left turn. Finish is 2 blocks away. Running real fast now. Passing people. Passed that guys and about 5 more. Finished strong. Real strong kick. Fast - real fast.
Got medal, water and they took my chip. Waited for Jim at the finish as opposed to our meeting point. I know he is coming. Yup...There he was. Finished looking good.
Subway was there giving food. And they had veggie stuff. Put hot pepper in it and found a place to sit and eat. It was good...
They told us that they would transport our bag from T1, with our warm clothes, to the finish but they didn't. Jim was cold and cranky about it. I offered to buy him coffee from Dunkin donuts or soup from a Chinese food place but he refused. He was pissed. We knew we had a 1/2 mile walk to T2 (YUCK!) but didn't expect to walk it without warm clothes. Sucks because instead of hanging out at Octoberfest (I wanted to buy stuff for family) we rushed back to the T2. We were getting cold. Better this way...Going back home.
Got to T2 and I asked one of the volunteers how I can (please) score one of those cool volunteer shirts. She told me to ask another person. Again I asked (please) ask and she said she has extra shirts in the car and she will go get them. I told her I would go with her. I followed her to her mini-van where they told her that they don't have any more shirts. She offered to give me the shirt off her back and I said I would love too especially since it's nice and warm and I am cold but that I wouldn't dare ask. She said no problem and took it off. YAY!!! Really cool tech shirt with the words "IRON TEAM" on the back. Nice.
Went to the bike and again almost did a faceplant in the mud. Nice. Got bike and went to the car. Bike all muddy, shoes all muddy. Loaded car, changed some cloths too. Jim drove and we had no problems.
Found out that at mile 55 his quad cramped up and he couldn't straighten it out. Couldn't pedal and couldn't unclip. Fell down. Had problem in T2 and that's why he was walking. Apparently some volunteer gave him some salt and that did the trick. I keep telling him that but he doesn't listen to me. This time...This time he learned it on his own. The salt helped him. Cramp went away and forget walking...He ran to the finish.