Editor's Note: This month we'll be featuring the writing of the Athletes and Bloggers nominated for the 2007 Best Blog awards. The following is by Studies in Clydeology
The Course that makes Ironman cry: The Silverman race report
When I signed on for the Silverman I thought I had only registered for the hardest iron distance race in North America. Apparently I was mistaken. The Silverman claims to be the “World’s Most Grueling Full-Distance Triathlon”, yes the WORLD’s most grueling full distance triathlon and I have to say that I believe that is true. Professional triathletes Dave Scott, Chris McCormack and Peter Vabrousek all said it was the hardest course they had done.
The other thing about Silverman, you probably get the best schwag in the sport…seriously it’s almost worth the price of admission.
The course is like a rugged moonscape. If you have not visited the deep desert southwest where the landscape is covered in creosote bush, cholla and big sage and the most colorful things around are the rocks then it is hard to imagine but it is a beautiful place in its own right. Lake Mead is huge and clear and capable of generating the kind of wave action you only find in very large bodies of water. The bike course is mostly an out and back though T1 and T2 are in different areas with T1 at the lake and T2 at the community center in the city of Henderson, NV. The bike takes you deep into the desert on the longest and largest rollers I have ever seen. At about the half way point on the way out we literally rode up and over a high saddle adjoining two mountains, the rest of the 9,700 feet of climbing was just preparation for that monster climb and the “Three Sisters” that you hit at about mile 95.
The three sisters are short and steep, three consecutive climbs of 18% grade with no downhill in between just climb, a few yards of flat, climb, a few yards of flat and climb again with the last climb being the longest. When I hit that point the guy in front of me wobbled to the top of the last of the sisters, rolled a few more yards and then got off his bike and started pukeing…that pretty much ays it all. The run takes place through the suburbs of Henderson, is two “loops”, pretty convoluted and contains an additional 2,500 feet of climbing and, like the bike course, these climbs were not short choppy rollers, they were long sweeping climbs, at least one was over two miles of steady uphill, which made it a real bitch going up as well as coming down. In short, this course is made to beat an Ironman into submission or, at a minimum, make them realize just how monumental a task Ironman is, I mean realize it in their bones.
My morning started out well and I was feeling great. I ate about 1500 calories for breakfast and headed off to the start. The weather was perfect and everything was calm at the start. The water was 70 degrees and crystal clear. When the starting cannon fired we all headed for the first turn buoy and I was swimming fast. Unfortunately my navigation was very poor so I was heading in the wrong direction very quickly and every time I would sight I was way off course, I kept pulling.....
For the rest of the race report plus many more photos just click HERE.
0 Comments
Editor's Note: This month we'll be featuring the writing of the Athletes and Bloggers nominated for the 2007 Best Blog awards. The following is by TriGreyhound This post could have a lot of different titles. "Old School," "We're Not Worthy," "Double Tough," and "It Takes All Kinds" are some of the options I considered. They all apply, and the reasons why will become quite apparent. Editor's Note: This month we'll be featuring the writing of the Athletes and Bloggers nominated for the 2007 Best Blog awards. The following is by Steve of the Blog: Steve in a Speedo?! Gross! Editor's Note: This month we'll be featuring the writing of the Athletes and Bloggers nominated for the 2007 Best Blog awards. The following is by Erin of the Blog: The Long and Winding Road Editor's Note: This month we'll be featuring the writing of the Athletes and Bloggers nominated for the 2007 Best Blog awards. The following is by TriBoomer: Editor's Note: This month we'll be featuring the writing of the Athletes and Bloggers nominated for the 2007 Best Blog awards. The following is by Nancy Toby of the Blog: Nancy Toby: Run Big To submit a weblog for the 2007 raceAthlete Best Blog Award just fill out the form with the name and URL link of your favorite endurance Blog in the comments section below. (Entries will be accepted throughout the month of November 2007 and online voting will take place the first two weeks in December of 2007.)Below is the complete list of "Best Blog" submissions to date for the 2007 Awards: Drum roll please? |
team raceAthleteWe are just like you. fathers, mothers, husbands, wives, friends, confidants. Together and individually, we will make our way to healthy lifestyle. Archives
September 2008
Categories
All
|