Bummer. Had a similar experience of body seizing up last year at IM AZ. A rider that had just passed me crashed hard into a temporary road sign. As the sign, the rider, and her bike all bounced across the road in front of me, I veered as far left as I could, up against a metal barricade which was my only available path. Just as I thought I was going to just barely squeeze by, I got clobber on my right side by another rider also trying to avoid the crash. Into the barricade I went with the other rider on top of me. I was pretty beat up and bloodied, unable to stand up straight, and had left a fair amount of skin smeared into the pavement. The left side of my handlebar was broken with the bar tape being the only thing holding it together. Rear derailleur was pushed into rear wheel. Yet another rider involved in the crash offered some encouraging words, reminding me that it was only 5 miles to T2. I was eventually able to get the derailleur bent back out enough that the rear wheel would once again turn, then slowly hobbled my way into T2 with half my handlebar dangling and rear derailleur sounding like it was about to explode. Walked the first 4 miles of the run all humped over with a badly swollen knee that was getting larger by the minute. Had to pull out at that point. In some ways it was disappointing, but at the same time there was so much more that I had overcome earlier in the race. Far too much to talk about here. Looking back, I realize that I got more out of the race (and learned so much more about myself) with it ending the way it did than I ever could have if everything had gone well and I had finished. I'm grateful for everything that went wrong that day. It is in our failures that we learn and grow the most. Cheers!
Fuuuuuu that sounds brutal. And with the, "it always hurts more the next day" thing, that was absolutely the right call. That sounds horrific. I completely agree re: getting the most out of it. There's always more races. There are 'smart pushes' and there are days you just have to call it. Happy no one was hurt even worse.
This sounds very similar to my day at IM70.3 AZ last year. Rear wheel lost its true and continued to get worse. Stopped, waited 15 mins for a mechanic to tighten the tension, 10 miles later, lost again, 20 minutes waiting, mechanic gave me their last disc wheel spare. It’s super hard to convince your body that we need to keep going. Lost about 30 minutes, power surges to feel like you’re still going to finish with a decent time = poor run. I was cramped and sore. Walk/jogged to finish. But absolutely had a moment at mile 1 where I was like, “why even keep going? Am I really going to powerwalk 13 miles?” - the answer was yes. And I’m signed up for redemption this year. Thanks for the video, Justin! Keep it up.
Sounds like it's time to investigate using disc brakes. Wheel delamination is exactly why I'll NEVER use carbon fiber wheels and rim brakes. I've seen more wheels blow up on descents due to overheating and the resins melting away.
Yup, 100%. I'm already planning on getting a new road bike (either this summer or early spring) and getting disc wheels that I can use on an upcoming disc tri bike are a factor for that Truthfully I don't really WANT a new tri bike at all, but now I have no confidence in carbon clinchers. I think for the short term I'm just going to use alu clinchers on that bike before I eventually pick a direction. But agreed, don't want to deal with it
@JustinDoesTriathlon It's a bummer that a mechanical took you out that close to the finish of the ride. Gladly, you weren't injured and you had assistance to get back to transition under your own power.
I finally found the race day video, I was following your insta feed all race day. I know you will get that CDA Ironman medal in 3 years, I plan on joining you there. Sorry for the bad luck but thanks for telling the story.
Good video. I'm really new to triathlons, doing my 2nd tri (sprint) but this made me realise I need to be more prepared, eg learn how to change an inner tube etc, and if something does go wrong not to give up which is what i would normally do. Thank you, good feedback video. Good luck with your next race.
Absolutely! Getting really comfortable with some super common things will go a long way. You don't need to know how to rebuild your whole bike, but fixing a tire, a chain fallen off (both inside and outside) and shifters getting out of alignment are absolutely valuable skills for either race day or training. :)
Something disc and high end, because the feeling of a wheel blowing up on a descent isn't one I want to feel again, that's for sure. The 454s or SES 4.5s look pretty solid.
Bummer. Had a similar experience of body seizing up last year at IM AZ. A rider that had just passed me crashed hard into a temporary road sign. As the sign, the rider, and her bike all bounced across the road in front of me, I veered as far left as I could, up against a metal barricade which was my only available path. Just as I thought I was going to just barely squeeze by, I got clobber on my right side by another rider also trying to avoid the crash. Into the barricade I went with the other rider on top of me. I was pretty beat up and bloodied, unable to stand up straight, and had left a fair amount of skin smeared into the pavement. The left side of my handlebar was broken with the bar tape being the only thing holding it together. Rear derailleur was pushed into rear wheel. Yet another rider involved in the crash offered some encouraging words, reminding me that it was only 5 miles to T2. I was eventually able to get the derailleur bent back out enough that the rear wheel would once again turn, then slowly hobbled my way into T2 with half my handlebar dangling and rear derailleur sounding like it was about to explode. Walked the first 4 miles of the run all humped over with a badly swollen knee that was getting larger by the minute. Had to pull out at that point. In some ways it was disappointing, but at the same time there was so much more that I had overcome earlier in the race. Far too much to talk about here. Looking back, I realize that I got more out of the race (and learned so much more about myself) with it ending the way it did than I ever could have if everything had gone well and I had finished. I'm grateful for everything that went wrong that day. It is in our failures that we learn and grow the most. Cheers!
Fuuuuuu that sounds brutal. And with the, "it always hurts more the next day" thing, that was absolutely the right call. That sounds horrific. I completely agree re: getting the most out of it. There's always more races. There are 'smart pushes' and there are days you just have to call it. Happy no one was hurt even worse.
Honest reflection. Thanks for sharing. Sorry about the race.
It happens! I still enjoyed it. :)
1. It’s great to see you back on the ‘tube. 2. I hate to hear that about IMCDA. Can’t wait to see what’s next!
Thanks! :D
You can get carbon wheels with an aluminium strip for rim brakes
This sounds very similar to my day at IM70.3 AZ last year. Rear wheel lost its true and continued to get worse. Stopped, waited 15 mins for a mechanic to tighten the tension, 10 miles later, lost again, 20 minutes waiting, mechanic gave me their last disc wheel spare. It’s super hard to convince your body that we need to keep going. Lost about 30 minutes, power surges to feel like you’re still going to finish with a decent time = poor run. I was cramped and sore. Walk/jogged to finish. But absolutely had a moment at mile 1 where I was like, “why even keep going? Am I really going to powerwalk 13 miles?” - the answer was yes. And I’m signed up for redemption this year.
Thanks for the video, Justin! Keep it up.
Hey but at least you pushed through! Redemtion will be even more enjoyable. :)
Sounds like it's time to investigate using disc brakes. Wheel delamination is exactly why I'll NEVER use carbon fiber wheels and rim brakes. I've seen more wheels blow up on descents due to overheating and the resins melting away.
Yup, 100%. I'm already planning on getting a new road bike (either this summer or early spring) and getting disc wheels that I can use on an upcoming disc tri bike are a factor for that Truthfully I don't really WANT a new tri bike at all, but now I have no confidence in carbon clinchers. I think for the short term I'm just going to use alu clinchers on that bike before I eventually pick a direction. But agreed, don't want to deal with it
@JustinDoesTriathlon It's a bummer that a mechanical took you out that close to the finish of the ride. Gladly, you weren't injured and you had assistance to get back to transition under your own power.
I finally found the race day video, I was following your insta feed all race day. I know you will get that CDA Ironman medal in 3 years, I plan on joining you there. Sorry for the bad luck but thanks for telling the story.
That'll be amazing! Definitely keep in touch. I love CDA. Such a great place. Thanks!
Good video. I'm really new to triathlons, doing my 2nd tri (sprint) but this made me realise I need to be more prepared, eg learn how to change an inner tube etc, and if something does go wrong not to give up which is what i would normally do. Thank you, good feedback video.
Good luck with your next race.
Absolutely! Getting really comfortable with some super common things will go a long way. You don't need to know how to rebuild your whole bike, but fixing a tire, a chain fallen off (both inside and outside) and shifters getting out of alignment are absolutely valuable skills for either race day or training. :)
So bummed for you. Next year you will get it at your hometown. What wheels are you going to be rocking next
Something disc and high end, because the feeling of a wheel blowing up on a descent isn't one I want to feel again, that's for sure. The 454s or SES 4.5s look pretty solid.
4:15 this is just so funny :)
It was so funny. :D