Andy Potts (former UM swimmer) at Ironman
Andy Potts, who swam and ran track for Michigan in the late 90s/early 2000s is first out of the water at the Ironman World Championships in Kona. Looks like he'll have a lead of about 2-3 minutes after the 2.4 mile swim (he finished in about 49:45). It's not the first time he's been first out of the water at this race, and he's had a top-10 finish before. Still a 112-mile bike and 26.2-mile run to go. You can't win the race in the water, but you can lose it.
I know it's gameday for football and the Tigers, but I thought Potts deserves some props here, especially from any MGoTriathletes on the board.
October 8th, 2011 at 1:22 PM ^
Holy f*&! Is that on t.v.!? What channel! I never knew Andy was a Michigan Man, I would root for him more, lol!
October 8th, 2011 at 1:24 PM ^
kona.ironmanlive.com
They mentioned Potts was a former Wolverine and spent some time the last couple of year training with Phelps and Vanderkaay.
October 8th, 2011 at 1:32 PM ^
2 minutes is a large lead after the swim. IIRC this is Potts' first year at the Iron distance. I'd love to see him do well, but Craig Alexander is a freaking stud.
October 8th, 2011 at 1:39 PM ^
but it's not so much for Ironman. Just a 5-second per mile difference in pace on the marathon alone can eat that up, not to mention the 112 mile bike. Potts had perhaps a bigger gap last year and finished outside the top 20.
Now, Potts has won an IM distance race before (Coeur d'Alene last year), so there are certainly indications that his bike and run are getting closer to the strength of his swim.
To be sure, it's a helluva performance so far, but it's a loooong day ahead.
And you're right - Alexander is an absolute beast.
October 8th, 2011 at 1:57 PM ^
In the grand scheme of things 2 minutes is nothing, but for the swim only portion 2 minutes is a big lead. Most of the time the field is separated by seconds.
October 8th, 2011 at 2:07 PM ^
That's true. And most of the favorites did come out in a pack - about 2 back, with some stragglers further behind.
October 8th, 2011 at 1:41 PM ^
Simply incredible. How do you even begin training for that? I can't imagine the amount of carbs that have to be eaten weeks prior to the race.
October 8th, 2011 at 1:51 PM ^
I have done 4 Ironman races and I have struggled with my nutrition every time. It is a fine balance between too much (GI issues) and too little (bonking).
October 8th, 2011 at 2:13 PM ^
I have only done two IM races, but I can tell you that most people who have at least some physical ability probably have it in them finish an Ironman race (17 hours is a long time), but the key (for me) is making the time to train properly and staying dedicated to it even when it seems like endless training and proper eating for something a long ways away.
That said, it's Ironman, and things can and will go sideways during the race - 140.6 miles is a lot of punishment on the body, regardless of fitness level.
But it's totally worth it; going to the starting line knowing you can finish that sort of distance is pretty cool, although not as cool as crossing the finish line.
October 8th, 2011 at 2:18 PM ^
I've always said that an Ironman is less a physical test than a mental test. And it is absolutely worth it.
October 8th, 2011 at 2:20 PM ^
That's just insane! Kudos to the guys here who have done the IM. And good luck to Potts, it'd be awesome if he could win the race.
October 8th, 2011 at 2:17 PM ^
I'm not a triathlete but I've done several ultra marathons (50+ milers). It's not really the carbs before that make the difference (though tapering is *huge*) as youre not going to store more than a few hours worth of glycogen anyways. Race-day nutrition is where you have to make up the calories -- that and keeping your adrenaline under control so as not to go out flying and bonk early.
October 8th, 2011 at 3:12 PM ^
Ironman? Hell, I can't even walk a mile because my calves tighten up to the point where they won't even move. Maybe it just comes with age or something... 19 is a long time to live ya know.
October 8th, 2011 at 3:50 PM ^
Looks like Potts is getting dropped on the bike. Leaders have gone through the midway point, and he's outside the top ten. Hopefully he can make some ground back up in the latter half of the bike and then the run. Winds are picking up, apparently, which can be really nasty - 25+ mph headwinds and sidewinds after hours in the saddle.