Congrats Andy Potts!
A huge congrats to UM alumni Andy Potts for his 4th place finish at the Ironman World Championships in Kona, Hawaii on Saturday. In a finishing time of 8:21:38, he beat his previous best in Kona by about 10 minutes and his best finish in that race.
He was, as one would expect, first out of the water...tied for first, actually. Although he slipped to 9th after the bike, he finished strong during the run with a split of 2:48 on the marathon to finish where he did. For someone like myself who also spent many years swimming, my hats off to Andy for developing into such a strong runner.
A few facts, Andy was the second highest American with fellow countryman Ben Hoffman finishing second. Andy was one of 5 men who had a faster run split than the female champion, Mirinda Carfrae, who ran a 2:50 marathon to finish only 2 minutes in front of second place. Former Olympian short track speed skater Apollo Ohno finished a very respectable 9:52 for his very first Ironman distance race.
Any interested folks wanting to see the race coverage, NBC will have a special in the next few weeks, not sure when, summarizing the race. It usually is aired somewhere in the middle of November.
October 13th, 2014 at 1:14 PM ^
October 13th, 2014 at 1:23 PM ^
October 13th, 2014 at 1:27 PM ^
October 13th, 2014 at 1:28 PM ^
on my post, please.
October 13th, 2014 at 1:42 PM ^
I too like making judgment calls about people I've never met. I'm happy you are posting on a site dedicated to following the exploits of athletes and UM sports by pointing our your distaste for people who forsake their friends and family by competing in an athletic endeavor.
October 13th, 2014 at 1:56 PM ^
October 13th, 2014 at 1:58 PM ^
Unless YOU have toed the line, no...you don't. I'll let you have the last word if you want, but I beg you please let this line of discussion end here.
October 13th, 2014 at 4:07 PM ^
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October 13th, 2014 at 2:05 PM ^
At least you're not making sweeping generalizations based on limited data.
October 13th, 2014 at 4:18 PM ^
There is a difference between being a pro triathlete and weekend warrior. Yes, a lot of weekend warriors blow-off thier families, probably end up in divorce. However, many do not.
Chill, dude. It's an amazing accomplishment.
October 13th, 2014 at 6:22 PM ^
So because you know people like you describe, that makes all participants like that? Do you think it's possible that at least some of the participants have the support of their friends and family?
My wife has ran multiple marathons and other long races and each time she took a lot of time for herself to do it. But I didn't care because it was important to her and I would hope she would support me in the same way if I chose to do something like that (I will not). And our boys are proud of her.
I'm not saying there aren't plenty of selfish people like how you claim. But your first post suggested all participants are like that and as many here have told you, that just isn't true.
October 13th, 2014 at 6:47 PM ^
As do I. I've also competed in a couple of biathalons and marathons.
My point isn't that it doesn't require a lot of dedication and commitment. My issue was with the condescending and judgmental tone you took toward people competing in one. Shockingly, some people can be good people and be good to their friends and family while still doing pretty well in a competition like that.
October 13th, 2014 at 3:26 PM ^
October 13th, 2014 at 7:31 PM ^
October 13th, 2014 at 1:28 PM ^
I don't understand how that's physically possible.
October 13th, 2014 at 3:58 PM ^
October 13th, 2014 at 4:25 PM ^
My goal is 7hrs most of the year, during peak build periods I'll hit 10. The other part is knowing how/when to eat, when to ease up, go hard...just knowing your body. When you get some basic knowledge and base, you're right, you can shock yourself.
I like the training more than racing, races are very stressful for me.
October 13th, 2014 at 6:59 PM ^
October 13th, 2014 at 5:15 PM ^
I did Mont Tremblant earlier this year and afterwards in the village one of the oldsters asked me how I was feeling. I told him I felt surprisingly well, no real pains just the expected fatigue. Lol, he looks at me and says, "You didn't go hard enough".
October 13th, 2014 at 6:55 PM ^
I've felt closer to death after pushing hard at a sprint tri!
October 13th, 2014 at 7:23 PM ^
The bike course may be the best on the planet, hardly any bumpy parts. The finish was great, through the village with fantastic support. Grats on Louisville; I'm still getting up the courage to do a 'hot' Ironman. You definitely got a point about doing one and racing one. I'm definitely a doer, lol.
October 13th, 2014 at 1:25 PM ^
October 13th, 2014 at 1:39 PM ^
Great job, and an impressive finishing marathon considering just how much swimming/biking they did.
October 13th, 2014 at 2:05 PM ^
His marathon split would be impressive even if he ran just that. Factoring in the swim and the bike, his marathon was downright filthy.
October 13th, 2014 at 3:33 PM ^
October 13th, 2014 at 4:26 PM ^
It's supposed to be a windy bike ride too, right? It sounds awesome, I'd love to do Kona.
October 13th, 2014 at 4:39 PM ^
I did Kona several years ago (I got in on the lottery), and the wind on the return just about broke me. 20-25 mph headwinds after 85 miles in the saddle sucked. Big time.
October 13th, 2014 at 6:50 PM ^
Absolutely - it would top my best time by around 10 minutes. I think it is amazing that a human being can basically race for half a day straight that intensely.
October 13th, 2014 at 1:52 PM ^
October 13th, 2014 at 3:15 PM ^
Nice work on finishing four of them. Did you have to forsake friends and family to glorify yourself like BlueinWisconsin said all Ironman participants do?
October 13th, 2014 at 3:31 PM ^
October 13th, 2014 at 4:03 PM ^
Well good work showing the dedication to it and having a family that understands. I don't know how you can commit that much time and energy to it though, I often struggle to get motivated enough to run 3ish miles every day.
October 13th, 2014 at 7:12 PM ^
October 13th, 2014 at 2:05 PM ^
October 13th, 2014 at 2:54 PM ^
Running downstairs and into the garage to lift the bike off the wall. Biking to the liquor store and back. Then placing beers into ice water to keep them cold and exerting effort to fish them out during the game.
So a big congrats goes out to Andy. Great accomplishment.
October 13th, 2014 at 3:04 PM ^
Jeez, I just ran my first half-marathon in ~3:30 and I thought I was going to die. He did it twice after swimming and biking all those miles in much less time. Good lord!
October 13th, 2014 at 3:12 PM ^
Well congrats on completing your first half marathon anyways. I have only done one myself, I'd like to do another, but I don't think I have it in me to train for a full marathon.
With that being the case I can't imagine training for an event where you are basically working out for 9 to 12 hours straight, crazy. But congrats to Andy and Go Blue.
October 13th, 2014 at 3:41 PM ^
That's a great accomplishment, man. I hope you enjoyed it and keep up with the running. Running helped me drop almost 50 pounds and over 100 points of cholesterol. I also happen to really enjoy it now. Keep after it!
October 13th, 2014 at 10:29 PM ^
...to the slippery slope. You'll have done ten before you know it!
October 13th, 2014 at 3:08 PM ^
October 13th, 2014 at 3:34 PM ^
I run a marathon in just under 4 hours, which is better than the national average. I want to run a 140.6 (full ironman), but I know I'm a couple years away, considering the tremendous physical effort it takes.
October 13th, 2014 at 3:38 PM ^
I think you are closer to a 140.6 than you think...
October 13th, 2014 at 3:44 PM ^
Of course, it all depends on the person, but a friend of mine just started running two years ago. Last year, she decided she wanted to do a triathlon, so she signed up for a full ironman. She just did the ironman last month. Get a coach that understands your fitness and goals, and you'll be able to do it.
October 13th, 2014 at 5:25 PM ^
say in an Ultramarathon? Those Ultradistance runners are pretty impressive too; events of 50 or 100 miles and even more. The Badwater? No thanks!
October 13th, 2014 at 8:04 PM ^
October 13th, 2014 at 4:06 PM ^
October 13th, 2014 at 4:33 PM ^
Potts is a super nice guy. I met him a NYC Triathlon a couple of years ago and spoke to him re Michigan. He is a huge Michigan fan and always represents the school (see photo shoot link of him in M gear - http://www.tririg.com/articles.php?id=2014_07_Andy_Potts_Custom_Kestrel_4000).
Re Ironman training, assuming you can swim with some competance and your knees can take it, you can get race ready in less than a year. If you are training to complete one or two, it is not that much of a drain on your time, if you get hooked, then, it can for sure cut into your life. As others have said, very early morning workouts and longer training on the weekends and you can get it done. I did Ironman Arizona in 2008 and probably that is it for me. It is an amazing experience.
October 14th, 2014 at 1:30 AM ^
I ran 3 miles the other day in 26:55. I know, I know... my superhuman athletic abilities surprise even me sometimes.