Muncie Half Ironman
Long Course Nationals
On Saturday July 12, 2003, Janet and I drove to Muncie Indiana for Long Course Nationals.
This year the venue was different in that if you placed in the top ten in your age group
you automatically made All American. Boy did that bring in the horses.
This half ironman is the second oldest long course race in the country after
the Ironman in Hawaii.
The town of Muncie is east of Indianapolis and is home to Ball State University.
Also of note, is Muncie is where the canning industry was born with the Ball canning jars.
What that has to do with triathlons I have no idea but we are nothing if not well rounded.
At any rate, the area had 12 inches of rain in 2 days and was declared a disaster area
by the governor the day before we drove up.
Warming up on the course the day before the race athletes were
actually getting blown off their bikes from the wind.
Race day dawned with clear skies and 9 mph wind so life was good.
Every age group was extremely fast with everyone wanting those ten slots.
I’m used to coming out of the water ahead in my age group but not at this race.
There were about 5 of us together at T-1.
Going out of the transition area I noticed I was the only one with out a
time trial tear drop helmet. Oh, oh not good.
It soon became obvious the first 5 miles of the ride that if I was going to
survive to see another day I better back it down.
These guys were just hammering out there.
After the ride I was out of the top ten into about 20 th place.
I decided to try and move up on the run because there had to be some tired people out there.
Thanks to Norm Blair and Dean Duncan I moved up into contention until mile 8
when I started to lose control of my left leg.
I had to settle for 12th place. Bummer.
When I got the official results I had been hit with drafting penalties
and was dropped to 18th place.
Janet was first out of the water and had an excellent bike.
When I saw her at the turnaround I figured she had top ten knocked.
She was laid low with gas in her tummy at mile 8 and couldn’t hold on for a slot.
Her biking has improved immensely and she will get in there one of these days.
At this level, the 40 – 44 women’s age group is extremely deep in talent.
It sure doesn’t get any easier as you age up.
This triathlon is one of the best run I have ever encountered.
Unfortunately Long Course Nationals will be moved next year.
USAT has placed bids for a new venue next year.
Steve Locke, the USTA Executive Director is in my age group.
He competed in the race.
Since, as you get older you get slower, you have to substitute bull crap for speed.
We gave Steve unmitigated grief in the starting corral before the race started.
One thing that USTA is starting to change is the heavy emphasis on Ironman distances.
By changing the All American requirements to the National Championships,
the criteria for picking an AA becomes more objective.
The old point system was a joke.
- Jim Green