Sunday, July 8, 2012

Ironman 37.2 Muncie

Yes, the title is correct. 37.2. Hmmph.
Scratch that - 37.2

On the way to Muncie while I was taking a nice little nap I was rudely awakened by a shout from the backseat, "They changed the race! It's now an Olympic distance."  Say what? Shock registered on my face as I realized Cheryl was not kidding. We received the following email from WTC, the race organizers:
Due to an Excessive Heat Warning issued by The National Weather Service, tomorrow’s IRONMAN 70.3 Muncie has been shortened for safety reasons. The forecast calls for “record breaking high temperatures” with potential heat index readings between 107 and 114 degrees Fahrenheit, the highest temperatures the event has seen in its more than 30-year history. 

Enhanced athlete safety precautions include an earlier start time, condensed start times between swim waves and aid stations located every half-mile along the run, as well as additional cooling stations and tents set up along the course and at the finish line.
No matter how you look at it I was disappointed. I understand why WTC and the Race Director made the change. I am a smart person and I already had a revised game plan for the heat; however, not everyone is as smart as I am. Some people will still race balls to the walls. Hahaha, not me. I'm always looking for a reason to be as slow as I am.

The hardest part to deal with is the expense involved in the race. I paid $300 for a Half Ironman which I just entered two weeks ago - in the middle of the current heat wave. Plus add in the travel expenses and my incredible road crew and husband taking a half day off work so he could be there for both Cheryl and I. If I wanted to an Olympic race, I could have chosen Iron Abe, an Olympic distance triathlon in my hometown of Springfield, IL where I could have stayed with family instead of paying for a hotel.

I understand WTC has already incurred the expenses involved in putting on a Half Ironman and the weather is beyond their control. They chose to compensate the Muncie participants:
We would also like to extend a $125 discount to each IRONMAN 70.3 Muncie athlete for one of the following races:

o IRONMAN 70.3 Steelhead – Aug. 19, 2012 
o IRONMAN 70.3 Timberman – Aug. 19, 2012 
o IRONMAN 70.3 Branson – Sept. 23, 2012 
o IRONMAN 70.3 Austin – Oct. 28, 2012 
This is fabulous if you aren't doing IMLOU which is held August 26th; however, I am. So that takes out Steelhead and Timberman. Once I've completed IMLOU, what is the point of doing another Half IM when I still have to invest another $125 in entry fees?

I don't want to get into a negative rant on WTC. I agree with their decision because, again, people are stupid. However, it doesn't take away the disappointment I have in not completing a Half Ironman, but I truly feel sorry for another T3 member who had this specific race as their "A" race for the year. I still looked at Muncie 37.2 (1.0 mi swim, 30 mi bike, 10k run) as an opportunity to learn and prepare for IMLOU.

So, instead I chose to refer to this race as the Muncie Olyman. Does that mean I am one quarter iron? Hmmpf. Probably not.


  1. Carla,

    Sorry to hear about the shortened race at Muncie. I'd be extremely upset if I were in your shoes. You might want to try emailing WTC and complaining a bit. They may be able to give you a discount off the Muncie registration fee for next year.

    On a side note, I was wondering if you had plans for your unused discount code. I was thinking about doing Timberman this year and would love to use your code if you aren't going to use it.

    I can be reached at ben [at]


  2. I sent you an email today. Let me know if you receive it.