The second annual Lake Tahoe Ironman Triathlon drew thousands to our new home of NorCal. The Guy and I made our commute to Lake Tahoe at the crack of dawn Friday morning to get ready for his upcoming sixth Ironman only to receive heartbreaking news the morning of. 
If you don’t know much about Ironmans or triathlons in general, the Ironman is the longest triathlon race and they have many courses spread all around the world for athletes to compete in. The Ironman distance is 2.4-mile swim, 112-mile bike and 26.2-mile run, with a strict time limit of 17 hours to complete the race.
Not my idea of a challenge, but my husband is all over it. I mean, this is as “family portrait” as we get.
Race day was an incredibly sad and disappointing morning. Our athletes were standing in the water suited up in their wetsuit minutes before gun-time, when they cancelled Ironman Lake Tahoe due to unsafe air quality conditions. All the money, all the training — the mental and physical preparations gone all because of one arsonist.
Ironman Lake Tahoe isn’t having much luck with their races as last year’s left a lasting impression on the athletes and spectators with the air temp being a brisk 0° C / 33° F and one of the highest DNF’s in Ironman history. This being the second year was devastating to all participants involved. Early Sunday morning all the racers, spectators, volunteers and staff got ready for the big day. People flew in from all over the world, and luckily we had an easy 4 hour drive (we brought our dog Alfie along too, loving these dog friendly hotels that are around).
My husband was so dejected, as was everyone else — we checked out of our hotel early and drove back home. Now we can’t help but wonder what is happening to the 50 qualifying Kona spots. My husband wanted to compete at Ironman Lake Tahoe and try to qualify for his dream: to race at Kona.
WTC/Ironman doesn’t give out refunds and definitely won’t be rescheduling the race. Athletes should not have to take the blow of the cost in something that should have been cancelled long before the morning of.
Many people are ticked off due to the poor communication from the WTC/Ironman officials because everyone including myself felt like the event should have been cancelled before they were lead to the start or simply days before since. What’s even crazier is that they gave out finisher’s medals. A medal that should be earned.
My husband was so disappointed as he (like everyone else) received news when he had his wetsuit already on. He ended up doing one loop of the swim regardless.
A quote from an athlete’s loved one that posted on Ironman’s Facebook page that were going to compete at Ironman Lake Tahoe yesterday:
Maria Rocio Reyes The question is not whether it was the right decision to cancel the race. of course it was the right decision to cancel it. As a physician specializing in respiratory diseases, I feel the race would have placed too many people at risk of respiratory events. Having said that, the question is how could Iron Man as an organization have handled this better. At the athlete’s meeting, the organization was unwilling to discuss their contingency plan. Now, the reason is clear–BECAUSE THERE WASNT ONE! Of course it was not in the control that a freak decided to set a fire in the promity of the event, that the fire would grow exponentially so quickly, that the winds shifted overnight to ruin the air quality around the event site. No, those were circumstances beyond the organizers’ control. But, they were in control of their planning. They were in control of the way the decision was announced. They were in control of the timing of the announcement. They were in control of leaving the athletes hanging, still not knowing about refunds, etc. It is mind baffling to me that there was no contingency plan for such a highly anticipated event. As a family we put our life on hold for a year to allow my husband to train for this event. And what we got was an MC making a cryptic announcement a few mins before the race start. Sure they wanted to wait until the last min in hopes that the air would miraculously shift. But why not be honest and say this earlier in the week? at the athlete’s meeting? Where are the higher level organizers? The dignified thing to do would be for one of them to have the courage to stand at the start line in front of all those athletes and their family members and say this was a grueling decision and we are just as disappointed as you are. Dont treat us like we are some expendable thing that you can just toss out the window, bc let me tell you, that’s how we feel right now. The credibility that you have lost by the way you made this announcement and your lack of foresight on how to handle the inevitable has lost you many, many supporters.
Ironman races never cancel. Ironman Canada in Penticton had a similar situation a few years back, where there was too much smoke around certain areas of the course and they decided to change it up and do a ton of bike and run laps around the down town area, definitely mentally difficult but the show went on. I believe athletes should’ve had the option to compete in the event. Locals have been living in this situation for weeks and haven’t been evacuated, so let racers decide for themselves if they wanted to compete in it or not. On the other hand I completely understand why it was cancelled due to hazardous conditions, I’m not angry, I simply disagree with the way it was handled by WTC.
My heart goes out to the athletes who had sacrificed and trained an ungodly amount for their Ironman race. I am deeply sorry.
40 Comments
Oh Nancy! So sorry to hear that your husband was going to participant. Yes, this is very disappointing. And I’m sure your husband and many others are feeling a little put off by the organization. I hope they make it right somehow. And, by the way, I like your family portrait!
Ashley @ A Lady Goes West recently posted..Weekly workouts and Les Mills launch week
So terrible! They for sure should have been more on top of it and not decided at the last second! Such a shame!
How devastating! I couldn’t imagine training for that and not being able to compete!
Betsy Mitchell recently posted..Fall Handbag Essentials
Oh my gosh so devastating. I can’t imagine – all that training! And then to be at the start line, prepped and ready… I am so sorry. IM needs to respond to this.
Krysten (@darwinianfail) recently posted..Chase the Coyote
I’m a marathoner, and I can’t even imagine a race that takes this much time and money to prepare for being cancelled minutes before. What a devastating day for your poor husband!
Camille recently posted..Sea Life Aquarium- And A 2 POGO Pass Giveaway!
what a bummer! i hope he is able to find another way to qualify
Bethani recently posted..a trip to the western currency facility
I know as far of tragedies goes, this is really one. However, my heart really goes out to all the people who trained and had their heart set on this race. I only did a half ironman and had that been canceled, I would have by devastated.
Liana@RunToMunch recently posted..Pumpkinman Half Ironman Triathlon Race Report
What a bummer! It’s tough when stuff like this happens after you put so much work and effort into it. They definitely should have had a backup plan!
Jenna @ A Savory Feast recently posted..Baked Apples Stuffed with Cinnamon Walnut Oatmeal {Fall Welcome Week}
What a serious let down. I am more of a Netlfix-marathoner than actual runner, but my sister has participated in several marathons and triathlons and I know the training and $$ involved is no joke!
Melissa recently posted..Repelling Bees And Wasps With Young Living Essential Oils
Ohh this is so sad.
It’s how I felt about what NYC did. They didn’t refund a darn thing to any of us from the year of Hurricane Sandy. Instead if you wanted to run again you had to pay again…what?!
I don’t know what the solution is exactly, but it’s definitely a bummer for all the athletes.
Amanda – RunToThefinish recently posted..ChiRunning has it all wrong: Running technique to increase power
So sorry to hear this! I would be so ticked off if I trained for this and it just got cancelled!
Angelic Sinova recently posted..“Now say my name…” “Heisenberg”
Lame! Went a total letdown! I’m sorry!
Brenda recently posted..Fall is in the Air
Oh what a total bummer! We were going to go to Yosemite last weekend, but had to reschedule, thinking we would have faced too much smoke as well. So hard on the athletes with all their training!
Andi recently posted..Procacci Florence
That stinks! I’m sorry they cancelled last minute. What a way to dash hopes!
Alisha H. recently posted..Vintage Owl | Fashion
Aw man! I would have been SO SO SO SO SO SO mad, but maybe in the future everyone’s admission will be compt? UGH! So annoying, but I mean, I guess it is what it is! :( Everything happens for a reason?
GiGi Eats recently posted..Recipe Redux: Get Chip-Faced with Chipkins
This made me so sad for your husband. :( Hopefully he can do it next year.
Erica recently posted..Review: Citrus Lane / September
That’s so frustrating!
Brooklyn Jolley recently posted..6 Ways to Beat Bloggers Block
There is nothing else to say but that sucks. I’m sorry you guys went through all that training and prep and excitement for some idiot to kill it. I hope you retain the same excitement for the next one!
xoxo
The Accidental Mama
http://theaccidentalmama.com
The Accidental Mama recently posted..#WhyImAFeminist
I’m so sorry! All that training and hard work too. :-(
Jemma @ Celery and Cupcakes recently posted..One-pot comfort – easy and healthy meal ideas perfect for autumn
Awe, so sorry that you all weren’t able to participate :(
kendall recently posted..Being a Healthy Minded Momma on the GO!
This is heartbreaking and I hope the WTC takes a look at their practices and compensates you guys. Sending positive thoughts and vibes to you all and hope that this doesn’t discourage you.
That is such a bummer! I would hate to have trained all that time just for it to be cancelled.
Carly Anderson recently posted..Mommy + Me: Go Shout Love
So devastating, I am so sorry to hear this, and I hope they provide some form of compensation for those who had been so committed.
Jenn @ hellorigby! recently posted..Pros and Cons of Raw Dog Food Vlog
That is so horrible! What a waste! That would make me so mad, they really need to make the whole thing right! Not fair!
Alyssa recently posted..a condensed version of my weekend
I kept thinking about it all last week. They really should have known better and done something better about it. Even if they moved it over to Carson City or something to get out of the Tahoe Basin (collects smoke easy).
Jessica Doll recently posted..Toroweap Overlook / Grand Canyon National Park
I am so sorry to hear about this cancellation. I wonder if it had to do with liability issues?
Michelle recently posted..The Volcano Death March
oh that would be so disappointing. I am so sorry that he was not able to participate. That was handled very poorly.
Michelle Snow recently posted..Running Is Satanic: The Maze Runner Movie Review
oh dear what a shame and sorry your hubby didnt get to participate am sure he was very dejected. The company should have handled it better
myrabev recently posted..Week 42: Personal Confessions ~ Don’t compare
aww thats so disappointing that he wasnt able to race I would have been so upset had it been me
kristyn recently posted..Printed Jogger Pants
Oh man that must have been really disappointing for him! I would have been really bummed out for many reasons.
Amby Felix recently posted..How to Use Tea Tree Oil in Your Kitchen with Apothocary Extracts Review
This is absolutely heartbreaking! I used to do triathlons competetively and I can’t imagine the disappointment after all that preparation!
kelly – a side of sweet recently posted..Lunafest :: Connecting Women Through Film
I saw this, and was totally feeling for ya :/ It’s such a loss and let down, but there will be more! and atleast you got to go to Tahoe?
I’m so sorry this happened to all those athletes. I agree with the points you made, that although it is understandable that it was due to safety reasons, better communication could have been made. As someone who went to school with lots of PR folk, I know that the best way to handle crisis is to not wait more than 4 hours to breach the issue. Shame on WTC
Oh nooo, that is ridiculous. My cousin just completed the ironman in Canada in August and I know she put her EVERYTHING into training. I couldn’t imagine how he felt when the cancelled so poorly. . Boooo.
Thrifting Diva
http://www.thriftingdiva.com
Ayana Pitterson recently posted..polka dots + thrift sisters link up
@Ayana Pitterson: Did you cousin do it in Penticton, or Mont Tremblant? My husband went to watch his friends compete in the MT one in August! He did that one, last year too.
What a disappointing experience! It’s just crazy that they’d let the athletes get there and get completely ready and THEN cancel it. I hope they at least learned from the experience and will handle things better in the future.
Trish recently posted..What we’ve been up to
Oh my word I would be furious if something like that happened to me! I’m so sorry :( I’m sure he’ll be able to do the Kona race someday!
Leslyn recently posted..Weight Loss Wednesday
Oh my gosh how frustrating!! I can’t imagine how disappointed your husband was
Raewyn recently posted..Queen Bee Mug Giveaway
The nerve of some people. I’m sorry your husband had to miss something he was so looking forward to.
Sarah Beth recently posted..Sticking With It: I Didn’t Let My Kid Quit Soccer
I happen to mostly agree with the timing of how the race was cancelled. The air seemed good the day before, but the winds shifted late afternoon the day before. You can make the argument that they should have cancelled then, but there was a forecast for a chance of rain over night, and who knows, the winds might shift as well.
My beef with the Ironman organization is they did not provide refunds. It is inconceiveable to me that they did not provide the product we all paid for and then kept the money. I wonder how other triathletes felt about this.