To say 2020 has been a banner year of flops and failures would be a bit of an understatement, but at the end of the day we still control how we react to these events.
For the past year, I have been training for Ironman Chattanooga, my first full triathlon (maybe the last?), and it was no surprise when last month we learned it was canceled. Like every other big endurance event this year, post-March, it was rightfully pushed out to 2021. But after putting in hundreds of hours of training and thousands of miles of sweat and hard work into the pavement, I didn’t want to just let it all go to waste. This is why I launched Operation Inferno, a full distance solo triathlon, right here in hotter-than-hell (with humidity) Charleston.
I’m putting this down on digital paper and out into the world as a means to hold myself accountable, especially when I’m now less than a month out until it takes place. Somewhere between September 10-12, I’ll be swimming 2.4 miles on Johns Island, riding 112 miles on the bike around Charleston, and finishing a full marathon on the Folly pier. The date is in flux as our weather and hurricane season is unpredictable, and as much of a death wish as I appear to have, I at least reduce the risk where possible. In fact, I reduced my bike course to only two islands and the peninsula, instead of stretching past Mt Pleasant, which has too many iffy roads. Eventually I’ll tackle this, but it makes it way too hard to do a mostly self-supported race.
Operation Inferno
Swim
2.4 miles at Trophy Lakes. Each loop around is 1,000 – 1,300k yards, which makes this around 4ish loops. From there, I’ll hop in my car and head back to my place for the bike start. It will be the longest transition ever.
Bike
Starting on James Island, I’ll head around Johns Island, down towards the tea plantation, skim Seabrook, ride past the Angel Oak, and back to JI for a Folly loop. Should result in about 112 of flat, hot, and humid miles. At about 65 miles I have a pitstop back home to refuel, because right now I typically finish 60 miles with zero water in three bottles. There are some gas stations along the way though.
Run
The run is more straightforward and includes a lot of gas stations as it will likely be around 100 degrees. Starting back at my place, I’ll head towards downtown and move towards the Ravenel Bridge. I’ll skim past Mt Pleasant and loop back to the start. There is very little shade or tree coverage here, so I expect to be run/walking most of this. I have no illusions of the weather playing nice, so by now everything, including myself, will be a hot mess. After a quick holdover at the start, I’ll make my way to the finish line at Folly.
Although most of this not-race is designed where I can primarily self-support, which means having a lot of gear on my bike and person, backup is definitely required. Fortunately, my better half has the weekend off, and will be a super sherpa to come scrape me off the sidewalk once I’ve melted or if I get a flat on the bike.
As this is obviously not a race, the only goal I have is to complete the task. No medals, no finish line tape. Just 140+ miles and probably some retired shoes.
Note to self: Do not consume slushies at the gas station.