Lance Armstrong takes 2nd in his first Ironman

How does a guy who is arguably one of the best cyclist's ever, doing well in an event that is predominantly cycling, prove the sport is weak? Realistically this is the result you would expect from Lance. Given his background in tri's when he was younger, the only surprising thing is that he is doing this well at this age.

It was only a half 'man, much like one nut himself.

webbonomics wrote:

It was only a half 'man, much like one nut himself.

Not true. Website says "Ironman 70.3", not "Half Ironman".

Ummm yeah that's a half ironman. So someone who used to compete in triathlon who is one of the best cyclists in the world and a sub 3 runner places 2nd in a H.I. that wasn't a championship race and that means the sports a joke. You definitely have that logic thing down pat.

Based on the website he was 2:31:49 at bike finish and 3:50:55 at the end. So he split 78:06 for the half marathon (maybe including the transition?)

Gamblers Anonymous wrote:

Based on the website he was 2:31:49 at bike finish and 3:50:55 at the end. So he split 78:06 for the half marathon (maybe including the transition?)

That's pretty reasonable. Isn't Lance a 2:46 marathoner?

Men's Splits

Swim Bike Run Total

1 Docherty, Bevan 0:18:54 2:14:37 1:12:50 3:50:13

2 Armstrong, Lance 0:19:22 2:10:18 1:17:01 3:50:55

3 Cunningham, Richie 0:19:19 2:14:35 1:15:35 3:52:59

4 Henning, Rasmus 0:19:00 2:13:47 1:16:51 3:53:38

5 Guillaume, Romain 0:19:03 2:14:41 1:17:08 3:54:44

6 Thomas, Jesse 0:20:08 2:16:17 1:15:01 3:55:30

7 Lieto, Chris 0:19:38 2:10:08 1:22:38 3:56:21

8 Vasilyev, Ivan 0:18:51 2:20:09 1:15:55 3:58:32

9 Galindez, Oscar 0:20:50 2:09:59 1:25:40 4:00:53

10 Jammaer, Bert 0:19:19 2:19:46 1:18:28 4:01:24

Looks like he was leading coming off of the bike by 3 minutes and got smoked on the run. Since the winner only beat him by about 40 seconds I bet the pass occurred in the last 1-2 miles.

He didn't even have the fastest bike split...2 of those guys in the top 10 had faster bike splits then him.

Being that the bike is his best event he probably knows to take it a bit easy to help his run.

Is it just me or do those swim times seem incredibly fast for a 1.2 mile open water swim?

Steve McQueen wrote:

Is it just me or do those swim times seem incredibly fast for a 1.2 mile open water swim?

Based on the bike and swim splits, looks like Chris Lieto and lance cam in together on the bike. Lance was out there alone and when Lieto caught him, he just went with it, getting some experience. I'm guessing he could have blown them away by more on the bike, but he isn't sure what to expect on the run yet. Give him a little time.

Why do people put down athletes on the LR forum. Does it make you feel like a man?

Steve McQueen wrote:

Is it just me or do those swim times seem incredibly fast for a 1.2 mile open water swim?

Yes, they were swimming with the current in the canal.

LanceLegstrong wrote:

So Lance did his first Ironman this morning in Panama and finished 2nd. Proves what a total joke that sport is. He should have no problems winning in Hawaii.

Good on him, esp for an older guy. Unlike his marathons at few years back, looks like he's taking IM training seriously. This is the kind of result I'd expect from a former elite triathlete, 7x TDF winner who thinks he can win at Hawaii.

Saw an interview where he said the bike was a lot more tactical than he expected. Remember no drafting. Also commented about saving some legs for the run. He commented, "Bike for show. Run for dough." So he seems to think that you need to be a strong runner to win.

It seems to me like Lance should be able to go MUCH faster on the bike leg.

In the 2005 Tour de France, Lance's last win, he averaged 25.9 mph for the entire 2200 mile race. In this half ironman he only went 25.3 mph for the 55 mile bike.

Even without drafting or help from teammates he should be able to go faster on a single 2 hour time trial.

Either the swim is taking a lot out of him or he is saving a lot for the run.

This is a good result by every measure!

Keep in mind that Lance is a long distance cyclist, the IM bike is not a big advantage for Lance. Also, Lance's age puts him past his peak for world class triathlate. I am especially suprised at how well he did in the swim, which is a very technical event.

ahahhahahahahaha, that's hilarious! Best thing I've read all day.

categorically wrote:

It seems to me like Lance should be able to go MUCH faster on the bike leg.

In the 2005 Tour de France, Lance's last win, he averaged 25.9 mph for the entire 2200 mile race. In this half ironman he only went 25.3 mph for the 55 mile bike.

Even without drafting or help from teammates he should be able to go faster on a single 2 hour time trial.

Either the swim is taking a lot out of him or he is saving a lot for the run.