Cramping Forces Allen to Quit Ironman Florida After Leading for Much of the Race

Sunday, 6th November 2005

Richard competed in Ironman Florida this weekend, his first Ironman. He led the race through the swim and up until mile 85 on the bike, along with one of the top German Ironmen.  It was a truly World Class Field, with 5 previous Ironman winners racing and to lead half of the race was very promising for Richard. 
 
Unfortunately he was unable to keep down much of his nutrition on the bike and this caused severe cramping in the last 20 miles of the bike and on the run. Richard came off the bike in 4th having lost much time in the later portion of the bike. He recovered for a while on the run and climbed up to 3rd, but at mile 8 fell back to 4th with cramps. At mile 10 the cramping was so bad that Richard was taken off the course in an ambulance. This was not a great experience for Richard.
 
It was very disappointing for Richard not to finish, but he did give it his all on the day and showed great promise! It is very unusual to just walk into a Pro Ironman field and do well in your first Ironman. He can do well in the future if he can keep the nutrition down. On a positive note, leading the race for so long did get loads of TV coverage and web casting

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