Didja read/here this morning the announcement that LA is going to
compete in November in the New York marathon? I really believe it's
going to happen.
Makes so much sense. The Ironman is a big race, that everyone has
heard about. It's a bit mythical in the minds of most casual sport
fans. But it's not as popular from a mass market viewpoint as it used
to be. It's almost always won by a (shudder) non-American, for
goodness sake.
Likewise, Lance could use some positive publicity to overcome the
(grossly unfair) 8 year old doping allegations and his most recent
romantic splitsville.
I think that Lance participating in the Ironman would be absolutely
huge. Given that it's all over in 8 hours (unlike the TdF), I'm sure
it would be broadcast live and it would get huge ratings...possibly
rivaling the Masters golf tournament, which also goes on for that long
(following a rainout necessitating a 30 hole finish).
I can hardly wait to see him swim. He was a former Texas state age
group champion in the 1500 freestyle.
He'd achieve something that no one else is likely ever to do.
Multiple TdF wins and a Hawaii Ironman win. He'd be one of the great
athletic gods of all time, going well beyond what he's already achieved
in the Tour.
I can hardly wait. Heck, I can hardly wait for the NY marathon, which
should tell both Lance and the rest of the world if he'd have a shot in
Hawaii. If he can run in the low 2:40s on 8 months of training, I
think it'll be game on.
- Larry W
