Ironman Coeur d'Alene - TriathlonFull Ironman

First lap went well, I would just swim and try and give everyone around me space,That didn't work well I got hit a bunch but was ready ....My goal was to stay calm.
First loop 41 minutes just under my goal, I was pumped to swim harder the second loop. That didn't work well because someone turned on the whirlpool, and I fought chop and body parts sloshing around in 51 minutes.

Not much I used my mediocre swimming ability well I thought.

I was a little dazed coming out of the swim,almost fell 2x I tried to trot and focus on what the volunteers were telling me.
Things cleared a bit as I got my wetsuit stripped and started freezing.

wanted a 8 minutes took 9.... Try and improve.

I was exposed as a poor climber from the small hills of North Carolina.
I was not feeling great stomach was iffy the whole time but that's an excuse, course was harder then I trained on and it showed.

Head to the mountains 2 out of 3 weekends for my long rides.

Just had to use the the bathroom again to relieve my tummy.

tweak nutrition

Ran a couple miles easy and got discouraged felt like I didn't have much left.
I then started walking aid stations feeling sorry for myself. I slogged thru the first half of the marathon.
Something funny happened next, I started feeling better, and I started grinding, I saw my wife about a mile later and she would have none of that feeling sorry stuff...."She said you got this now run like you want it."
The last ten miles I only walked 1 time to refuel. Not fast by any means but I started thinking keep running man you can salvage sub 14, my bronze medal goal.I passed a lot of people and that energized me, I saw a friend from the board with 5 miles to go and felt another boost. Nobody has passed me in a while and I tried to pass as many folks as possible.
Coming into town I was racing hard and the crowd was helping me run, I felt like they were all cheering for me, When I turned down Sherman I was never more beat in my life, but at the same time I was as alive as any man can be.
I got some space and as I think of that incredible finish, and how far I have come from a dark place...I cry again as I write these words.

screw it just run till you collapse, no holding back cause it hurts.

After The Medal experiences, and hugs from my wife, I went to the closest beach, stood waist deep in the chilly water. By myself then with the sun almost down it was a spiritual moment in my life.


Not enough climbing with the bike tummy was a little rough at times.


I have never felt so welcome from a community so far from home. Thank you volunteers and everyone in a wonderful place called Coeur D Alene