Ironman Wisconsin - TriathlonFull Ironman

As we made our way down the helix toward the water there were fans lined up and it was electric. I wasn't very nervous, I just wanted this day to begin. I had been swimming for the past year, 2-3 times a week improving my stamina and confidence in the water, but not so much my speed. I placed myself more toward the outside and about half way back. It was body to body and I was lucky that I didn't get hit harder and more often than I did. Someone grabbed my ankle and yanked, thought that was excessive but then remembered I had done that to someone once in a tri- must be a grasping reflex. I got to the first turn buoy and most were swimming upright b/c of the lack of space. I heard a guy yell "I just got it in the jewels" I thought that was funny until a few seconds later I took a direct shot to the same region. As the swim progressed it didn't seem like I was getting passed too much so I think I placed myself well at the start. I really like my sleeveless wetsuit I got a few weeks ago b/c my shoulders don't get as tired and I don't over heat. This was a good swim for me and I didn't work too hard.

Nothing. The swim for me was all about conserving energy and I think that was accomplished.

I had my tri top and shorts on under my wetsuit to save time. Did not use porta potty, took care of that near end of swim. Ran from building to bike carrying shoes. Forgot to have sunscreen applied and paid the price.

Did not see suncreen people, look for them next time.

Through out my training it became apparent that I wasn't getting blown away by my peers on the bike like I was in the water. Having biked the course a few times this summer I knew I was capable of a solid time. I just had to remember that this wasn't just a bike race and it would be nice to have something left for the run where I knew there would be a lot of people seeing you if it became a walk. Within the first few miles I launched one of my two bottles of perpetuem that I was carrying behind my seat. At first I thought it was the bottle that had all my tire changing stuff in it, so spent the next hour or so freaking out and wishing I would have turned around and got it. Eventually I realized it was my perpetuem, which I don't like much anyway. Saw a lot bike marshalls out there especially on the stick out. Saw family and friends twice at the hill on midtown, that gave me a boost of energy. Biking this course prior to the race is important for the usual reasons, but also for your own safety b/c there are some sharp bends on steep descents that you may want to be aware of.

BIKE SPLIT 1: 54 mi (2:46:10), 19.50 mi/h
BIKE SPLIT 2: 40 mi (2:10:02), 18.46 mi/h
BIKE SPLIT 3: 18 mi (48:21), 22.34 mi/h
TOTAL BIKE: 112 mi (5:44:33), 19.50 mi/h

Decided to change out of tri shorts into more comfortable running shorts. A volunteer helped me make sure I was set and off I went. Made sure I got suncreen applied this time to minimize the damage.

The run course was buzzing with activity, quite a contrast to the previous seven plus hours that mostly found me lost in my own thoughts. This was to be my first marathon so not sure how it would go. I finished the first loop and the finisher line clock was at 9:30 and some of elites were bringing it in. At the aid stations I wanted to eat some of the cookies and stuff but thought that might put me over the edge. Yeah, all that money and all I feel like is oranges and grapes. I was walking a lot and the sub 12 I had calculated earlier in the run was slipping away. I knew I had to pick up the pace soon or it would be too late. I felt like I was on the verge of bonking so I decided to do the best I could but not kill myself. With about three miles left I started running with a guy who looked inspirational and we helped each other to keep going until he couldn't sustain the pace so I ran it in strong to the finish. I thought a 4:30 was doable, so came up short here. I was catching the guy ahead of me as we approached the finish line so I slowed down a bit. Right when he crossed the line I picked up the pace but realized instead of running through the finish line he had stopped just after he crossed the line and so my finisher's photo has both of us in there.


RUN SPLIT 1: 8.9 mi (1:25:07), 9:33/mi
RUN SPLIT 2: 4.3 mi (46:52), 10:53/mi
RUN SPLIT 3: 8.75 mi (1:50:34), 12:38/mi
RUN SPLIT 4: 4.25 mi (46:28), 10:56/mi
TOTAL RUN: 26.2 mi (4:49:01), 11:01/mi


Try not to walk so much

I knew I was dehydrated b/c I didn't pee since sometime on the bike. I had grains of salt all over my face and was hungry but not sure food was going to sit well.


Lack of experience in this distance. This was my first full iron and as part of my training for it I did my first half iron a few months ago. Also not taking the nutrition aspect seriously. I had hoped to finish in 12-13 hrs. and just under 12 if I had a great day. With the weather being so good I thought I had a chance of breaking 12.


I had heard that IM Wisconsin is an awesome experience. I built this day up for a long time and it was every bit as good as I thought it would be. I feel very fortunate to participate in an event of this magnitude. Thanks to all the volunteers, fans, IM, and especially my wife who gave up a lot for me to do this. I will not do this next year for sure, but might try it again sometime there after.