Florida Challenge Triathlon - Triathlon1/2 Ironman

The swim went pretty well. We all took off and the water was like a redish iced tea. I think I swam ok and didn't overdo it. On the way back to shore I had no idea where I was going, because the sun was right in our eyes. So I just kept people to the left of me and followed them in.

Not have grabed somebody's wetsuit butt while swimming. It felt like a dolphin though.

I got going out of the water alright and took off pretty fast. Just put everything that was in my helmet on me.

Nothing. I got the fastest transition in my AG.

I started out nice and easy and comfortable. It was very sunny and hot but I just kept going. After about an hour on pretty nice roads with very little hills my avg. was 21.3, which I was happy with. At about and hour and a half I ate my kashi granola bar while on a slight downhill for a little while. Then there was a big hill, and being from Daytona it was steep but I remember people saying how steep sugarloaf was so I figured I'll get up and and be done. As I was climbing a guy doing really well said comon' just 3 more! Turns out there were more and more big hills to come. The dreaded sugarloaf was bad, but I had steam at the top still and passed quite a few people as they put too much effort in the begining of the hill. At the top there were people with drinks and I had a water that someone handed out. The way back from sugarloaf people were going slower and I took it easy too. Still a half marathon to go right?

Take in more fluids. I drank two bottles of gatorade and at least two more waters, but it was soooooo hot that I should have taken in even more.

As I sat down to put on my shoes I knew that my legs were tired but up I went out of T2.

Stay sitting in T2 forget running.

I got out of T2 jogging (barely) and told Leia that I may be awhile. She said Ok take your time and I guess I did. I jogged to the first aid station and then I said to myself the only way I am going to finish is if I walk and jog when I can. During the first aid station I stoped and took in everything. I had a marathon bar, 2 gatorades, a water, plus I put some gels in my suit. I jogged out of the first aid station only to walk right away. Everytime I tried to jog I couldn't breathe and I started getting lightheaded. So I walked and joged until around mile 5. Saw a BT'er or two in uniform out there pass me. Every aid station I took in all fluids I could, and still I couldn't get going again. Finally a guy speedwalking passes me while I am attempting to jog. So I started trying this speedwalking thing. It worked for a long time. Until around mile 10. I was having trouble just walking. My heart was going fast and I couldn't breathe. It was sooo hot. I made it until about 250 yards from the finish. I could have hit a 3wood to the finish, but I couldn't walk or see. All these black spots were clouding my sight so I bent over trying to get some air but when I picked my head back up again I just about fell. I really wanted to finish so I sat in the shade as people passed. I couldn't pick my head up so I just saw sneakers go by. I kept trying to get up, but everytime I did I just about fell over again. So about 15-20 minutes go by (I really have no idea though) and I could stand but not walk so good. I was still breathing really fast but I just put one leg infront of the other. I saw Leia there just in front of the finish and she was worried but I stoped and said where's Mark and she let me know that he had an accident but is ok and just a few feet up I saw Mark and asked if he was Ok and he was so I just kept moving to the finish. I tried to get a little movement to the finish since I wanted a good picture.

Not ran. It was so hot, so many people dropped out and had real problems. I just never train in the heat in the middle of the day.

Fell over and rested on the ground. A tri-gator started puking next to me and Leia had me move so the puke wounldn't roll on the ground toward me.


The HEAT


It was a nice race, just not a nice day. Plenty of water, gatorade, and snacks. So many people had so many medical problems. I probably should have gone in the med. tent but I knew they wouldn't really be able to help that much. No one at the finished asked if I was alright (a first for me). The post food was some some drinks and some sandwhiches but the flys got to the food before I could. I really have the most respect in the world for all of those people who finished. If you finished this you are awesome. I can't imagine the full.