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 Swim
Comments: The swim went well. Where we started it wasn't too croweded and I never ran into that much traffic, light bumping until the turn around where it got congested. I didn't sight very well going out and could tell I was zig zagging a little but not bad. When I made the turn around, I could see the buoys clearly, so I went buoy to buoy and passed a lot of people coming back in. As I made the last turn and headed for the stairs my calf cramped, which has never happed to me swimming before, so I stopped kicking and swam all arms the last 40 yards. I got to the stairs and thought 1 down 2 to go. What would you do differently?: Nothing, this swim went very well.  Transition 1
Comments: My wetsuit stripper got my suit off quick and I made my way around to the bags. They were yelling out my number but there wasn't anyone by my section, so found it and headed to the tent. Went into the tent and was surprised at how dark it was, found a chair and put on my cycling clothes loaded it with my food and off I went. What would you do differently?: I could have easily cut this down to 5 minutes, but I took my time and made sure that I didn't forget anything.  Bike
Comments: As everybody as already mentioned, it was windy and seemed to get worse each lap. When I got on the bike my stomach felt a little nauseous and I figured I must have drank some lake water. This totally screwed up my nutrition plan for the bike. I was having to force down my nutrition and I ended up only having about half of what I planned. I did the first lap at about 20mph average and felt fine, but I was worried about the run so I slowed way down on the second lap and averaged like 16mph. The 3rd lap I picked it up slightly, I think I just wanted to get off the bike. The nice thing about the 3 loops was that I got to see my wife, friends, coach, and fellow outlaws each lap and that does help. What would you do differently?: Looking back I could have pushed much harder, as I don't think my heart rate ever climbed very high. I needed to eat and drink more, but I just went with what felt right at the time. I was worried about the run, so taking it easy was probably the right thing to do. Transition 2
Comments: Got off the bike and volunteers took it from me and I head for the bags. Lady handed me my bag and I then headed for a porta potty. When I went into the tent this time, I noticed that people were moving much slower. I found a chair sat down changed socks, shirts, shoes and put on my visor. A volunteer helped put everything back into my bag including my sunglasses and took it away. I thought about trying to get my bag to get my sunglasses, but then figured I'd be finishing in the dark anyway. As I left transition, I got a little choked up as I knew that I could walk the whole thing and I would make it. What would you do differently?: Again could have cut this down some, but I just took my time.  Run
Comments: My plan for the run was to run walk the whole thing. When I came out of transition my stomach was still a little nauseous, so my coach said to only have water for the first few aid stations and so that's what I did. My stomach started feeling better, but I could tell I was seriously lacking nutrition, so I started to eat and drink more at every aid station. First lap went about as planned with my run walking. The second lap I was doing much more walking than running and as I went through the park I saw my wife and gave her a kiss and hug and told her I'm doing too much walking. She said who cares, today you will become an Ironman, and that gave me a boost. One cool thing about my slow 2nd lap, was that for about 1/2 mile or so I ran and talked with Amanda Lovato. She was really nice and told me to stay strong the last lap. On the third lap I was feeling pretty good so I picked up the pace and ran more. When I hit the aid station with about 2 miles to go I decided to pick it up even more. I ran the last couple miles about a 8 min pace I was so excited seeing the lighted bridge and running across it. Saw my buddy Ryan on the bridge and he ran with me and took pictures. I headed down the shute high fiving everybody and heard Mike Riley call my name. I had done it, I had become an IRONMAN!!! What would you do differently?: Could have run more, but I enjoyed the day and talked to a lot of people out there. Post race
Warm down: Crossed the line and found my wife and coach. I grabbed some pizza and waited for ABQKid. What limited your ability to perform faster: Wind a little, upset stomach a little. Today was about the experience not the clock, so I wouldn't change a thing. Event comments: This race is so well put on. The cost of the race is high at $500, but I think you easily get your money's worth. Volunteers were simply amazing...Thank You! I didn't like the 3 loop idea before the race, but it was really nice to see your friends and family several times out there. I highly recommend this race to anyone. Profile Album Last updated: 2006-07-24 12:00 AM
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United States
Ironman North America
78F / 26C
Sunny
Overall Rank = 1021/2100
Age Group = M35-39
Age Group Rank = 240/501
Just a quick story. Ironman for me started 1 year ago when I signed up for IMAZ 07. Nothing unusual about signing up, except for the fact that I had never done any type of triathlon before. After signing up, I was smart enough to hire a coach to help get me ready...I figured I had 1 year. I told him I had a plan which laid out a years worth of races starting with a duathlon then some sprints, olympic, SOMA half iron. My coach added in a marathon, and the training and season began.
ABQKid and I drove to Camp Verde Thursday evening and to Tempe early Friday morning. Friday morning we met up with Pilgrim and Maria some fellow outlaws and hit the water for a practice swim. The swim was short, maybe 500 yards, but it felt really good. We picked out our starting spot for the swim and then decided we should go register. While waiting in line, I'm talking to Pilgrim and mention BT. Guy in front of me says you a member of BT, and I said yes, and that's when I met MADCOW. Of the thousands of people there, the guy next to me in line is a fellow BT'er...how cool is that I thought. After registration the outlaws decided that we would go ride some of the course. We went out to the Beeline and road a short 5 miles out and 5 miles back. We had a slight crosswind, nothing like race day, and saw a lot of people flat on the practice ride. We all went back to our rooms and got ready for the athlete's dinner and meeting. Had dinner with the outlaws and Chile7473, we did go over to the BT table for some quick introductions and pictures. I wish we would have had a chance to hang out with the BT'ers more, everybody seemed really nice...next time.
ABQkid and I got to race site around 5 and checked over our bikes, pumped up the tires and I put a little oil on the chain. Turned in my special needs bags, got body marked and then waited with ABQkid, Maria, our coach and families. I could feel myself getting really nervess, so I distracted myself by watching the pros get ready and looking at their bikes. A few minutes before the pros started, we put on our wetsuits and walked to the lake to get in. We all jumped in and went to the spot we had picked out. We were sitting there talking and floating when we realized that we had drifted to the start line, so we got back about 20 yards and waited for the cannon. Right before the Cannon, I looked and ABQkid and Maria and said we have done all the distances in training, now lets just enjoy it. We high fived each other and then...BOOM we were off.