Beach 2 Battleship Iron Distance - TriathlonFull Ironman

Air was really cold (40 degrees F). I tried to keep my sweatshirt and shoes on for as long possible, before stuffing them into the pre/post event bag and heading to the swimstart. I almost lost my goggles when I took off my sweatshirt, because I already had the cap and goggles on. After I put everything in the bag I realized they on me anymore. Thank god my goggle were lodged in my sweatshirt.
My feet were ice blocks by the time I had walked to the corral area. I actually stood in the water to the keep them warm. It would have been nice to drop off the bags right at the swimstart.
Unfortunately there was no incoming tide, so this swim was going to be longer than expected. The horn went off and I am off to my first Ironman. The water actually felt really good compared to the cold air. I had never done a mass start, so I waited about 10 seconds before getting in.
Along the way I took a few 'sips' of salt water. It appears, that when do that often enough your body will kindly let you know, that it doesn't like that (yes you can throw up while swimming...that was certainly novel...actually it was more like heartburn).
The only more serious problem was cramp in my left calf about 800 yards from the finish. I kept my left foot locked at a 90 degree angle for about 5 minutes, kept swimming, and it went away.
I also realized at that point, that I forgotten to put on body glide around my neck and arm pit area (nice chaffing...and yes salt water burns). Hey but it least it keeps you focused.

Make sure to NOT put my goggles on until I am ready to get into the water. Oh yes body glide would have been a good idea too.

I took advantage of the wetsuit strippers. Man, I don't my wetsuit ever came off the quick before, that was great. After a little 'stroll' to the transition area, I grabbed my bag and sat down in the grass outside the changing tent. I decided against the extra layer over my tri top. Had a real problem with my compression socks. Finally got those on, put on my bike shoes, stuffed my wetsuit, cap and goggles in the bag, and dumped it. Took a really long ass pee, seeing how I had swallowed half the damn ocean on the swim. I ran to my bike, sunglasses, helmet and I am off. I saw my buddy Martin, who was going to do the run as part of a relay. Saw my wife, it would be a long time until T2, before I'd see her again.

When we started out I saw an ambulance racing down military cut off, I was like..."Damn some poor chap got run over..." but I never saw the ambulance along the race course. It was really cool riding on I-140. I was cruising along good, then close to the end of the I-140 stretch (about 2 1/2 hours into the race for me), I suddenly realized the extent of what I was going to accomplish (or attempt to at that point), and I told my self to slow the f&*&*&*ck down...you have 10 hours to go... I was still passing people, but I quit pushing really hard.
I passed Suzanne from TrySports in Raleigh on 421 heading north, she looked strong.
Ok, so what's up with the headwind?? It wasn't particularly strong compared to what I had experienced before in training, but boy...after about 70 miles of this sh&t, I was ready to turn south on 421 again and enjoy some tailwind for a change. We also got chased by dogs on 421 North, and another guy pulled up next to me afterwards and thanked me for being the bait, because those little f*ckers had picked me instead of him. Apparantly, I present a meatier target. What does MC stand for again? Old and in the way...something like that. I cursed something about my maze and where is it when I really needed it. After that ride was really uneventful and I just clicked off mile after mile. The special needs stops was a welcome break from the monotony.
When I got the transition area, I saw my wife, kids, inlaws and our friends with their 4 boys cheering me on. That was really cool. I drank my 5 hour energy and got of the bike.

Not much too say, stuffed all my stuff in the bag, quick bio stop and off to the run.

Man...not sure what to say. I am not exactly what you would call a runner. My legs were tight as can be, so I just got going. The first 10 miles were actually ok. I walked a little, maybe a half mile, at the turn around in the park to help with the tight legs...(as if that would really help...).
I loved running through downtown, with all the people cheering you on. My support crew cheered me on when I started the run and then again at mile 10.
Mile 10-14 were really tough. I hit a wall, so I alternated between walking and running trying to get through this. There was no way in hell I was going to quit. What got me finally going again at Mile 14 was the chicken broth. What a god send. I started feeling better and I ran (well maybe more of a shuffle...). At Mile 16 my wife ran with me for a little bit to see how I was doing. I told her I was ok and that it would probably be 13 hours total. I continued running to the turn around point and walked some more to help with tightness of the legs (didn't I already determine, that it won't help?). I started running again and I deciced not to stop at the last 2 aid stations. I have really no idea where the energy came from after mile 14, but I take it. Maybe it was just pure will power wanting to finish this (oh and it was also getting cold and I only had a tri top on...)
The finish was unemotional, I think I was just too damn exhausted to think or display anything. I do remember thinking "I actually did this..." as I came down the last bridge and turned into the memorial.

I sat in the warming tent for a while, as my better half collected all my bags. Apparently I looked like crap, because a medic walked up to me and asked if I felt ok. I told him I was ok, except for a general GI discomfort (GUs, Heed, Infinit, pepsi, powerbars.....salt water). He gave me a banana to eat and that cleared up the GI problems almost immediately.
After about an hour or so, we walked to the shuttle stop and went back to the hotel.


Unfortunately we had to miss the cruise the next day it would have been nice to be there for that.