Ironman Arizona - TriathlonFull Ironman

Prior to the race, I was struggling to hold a straight line when I swam in my wetsuit. I had done a few practice swims to try to correct this but was still worried whether I had enough practice. From the time the gun went off, I held a pretty straight line about 15 yards off the bouys. I had a few people swim over me and I thought maybe I was drifting off course but ultimately I kept showing up the same distance from the bouys so I doubt it was my swimming. Otherwise I had a few heavy hits from feet/hands but nothing that altered my swim. The out lap seemed to go by fairly quickly but I never found clean water to swim in. I'd try to put my head down and put in long strokes but I always ended up running into someone who was popping up/stopping to sight. Once I rounded the bouys it was much easier and people seemed to be spreading out. I was able to get some good strokes in and not do so much sighting. About the time I got back to the Mill avenue bridge, my left leg cramped up so I had to stop kicking and sort of stretch out. It didn't last long and I wasn't too far from the final turn bouy before the shore so I wasn't worried.

Transition was horrible. The volunteers were not able to get my bag for me so I ran the line myself and retrieved my gear. Inside the changing tent, I struggled getting my jersey onto my wet torso but otherwise everything went on good. I couldn't find my glasses at first as the fell beneath my chair but I'm glad I took the extra 15 seconds to find them rather than ride 112 miles without them. Out of the changing tent, it was the same story and the volunteers didn't get my bike for me. I think having a bib number in the 3000's makes it harder. The personal calling out the numbers is not loud enough for the volunteers at the end of the line(where my gear was) to be able to hear the announcement.

Swim with my jersey on underneath my wet suit.

I knew this would be my strong segment. My only concern was getting a flat as I seem to be a magnet for them. My first lap out was going really good and I knew I was pushing a little hard but nothing that was a struggle. By the time I came back to the lake, I averaged 22.7mph, which is way too fast for a full ironman. If it were a half ironman, I wouldn't have cared. I dialed back my effort and kept my head down for lap 2. Going up the hill, the wind started to pick up and I was slowed down to 16mph(was 19mph the first lap). It wasn't bad though and I stayed tucked until the turn around. A quick porta-john stop at the half way point was well timed(they were busy later in the day). Also since my nutrition was on track and I hadn't flatted, there was no stopping for my special needs bag. A few miles later I managed to drop my salt caps out of my bento box but given it was a cool day, I wasn't too worried about cramping. Lap 3 brought on a change in the wind direction. It was now blowing me up the hill. This was good/bad. Its nice not fighting to get up the hill but it also means I wouldn't be doing 28-30 mph heading back to town. Oh well, I sucked it up and rode back on pace to finish the bike lap.

Nothing, perfectly executed.

Once again I retrieved my own transition bag. This time I had a volunteer with me in the changing tent. He was able to clean up after me and get all my stuff back into the bag.

The run course is decent but a bit boring at times. Out of transition I felt strong but knew not to take advantage of this feeling with 26 miles ahead of me. I stayed on the throttle stop and kept clicking off the miles until mile 12 when my stomach shut down. In first and only half ironman a month earlier, I was way under fueled and paid for it with dizzy and sloppy running. This time around, I'm not sure what happened. I had a Gu prior to getting off the bike and another Gu around mile 3. I hydrated at every station with ironman perform and water. My pace slowed from mile 12-15 and I mixed in more walking as my stomach was cramping. I stopped to get my special needs bag and drank half a redbull along with taking two advil. Things cleared up after mile 15 and my legs were doing what my mind commanded them to. At this point I was getting close to the end of my second lap and I started to think a sub 11 hour finish(my stretch goal) would be possible. Unfortunately I didn't have a GPS watch or time my previous two laps but I thought it was within reason to finish a lap in under an hour and a half. By mile 25 I had 13-15 mins left but I still wasn't convinced I could go sub 11. Luckily I still had gas in the tank and was able to dig deep until I crossed the line. Coming into the final chute, I didn't really take it all in as I was concentrating on that clock. I remember hearing my name called by Mike but that's it. Next thing I know I had a thermal blanket on me and someone asking me a bunch of questions that I didn't want to answer! My mind was in a different place and I just wanted to slow down on my own.

Get a GPS watch

Nothing exciting here. I took off the thermal blanket immediately as I was sweating my butt off. Why people want those on baffles me! I took my finishers photo, hit the massage table and ate some french fries.


I need to work on my run. Everything went well but I didn't have as much run strength as I would have liked.


Two notable things on course. Whoever the guy was rocking with the cow bell and drum stick had me laughing on the bike and run course. That guy has lots of stamina to be rocking out for hours on end as he dances/beats the bell. Also I believe it was Phoenix tri club who had the aid station on the north side marina. I was happy to hear the party music and people dressed up in costume. It takes my mind off the pain for a short bit and put a smile on my face. Honestly these guys should be at the finish line!