Ironman Louisville - TriathlonFull Ironman

I was able to line up in the first 200 or so people. Sitting on the concrete was not the best thing, but I wanted to start early so there really is no other option. TT starts are good and bad. The good-You dont have to start in the chaos of a mass start. The bad-It makes since for the worst swimmers to want to start first, so you have to deal with the slower guys and gals in front of you the whole time and the faster ones swimming over and past you. You are never able to draft unless you start with someone you know you want to draft off of.

I felt pretty good during the whole swim. Whenver I had contact I would just move to the outside and find clear water. When I got to the swim exit I reached back to unzip my speedsuit and realized it was already down. Somewhere along the way it became unzipped. Not sure how that happened.

Took my time. There was plenty of room to find a seat and get all of my gear in order. I certainly wasnt in any hurry and wanted to make sure everything was in order.

Things went from good to bad on the bike. The first 10 miles were fine and I did just as I had planned and rode nice and easy about 16.5mph. I averaged 16.87 on the first 22 mile split. The out and back wasnt as bad as I expected. Maybe becasue it was so early and you only do it once, but I thought there were other sections that were much more difficult.

The first loop was going just fine until I turned on ballard rd. This was when my legs started to twitch and cramp. I tried to keep standing up and stretching them on the bike, but that didnt do the job. I ended up stopping and dismounting at about every aid station to try and stretch my legs out.

The second loop was just as bad and I started to get pretty nauseated. At this point I made a decision to stay in the small ring and basically soft pedal the rest of the bike to try and salvage a decent run. This worked and it didnt work(see run section). I dont think I have been on a bike for 7.5 hours straight in 95 degree heat. It became very uncomfortable to say the least. I was one happy camper to hand that bike off to the volunteer.

My stomach was in knots and I had no idea what would happen on the run. Someone asked if anyone wanted any pringles and another guy grabbed them, but he graciously shared his pringles and advil. I took two, and he said he was taking 5.

My stomach settled down and I was ready to run. I was shooting for 10:30-11min/mile and I started off a bit fast over the bridge and back. I think I was around 9:13 on the first two miles. I pulled back and went with a plan of running until I could not run anymore and walking the aid stations.
Turns out slowing my pace to a very light jog did the trick. I kept thinking a cramp was coming on and somehow my body would fight it off. I ended up running the whole way except for the aid stations and a quarter mile section at about mile 21. The run down the chute was amazing and I took my time giving High fives on both sides of the chute.

After finishing I felt great for the first 30 minutes or so. I got my shirt, hat, medal, pictures, and got to my dad and brother. I wasnt hungry but was ready to change my clothes. We got to the convention center and the wheels came off. I sat down on the sidewalk becasue my nausea was coming back and I was getting dizzy.
My dad(a doctor) gets me inside and has me lay in the AC on the floor and decides I need an IV. He got me into the medical tent where I was put in a bed right next to a friend who told me she wasnt able to finish. I could see the disappointment in her eyes. After about an hour of pepto, chicken broth, and water, I think I am feeling better. I stood up to walk out and threw up all over myself. Well that sucked. I finally get the okay for an IV and after a bag I am feeling better again. So, I stand up and start walking out and the next thing I know I wake up in an ambulance on the way to the hospital. I had collapsed and blacked out.

They ran every test on me they could think of, but after 13 hours of IV treatment I was released. I probably feel better than most after getting that kind of treatment.


I thought I was ready for these hills, but I was not. The course description says it has 2000 feet of climbing. No way that is right. Overall, I thought it was a great race, with the best volunteers.