Ironman Arizona - Triathlon

After the gun went off I waited for about 30 seconds and just treaded water for the bodies to start moving and gain some open water in front of me. It worked OK, but was still crowded. I found myself swimming into slower swimmers and having to navigate around quite a few people. I got some advice from another athlete prior to the gun going off who had done IMAZ a couple of times to site just to the right of the large apartment building at the end of Tempe town lake. Worked out great. I stayed relaxed and just treated it as a training swim. It took a good half mile or so to find some open water and have room to use good form. I didn't let it bother me though...It's an Ironman and it was expected.


Probably start a little farther toward the front and not wait so long after the gun goes off to start swimming.

Right calf started to cramp coming into swim exit, but I managed to work it out. Had a little trouble getting up the steep landing/stairs, but volunteers pulled me onto my feet and wetsuit strippers got my suit off PDQ. Long run into T1. It feels like forever getting all your bike stuff on and putting away your wet stuff into those bags, but volunteers again very helpful in getting your stuff put away for you and taking your bag.

Nothing, felt like I had a good T1 for an Ironman

I was well hydrated coming into the race I guess as I pee'd several times during the bike leg without stopping. Porta potty lines were had a little wait, and I had a goal time to reach. Had never pee'd on the bike until now, worked out great. Course however is crowded with so many people and 3 loops. There were large packs of people riding together and of course some illegal drafting going on. Some of it you just can't help and keep 3 bike lengths between you and somebody else. I actually came up on one group and was at the tail end getting ready to pull out and pass the rider in front of me when a race official pulled along side of me and held up four fingers and said "four". That's all he said and never showed me a card. He sped away pulled up to another rider in front of the pack. I didn't know if I had just gotten a penalty or not as they are supposed to show you a red or yellow card. This was on my last loop going out, so I pulled over at the penalty tent and asked them if I needed to stop. They advised it would be best to go ahead and serve a 4 min. penalty, than not because if you don't stop and did in fact get penalized you are disqualified. So I got a 4 min. breather before hammering back into Tempe for the run. Even with the 4 minute "penalty" I still had the best 112 mile bike split I ever had and crushed my goal time by 25 minutes. I did take the time to look around at the landscape of desert and cactus and mountains that were all around us, it was cool. Nutrition was right on with the GenUcan (6 scoops total), 6 nutter butters, and a small can of Redbull. 4 metasalt tabs also and of course water.

Not much really. Like I said, it's hard keeping a legal distance with so many riders. Some riders were blocking the whole road so it was hard to weave in and out and make your way around them at times.

Felt good coming off the bike, much better than Coeur d'Alene 2 years ago. Handed my bike off to a volunteer, another volunteer got my bike to run bag in a timely manner and another volunteer took all my bike stuff and packed it away for me.

Maybe take a minute just to stretch a little.

Coming out of T2 legs felt good as did the engine. My goal was to run a 4 hour marathon. I ran with a GPS watch to get a good gauge on my pace. I know I ran the first few miles too quick and had to reign it in before it was too late. Slowed it down, but tried keeping my cadence quick. Started passing a lot of people I saw hammering past me on the bike. Ran first half in 2 hours and was on goal pace. Knees started aching and became somewhat painful shortly after crossing the halfway point. Started with a minute of walking then would run until I couldn't stand the pain any longer, but always limited my walk to no more than 1 minute. I was 19 minutes slower on the back half, but I was happy with it, and had fun! Coming into the finishing chute I weaved back and forth high fiving spectators on both sides of it. The atmosphere was electric and I was having a lot of fun. I heard Mike Reilly say call me an Ironman, I looked up at the official time clock to see my time, and I high fived him just as I crossed the finish line. What a day. My goal was sub 12 hours and I just crushed it! 4 scoops of GenUcan on the run a couple of small sips of perform just for taste, a Redbull at special needs, metasalt tabs and water for nutrition.

Probably start out a little slower and not be so eager to pass people on the run. It really could have backfired on me.

I immediately drank a bottle of chocolate milk after finishing which was delicious. I couldn't find anyone in my group I came to Arizona with. 17 of us raced and there were support/family with us. I walked around for 45 minutes until I found somebody I knew. I went back to the athlete food area and ate some french fries (that had a ton of salt on them), and a couple of pieces of cheese pizza. I waited for others in my group to finish, cheer them on and congratulate them.


My knees, but I'm still extremely happy with my result. Training was right on as was nutrition. Everything pretty much went according to race plan.


If an Ironman is on your to do list. IMAZ is a must. Volunteer the year before and sign up on site as it sells out in seconds after going on line later in the day.