Ironman USA Lake Placid - TriathlonFull Ironman

Started near the back of the swim pack closer to the buoy line side. Bad idea. It took 90secs just to get to the start line. Then it was another 5mins before I could actually start swimming. Got beat up a little bit but I stayed calm. Once I/we got moving, the swim was nice. It was easy to find feet to draft, there were many to choose from.

Here is a video clip of the swim start. I was stuck in the BACK of the mess on the bottom of the screen. That will give you some idea of the bad position I was in relative to the folks at the top of the screen starting away from the buoy line.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=uTmT2gkWUgk

Start in a better position - probably to the outside. I think I could have knocked 5mins off just from a better start position.

Took my time. Wanted to be sure I was properly lubed (vasaline, sunblock) & had all my bike gear. Walked throughout.

move faster.

Ok, I did the whole ride in my small chain ring (LOL), which made it a pretty comfortable ride. This was actually my plan. I was enjoying the scenery and being out on the course. I stopped 3 times for restroom break & to stretch so my avg pace was actually a little higher. No biggie. Despite being toward the back, I wasn't alone. I was always with a pack of riders. I spun up the hills pretty easy and let gravity take me down the hills. I used this coasting time to stretch my legs & back.

By the end of the ride, my feet were hurting the most. And my neck on the left side. Other than that I was fine.

The crowd support was terrific near LP & Wilmington. Awesome.

I can do the ride quicker & limit/shorten my rest stops. But it was plenty to beat the cutoff.

Another rest room stop. Took my time again. Changed socks, re-lubed, nip guards. I had forgotten to fill-up my Fuel Belt so I stopped at the Gatorade station in transition to fill-up the bottles.

I suppose move a bit faster in general. And have my fuel belt ready.

Because I took the bike course so easy, I felt GREAT starting the run. Much, much better than I had anticipated. A few miles into the run I started to think I could run a 4hr marathon.

The first few miles I was around 9 min miles. I purposely slowed to about 9:30-10:00min miles since I had a long way to go.

I was drinking gatorade at every aid station with a PowerGel every 20mins. At mile 8, just before the Inspiration Station, I had a warm chocolate PowerGel (yuck!). It suddenly turned my stomach & I vomited the contents of my stomach (out of the blue). I got up and continued to run w/o any immediate problems. I couldn't bear the thought of having another Gel so I stopped. I switched to Gatorade/Cola & fruit. Had some chicken broth later in the run.

I ran straight through to mile 15 without stopping (other than the brief barf episode). My first 1/2 marathon split was 9:57 pace.

Mile 15 & 16 I walked the aid stations but ran otherwise. After mile 16, I started to walk a lot more frequently. The final 10 miles was a run/walk mix w/ the walks more frequent toward the end. My stomach was very unsettled. I didn't have anything to eat or drink after mile 23. I knew I would barf if I did.

I ran the last 1/2 mile. By the time I got close to the Oval, I forgot about all my issues. I was pumped up. It was incredible running thru the Finish Line area. I made sure there was a big gap between the runner in front of me and the runner behind me. I guess I didn't want to share the spotlight at that moment.

I saw my wife & kids as I came thru the area. I was chocking-up. What an unbelievable experience. I'll never forget the memory of running down the Oval, seeing the finish line, hearing the crowd & Mike Riley calling me an IRONMAN! I reflected on how far I have come. Just a few years ago, I could barely run a couple miles. And now I am an Ironman?

Start the run a little slower despite how good I felt. Workout the nutrition issues.

Got my finisher picture. I planned to get a massage but when I finished I wanted nothing more than to see my wife & kids. It took awhile but we found each other. Went back to the finish line area and got a picture w/ me and my boys (3 & 5 years old).


- Poor swim start position
- Took it too easy on the bike
- Started run too quickly
- Stomach issues later in the run


A shout-out to all the Volunteers, fans & organizers!! You made this a fantastic race and a day I will remember for the rest of my life. Thank you!