Ironman Wisconsin - Triathlon

I was right in the front, a ways right of the ski jump when the cannon fired. My goal was to stay close to shore until I got close to the first turn buoy. There was some contact, but was able to find some open water. A few hundred yards in, somebody's arm went over my head and nearly knocked my goggles off. They moved, but stayed watertight. Although a little uncomfortable, I swam with them for about a mile until I could adjust them. As I got closer to the first turn, I kept moving closer to the buoy line, but was to the outside of almost everyone. Forgot to "moo" at the first turn, but didn't hear anybody doing it, but I did stay pretty far to the outside of the turn to avoid contact. Along the backstretch, the sun was very bright. Again, I was to the outside of most. I tried sighting off of other people since I couldn't see any buoys at all. About 1/3-1/2 of the way down the backstretch I passed a guy pulling a raft with someone in it. But the backstretch went by quicker than I thought it would. Other than ALMOST getting kicked in the face several times, it went well. After the last turn things got pretty congested but managed just fine. Exited the water, looked at the clock, and was very happy with my 1:14 swim. I didn't know how the rest of the day would go, but at least it started nicely.

Used the wet suit strippers and then ran up the helix. All of the people cheering were great. Was looking for my family, but couldn't find them. Went in and got my bag, and headed to the changing area. Did a full change into my tri kit. Put on some anti-chaffing cream, and decided to put a long sleeve shirt on since it was still pretty chilly out. Got a little bit of sunscreen on my way to my bike. Did get to see my wife briefly at the "bike out" before hopping on. It ended up being slower than I wanted, but when you have a 112 mile bike ride ahead of you, you just want to make sure you're all set. Did have a slight moment of panic when I wasn't able to find my sun glasses. Turned out they were at the bottom of the gear bag and I overlooked them the first time.

Started out nice and easy, as my goal was to go easy for the first 40. Was getting passed by a lot of people, but was OK with that. Just wanted to ride my own race. The roads were very congested riding the stick out. I got to the first loop, and ditched my long sleeve shirt at the 2nd aid station on the course. There were a lot of big hills, but I'd go into my 34-28 gear and spin up them pretty easily. Riding the 3 sisters was actually a lot of fun. There was a really creepy clown hiding in the trees at the top of the first sister that made me laugh. The crowd support on those hills is electric. I got to mile 40 and my legs felt really good. I knew I pushed it a LITTLE harder than I wanted to the first 40, but felt great. One of the straps on my torpedo mount broke around mile 38, so I had to stop and tighten the other front one to keep my bottle from falling out. Nearing the end of the first loop I was really looking forward to special needs and taking a few minute break.

Got to special needs and dismounted my bike. Sat down for a few minutes and ate a PB&J and a few powerbar gummies. Riding the 2nd loop, everyone was more spread out, and good thing, because the refs were out in force. The penalty tents were busy every time I passed by one. Took the hills easy again, but my legs were started to get fatigued by around mile 70. Got to the 3 sisters again and actually looked forward to them, even though I was a lot more tired. The wind picked up on the 2nd loop and we had to fight it heading back to Verona. During a lot of the ride and most of the 2nd loop I wasn't in aero position for very long. Between the turns, the climbs, fast descents and fatigue, I just couldn't. Pretty early on I knew my goal of 6 hours was way out the window.

I was so happy when we got to make the left turn back onto the stick. A little tailwind helped, but a muscle in my right knee was REALLY hurting. I think a small bone spur caused it to get irritated, which never happens. I tried rubbing it, but that made it worse. Nearing the end of the ride, I honestly wasn't sure how it would hold up on the run. If it hurt as bad on the run as it did the last few miles of the bike, I knew I wouldn't be able to finish. I was trying to mentally prepare myself if I couldn't continue. At this point, I thought it was so ridiculous the distance we'd already gone, and how far we still had left to do, that a part of me was OK with not being able to continue. It really is mentally difficult and you have to keep the negative thoughts out. I came in well over my 6 hour goal, but when it's your first race and you don't know what to expect, your goals change as the day goes on.

I rode up the helix and immediately saw my dad. He directed me that my wife was on top of the terrace looking down on me, and also saw a friend of mine cheering me on. The volunteers took my bike and I walked in to the changing tent after a few words with my friend and wife. Easy change, and a great volunteer. Unfortunately, the guy next to me was pretty rude to the volunteer (long hard day, but that's no excuse), so I chatted with him for a moment and thanked him for his help. I then proceeded to drop my salt tabs all over the ground, and two volunteers helped me pick them up. Then got some sunscreen and headed out to the course. Still couldn't wrap my head around having a marathon left to do.

My goal was to start at around 8:30 per mile, and try to average just over 9's. Right away my right knee felt good, so I knew that wasn't going to be a major issue on the run. My first three miles were all just under 9:00, so I was feeling confident. I was walking every aid station. By mile 6 my legs were starting to get sore. I saw my wife and asked her to get my training shoes that have more support in them, and to meet me around mile 13 with them. I knew I needed more support and cushioning in my feet than what my racing shoes would provide.

During the 2nd half of the first loop things started to get really difficult and I had to walk at times. I knew any hope of a "good" marathon time was gone, and I was in pure survival mode. The end of the first lap was mentally the hardest part of the day for me. I was exhausted, everything hurt, and I had to run that entire 13 mile loop again. But the crowd support was very encouraging! I stopped right after the turn around to put different shoes on and talked to my wife and dad for a few moments. From then on I tried running as much as I could, but gradually went to walking more and more.

Inside Camp Randall at mile 16 I saw a competitor strip naked and streak through the midfield logo, then put his clothes back on and continue running. That was interesting at least. By mile 17 I was walking a lot. I was able to run down state street and see my family one last time before the finish. I told them that I was fine, just very sore and tired, and that I was going to be going very slow, but otherwise I'm OK. From there on out I walked about 90% of it. The sun set over the lake around mile 20, and the warm chicken broth became my new best friend. Doing the remote out and back in the dark was pretty lonely, and at that point every step hurt. I had 4 miles to go and knew it would take me over an hour to do. As I continued to walk I talked to a few different people, and that really helped my spirit and helped take my mind off of the pain. By the time I was a mile out, my legs were feeling a little better and I was able to run a little more. Then I walked a ways to "rest" my legs for the finish. I hit state street and was able to run the rest of the way home. Awesome crowd at the finish line and it was a great experience. Saw my dad a few hundred yards out and my wife about 200 yards out. In hindsight, I wish I would have stopped and given each of them a hug before I finished. But you have so many things going through your mind, and try to position/time yourself to be by yourself running to the finish line.

I wish I would have worn my training shoes right from the start. They are heavier but have so much more support. I wonder how much that would have saved my legs for later in the run.

I crossed the line and was caught by a volunteer. They made sure I was OK. Got my medal, shirt, hat and got my picture taken. Found my family and grabbed a bite to eat before getting my bike and bags, and headed back to the hotel room. Once there I got in the hot tub for awhile and went to bed.


I really didn't know what to expect and just gave it my best. You can always train more, but life' s balance. I also started to come down with a little bit of a bug a few days before the race. Although I don't feel like it affect my energy level the days leading up to the race, you never know.


The race provided me an amazing experience. The race was long, difficult, exhausting and amazing. The volunteers were more than I could have hoped for, and the crowd support was encouraging, entertaining, and exciting. Everything about this race is First Class, and the weather could not have been any better. As I was competing in the race, and even afterwards I thought to myself "This is crazy. This is just way too long". But the bigger the challenge, the bigger the accomplishment, and my sentiment quickly went from "I'm not sure if I want to do another one" to "I definitely want another shot at Ironman". Thanks Madison for being a great host.