Ironman Arizona - Triathlon

This was interesting since I hadn't swam since SOMA a month before. I am comfortable swimming long distances as I am a past diver, but swimming fast is different. I got a cramp in my right calf about .7 miles in. I actually felt amazing the 2nd half of the swim. I got into a groove and realized I swam the 2nd half 10 mins faster than the 1st half. Best Open water swim in a tri I have ever had. Thanks Sole Swim Solutions

Believe in myself at the beginning. I seeded myself too far back and was passing people at a ridiculous pace toward the end.

Being my first full IM I was nervous about this. I took way too long and could have saved a few mins with zero real effort here

Again, this comes down to believing in myself and my ability to do what I know how.

I knew this would be a ride with people blowing out their legs and paying for it on the run, I stuck with my HR and stayed in my zone. I ignored the people I knew passing me and kept to my race. Saw Erin and the kids a few times and my buddy Patrick was out there at the lap turnaround. Made me smile when everyone was showing their misery.


I probably could have pushed a little bit harder, but I do mean a little. I was very happy with my execution on the bike leg given the conditions.

Again Ironman does an amazing job with all of this. I could have been a bit faster, but was unsure how I would feel once running.

Not much. I did take a few minutes to hit the Porta after getting dressed. If you take that time out of T2, I was smokin fast

My run was really amazing given that my run training up to the race was horribly subpar. I saw Erin and the kids and Pat right at the beginning. I was able to give Taylor a kiss on the head and it really got me ready to run. I had already told myself that I would walk all aid stations and walk the hill at Curry no matter what. My times were good and I was pretty steady hitting about 2:15 for the 1st half. I had been shooting for 11:45 finish time, but knew that was out the window with the winds that we faced on the bike leg. At that point, I had readjusted and said anything sub 13 would be acceptable. I was doing good and about mile 17, I came across a guy who was telling me to pace off of him. He had been behind me and was slowly catching me. At that point I as walking the aid stations and then maybe the middle portion of every other mile for about 30 seconds. He ran with me until we got to the curry hill again and I started walking as I promised myself I would do. In retrospect, I probably should have stuck with him, as it was a mental block, not a physical hinderance to run with him. Near the end, I saw several guys in my age group walking together and made sure I passed them with enough room to relax in the last .5 mile and enjoy the finish. There was a few other people not in my age group that I could have passed, but didn't want to steal their thunder in the chute with Mike Reilly. I came in slow and comfortable. My 7 year old son, Taylor, was in the front row and at the last second I was able to high 5 him as I went down the chute.

I could have pushed harder if I had the confidence. My run was amazing, and I was tired, but definitely not exhausted to the point that I couldn't have shaved some time. I loved my run and it was an amazing 1st IM experience.

I was immediately freezing! Period!!


My confidence in myself.


I had an amazing race experience. Yes I finished over an hour slower than my goal race time, but I also finished way higher overall than if I had hit my time in conditions from the previous year. I paced well and possibly could have pushed a bit harder, but I also felt great afterwards other that being really cold. I should have brought a sweatshirt to the hotel, but didn't and that is my biggest complaint. The RWB team showed up big on this and it was another motivating factor throughout the day On another note, I should have paused for more pictures with my wife and kids during the race. They showed up from start to finish. For a 3.5 year old and a 7 year old to endure a VERY full day with Erin as the Sherpa was nothing short of a miracle. It took me nearly a month to get around to writing this, with many other things in life going on. I can only say I am BLESSED beyond comprehension and am excited to do another!