Ironman Wisconsin - Triathlon

This mass swim start was totally insane. I have never seen so many people in one place trying to swim at the same time. I listened to the advice of guys who did it before and position myself in the back of the crowd away from buoys. I am glad I did it, because when cannon went off it was a mass of hands and legs attacking the water and lot of contact. I got kicked and punched a few times at the beginning, but it was not bad. This was my best long swim ever. Good pace, breathing, sighting, and time. 10 min faster than expected allowed me to take the time in T1.

Nothing at all.

Just right after swim, the volunteers helped me take off the wetsuit, so I could run the Monona Terrace helix up to the 4th floor comfortably. I really took my time in transition room. This T1 is totally different from what I have experienced in previous races. Nothing is allowed next to the bike. You do your change in a large room where a bag with your stuff is placed on the floor. The volunteer helps to get the items out of the bag and even assist you with dressing up if you want. I left the wetsuit, googles, cap, and swimming shorts on the floor and a really nice guy collected them back.. Then there is a run all the way around the huge parking lot to get your bike.

I could probably run a little bit faster to the bike and spent less time in the change room, but this was not about the time. I wanted to start bike well prepared for the longest part of the race.

I took it easy on the first loop an a little bit harder on second. Stopped for refueling bottles, to change my socks, twice to portable toilets, and once to massage feet. My biking boots did not fit very well for this long ride. I need to figure it out if this about how tight the shoes were or type of socks used. Nothing to say about the weather, but perfect for ride. Again, I have to compliment volunteers - they are just awesome! I made the first loop 30 minutes before cut off time and returned to Madison with 15 min left. Thanks to very good swim!

Train more long, hilly bike rides. Maybe get more sprockets installed on my LeMond bike or look for more advanced up to date tri bike. On the off season, spend more time on the gym strengthening muscles and take spinning classes.

This transition is unique as the volunteer takes your bike back to transition for you. All you got to do is change to running gear and get out. But I did take my time there to rest and relax a little bit knowing that a full marathon is ahead of me. Really! This is totally crazy. I could barely walk after the bike! Drank some water and sit for about 5 min in the chair. Then dressed up to running shorts and shoes, put the fuel and number belt on. Used the bathroom one more time and was out on running course at about 5:25pm. A few minutes ahead of the planned time.

Maybe take less time in T2, but resting my legs for a while was more important.

My plan was to run Galloway method all the course. 60 min run and 30 min walk. I did it for most of the run with some exceptions in the beginning. So the overall average pace was much slower than expected. My legs were so tired already after the bike, so I walked more often. I executed the plan perfectly on the second 13.1 mile loop. And it worked very well. I made first loop 1 hour and 3 min before the cut off time and 45 min at the second cut off. At this point I knew I would finish this for sure. This was an incredible feeling and sense of accomplishment when I finally run into finish line. I felt like a winner!Andrzej - "You are an Ironman" , I heard from the speakers accompanied with loud cheering up from a crowd gathered there.

Not too much. The plan was to finish somewhere between 11 and 11:30pm which I did! Disciplined and persistent efforts paid off. Good hydration, salt taking, and nutrition.

There was not much time left for cool down as I had to pick up my bike and bags from transition before midnight. I was at hotel room at 12:30am and went straight to bed.


Swimming technique needs further improvement, get better bike gear, spend more time for strength training, do more long bike rides in a hilly terrain, practice Galloway running methods for different paces and distances.


This was my first Ironman ever. I could not ask for a better race to do it. My goal set back in 2103 to complete Ironman at the age of 60 has been accomplished. It took almost a year of preparation plus two years of doing triathlons on shorter distances including Ironman 70.3 in 2014. I want to give a huge credit to 3500 volunteers and people of Madison who make this race unforgettable. If you are not afraid of one of the most difficult Ironman triathlon bike courses around, I would highly recommend doing Wisconsin. All the pain will pay off with the cheer ups received as you go through the challenge.