Ironman Wisconsin - TriathlonFull Ironman

Well....what can I say! There is no way to describe an IM swim start. I got hit from the back, side, ran up on folks, the whole mix. I got kicked in the ear, nose, mouth, etc but tried to find clear water where possible. I felts a hand on my ankle early in the swim and they ripped my chip off! Well, I've finally hit my adversity - my first hurdle. I had 4000 yds to think about how to get another chip or even if that was possible. I just plugged along at an easy pace till the first corner and it was mass chaos like the start again. Ah well, keep pluggin away and count down the yds. Course was marked every 100 yds to it was fun to be able to check 'em off.

I'd like to thank my buddy mr 'orca' wetsuit for running me over about 20 times. It seems like we could never get apart. I'd also like to appologize for groping the girl with the same pace as me on my right - seemed like we were destined to be togehter. :)

Not much. Perhaps search for more open water by looking for openings and bolting there. It's really hard to prep for the battering.

I hit the shore and gave my best rebel yell. Yahoo, I made it! The rest is a blur...I hit ground and was yanked out the water. I told a volunteer "I lost my chip!" They said keep going - over there to get a new one. I head further...folks yell at me to lay down...lay down!! I lay down and MNDiver/Spouse stripped my suit in like 1 second. I say to them "I lost my chip!!" They tell me to go further...so I do. I get to the folks that replace my chip and note my name and send me on my way. Whew, I'm back on the road. Up the helix, grab by T bag and am into the 'naked room'. Took my time in T1 as it was packed and I didn't want to forget anything. Had all on but my shoes and took the long trip to my bike. Got my bike, looooong run in socks to the start. Took my time putting on shoes and headed down the helix.

Prolly be a little quicker in this T and strap my chip on better.

First couple mi's are nearly single file. HR is doing well. Just taking my time. Weather is perfect. Plan was to take 'er easy for the bulk of the ride, cept for the uphills. Just play it smart if possible.

Stomach shut down about 3 hrs in. More adversity. Not sure why as I used everything I did in practice. Ah well.

Highlights: I caught EVERY bottle in transition. Not sure how as I never EVER practiced it. For you folks at home...try to ride by someone at 20 mph and grab a liter bottle from them. It was wild! I got to witness a bike crash right in front of me - that was close. I hit 46.8 mph on one hill. Passed my training mates at mi 22 and 80. Both beat me out of the water and it felt good catching them. I'll be seeing tehm on the run. Seeing Kathy and Linda - training buddies on the bike course.

Lowlights: I ran out of gas in time for the headwind on the way back. Bad timing. Got a little woozy and went off the road..but made good save and got back on the pavement.

Finished up the bike by going up the helix.
Thx volunteers!

Experiment more with what food DID work. I kinda checked out mentally and paid for it about mi 100. Live and learn!

Folks take your bike and rack it. Grabbed shoes and headed to back to the 'naked room'. Full of folks getting ready for the run. Got geared up, switched race number to front and headed out on the run. My training buddy dave hit T2 while I was there so I waited to run with him.

Scurry through rather than dallying. Head out without waiting for my buddy.

Ran with buddy Dave for about a mile or two, then started run/walking. I was paying for getting little nutrition so worked on a plan. I downed some electrolytes and started fueling up at aid stations. Dave went on. I met up with my new best friend Mike somewhere along the line. He was run/walking as well so we hung together for about the next 15 miles.

People, if you have never tried chicken broth and coke, you've GOT to do it. I proved that a man can survive on these two substances for 24.2 mi's. Sprinkle in some cookies, gels and water and I was going to make it.

About mi 6 my coach passes me. She's FLYING. I come upon a BT'er (Cube Farm?) along the way and we run for a while. About mi 20 my training mate comes behind me and I wonder how he got back there...he said he'd never passed me! At that pt I figured I'd better run a bit, left my best friend Mike and ran the bulk of the last 6 miles.

Highlights: New buddy Mike. Seeing my friends/family along the way. Getting my stomach/nutrition back and being able to run a bit. I quit counting at 50 people that I passed in the last 2 miles. The run down the finishing chute was surreal. It's such a blur and I had such a smile on that it's tough to absorb it all.

Lowlights: Tripping on a manhole cover by camp randall stadium at mi 24 and taking a header. I got roadrash on my shoulder, leg, cheek and hands. Luckily, I bounced up and headed for the last 2 mi's.

Coke and chicken broth saved me from a looong day.

Start with the broth/coke earlier. Run more of my own race and don't stick with my buddy Mike.

Got grabbed by two nice girls and couldn't wipe the smile off my face! I was screaming.."What am I?!!, I'm and IRON man!!" It was soooo cool, it's hard to explain. I can't believe it, I'm in the club! Got some post race pics and found the spouses.


Lax in mental judgment midway thru the bike/run.


The organization of this event is 2nd only a wedding day. All of the 3000 volunteers focus their attention to the participants. It's really quit amazing how we normal folks are put on stage for the day.