Ironman Florida - TriathlonFull Ironman

Twenty one hundred folks entering the water, what was clear on Thursday was a stirred up mixture of sand and whatever creating an eerie color in the dawns early light. Looking back at the video, it seemed to take minutes for everyone to enter the water. Somewhere there in the middle of it was I. I didn’t bother sighting for the longest time, it was just a chaotic school of fish swimming in the gulf. Eventually I realized we had went inside the buoy line just like the pros had earlier. Things were not as bad as I had expected contact wise for the first two buoys. I was pleasantly surprised. I didn’t have any rhythm but it felt like we were moving quickly. From the second buoy to the turn the full contact stuff I was expecting at the start finally happened. It was unsettling, but I tried to roll with it the best I could. (You know, I think they should even this up and allow full contact cycling and running ;) ) The turn was a cluster at the buoy and you went straight into the sun. So I just aimed at the sun from there to the next turn. Made that turn and headed back to the beach for lap one. I tried to draft effectively, but I kept bouncing from feet to feet. I did have a nice calm pair for a while that was going a good pace for me but I lost them in some congestion. I had some others that were quick moving feet, but too periodically went to breast stoke. I was off someone’s hip for quite a while and that worked pretty good. Got to the beach and finished lap 1 in under 36 - I was very pleased. I seemed to take forever to get back in the water and get started on lap #2. We were instructed to go around the Ford floating advertisement and then head out to the buoy. I did that with some people I was around, but a large number of folks went inside of that. I ended up with a wider line out to the turn on lap 2 and a lot fewer people around me although there was one rather aggressive swimmer who was taking it kind of wide too. He was the only one I really wanted to retaliate against all swim. Hit the turns and headed back to the beach. I felt much slower but really didn’t have a clue. Finished the second lap in 40:46 and it felt like my chip strap was loose, I looked down and it was secure. So while the second lap was significantly slower than the first, if you would have told me I will give you 1:16 and change, I would have gladly taken it. I beat my “realistic” target, was only a little shy of my optimistic goal, and a much slower second lap away from my “dream” swim. I didn’t expend much energy and I was ready to get on with the day.

Swim more and longer sets

Transition was much slower than I had targeted. On Friday I decided to change into cycling shorts so I had to go into the tent. Go a chair and then couldn’t get into my T1 bag. I don’t remember tying it like that. I was in slow motion drying everything off, putting on some body glide, thinking about getting to the bathroom. I just could get it moving in there. I might as well of had some biscuits and gravy while I was at it. And in all that time, I realized I didn’t do any sunscreen - good thing I did some before the swim. I go through transition and they have my bike ready for me. I jog it out to the mount line and get on, but there are like 6 people still walking their bikes ahead of me so I have no where to go.



Have had my Transition bags untied, have even brought my tri shorts so that would have been an option, remembered sunscreen,

Eventually I got around them and out on the road. I was focused on keeping this a low effort - zone 1 and 2 for much of the ride. I was moving through town, passing folks and getting passed. For a while I was looking for Blackbird to fly by me, but I never saw it happen. Looking at the times, it very well could have happened in that cluster exiting transition. I tried to stick with the plan and just enjoy the day. I worked to keep ego in check hoping that it would pay dividends on the run. I was taking water and Gatorade at the first couple of aide stations. Traffic was heavy for the first 25-30 miles, then I seemed to hit a fairly “open” area, at least relatively. I tried that relieving yourself on the bike thing, not really sure I liked it. One thing I didn’t anticipate was all the wetness in the shoe. At the approach to the third aide station, someone swerved and I took evasive maneuvers. Unfortunately, my rear wheel slipped. I pulled off and released, reset and tightened it. While I was there, I filled my water bottle straddling my bike. I come out of that aide station and all these people I passed and then some where out ahead of me; the road filled with traffic. Lesson, a short stop, can mean dozens if not hundreds of places. I got back up to speed and spent a few minutes trying to “make up” for that issue. Then I put it behind me and got back to the task at had, riding zone 1 and 2 for as much of the 112 as I could. As I was coming up a hill I saw a red #115, Mimi, (a BT’er I had wanted to meet - actually I wanted to meet most of them that were there but was not too successful) and as I approached her, someone came up behind me and commented on my number - and this guy was a tax form (1040 ) and also BT’er Brian. So for a brief moment in time 3 BT’ers were within about 25 feet of road space. After the 60 miles I hit and aide station and found a port a potty with just the person in it. Jumped off the bike and took my turn in there. Again, scores of people went by during that time. The wind seemed to be out of the south west, basically opposite of what it had been the days leading up to the race and causing a headwind on the back portion instead of the out portion. The ride back from the turnaround was pretty uneventful, just a long stretch. I had a couple of more “necessary breaks” in motion, this led to some irritation and pruning on the outside of my left foot, something I hoped would not cause issues on the run. I kept the nutrition going and reduced some of the fluid intake. The road quality deteriorated for a while here too. Played leap frog with a guy on a Softride for a long time. Hit 79 again and figured we were in the home stretch. Again this wind seemed stronger than expected. Got back to town and was heading down condo row. Got a little agitated with someone here and just said enough of this holding back and opened it up for a couple of miles, it felt great. I was thinking, how about I just ride another 26.2 and call it good. My reminder throughout was that there was a marathon ahead and I have never done more than 20 before. Made some of the turns and realized I was headed for home. Swung a leg over and jumped off at the dismount line, handed my bike off - how cool!! - and headed for a rest area, I mean T2.


Drink a little less for the conditions, make sure my rear hub is in good shape, have race wheels, have a tri bike, have more miles in so I would feel confident pushing a harder pace. I really didn't push myself but just rode comfortably the whole time.

T2 was again a slow motion process, I couldn’t get into my bag and just took my time to get things done. I dropped my T2 bag off outside the tent and ran to the port-o-let. I still had my helmet on and one of the volunteers reminded me. She would have taken it back for me but I still had to go change. I had decided to change into running shorts based upon long runs in training. Also, I took time to put some body glide on the tips of my toes and the soles of my feet. I also said a prayer that there would be no issues from my pruned up left foot. I made sure I got sunscreen on my face and arms and neck this time. I elected to go with the same race number (last name version) I had on the bike, it didn’t seem in too bad of shape. Besides, deep down I really didn’t want to wear my wife’s pink rack belt on the run ;) Got everything packed up and handed the bag to a volunteer and sauntered off, about to partake in my first marathon.


Again, make sure the bags were untied, although I was into the run bag in the morning and I do not remember tying it back up. Change and then potty, put on the race number with my first name for the run.

I came out of T2 feeling pretty good, as I got going. My goal was to run the whole thing with the exception of the aide stations and I would take something at every aide station. (I have learned that I don’t take in food and drink from cups well on the run). They had the first water stop right there and I walked and grabbed a cup of water. Then I saw my family along the barriers, I stopped to kiss BJ, AJ, JJ and my wife then I was off. There was another aide station before the end of mile 1 - kind of surprised me, but I did walk through and get some water and Gatorade. I hit the first mile in 8:37 so I as moving very quick considering all the stops/slowdowns. I settled in and did the next mile in 8:29. Funny, but I seem to always slow way down the third mile and did that in 9:27. Next mile I had my first potty stop and it also had most of the signs people created at the Janus Inspiration Station. I was looking for the ones my family had made but didn’t see them. I did that mile in 9:52 then I was back down to 8:59. Was out in the state park and was encountering the first 3 women looking so strong. I kept looking for the turnaround, it seemed to take forever to appear. After that I went over the mat for the inspiration message, curious it would display for me since I was just on my first lap. It did and made me smile to think of my family. I passed some folks as we were exiting the park and one thought was “Why were they still ahead of me at this point” Again, being judgmental and suffering from a little bit of unfounded ego. Then I passed Joe Boness on the side of the road, losing some nutrition. Of course, he was on his second lap and about a mile later he passed me again enroute to another age group win. On the way back through the inspiration signs, I one my wife made. She posted some lyrics from the Newsboys “I Am Free”. It made me smile and put a great song/reminder in my head. As I approached the aide station at mile 10 I ducked into a port-a-potty, but not enough for it’s short door, I majorly conked my head on it, I still feel it as I write this. I came out of this a bit agitated and starting to feel the results of the entire day. I started on the cola at this point. I also started having to hit the potty way too much. Dehydration was definitely not an issue for me on this day. I passed Greyhound somewhere out here and figured he was about 3.5 miles ahead of me at that point. I continued onward and as I ran by our condo, the family was in the grass out front. BJ wanted to run across to me but told her to be still and I would be back in 10 minutes. It was probably longer but oh- well. I ran be and decided against my special needs bag, I thought I wouldn’t need my long sleeve shirt. I felt pretty good still at this point. If I could run a 2 hour ½ mary I could still finish in the daylight, after sunset, but still daylight and also beat 11:30. As I ran towards my family, the girls were playing with new friends behind the row of chairs. I bolted over to them and “attacked” BJ with a hug and gave kisses all around again and I was off. I was having fun. The around the corner, there was a tent playing music, my last time by they were playing “I Ran” by Flock of Seagulls, this time by, they were playing “Runaway” off of Bon Jovi’s first album. I was singing and having a kick going through there. As I rounded the corner way from that I commented that it was probably a needless waste of energy, but it was fun. The guy next to me said I had a great attitude and that would carry me through. What followed next for me was a string of potty stops and my long miles on the course. I saw Greyhound again and guess he was about 4 miles up the road. He was looking strong and on target for a sub 11 finish. In review, I think every mile that was over 10 had a potty stop in it. By this time I was only doing cola and maybe rinsing my mouth out with some water. I really didn’t want to eat what they had and couldn’t even finish a ½ banana at one station - it was just disgusting to me. I then saw pro Amanda Lavato having a really tough day but still progressing. I so wanted to walk between the aid stations, by one goal was to only walk the stations and run in between. At this point, I was reciting many of the verses I memorized (or at least my butchered remembrances of them) I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me, It is not I, but Christ who lives inside of me, I call this body strong and not weak, all things are possible to him who believes, by Jesus stripes I am healed; and also words from the FCA creed, I will not give up, I will not give out I will not give in. Just make it to the turn around then it is only 6.7 to go, then I hit the port-o-john right before the Inspiration message and cleared out the system. Being so much lighter I was able to get going and felt like a new man. I knew I could finish and finish well, I just wish I could have done it without any more necessary breaks ;) I saw the message from my family again. I was also wishing I had my shirt, it cooled off quicker and earlier than I had expected. But also, I was just counting down the miles, I could do this. 5.2 miles to go, 4.2 miles to go, 3.2 miles to go, a 5k, I will do this. At this point I was thinking, you know, I am good with one IM. I don’t have to do any more. You know, maybe I am good with triathlons too. I built to this and it is time for something else. Maybe I won’t race next year but focus on helping my wife race and train. 2.2 to go, I will do this I am not as strong and fluid as I had hoped but still moving. 1.2 to go, then I started striding out (or at least it felt like it) I was passing lots of people and felt like I was flying - more 5k finishing then end of a triathlon. As I approached Spinnakers I thought, I started that way to early, but I kept going, it wasn’t really about time or positions at this point, I just felt great and felt like running. Went by Alvin’s Island, what a long finishing straight, went by the lady directing left for another lap and just shook my head and went right, smiling and giving fives to the kids and spectators on the right side of the road. Saw three people up ahead of me, then looked behind me - no one really close. Took a peak at the clock no “break” I was already over 11:40 and could easily beat 11:41 without anyone passing me. I slowed down and let the folks of me get a clear and solo finish and also allow myself to have the same thing. I raised my hands and eyes heavenward, and thanked God and presented Him the glory, it was His strength that finished strong!!


Drink less, find that chicken broth, I didn't see it but heard from others who tried it for the first time that it was fantastic. If I could have had half the time back from my potty stops/made half the number of potty stops I would have been at least 5 minutes faster.

I got my catcher, my blanket, then I went over and thanked Amanda for finishing despite the tough day. She said she DNF’d once and it was the worst experience every. It is all about finishing for her and she was pleasant and had a awesome attitude despite what she went through. I got my medal and turned over my chip. My family made their way down from the bleachers and over to where I cold talk to them. Hugs and kisses and a couple of photos later I was off to the food tent, I was hunger but in no mood to eat. More pizza arrived and I got a plate. My wife dialed the phone and handed it to me, calls to my parents, her parents and then one of our friends. During this, JJ stole my pizza I was working on, then the girls took another. I really didn’t care. Went to transition, changed, picked up my stuff and worked our way back to the condo.

Took an ice bath and spoke with Jason, he went sub 11:00 (awesome job), about the race and got something eat. Put the kids to bed and headed back over to the venue. Got in line for a massage, turned out I had to wait about 1 minute - sweet. That felt awesome. Then I got some more pizza and went to the finish. Spent the next 2 hours cheering in the folks. Stayed for a couple of folks that came in over 17 and walked back to the condo. As I was heading toward the elevator, saw some flashing lights and a group walking with someone still finishing at 12:30 - awesome for them. If I saw correctly later, that was another BT’er who had the fortitude and desire to finish regardless of the obstacles. I salute you. ,/

To those of you that have read this far, thanks


First time at the distance and not sure how hard to push and still be strong. No marathon experience so I didn't know what the run would be like, I was stiff as could be for the week leading in, I could not/did not get stretched out and loose. I should have had a much better stretching program and should have been more diligent with it in the taper and race week. (The drive from Denver did not help but stretching would have off set that).


Hey, it was an Ironman. They provide a pretty consistent product.
As for me, I am happy with how it all turned out. I met some goals, missed some goals, finished strong and all in all had a great time. Wish I could have met more of the BT'ers though.