Ironman Arizona - TriathlonFull Ironman

I started in the second line of the start, happy to be in the mix of it and new I could get a little draft if I was lucky of a faster swimmer. Was not a lot of hitting going on just the leg grabbing which is fine with me. After making the turn at the far end found myself by myself next to the bouys which was dumb. Noboady to draft of and I went a little slower which stunk. Wanted around a 55 but came out of the water in 1:04 but still a good swim time.

Swim faster and get a draft a lot more.

Run a long way into the tents so happy with the time.

Nothing

I have worked hard on the bike to get a nice fast time. My goal was to take it real easy on the first and start to pick it up a little after that. First lap was money, right on the 1hour 55 min mark for it. Going out the second I could tell the wind was picking up and new the ride in was going to suck. Around mile 45 I felt the energy go from me and I was only drinking about 1 bottle of water every ten miles and the wind and heat was taking more then that out. I steped it up to 1 water and 1 gatorade every 10 miles, after this i was in the game again. Came back and finished loop 2 and was now ready to push the last 30. I built my bike day for this and it was ready to happen. I started to fly, picking people of right and left and was moving upwards of 35 mph on the way out. Then my day went south, i was 5 miles from the top of the hill on the last lap and bang, got a flat. I jumped of and just so happened bike support was going by and they fixed it for me. Sweet fast fix and I was on my way. No big deal ready to go at it again. Went another 3 miles and bang the back tyre again. this time a nail went through it. Got of again and fixed it all up. Made the turn and the wind was crazy strong. For a guy my size at 6'6" tall and 245 it was tough. I put my head down and went for it. I made it to special needs as they were packing up, I was just in time to grab a couple of tubes out of it. I was on lap 3 and was only ment to stop on lap 2 but I need the spares. So lucky I did, another 2 miles after the special needs my back tyre went again. I was so mad at this time, my bike time went to hell and I was ready to snap my bike in half. Fixed the bloody thing and got back to it. I had 1 tube left and 8 miles to go. I was out of it know and was ready to kill somebody. And we all no what happened again, bang tyre went out with 4 miles to go. This time my tube pinched from the nail hole and I was ready to call it a day. I sat on the side and started to fix it. Hundreds of people were passing me over the last few flats and it was killing me. Bike support came by and they fixed it, I sat there with my head down and said tanks agin for the fix and dragged my butt into T2. I lost about 1 hour with the flats on the bike, they took longer and longer each one I got. Who gets 4 flats in one bike ride, really 4 flats.

not get 4 flats in the last 15 miles

Getting of the bike my body was great, legs not heavy at all and that was due to all the sitting on the side of the road. Ran past my family and they were all telling me good job and new I was not a happy person. Dragged my butt into T2 and I sat there for 5 min just mad at the world.

get over it faster it is what it is.

Came out of T2 and ran over to the wife and son. Gave my son a big kiss and wife one also and left on my way. My Kona dream was gone and I wanted to finish the race now. All I wanted to do was keep moving, one step at a time. I felt so bad for the family as they were there all day and i was not running to much. I would run then walk and thats how it went. The family and freinds were so good, yelling to me and that gave me a pick up. I made sure I ran by them each time to put on good showing. The last time I ran by my dad yelled out 3 more miles you can do it. I smiled and new my body was done. I ran until I was out of site for them and then just about dropped to the ground. I was done and I thought back to family and them all yelling for me at the end. I walked every step of that last 3 miles and it took me close to 1 hour to do it. I came over that bridge and I new I was going to be a Ironman. I got to the kids pick up and my dad was there with my son, he was sleeping as he's only three and it was close to 10 at night. I turned into that finish shute and it was such an amazing sight. People were yelling, my son was out in my arms and I walked down the whole thing with my arm in the air. I heard those words,Glen Newbold you are an Ironman. I was over that line. I was so happy. I was out of it. They grabed me and held me up with my sone. My wife came over and she was a mess crying all over the place andkissing on me. She got tyson and they took me over to the food tent. My family all came over and gave me there support. Grabbed a whole pizza and waited for my turn for a rub down.

Run faster for the family but it was all about finishing my fist one.

Ha, nothing sat down and then dragged my but home for a sleep. I was out cold within 5 min of getting home.


My mind after the flats. But I'm doing Taupo New Zealand next year and Arizona again. I will get my Kona.


Everyone needs to do this race, yes its hot but what a great race.