Ironman Arizona - TriathlonFull Ironman

I started middle right, closer to the wall. When the gun went off, I waited a few seconds before actually swimming in order to avoid the mass in front of me. The first 50 or so, my head was up and I was just trying to find a slot to start swimming. After 200, I got in to a nice pace, kept telling myself 5 min better in the swim is not going to make my day. I took a heal to the chin approaching the turnaround. Completely brought my head out of the water. Had to get my bearings, make sure my teeth were all there and then continued. On the way back, I was swimming a little off course. At one point I was all alone with a guard...not good. Picked my spot, and tried to correct the course. Turning into the stairs, the swim felt just as long as the start. Maybe because I started thinking about transition and the long day ahead of me.

Sight better, but I'll take it for the first IM swim

I kept telling myself over and over to just take my time, don't forget anything, get sunscreen on and eat something...

Wow - what can I say. Going out was crazy. I was trying to drink - a lot...look at the road and try to remember where all the pot hole are for the second and third loops and mark landmarks so I would know how far the aid stations, turns were...This strategy worked pretty well, and kept my mind off everything else. It was nice to make the turn around and ride 30+ on the way back in. The crowds were awesome coming back to transition. The second loop was not as good... my mind started to loose focus. I didn't want to push myself too hard and not have anything for the run...so, dropped it down (or moved it up - not sure the proper lingo) a gear and tried to keep it nice and smooth and not to get caught up in any individual races... I put on more sunscreen at the SN bag. I could feel my back burning. (I didn't notice until after the race that the very nice women who applied sunscreen missed a couple spots on my back...) Around mile 90 - 95 I had ENOUGH of orange gatorade. If fact, it will be a while before I choose that flavor again. This bike was far the hardest to date. Granted, I don't have much 100+ mile rides under my belt (now two!), but I was tired. I tried not to push it too hard and blow out my legs. I tried to enjoy the day, enjoy the moment. I knew going in I had my personal goals and that was what I was racing against. These other people were just doing their own race.

Stay focused longer - I assume this just comes with more training

When I arrived at the bike catchers, I had trouble removing my bento box. I needed the salt tabs, sunscreen and gel. It probably would have been faster to just remove these individually, but I wasn't really thinking and didn't want to forget anything. In the tent I just wanted to take my time, cool down. I had some ice water and a power bar. Just really took my time. I realized I probably wasn't going to break my goal of 14H and now the focus was on finishing with a respectable time - one that I could be proud of.

Move a little faster, but given the conditions, I just wanted to cool down and again not forget anything!

Well - I never ran 26.2 before...my longest run to date was 18. I missed my 20 mile run three weeks before the race due to my child being born....I knew I could finish, just didn't know how much to push. I didn't want to hit a wall and NOT finish, so I took it slow - real slow. I walked the first mile, just eating and drinking. The rest of the race, I decided to walk every aid station and then finish every water/gatorade/broth before starting to run (or should I say shuffle) again. This worked out to about half mile walking, half mile jogging. This seemed to work well all the way thru. The third lap, I picked up a very nice man and we walked/ran the last loop together. While trying to encourage him, I stopped thinking about me. At one point I told him, I really need him run right now with me, because I'm going to need him later and I didn't want to drop him. This seemed to get him going a little. Thank you for staying with me Hunter. It was very nice to walk/run with you. We employed the same strategy the final loop. The chicken broth really helped and without it, I'm not sure I would have finished. I couldn't take in any more gatorade. I also put ice under my hat every aid station - this cooled me down. On the last loop, I thanked every volunteer and every spectator that issued words of encouragement. I can't tell you how many I thanked, but if I missed someone or you left early - THANK YOU AGAIN. When Hunter and I came to the finial shoot, I told him to go ahead of me and finish by himself. I just wanted to enjoy the moment a little longer. I took my time running down the final stretch, taking it all in. Thinking of my son and my new baby daughter (3 weeks old) and my wonderful and very supportive wife at home. I knew she was watching. Just trying to hold back all emotions and finish tall and look strong for them propelled me thru the shoot. I was walking on air. Then hearing my name and "You are and Ironman" - well I almost lost it. It was a long day, and ironically - I didn't want it to end.

More training, but for my first mary it was okay. Looking back, I probably should have pushed myself harder. Now that I know I can finish, I will on the next one.

I got my medal and finishers garb, and made it to the food tent with the help of one of the catchers. I ate two pieces of pizza and fries (which I saw again later that night). Got my stuff and went back to the hotel to shower. The plan was to go back to the race and watch people come in, but I didn't make it. I hit the bed and was out.


Experience. I really didn't know how much to push myself. I didn't want to not finish. I am okay with my time, I'm okay with my pacing and happy with myself. Even though I didn't make my goal, I enjoyed every minute. Can't wait for the next one...


Just THANK YOU....TO EVERYONE and especially my family. They are the ones that got me thru it. They are the ones that kept me going. They are the ones that sacrificed their time so I can train. They are the ones that allowed me to become an Ironman.