Ironman Florida - TriathlonFull Ironman

Quick prayer on the beach with the rest of GET. The gun went off just after we broke. My plan was always to be right down front and go for it. That didn't happen. I never felt I got any kind of rhythm on this swim. The lead men got out of the water just ahead of me, when I was coming out of the water on my first loop. They did take off 10 minutes before but I had enough problem getting though the crowd. I expect them to swim that fast but how on earth do they swim that fast while getting through that crowd. Amazing!

My swim training really suffered going into the event. I would keep hammering right up till race day. I would get right down front in the mix. I would probably get the hell beat out of me, but that was supposed to be part of the experience. Forgot to leave the heart rate monitor on the bike. 2nd triathlon race, 2nd destroyed heart rate monitor.

Good transition.

This was the event I was most worried about going into the Ironman. I did not feel like I had put enough time in on the bike. The bike went well. I probably biked harder than I should have. When you are in the moment you just ride. I took in way to much Gatorade for the conditions. A bottle every other aid station would have been plenty. I should have used arm warmers for early in the ride, I was freezing. One women had tube socks that she had cut up so she could throw them away once it warmed up.

Good transition. Included a potty break.

I was psyched knowing I was leading GET off the bike and really thought I had a shot at a 12 hour race. Not so fast my friend! I did not walk except for my planned walk though the aid stations, but by the end my "run" was barely that.

Carry gels with me, or stock up when I find them. By late in the race there was nothing but what I did not want and nothing with caffeine.

Overall I guess I biked to hard, and I killed my run.


I was about 15 pounds to heavy going into the race, and I think it really hurt me. I did not have the "Ironman Experience" that I was looking for. I felt that I merely survived the Ironman, instead of being able to push during the run. I just didn't have it to give. There will be more Ironman races and I will get there. This was good for a first Ironman.