Ironman Florida - TriathlonFull Ironman

This was the part of the race that I was most uncertain about, okay nervous. I had no doubt about my ability to swim the distance or in whatever water condidtions as I made sure to get plenty of swim experience in a multitude of conditions this year in preperation. The thing that I was uncertain about was 2500 heading for the same turn buoy. I like to find my space, settle into a comfortable stroke and swim thinking about mental cues on form and technique. An in the water cage match makes it difficult to actually swim let alone get your heart rate settled and think about technique! I lined up to the right about 3/4 of the way from the buoy line. Some were all the way outside of the swim corral on the beach but I didnt go that far. I went ahead and got in the front of the pack as I didnt want to have to pick my way through breast strokers etc as well as deal with the melee to each side of me. When I figured I was 'seeded' in the right spot I asked the guy standing next to me... have you ever done this race, he said multiple times. I asked what his swim time was and he replied best was 59 mins but that was a few years ago. I told him nice meeting you and proceeded to move further out!

The pros went off and it was exciting to watch. I also knew that meant 10 mins to go! Finally they started the countdown and then the cannon fired. I went out right away running across the sandbars to get to deep enough water to even dolphin dive, did a couple of dolphin dives and then started swimming. It was pretty tight quarters and you had to really fight for space, but for the most part people were not really punching or intentionally trying to swim over you as I had read. The most annoying thing was the ones that swam perpendicular to the course, I had them both in front of me, and swimming across my legs. I know that I might slightly pull to the right or left when open water swimming but I generally go in the right direction. These people were swimming 90 degrees across the course. I tried to find feet to draft on , hoping that someone would pass me that was a little faster than I that could actually swim a straight line, but really didn't find anyone. I was about 100 yards wide of the buoy line but the whole field was angling inwards towards it, so when we hit the first turn buoy we were only about 25 yards from it and then everyone turned left. I was inside a lot more than I wanted to be and things got quite hairy again. The waves at this point were coming mostly at your face and you were getting tossed around a lot. Some of the contact was unavoidable as you would get knocked into the person next to you, but some people were in a bit of a panic mode as it was quite rough and very crowded at that point. I literally swam mostly 'tarzan' style through this section of the course as form and technique weren't even an option. It was more survival :) It is the shortest leg, probably only 200 meters or so, and then you turn back to the beach. I had picked out my sighting landmarks the days before on the pre-swims and knew what building I was going to use so the way back was quite easy, the current was pushing from about 4:00 so you could actually 'surf' the waves a little bit especially when you got in closer. Most people started standing up early, but I remembered there was a big sandbar and then a drop off so I was up and then dove back in to swim the rest of the way to shore. Jogged up the beach, through the timing arch and grabbed a cup a water to rinse my mouth out. Back into the water at an angle to the first bouy. Saw my dad and waved but dont think he saw me... (I was the guy in the black wetsuit wearing the red swim cap! How could he miss me?) The second loop was a little rougher wave wise, but I felt it was much less crowded. I pretty much hugged the buoy line for most of it. The turns were dicey, and the back leg of the course was rough and crowded again, but I thought the second loop overall was much easier than the first. I almost forgot about the sand bar on lap two before the beach and started to take my goggles off, but then remembered and dove back in! Ran up the beach through the arch and was done with my first Ironman swim!

Not much.. a little over two years ago swimming down and back lap in the pool without stopping was an accomplishment for me! I have come a long way baby!

I am going to continue to work on my swimming technique and speed in the off season. But overall was very pleased with my swim here.

I would probably have warmed up a little more, as I had a hard time getting my heart rate down in the first loop. But a lot of that was just pure adreneline.

Got to the wetsuit stripper area and already had my suit down to my waist. A guy grabbed my suit and started yelling down on your butt! I looked down and realized that we were still in the sand and wasnt too excited about laying in it. But I listened, he struggled pulling it off of my ankles I got up and was handed a sandy wetsuit and was covered in sand my self. I had to take some extra time in the shower tunnel getting

Not use the stripper, I could have gotten my suit off as quickly and with a lot less sand! I do appreciate the volunteers though!!

I was looking forward to the bike leg of the race the most as I have really put a lot of training in and it has become my strongest discipline. I knew nutrition would be key, so I was absolutely rocked when in the first mile when I went to take a sip from my aero bottle I almost lost it. I was extremely nauseous and had to force down everything that I ate or drank.

I had to stop a the porta johns a few times and wait in lines to use them. I wish that they had more at the aid stations. I would have used the woods along the road, but the warning in the pre race meeting was you would be DQ'd for not using a porta john and I didnt want to take that chance.

There were a number of 'peletons' that formed and alot of other blatant drafting. There were marshalls, but not enough for 2500 on a flat course. I didnt want to live with the fact that I cheated during my first Ironman so I did not draft.

Overall I was pleased with my bike split. Save for the upset stomach and the multiple portajohn stops it was a decent time.

Not have an upset stomach and learn to pee on the bike!

I had planned to take my time in transitions, but kinda of got carried away! Maybe I was delaying the inevitable.

Maybe not spend 20 mins in transitions next time! I am usually one of the fastest in the shorter races as it is free speed.

Well the first 10k was good! And then the wheels started to come off. Second 10k I slowed it down a little, realizing that there was no way I was finishing a marathon at that pace. Making that turn past the finish line to go out for the second half of the marathon is just cruel and unusual punishment!! Although I did get to run past the really wild ladies that were in costume and trying to hand out beers! They were actually something to look forward to. The 3rd quarter of the run, my guts were in knots, my legs were cramping and I generally felt like crap. The lone dark section through the state park was very challenging mentally. Finally near the exit to the state park I had to visit the porta john. I was worried that I would not be able to stand back up! But I decided that I was not going to end my race in a porta john in a state park, so I trudged on. With about 5 to go I met up with a guy and a girl and started chatting. It was nice to take our mind off of how lousy we felt. She was from Canada, so we started talking Hockey! One of my favorite subjects. We were alternating running (not too fast) and then walking the aid stations. It was difficult to get started again after each aid station but we encouraged each other. Finally with the last mile to go, the legs got an amazing burst of energy and we ran into the final turn and down the finish chute. To hear Mike Reilly say Brad Robinson.....you are an Ironman made the last 4:54 of my life worth it.

Not race so many shorter races and skip my long runs!

I was in a bit of a fog. I remember getting my picture taken, and heading to the massage tent. I think I got a massage, and remember eating pizza. It was a welcome releif after a day of liquid and gel nutrition, but it was very difficult to choke down. Kind of like the morning after a few too many beers, where you are doing multiple chews before slowly swallowing ;) I left the athlete area and found my mom and dad, who themselves earned a medal for being out there most of the day. We walked back to the condo, at a very slow pace!


I was pleased with most of my race. I would take transitions a little quicker and not do full clothes changes. I also will not race every weekend if I do another IM and focus on the distance more and not skip long runs.


It was an amazing experience and something that I will never forget. I will do another someday. I just dont feel the need to to focus entirely on that distance. I enjoy the short course racing and being able to redline it for most of the race, also I like to race more often then 2 or 3 times per year.