Ford Ironman World Championship : Official Thread

I got in through the lottery, much to my wife's chagrin.  After she got annoyed at the training volume for IMLP last year, I told her I wasn't doing an IM this year.  But with the lottery about a 1/40 chance, you can't plan your life around it, but you can't turn it down either.  So we're "dragging" the kids (4 and 7) and my parents to Hawaii.

I'm turning my full attention to Kona after I do the Great Chesapeake Bay 4.4 mile swim on Sunday.  I figure after that, I can slack off on the swimming the next few months and focus on the bike, which is definitely my weakness.

I punched my ticket at Ironman Texas. This will be my 3rd trip. Love the race, but it doesn't seem to love me. First 2 were a very rough ordeal. Finished, but rough. Hopefully third time is a charm!!

congrats to you both!

@tj- pretty sure I saw your name pop up on IM live coverage.  nice work. love the blog, great stuff. I need to work on my stroke big time. x swimmer with millions of bad habits

when do you guys start up for kona? any other races prior to??

First off, congrats on qualifying, that's a smoking fast time for your first IM!!

I have the official program from last year and registration/check-in was Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, Bike check in on Friday.  Don't know the answer for Sunday but the awards banquet was at 6 pm on Sunday.

wow! huge congrats, smoking fast run!!!! see you in kona! 

not sure when everything happens, I'm coming in the saturday before the race to adjust from the jet lag anyhow. happy travel planning and recovery!

congrats on the lottery win. wow. 2?? I have a great friend who has entered the lottery every year for 10+ years and hasn't ever won. I think he's tried almost every year since they've had the lottery. I'm about to write a letter to ironman for him! crazy! 

good luck and happy training!

awesome!!! congrats!!! getting there oct 1st so we can hang out if you're coming early  when are you coming in??

If anyone is looking for a place to stay, I have a 2 bedroom condo available for rent from Oct 4 -11, 2011.  Sleeps 6 and comes with a fully equipped kitchen and washer and dryer.  Located on Alii Drive just 5.6 miles from the Kona pier.

PM me for more details if interested.

Just thought I'd throw this out there for anyone Kona bound that rides a Specialized.  Pretty sweet deal if you ask me!

http://www.specialized.com/us/en/bc/SBCGlobalPages.jsp?pageName=KONA_PROMO

Awesomeness!!!

Jealous...Any answers by Cervelo???

Well... I am a little different. I am probably the latest addition in history for Kona...last night.

Been registered/training for IM Wisconsin...however, after running into the best luck of my life the last few days. I am not registered for Kona instead of Wisconsin.

Kona instead?  How did that work?

Not positive if I am supposed to say BUT...long story short I wrote an essay for Ford Ironman Training Team. My essay won the prize. I won VIP for WI. I was on the phone with the rep for Wisconsin when I assume NBC contacted Ford. NBC asked them to ask me if I would switch races so they can showcase me as one of the feature "inspirational" athletes this year. And thats it.

So the last few days...have been absolutely crazy.