I headed out to the red corner buoy and stayed back a bit while I treaded water for 20 mins. When the cannon went off I headed inside and hoped for the best. I'm a right side breather, so every time I came close to folks, I beared left and stayed in clear water. Once I hit the corner buoy, I swam aggressively to it, and just ducked under it, by lifting it up out of the water like a big beach ball. I cut 2+ mins off my swim time, and didn't get beat up AT ALL. I think by taking a more aggressive approach, I didn't take a lot of punches and kicks like last year. I wasn't fast, but it sure was easy on me.


Be a little more congenial. Sorry again to all that I ran over and/or groped. Please forgive me.

I nabbed my bag and got set up on my own. The dressing room was full, so I didn't get anyone to help me, till I went to leave. A nice volunteer bagged all my swimming clothes and I was on my way.

I donned my dry tri shorts for the bike and I headed out the door. I stopped to get some suncreen and a volunteer asked where I wanted it. I said "anywhere" and realized that with my arm warmers and bike jersey there wasn't alot to be covered. Got a quick slather of sunscreen on the back of my neck and I was on my way. I had a loooong run - about 2 blocks in my socks, put my shoes on and scooted to the mount like and down the helix I went.

I shaved about 2 mins off my T1 time from last yr.

Not alot. Prolly be more specific about where I wanted sunscreen. I had an up front rack this year so I didn't have to carry my shoes while pushing my bike. Loved it.

Plan was to go with power numbers this year. I was to average no more than 165 (actual 154) and try to not exceed 300 watts on the big hills (yea right).

Weather was terrific for biking and found I didn't need my arm warmers at all. I passed a few friend on the first lap, including by buddy Bryan (MNdiver - fast swimmer) around mile 25, and Anne Hed (HED wheels) at mile 43. I took it VERY easy this year and consumed solids as well as liquids. I stopped for my special needs bag as well as peed a couple times. I felt really good the whole ride and kept telling myself the event STARTS at mile 90 of the bike.

I rolled through lap two of the loop and knew I'd have a tailwind on the way home. Heading home was effortless and I was feeling great until....about mile 100 where I felt a little odd. I hydrated some and fed a little more but felt like I didn't have good balance. Not sure what it was, but that odd feeling went away when I got up the helix and only my feet again.

Highlights: I went another year without missing a water bottle. Bike crash at a water stop right in front of me. Going up the hills and passing people while they were standing and I was sitting while pedaling.

Not sure. Prolly fuel a little more.

I shed my biking clothes and hopped into my running attire. Got some help from a volunteer, which was nice. I headed out and got slathered with sunscreen and hit the biffy before heading to do the 26.2.

Shaved a minute or two off last year.

Not alot. Everything went pretty smoothly.

Boy, where should I start. The good news is that I ran pretty well for the first 4 miles and things declined from there. I just couldn't seem to find the right combo to get my guts settled down. So much of IM is figuring out what works, and I just don't seem to have the combo. I don't feel pukey, but don't feel great either.

I ran walked the bulk of the last 20+. I met alot of folks along the way and chatted about life and how IM fits into the grand scheme of things. Everything was put into perspective when I walked with a guy at mile 24+ and commented that we only had 2+ miles to go so hang in there. He looks at me and says "I wish, I'm on my first lap". I realized then that my day could have been alot longer.

I stopped at my special needs bag this year and I had my honey put a little something in there for me. A volunteer found my bag and helped me look through it. I found my card, opened it and read it. Linda had put a nice note in there about how proud she was of me. She'd also included a picture of me and my pup Jasper. I heard the volunteer say "awww, that's nice" and I looked up at her as the tears ran down my face. I grabbed a long sleeve shirt as I thought it may get chilly on the 2nd lap and headed on my way.

I managed to run the last 1/2 mile or so, overtaking many folks, including a 70 year old guy that passed me about mile 23. I hope I can be half as tough as him when I'm his age.

I was really hoping that the euphoric feeling I had when I finshined my first IM was going to arrive, but sadly it never got it. I was really glad to be done with this event.


Not sure. In the grand scheme this is my worst facet. I've got to get my gut probs figured out or switch to shorter events.

My finish line catcher was terrific! He helped me along to get my photo taken as well as get some broth/coke into me. I met up with some IM mates for some post race photos and ambled over to the food tent for some pizza.


Gut probs on the run.


I didn't sign up for 09. Linda and I had a nice chat about it, so I've decided to do some shorter distance stuff (<70.3) that has less impact on our home life next year.

It was really good to see my BT buddies on site and I'm really happy to see the MN contingent do well. Congrats to Rabka, MnDiver, Goalie, and MNBrian. Sorry to see Birkie suffer, but good to chat with him.

An IM weekend is quite the event. I'd highly recommend it.