Horrible!!!!!

It went bad from the start. First off, only my second time in a wetsuit this year ( the first being the day before at the practice swim) so what could I expect. Not sure the suit was fitting me good as my right shoulder was tight and hurting just a few minutes in. I was having trouble with the cold water and it was causing my breathing to get screwed up. Was drinking too much of the lake and started causing bloating feelings and the "I am going to shit myself" feelings which were not pleasant. At about the half way point I was thinking just finish this da#$ thing and get out of the water. I knew i could sit in T1 to get myself back together but just wanted to get out of that water. The last 1/4 of the swim became brutal. It got to the point I could barely lift my arms to form a stroke and I was just pounding the water to keep moving. I could see the exit and made my way to it. They had to help me get out of the water as I had no strength left in my arms to reach up and get on the stairs.

Well how about swim and maybe even do some OWS in the summer. I did one swim about 2 weeks before the race of 4000+ yds, outside of that nothing over 2500 the whole year I think

For the first time I was having doubts about being able to go on. I couldn't get my wetsuit off or even started. My arms hurt so bad and couldn't raise them up past my shoulders. The nice volenteer helped get my suit off and I was feeling dizzy and hazy and was shaking cold.

I made it to the port a john to try and relieve myself but to no evail. I think I had so much air in me and it was going to take a while to get it out of me. Got out of there and into the T1 tent. Thankfully they had a heater in there and I found a chair and just sat there shivering. I started having thought of just sitting in there for a while to warm up but I knew I had to go get my bike and get going. After a few minutes I started to wobble towards my bike. I was still dizzy and shaking. Mike Ricci saw me by my bike and said hi and gave me a pat on the back which just about knocked me over. I probably should not have got on the bike at that point.

Not even sure where to start

Happy that i finally got my stomach right and could go on.

Once again train for this race.

just got through it in no hurry. Was not looking forward to 26.2 miles after all I had been through adn I knew my fitness or lack there of would prevail.

Well, I made it to this point and there were times I didn't think that would happen. Wasn't sure how it would go as I hadn't ran for squat all year. I knew I would finish as running Was my strong suit so I just started to grind out the miles. First mile started out okay and I kept it going from there. I got to about 6 miles and started to think "hey maybe I can just gut out a 5 hr mary and steal a pr out of no training and a horrible day." Second loop was awesome. I felt great and picked up the pace a bit. Third lap the fitness really hit me. I got dizzy at an aid station so went into conservative mode and made sure I walked a good portion of the aid stations and got in enough food and fluids. Mentally struggled the last 4 miles or so and got to about 1.5 mi to go and was walking a ton. Had a nice conversation with a Iron virgin and then realized I was about 3/4 mi out so said goodbye and started the trek to the finish. Passed a big group to ensure no mayhem at the finish line. Saw the tape and the lights and was glad to be done.

Um, train maybe?

I guess seeing i did an open marathon 4:08 5 weeks out and then went 4:52 I can't complain

looked for Aaron in the mob of people and finally found him. Called my wife and got in the massage line. Had a slice of pizza and some cola.


The fact that I had no business doing an Ironman in my condition. I learned for a hard fact that "You can't fake Ironman"


Awesome venue for a race and top notch all around. I will have to come back someday.