Well here we go! First stroke of 140.6 miles. The course was swam clockwise, weird. Started to left less crowded. Didn't have to battle anyone or do my patented direct right swim. This water taste terrible. This leg was easy swam with chop and surfed to the first turn. Then some short lateral rock-a-byes. Turn and head directly into the thick of it. Sun in your eyes, chop would occasionally block all the sun out totally. I followed everyone else hoping they could see. I kept heading left as that was my stronger hand since rolling the lawn tractor (don't ask Kam). Always in the back of my head was form over strength, don't drink the water. Way different feel to the water. Softer feel. Couldn't see two feet in the water. Finally hit the turn nice, oh shit got another lap. Ok take it easy water is pushing me I can rest a little. Hit the next run well, playing run into me will ya. Little rock'in and roll'in on the short leg than back into sun and waves. Sun still not high enough to make sighting any easier. Head for last big boat hanging out at last buoy. End up coughing twice from ingestion of the evil briny water. No big deal.

Not roll the lawn tractor 7 days ago.
Find some way to train in salt water. (Yes Ocean front property)
Not be a whimp and train into the chop more.

Grabbed my bag and hit the tent. Got a spot in the corner. I thought I packed it in the order I needed. No such luck. Just emptied it out on the ground. Haven't been in a room of naked guys since High school. Don't miss it. Thought gotta pee don't pull up bib straps, just put jersey on neck. Stuff wetsuit back in bag, grab water and run to bike.
Realize that I have put my legs though the arm hole of bed. What do I do run back in, no I can do it here. So pull my jersey off then pull strap up over my head. Not easy just waiting for the bibs to rip. Mike is laughing I'm sure. Super wedgie but get it. Screw it put on everything and hit the porta potty. Pull hard on the leg and manage things. Mike is like WTF are you doing? Like I know. Bike out finally.

Pack shoes, jersey, bibs, towel, in that order.
Learn to pee while swimming. I don't kick so what is the big deal.
Maybe gargle with salt water before swim practice.

Cruising for the first two short legs. Like ten miles pushing over 20mph average. Sweet. Knew I would pay for it somewhere. Turn and grab a bottle of water. Top still on not a flip top. Hard to get it off Then into the wind. Not awful but there. Sucked down about 3-4 mph. Get to turn and go crosswind thanks. Aid stations were great. I wanted to maintain a 18mph but still stay in a Z2 or so zone. Would push hard under 18 mph, cruise 18-20mph, ease up and enjoy anything over 20mph. About half way we head through very large marsh like miles. The tide or wind is starting to push water half across road. As I get to it there is large batch (20) of like 6th graders pedaling away on the dry side. Through the water not to wet. Wonder what these kids think of all this hitech funny looking bikes and helmets going by seem.


Fell down on my homework here. I should have research the road names and layout. I knew special needs was at HS and about60 plus miles. Mike passed me at 55 miles in the car going the other way with Denny's on his breath. He was a great sherpa. Turned and went back around to get a picture. Then drove next to me for minute to talk and not drive off the highway. Nice to see the school and get off bike for a minute. Pull up and the volunteer hands me everything in my bag. Wait one at a time. Pull jerky and gels. Wished I had packed some form of caffine in pill form. Staying with a rough nutrition plan. Newtons every hour and drink often. Take off and enjoy some push from the wind. Every 30 minutes or so I stand and do some back extension. So back is doing well. Loose track of where I am like I knew at the start.

The wind is picking up and little and I am still being passed by disc wheels and aero helmets. So I'm doing OK or did very well on the swim. Pass a girl who is just getting through her first loop. She is not a happy camper. Try to give some encouragement. Finally start to turn back to school. Got about 20 to go but get a little cross winds and even some tail. Sweet. There is no way the water now. Four spots about 2 inches deep. Splish splash shoes are wet. Got 15 miles to go and start to get a little chilled from this. Want to drink and eat think let waht you got to settle. Take little sips of water. I am not a G-endurance fan. Carried that stupid bottle around like 80 miles. After four hours the creative thinking goes out the window. Ride off and on with a gentleman.We are both ready to get out of the wind. Finally hit the city limits sign. Pretty rural so looks like everything else. So that sign was a big rrelief. Slide into school and hit the changing tent. Figure I'll take it easy like 10 minute transition. oops.

Stay with water and one bottle diluted gatorade.
Newtons were good.
Bike felt good. Had hoped for a little better average. I'll take it!

Came in hit dismount and am pleased to hand my bike off. Find a chair in the tent. Just dump the bag. Change and sit and get calf sleeves, sock, and shoes on. Get a little drink. No pee yet. Need to hit a little more hydration, brain still working. Thought I would sit for awhile. Like 10 minute transition. When I saw the 4 minute time I thought faster then most my half and oly T2 times.

Sit for 3 minutes.

Oh I fell down bad. I hit the course and thought WTF am I doing. Oh yeah run. Well that doesn't feel good. Maybe brain isn't working. OK bring it around 3:00pm got till midnight. I can get this together.

As I start to run the training part I really fall down on becomes apparent. My weight. Feels like I have pair of 38 double D's around my waist bouncing up and down like a Tigger on it's birthday. I felt like I could puke since waking this morning. The stale coffee was a bad, bad, bad idea. Mental note. DD is open 24 hours.

Back to the run. Need to stop before since stomach is waiting explode. Could be good could be bad. Not tempting it. Walk 1/2 of the first mile. Not much help settle much. Decide to do the run walk/run thing. 5 minute run and 3 minute walk. Five minutes is a long time. starts to work. nibble a little/drink a little at rest stops. The chicken both does the most to settle things. Lots of encouragement from everyone/to everyone. Small race three loops practically on name bases with everyone. Out to turn around sweet a 1/6 down. Miles markers not really there. I would have liked to have them. Know it's better then 4 miles down. Turn and head back. Getting easier. Legs are fair, stomach still off. Running more then walk.
Hit rest stop 6 asked what I want and said "need to puke I think", :oh we have TUMS" Sweet down two and a slug of water. Better. I can do this. Bring it back to the school where Mike is recording the misery. I get special needs put some lube on big toes. Helps a little with discomfort. Mike keeps making me run to take picture. Bastard.

Second loop I run with a twenty y/o who calls me "sir". Little punk. He was a good kid tried to eat the rub on pain reliever, yikes. Soon he is moving ahead. Trade encouragement with all my friends in misery, I think. I get to see them 4-5 times. Half way!!!! make sure to hit loop mat. All down hill. Think that I brought an article "The Mental Marathon" Should have read that thing. Volunteers are great, straw hats, and coconuts bras. Nothing to fit a 38DD. Stomach hangs for while then turn up. Walk run push as far as I can running. Stretching it out farther.
Second stop at school BT t-shirt, new socks and pictures. Slugged a warm coke. Ready one loop to go. Can do. I know this is going slow but doing it. haven't looked at time as this about doing it not time, except 17 hour mark. Can do that. Starting to rain some. ready to put it to bed. Mike ships me out with a guy a loop back. So happy not to be there. It's pretty much dark. Little easier to run as distance are hard to judge. Just make it to the next light, rest station. Hit the last turn and thank everyone at that rest stop since I won't be back. Get a little slap on the ass with a light stick and head for home. Then third out, then second to last, then the final. remember can do anything for mile. Running is coming easier. Sweet. Run! Should be able to break 14 hours.

Can see the lights of the stadium and the finish line. I am so ready to be there. Round the corner into school and Mike is coming out of stadium, YIKES you're done already. He figured me for a another 10 minutes. He runs to the stadium and I run around track. I round the corner and think Y should be here. They don't butcher Canandaigua to bad. Announcer says that its about time, Mike has been waiting. Not exactly like that. Break the tape there I am a Ironman. Dream come true. No off the Kona. Yeah., right.

I need to run more, missed a few long runs.

Stopped running, got metal, metal blanket, finisher shirt on and water. Mike take my picture and lets me call Y to say I'm done. We head out into the rain to gym for rice and beans, was hoping for pizza. Skip massage for a ice bath at the hotel. No picture Haley, sorry. You look better anyhow. Stop for a beer and bag of ice, no pizza in that store. Damn. Get set up at hotel and the best sherpa finds a meatball sub.

Was cold as hell but felt great!



Weight, duh!
Move more, eat less.


Want you first IM distance race without sharing the swim start with 1,600 of your friend. This is a great race. Low key and easy going. You always felt like this about finishing well. Everyone was looking to after you and ready to help. Rest stop awesome. I never wanted for anything.

This journey started years ago. I did miss Mike doing this with me but what a sherpa. He was there at every transition and loop. Thanks Mike for making your way down with me. Check out this gear review
http://beginnertriathlete.com/gear/review.asp?reviewid=2598

Kam thanks too!!

Y Thank you for letting me train. Being excited that I was doing this. Making sure Will was set and all the stuff that goes with this endeavor.

All my BT buddies for encouragement and support. Ken for meeting me at the butt crack of dawn to swim or bike. Mike for evening runs.

Knowing people believe in you is the most important first step in this journey.

This is the end of the 50 y/o bucket list. Sprint, Oly, HIM, IM. Mike made me throw in a marathon. I always said you need to do a stand alone marathon, before a IM. IMO. Will I do another one. Yesterday no. Today Hmmm........

Tomorrow I'm gonna eat a vegetable.