There's a lot of cool things about this race but the swim start has got to be one of the coolest! All the racers in the water, a helicopter flying around over head and the then gun goes off and away we go! Swam pretty well overall, got knocked around a little but that seems to happen when 2000 people start swimming at once. Had a good line and swam right along the buoy line. I felt solid the whole time and just cruised my way to the exit. Once I got going the water temp felt great!

It's great to have strippers!! Got help getting the suit off and headed to get my T1 bag. I wear the same thing the whole race so I just got ready outside the changing tent were there was lots of room. Did a once over to make sure I was set and off to the bike.

Pretty happy with this ride, I wanted to do 2 hour laps and was pretty much right on the money. It was a little windy out there on the Beeline so I just tried to cruise my way up and roll with it down the hill. Last year my trouble began on the 2nd bike loop and continued for the rest of the day and I wanted to make sure I didn't put myself in this position again. I enjoyed the ride and seeing some friends out there. At about the 106 mile mark I hit something pretty hard and thought I got a flat. Fortunately not because those tubular tires are a bitch to change and I'd probably have to wait for help, a big bullet dodged!

I feel like this is the ride I needed to have.

Headed into the changing tent for a little shade and get ready to run. Took a couple minutes to get myself ready and headed out to get slathered up with sunscreen and take off.

Definitely had trouble on the run. The first 3 miles went pretty well but then I started getting the calf cramps going that ruined my 2008 race. For a while it was totally hobbling me and my running sections were pretty short before I had to walk for a bit. I knew I had lots of time so I ate as many bananas I could get down in the aid stations and went with it for a while, and I love the warm chicken broth they give you after the sun goes down. Towards the end of the 2nd lap my running sections were becoming longer and while it still hurt I was able to keep going.
I started my 3rd lap right around the 11 hour mark and I knew if I could run the last lap I would come in under my 13 hour goal. It was great seeing everybody out there volunteering and cheering, it helps a lot when your hurting! As I ran I started to reflect back on the great day and felt the excitement of knowing the finish line is coming up. While it was tough the last 6 miles of the run was the most enjoyable section of the run for me by far. The last 1/2 mile or so is an amazing experience, you know your going to finish, the long day is almost over and all tiredness goes away... for about ten minutes! As I headed toward the finish chute my friend Len handed me a can of Budweiser to run across the finish line with and crack right after finishing, great way to finish and should be a funny finish pic!

My run splits tell the story:
3.5 mi. (8:04:31) 10:36/mile
SECOND RUN SEGMENT 8.6 mi. (9:55:45) 12:56/mile
THIRD RUN SEGMENT 8.3 mi. (11:39:47) 12:32/mile
RUN FINISH 5.9 mi. (12:39:50) 10:10/mile

Met up with Amy, my parents and some friends that came down to watch the race. It was super cool they all came out to check it out and support me!
Tried to hang out and watch everybody finish but I was feeling done and pretty cold, packed it up and headed home.


I have got to find a solution to this damn cramping problem!!


Great experience overall, from the group training days during the summer heat to seeing your friends and strangers out there doing it. The amazing attitude of all the volunteers really pushes things over the top!