It was really fun being in the water looking at all of the spectators. It gave me chills...but so did the water I guess. I talked to a couple of others around me and shared some nervous laughs but was ready to get started. I was at the start last year on the shore and loved being IN the water for this one. The swim went well, I was never totally free of people and kept getting hit from time to time but overall it was manageable. I thought the swim went better than I thought it would. I felt fine the entire time and just kept the thought, "Just finish."

Sighting on the way down the lake was difficult or impossible because of the sun and just being unable to see any buoys. The way back was much better and I felt like I swam much straighter.

Dried off the feet and changed shirts into a bike jersey. I didn't want to have to stuff my nutrition in my wet shirt and was concerned about being too cold for the beginning of the bike so I wanted a dry bike jersey. Shared a few, "wow that swim was something" jokes with some others.

Maybe wear my bike jersey but thought it went fine. Just have a little more gitty up in my step to get out faster. "Just Finish" still in my mind.

The bike started off well. Just didn't want to put a big load on the thighs in the first half of the ride. Decided to keep riding at a pace that I could maintain. It was about the day not the ride. Had a head wind on the way up the hill and then came back at up to 30mph at one point. It was fun and felt great on the legs. There was some larger groups but some of that is unavoidable with that many people on the roadway. Mostly they were riding past me so didn't think much about it. The second lap I was expecting the headwind and it wasn't as strong thus the ride back in wasn't as fast and the third lap was almost a headwind coming back in so things changed within a few hours. Never felt like I was in major pain or stress and was ready to get to the run.

I might push it more knowing what I know now but at the time I was happy with the performance.

Had some scrapes on the top of my right toes which I think happened on the stairs getting out of the lake. Didn't bug me much but knew I needed to take care of them before the run. Got bandaids in transition. Can't say enough about the transition help. They were practically begging to help us and it was genuine. You could really tell they were there to make your day the best it could be. Hats off to them.

Just speed everything up, but I was really trying to take it all in. Not really a savor the moment thing but just was enjoying the day.

Had no idea what to expect. I was really thinking my quads would cramp and I would be walking much of the marathon. I started running at about a 10min/mile pace and it felt fine. I could breathe and felt like I could maintain the pace so I just kept at it. I kept taking in nutrition but anything with sugar turned my gut. I just couldn't stomach anymore gels or real sugary items. Bananas and grapes and water were about all I wanted at that point. I was feeling good knowing I was actually going to finish. At the start of the day I didn't know if I would or not so I really starting feeling good. I saw the wife, 5 kids, cousins, grandparents, brother etc etc. and that really pumped me up. You don't really know how much that helps until your at around mile 18 of the marathon in the Ironman. I teared up and was just feeling great about the day. I know I wasn't breaking any records but inside I was just feeling sooooo good about the day. Was able to talk to a few folks during the day, one fella just had his first child 10 days ago and had the picture with him. I thought that was awesome. As a matter of fact everyone I talked to was awesome as well as the aid stations. I just didn't have anything to complain about. I finished and gathered up the family and I stopped and got a waffle at the Waffle House. I took about 4 bites and couldn't eat any more but boy were those bites good.

Not much.

Had some French Fries that tasted like heaven and then met up with the family. Went home and couldn't stop shivering so got in the bath tub, then hot tub outside and then back in the hot tub. I took me about an hour to get where I could stop shivering. Still could get the smile off of my face though, maybe never will.


Just had a great day!!! Goal was to Finish and I did that. I had no preconceived times and didn't know what to expect. Signed up for next year on Saturday so will do it all again next year. Then of course there will be some expectations...Oh boy!!