Swim was better than expected. I was glad I stuck with the sleeveless suit, I would have been too hot with a full sleeve.

This was my first mass start. I got smacked in the mouth and kicked in the ribs but I don't think I stopped smiling. The first lap was over before I knew it. Even though I had put bodyglide on, I could feel the wetsuit rubbing my neck. Not much I could do about it, so I just kept swimming.

As I grabbed the hand of a volunteer and got out of the water I knew it was going to be good day.

More body glide on my neck?

I love wetsuit strippers! I know the transition took way too long. Clearly need work here but I was more concerned about missing/forgetting something than taking an extra minute or two.

I got a lift as I heard my brother and wife yelling for me as I picked up my bike.

Practice, practice, practice.

It was pretty congested for the first 10-20 miles. Had a race offical take a hard look at me. I figured they thought I was drafting, so I said "I know, I'm trying not to." The lady on the back says "Well, hurry up and pass her.", so I did.

I kept drinking, eating and trying to maintain a steady pace. I felt pretty good overall.

I was amazed at the number of spectators on the course. I had no idea what I was getting into as I headed into the "big" hills. Screaming people lined the road, a bunch dressed in costumes. How could you not be pumped? It was here that two things happened that determined my day. First, as I'm trying to "spin" up the hill and keep my heart in my chest, a guy comes up next to me, looks me in the eye and asks "Are you going to be an Ironman today?" With confidence that surprised me, I replied "Yes I am!"

The second was a guy in a devil costume, red suit with horns and tail, trident, the whole deal. He comes up to me, crouches down and yells something I can't really hear with all the other noise. I keep peddling. I know it wasn't really the devil...it was just a college kid in a costume but all I can think is "Dude, today is not your day."

I get another boost as I see my wife, brother and sister-in-law in Verona.

More long rides. Figure out why I'm getting blisters on my feet in long course races and not in training.

Felt a little weird getting off the bike. Wobbled a little bit and a couple volunteers were right there to make sure I was o.k. I was, and headed into get changed into my running gear.

Headed out and knew it was going to tough to run. The hot spots on the balls of both feet were quickly turning into blisters and I was having a hard time keeping my heart rate down. I started a mix of run/walk. I drank as much as I could, ate some gels, shotbloks and started doing BOP Ironman math. I'm at mile 6 at x, so if I do x/minute miles I'll finish in y.... It's a fun game as long as the final number is less than midnight.

This continued for hours as it got later and later. The toughest time was getting right to the finish line and turning to head back out for the second loop. I stopped at special needs and picked up my Hershey bar with almonds. It was great.

The second loop was quieter. I just kept moving, slowing as the miles ticked by. My feet hurt, my knees hurt. While uncomfortable, I wasn't injured, a few blisters weren't going to stop me. My wife met me about a mile from the finish and asked how I was doing. "Living a dream" was my response and it was true.

As I rounded the capitol I heard Mike and the crowd. I ran to the end.

Two volunteers took my arms as I crossed the line. I didn't get the name of the nice lady on my right but Jared was the guy on my left. He made sure I was o.k., took me to get my picture taken and handed me off to my wife.

I walked around a little, got a sandwich that I couldn't eat and something to drink. A long hug from my wife as she told me she was proud of me meant as much to me as the medal around my neck.


I can't thank the volunteers enough! Your hard work and encouragement gave me the strength to finish.

I may never have a chance to do another ironman, the cost in time and money makes it tough. I also know that my training wasn't what it could have been, for a number of reasons.

That being said, for one special day I was able to do something I had trouble sometimes believing was possible. It was a dream come true.