I planned to start easy and use the current to help me. The wetsuit was not comfortable for me since I had worn it only once the day before and not in 1 year..since B2B last year. I swam straight. Got bumped and swam on but nothing real bad. Lost my timex cheapo watch I like to keep overall time with but not a problem. Had 1 zig zagger run over me 3-4 times and finally pushed him off me and he got the message..a relly fast swimmer and if he can sight he'd be out in 25 minutes! I finally said you're not my type, I like women, and he moved on! Out in 35 and last year it was 29 so a big difference but again, I was taking it mile by mile.

Well, not a friggin IM 4 weeks earlier.

Ran from water to T1, used wetsuit strippers, took my time since it was pouring, made sure I had everything then asked myself, can you do this, are you ok do go 56 and remember if you need to, stop.

Be better prepared and work on nutrition balance.

Last year my bike avg was 19 mph and today down to 17.5, but again, not expecting any faster.

I started out fine and rode at 18 + on the flats. At mile 5 I started getting slight calf cramps and said ok, you may need to shut it down and go back. I slowed down and said ok, ride slow and lets go one more mile. A little while later I was at mile 10 and I said go a few more miles, next mile 15, mile 20, mile 28 and I said hell, you gotta go back now anyway and that will be 56. So at least I knew I'd get the bike in.

I actually rode the last 10 miles at a 22 mph avg. For some reason I felt strong and seized on it. Rolled in and said, ok, you can quit if you want to or maybe.....

Nothing really, I stayed in my game plan on the bike. It was gathering experience.

Still raining hard and had everything in a large zipp bag. I contemplated a couple minutes should I even run and I thought heck, I've come this far , just go 1 mile and see how you feel. un huh, .....

Plan for rain when you expect it.

1 mile at a time and quit if you have to. Got about 1 mile in and said, ok, 1 more mile. At mile 1.5 I walked some, started running again. Then fatigue of a lack of proper reovery hit me hard at mile 2, the legs started screaming and ached like mile 20 at Louisville. My overall body ached. Then the sun came out and baked me. Left my sunglasses at T2. Say hi to Doug when I hit mile 3.5, he's on 5ish. I said to myself just go to mile 4 then walk some. Mile 5 I run with John some, he is near finishing. Then mile 6 and I'm close to T2. I said, ok, just call it a day, you've done yourself well to even come and you can rest now. Then I start thinking about what it means to quit when you have fight left in you. Lots of thoughts start going through my head and I'm seeing the road to the left that goes to T2 and the right turn that starts the 2nd loop. Getting closer, and closer. What to do. I think well hell, it's almost 1/2 mile just to run to T2 to sit down, and think if you just go right it will be mile 8+ if you add that in. What to do, closer, closer, turning right, ok, self, what the hell are you doing man. Ok, 1/2 mile down the road, you can turn around and call it. Turn down Green Street, not now, we are gonna finish what we started. Walking more. I started thinking about Rocky, cheesy but it's a motivator. When he and Apolo can barely stand and one punches the other. My legs were on fire. Mile 9 and for the first time ever in any race I got double vision for baout 1 minute and vertigo. I kept the focus and sighted on a fixed car 100 yards ahead. I walked to it then fixed on another car but was ok at that point...running again. Mile 10. Mile 12 hell yeah! Mile 12.75, yes sir drill Seargent, I will finish today. Turn right and down the finish, done.

I am not a quiter, I never was and I never will be. I am only disappointed I didn't bike and run harder and leave everything I had on that course. I foreplayed with it. Knowing all I had this Fall was run training I wished now I would have run till I fell flat on my face, instead I stayed in my plan, easy and careful. I don't like careful.

I got a massage from a wonderful woman who took care of my burning legs.


Doing an IM 4 weeks earlier and not having been able to maintain the endurance post Im race.


PROS: Volunteers are wonderful. ARMY and Police had great coverage to protect bikers and runners. Wave starts to get the field off safely.

CONS: 1. OK WTC, I've noticed you are cutting back more and more. Cheaper will cost you. Very disappointed in you not having enough Medals. WTF? 2. I just did a 70.3 and without any notice I now have to walk another 1 mile to get my bike and bring it back? What about those that are injured. I was alone except a friend(s) who had also just done IM and yes, I could barely move. So I shuffeled to get my bike.
3. Check in? 2 folks? Poor planning when you have several other rooms avaiabel but again WTC you shave costs? I mean how much did you really save.

Im sensing some WTC issues with planning and I simply recommend WTC utilize some professionals to examine their process. Make it a great experience, grow the sport, and your dollar will grow...or become the WalMart of Triathlons and you become a commodity. IM is a brand that could explode if you were to do it right. Right now I see the focus on revenues vs customer loyalty.