Large group of athletes in this wave. About 300 is my guess. Wrestle-mania!! I was worried that my day would be made or broken on this segment. As it turned out, it was. I was glad to see a 35 minute split on this leg..

Separate more from the pack. I was right in the center of the action... NOT GOOD

An amazing production at the World Championships. From wetsuit peelers to showers to a changing tent, just like at the show.. I enjoyed this transition more than any other.. ever..

The sand on the beach was soft and deep and the run was like a 1/4 mile. Handled the challenge well.

Nothing!!

The wind today was near the 20 MPH range. Here are my splits directly from Ironmanlive.com.

BIKE SPLIT 1 20 mi. (58:36) 20.48 mph
BIKE SPLIT 2 22 mi. (49:26) 26.70 mph
BIKE SPLIT 3 14 mi. (50:14) 16.72 mph
TOTAL BIKE 56 mi. (2:38:16)21.23 mph

My second bike split was the monster. The fastest I've ever sustained on a 22 mile distance.

Obviously, split 1 and 3 were into the wind and I hd to sustain a 174 bpm HR to maintain this pace. Hardest effort ever on a bike for me.

Smile more for the photographers...

Well, this race being the WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS and all, was a bit different than all the others I've done to date. For one, I did not have to rack my bike. I had staff do it for me as soon as I dismounted at T2. Second, I changed in the changing tent, on a nice chair with 2 butler caliber volunteers catering to all my needs. I think they offered me Champagne..

AMAZING

Pack a Cigar in my Bento Box so I can smoke it in this awesome place called the "Changing Tent".

My Splits:
RUN SPLIT 1 6.52 mi. (57:08) 6.85 mph
RUN SPLIT 2 6.58 mi. (59:02) 6.69 mph
TOTAL RUN 13.1 mi. (1:56:10) 8:52/mile

HAving gone so hard on the bike to achieve my challenge, I was truly worried about bonking. Last time I sustained 174 bpm on the bike segment, I crashed and burned on the run..

My plan all day was the same as Cottons and my esteemed bud and 2005 IM World Champion Faris Al-Sultan. He told me that in 2005 he raced IM Kona as "Hard as I (he) could" from out of the gate.

I lived up to the challenge and my system did not leave me stranded..

Smile more for the photos....

NADA


NADA


WOW... What can I say about the World Chamionships" I was lucky to be there and intimidated by the talent everywhere. This race was like nothing I'd ever seen before. Evey Athlete was elite. No one walking the run course. No one slow. Holy Crapola. I got a taste of "The Show"...

A HUGE Congrats to "The Borinator" for spanking the course today with a PR of 4h 52m and to SBNM for breaking the 6 hour time barrier with a PR of 5h 53m. These 2 have been close to me this entire year and I have been lucky that they a=have included me in their lives.

I truly am humbled to have participated in this event BUT... more than that, and more than whatever inspiration a race of this caliber proffers, there is ONE differece that I don't think any of those elites had... The Friends I have...

In NO particular order, the following friends are the reason I made it to the starting line and across the finish line. I am privileged to be surrounded by these people everyday of my life and remain humbled at the loyalty, love and positive energy that each and every one of them proffer.

My Family Mari, Gaby, Tristan and Isa, for giving me all the play time that most 41 year olds never get to see in a lifetime, Frank Collada (Cotton), Linda Wienants (WiFi) or (Y), Jay Garcia (J-Dog) Frank Sanchez (Borinator), Jalaine Sanchez (SBNM, or the Artist formerly known as SB), Coach Dirk Smeets (Capt. Dirk), Ivanka Jotic (G), Fernando Cardao (Fher), Jose Riera (Crash Davis), Carolina Rubio Stol (Stoli) or (Sherpa), Mike Wilson (007), Liza Vita, Ramiro Cortes (The Ramster), Fred Meneses, Al Arguelles (Cadence Boy), Aldo Virano, Dr. Sol Lallouz, Rafa Fernandes (Rafafarian), Jocy Mendez, Kiko Schuss (Keeks), Rafael Yaniz (Egg), Paul K (The Wizard), The boys at Bike Tech, Diego at Swim bike and Run, Mauricio Orozco at Andante Bikes, Debbie Leiter, Janice Olson (J.O., formerly known as Cashmere and currently USAT Judge Advocate General), Mimi Reeves (Meems), Tri Take Me Away, Jessica H. (Jess), Tere Lozano (Tereshina) and Sue Ott.

This journey started just 3 years ago and nothing can and or will ever replace respect and admiration that I have for these people listed hereinabove.

The 2007 season will end tomorrow when many of the people listed above complete the Miami Man race. I was able to complete my final race of 2007 today at the Ironman 70.3 World Championships.... I will drive back to Miami tonight to be at Larry Penny Thompson Park at 5 AM to see my friends end their season with style....

ROCK ON!!