Ironman 70.3 Florida- The start....

Swimming to Biking....

Biking to Running....

The Big Finish!

Quest complete

8 Months ago I was inspired to take myself from an Over 220 lb couch potato to a finisher of an Ironman 70.3 race. I have accomplish my goal. Today I finished the Ironman Florida 70.3.

My Swim time was slower than expected at 50 minutes, but I was unsure how hard to swim with so many more mile ahead of me so I took it rather easy. The bike was exactly what I predicted at 2:58. Many hills and a little wind out there. The bad part was the run. I ran the 13.1 miles in 2:51. That is a very slow pace for me. I did not keep up my nutrition properly and battled thru some pretty severe stomach cramping. 

I am exhausted! I feel as if I could fall asleep right now!  Its 6:30pm. My after race meal was two sushi rolls, a helping of sweet and sour chicken and a helping of beef fried rice. I am getting ready to down another Chocolate milk. 

I thought that my next goal would be to run a Ironman 140.6. However, after today I feel like I would need to master the 70.3 course first. I do not see the 140.6 in my near future. 

Steve, my friend who originally inspired me to get into shape and start running tri's did great today. He beat me by 12 minutes! We could have crossed the finish line together if we were in the same wave starts. He started about a half hour after I started swimming.  

I wanted to thank everyone who has supported me during my training and also encouraged me to continue thru the injuries and other life challenges. You are all true and good friends to me. But most of all I want to thank God for putting these people in my life and also for giving me the strength to finish. My Wife has been a rock for me. She continually pushes me and keeps me focused on my training. It was great to see her and Kaeli along with a great friend of mine, John, standing on the sidelines rooting and cheering me on. My Mom prayed continuously during the race and I am sure my Dad also prayed. Steve's Family was also great cheering for me as I ran by. You all are great! Ones mentioned and not mentioned.

I am logging off before I pass out! 

Last post until Ironman 70.3

I was forced to see a specialist today for my leg. She believed it to be a torn meniscus. I will have an MRI on Tuesday and she will determine if I need surgery to repair it. I was told that I can run the Ironman on Sunday. I plan on backing off of my normal pace for the race as not to injure myself further. My new goal is to just make it to the finish line. 

What a weird time in my life. I have been training for this race for 8 months, only to injure myself two weeks prior to the event. Perseverance is one of my strong points, Deb would say I am just stubborn. 

We will be packing next week to move. Hopefully I will have the energy for it. We have some serious decisions to make. I am doing some real soul searching to find what I am meant to become. For twenty years I have been involved with some part of the construction industry.I have  studied architecture and building construction. Deb and I both love the industry but it has been frustrating over the last few years. We may be facing a huge life change. 

With God's help I will finish the race.

Live the dream, one day at a time.

One Week Left....

Just finishing up an entire week of no workouts and I feel out of shape now. However, my leg feels much better. I will start testing it this week with small workouts. I will start off Monday with a 30 minute swim, Tuesday a 18-20 mile bike ride and Wednesday a 3-4 mile run.

Hopefully the legs will be strong. They need to carry me thru the 6 hours of Ironman. I am staying positive and will enjoy this experience.

Stay thirsty my friends.

Good Old Fashion Beat Down? Not for Me!

I refuse to give up.... I was trying to not only finish the Ironman, but also finish with a good time. Sub 6 hours would have been my goal. Now with my leg injury, My new goal is to cross the finish line!!! NO MATTER WHAT IT TAKES!!!

I have been waffling between Sadness AND Excitement. After 5 years working for a national homebuilder, yesterday my position within the company was eliminated. I am leaving behind some amazing people as I start a new journey. I will take a month to enjoy my family, travel a little and try to clear my head. 

Objective number one: what do I want to be when I grow up? While in High School, I thought that I would be a fighter pilot in the Navy. I grew up on Navy bases as my father worked on F-14 Tomcats (coolest plane on the planet). Well, as we all know, that didn't happen. Through a series of twists and turns, I found myself working as a Purchasing manager studying spreadsheets and negotiating contracts. Not what I had imagined doing, but none the less, I enjoyed it. That chapter may be closed and now and I need to start a new one. 

With just over a week until the Ironman- All I have to say is "BRING IT ON!" 

Adios my Friends!

2 weeks to go and Injured!

Last weekend I had an epic weekend of training. 1-1/4 Miles in the pool, 50 miles on the bike and a 10 mile run. I guess my body pushed back. This week I noticed some soreness in my hamstring. It didn't allow me to be my best while training this week. 

Yesterday I went out for another 50 mile bike ride and 30 miles into it my hammy lit up on fire. I saw my parents and actually thought for a moment to stop them and ask em for a ride back to my truck (20 miles away from where I was). I decided to suck it up... bad move.... so now I am limping. 

Very frustrating with only two weeks left until the Ironman. I have been preparing for this event since October. I have seen ups and downs thru the entire training process. This is just one more hurdle for me to overcome. I need to remain positive and allow sufficient time for the injury to heal. 

This will be a very tough week for me...... Not only training, but in other areas. More posting to come on that. I know that I can still swim, so I will focus on that. Will not try to run or cycle at all this week and then I will test it the week of the event. Hopefully TWO weeks is enough time for healing.