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 Swim
Comments: This was an incredible experience. I was expecting a 1:08 based off of my training paces, but the mass start threw me off of my stroke. This was the largest OWS I have participated in and the roughest. I was kicked, elbowed, run over - I also kicked, elbowed and ran over - nothing intentional. I found it interesting that on a couple of occasions, I was drafting and "touching toes", and the person appeared to try and kick me!!! Oh well. What would you do differently?: Not much. I guess push a little harder.  Transition 1
Comments: This was the first triathlon I have done in 2+ years, and the first IM distance, so I didn't really know what to expect. When I first ran in, I noticed volunteers helping everyone, so I am thinking - this is going to be awesome - WRONG. I had no help!!! I have complete respect and admiration for the volunteers, but it was apparent that some were not interested in helping, just there to punch the clock for an IMAZ slot. ATTENTION: I AM THANKFUL FOR ALL OF THE VOLUNTEERS!!! What would you do differently?: more experience, practice a little more,  Bike
Comments: I have trained all year in windy conditions, and this was right up my alley. I was looking forward to great conditions as IMAZ has been known for, but no luck there either. Regardless, I maintained my pacing/nutrition plan. The bike was fairly uneventful for me, but the weather cut into my overall race goal of sub 12. What would you do differently?: nothing. Transition 2
Comments: I really took my time. I sat and took a breather, changed my garmin, took in some nutrition, and = I stopped to talk to my wife and expressed my frustration with the weather - she though I flatted!!!! What would you do differently?: move with more urgency??  Run
Comments: I knew my overall time goal was a far shot. The run is by far my weakest, despite great improvement with my training. I felt confident with my bike pacing that I could execute a solid IM marathon for my abilities. I kept a great pace for the first 13 miles, then things started to fall apart. My plan was to pace the run to finish the last 10K strong. With that in mind, I slowed it down, took in nutrition, and really took it all in. It was then I accepted my failure to meet my time goal, but realized what an incredible accomplishment it was to complete an IM. When I completed the second loop, I decided to put things back together and pick it up. I cruised for miles 19 and 20, then dropped the hammer (relatively speaking) for the last 10K. I drank coke at the last aid stations, which seemed to help. When I arrived at the last mile, I felt great. The crowd was amazing. What would you do differently?: not sure - longer training session Post race
Warm down: pizza, chicken, fries!!! What limited your ability to perform faster: limited training season. Event comments: I signed up for IMAZ while deployed to Afghanistan. It was a rough deployment. I came home in June, went on leave for a month, and started training in mid July. The training was a great stress relief and "wind down" from the deployment. With that said, I had high expectation for myself, but going from no S/B/R for over a year, then going straight to IM distance in 4.5 months might have been a little much. With that said, I gained a great amount of knowledge for racing at this distance. I can now take this fitness/knowledge and build for my next IM. - I really hope to come back to IMAZ in the future - maybe 2012??? Last updated: 2009-11-29 12:00 AM
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United States
Ironman North America
Overall Rank = 1051/2700
Age Group = 30-34
Age Group Rank = 140/270
I arrived in Tempe on Thursday afternoon, checked into hotel, unpacked, and reassembled my bike. Friday consisted of checking in, body marking, driving the course, buying bike accessories/nutrition, and running through my bags. I woke up multiple times on friday night with a severe sore throat - not a good feeling. Saturday was mostly relaxing, hydrating, and taking in a ton of vitamin c - hoping to kick this sore throat - no luck. Woke up around 4 am on race morning, drank a small cup of coffee, ate a pbj, and drove to the race site. parking was great!!! I spent some time dropping off my sn bags, and adding things to my bike, and transition bags. As I made my way to the swim start, I went to put my goggles on, and my strap BROKE!!!!! I felt an overwhelming sense of doom, but settled down and tied a knot to hold it in place, and hoped for the best. Jumped in the water and waited for the start.
not much of a warm up, just "bobbing" in the water.