login
 Swim
Comments: Start of the swim is everything people have said. Crowded, it took awhile to break loose into some open water and get in a rythym. I kept getting bumped into by the same guy for about 25 meters so I went a little faster to get ahead of him. By the second loop things had cleared out a little. I tried to stay about 20 yards from the buoy line. What would you do differently?: Swim went well - next time I might try and keep closer to the buoys to shorten it up a little - but I would rather swim in clear water.  Transition 1
Comments: Got my bag - and sat down to get ready. The volunteers in the changing area were great. They stood by and asked what they could put back in your bag for you, if you needed anything, etc. Left transition area, got sunscreen and went to the bathroom before the long bike ride. Carried my shoes to the bike - I had a low bib number #72, for being in the Janus Charity Challenge, so my bike was all the way at the far end of the racks. It was nice since I basically just got my bike and was within 25 feet of the mounting area. What would you do differently?: I took my time - this was my first Ironman and I wanted to make sure I had everything, clothes, nutrition, etc. I would just go faster next time.  Bike
Comments: Convinced myself to take it easy on the bike - the goal was to make it to the finish and become an Ironman. The first 56 miles in about 3:10, the second loop in about 3:27. The first loop went well, the crowd support was great, especially up those big hills. I had never rode the course before, so it was a challenge as it is very technical (turns, hills, shifting patterns, etc.). The second loop began. I'm not sure if it was my imagination but I thought the winds started to pick up on the second loop. As I went up the first of the three larger hills my right thigh started knotting up. I convinced myself that I needed to get over the steep 2nd hill and then I would spin and loosen it up. So I got up the hill and took it easy for awhile. Rode back to Madison and up the helix. I was glad that was over. What would you do differently?: Put more time in practice on hills, and hills. Transition 2
Comments: Great volunteer helper again (Jim). Borrowed a salt tablet from another racer, thanks. Put on running shorts which are more comfortable for me than trishorts.  Run
Comments: I felt good - kept a steady pace. I kept saying to myself, take it easy, you are just trying to get to the finish. I met some new friends along the way; Dominick from the Chicagoland area (ran miles 1-8 with), another gentlemen from New Jersey (ran miles 15-19 with) and two triathletes from Tomahawk, WI (miles 21-23). Triathletes are the best - everyone supports each other all along the way. Used a run/walk strategy - run between each water stop, walk the stop and drink/eat as needed, then begin to run by the end of the waters stop. Felt good. At about mile 18 I felt a little light headed so walked about 300 yards - I said to myself, get going, the faster you go the sooner you get done. So off I went. The last 3 miles were great. I knew I was going to finish so I enjoyed every minute. What a great feeling to run up towards the downtown area and the crowds cheering. What would you do differently?: Good pace throughout - employ the same run and walk strategy, but only slow down at every 2-3 water stops. Post race
Warm down: Walked over to the food tent with my wife and brother. Had some oranges, and grapes and some water. Rested there for about 20-30 minutes. Then went back to the finish line to wait for my son to come across. It was great to see him as he rounded the corner towards the finish line, what an accomplishment for a 21 year old college student. My wife was now happy - she had spent the whole day trying to keep track of the both of us. As she said, its alot worrying for the spectators wondering where you are, if your doing ok, etc. Event comments: What an experience - becoming an IRONMAN. All the training is definitely worth it. It was doubly great having my son do it with me. My wife and daughter have been very supportive of the both of us, THANKS!! It was also great having my parents, in-laws, and brother there, along with the rest of my family watching IronmanLive on the web. The volunteers are GREAT, they could not have been kinder and the crowd support was awesome. Last updated: 2007-06-02 12:00 AM
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
View profile
Add to friends
Go to training log
Go to race log
Send a message
View album
CONNECT WITH FACEBOOK
United States
Ironman North America
72F / 22C
Overcast
Overall Rank = 945/2209
Age Group = 45-49
Age Group Rank = 105/236
Got to Madison around 11:30am on Friday - drove up from Bettendorf IA with my wife. My son (MILER) met us as he was also doing the race on Sunday; he drove from Bloomington IL where he goes to college. Went to get registered and then went out to lunch at an Irish Pub/Grill in the downtown square area. Since we are Irish it seem to fit. Spent Friday night preparing the bags, etc. When I was checking my bike I noticed a gash in my front tire. I thought, it isn't too bad, would it hold up? I worried enough to call a local bike shop, Machinery Row Bike, they opened at 9:00am Saturday. I was there at the open and within 10 minutes was on my way back to the hotel (better safe than sorry). I went out for a 20 minute bike ride with my son and then dropped off all the bags & bikes at Monona Terrace. We then went to drive the bike course since neither of us had ridden it before. It was time to relax.
Got up around 4:00am. Had a banana (the first of many that day) and a bagel along with some gatorade. My wife, my son and I walked down to drop our Special Needs bags off and then headed to body marking. Went down to check on my bike and load it up with water and gatorade. Pumped up the tires and was ready to go. Found a quiet spot in the Terrace to lay down and relax before the start. It was nice to have my son in the same race - somebody to get nervous with, it was the first Ironman for both of us. About 6:20 grabbed the wetsuits and started to walk down to the start - saw my family and friends on the helix and thanked them all for coming to support us.