IRONMAN

What a great day perfect weather and no winds for my first Ironman.

The day started at 4am when the alarm went off. I got out of bed, drank a Boost plus and jumped in the shower to help ease the nerves. Got out of the shower and sipped on another Boost plus to top off the tank with 700 calories for breakfast. Grabbed the bags for special needs and transitions and we were off.

Dropped off all the bags and made my way over to the bike, put my nutrition on the bike (3 bottles of Infinit Nutrition w/ 700 calories each) pumped the tires up to 160psi and did one last check to make sure that everything was in working order. Grabbed my bag with my wetsuit and goggles and headed over to a little hill for some peace and quiet. I was with Kim and my family would be coming later from the hotel so she was able to help me with anything that I might need help with at the last minute. Put on some sunscreen and started to get ready. I was really not that nervous as I knew it was a long day, I had a lot of work to do and a long time to do it. I think i get more worked up for shorter races where there is less room for error. As soon as I got on my wetsuit and I was ready to go my family had shown up I hugged them and was off on my way. I looked for Tim on my way to the start to see if I could find him for some last second advice, but in a group of 2000 people in wetsuits trying to find one person can be hard to do.

I entered the water with about 15 minutes to go before the start. I was in the middle about 8 to 10 rows back. Knowing that I am not the fastest swimmer I was hoping that I was in the right area so that I would not get swam over or have to swim over to many people. As the pros took off it seemed as if more and more people had come into an already crowded area. We were not even moving yet and we were hitting each other.

BOOM

The canon went of and my first Ironman was underway. I swam with my head up for the first 400 yards it seemed. I was not able to get my head in the water and my body horizontal for what seemed like forever!! I just stayed calm and knew that I had all day. No matter where I looked all that I could see was swimmers in front of me, beside me, and sometimes it felt like someone was below me. The first half of the swim was very slow as I was hardly able to get my stroke going. In the first half my goggles were knocked loose 5 times and I can not even tell you how many people that I hit or that hit me, needless to say the time flew by. After the turnaround on the swim it spread out a bit and I was able to start really swimming, the swim back went by very fast. I headed for the exit thinking that my time was going to be around an 1:05 since it went by so fast. Looked at my watch and it said 1:15, oh well have the rest of the day to make that up.

The first transition was even more chaotic then the swim was, you had people running around trying to find their bags then trying to run into a tent to change. I ran by the entrance to the tent and it was packed, I ran around back sat down and changed, ran around front and I was off to my bike.

Heading out on the bike, the roads were crowded, lots of people out there and I wanted to do my best to get by some of them. I also wanted to keep my HR low and I had my alarm set to go off anytime that I was above 146. It was beeping a lot at first, I fiugred that I would take 15 min to get set in before I was worried about my HR. I kept drinking making sure that I took in enough water, and then started my nutrtion plan after 15 min. Once we got onto the B-line Highway I noticed that there were some major groups that had formed and they were all flying. The wind, what little there was hit you in the face on the way out. So the groups were moving fast and the riders were sitting up pedaling with ease, one guy even said "What are they going to do the [penalty] tent isn't big enough for all of us." I tried to get around them 2 times before I was able to get away from them. Each time required quite and effort as my HR went up to 158 once or twice to get away from them. At the turn around it spread out a bit. I was crusing back I was in the biggest gear and I was moving it took about 54 min to go out and 46 to get back. My first loop was very fast soo fast that I said "time out" I realized that I had to run a marathon later and i had better listen to my HR monitor and get my HR low. I was going off from time to time on the first lap.

At the end of the first lap I already had to unrinate so I knew that I had been drinking more than enough. I had to stop to go to the bathroom as I was riding up hill and into the wind so doing so on the bike would have caused me to fall over. I wanted to wait till I headed back, however I could not wait. I stopped at the next feed station and I thought the toilet was going to overflow. After about 4 min I exited and felt much better! As I continued on my HR kept dropping lower and lower. My upper back and neck were hurting pretty good, so much that I would sit up from time to time for some relief. I flew by the special needs bags on my second loop wanting to wait as long as possible before I took in any caffeine. Looking back now I wish I would have stopped, as this would have helped out a little. Continued on for my 3 lap keeping my HR low, going back out to the b-line I was passed by Chuck who I passed earlier in the race, I was sitting up as my back was still hurting. He asked how I was doing and if I wanted anything, i told him that it was just a walk in the park. I sat up for most of the ride back to Tempe on the 3rd loop stretching out my back from time to time to ready for the run. I stopped and got Coke on the trip back and poured it into my aero bottle and it did the trick! I dont know what it is about coke but after 100 miles you can drink some and you feel like you can do another 100! I made it back to town and I have never been so happy to get off the bike, I started to run to get my transition bag and thought, man does this feel good!!
My back did not bother me at all on the run. I quickly got changed used the restroom and I was off, I had some work to do. This was the biggest question of the day for me, the run. After having 5 weeks off from running I had not gotten in all the miles that I should have so the run was going to have some big question marks in it. I felt amazing the first mile, partly since I was so happy to get off of the bike. My first mile was a 6:45, I was flying, but I had a marathon to run, so i slowed it down a bit. I also turned on my alarm for my HR monitor which I turned off on the way back on the bike because it was going off from my HR being too low. It would go off from time to time on the run for the first 5 miles then after that I hardly heard it.
I felt great and I was flying. I passed Tim and smacked hands with him as he was about 19 min ahead of me and coming back from one of the loop portions, he did not look like he was having as much fun as I was. I soon passed Chuck and talke with him for a second or two then I told him that I was going to go chase after Tim. I felt great, my legs were tired but they were not hurting. I was taking in my gatorade with carbopro to get in some easy calories, and grabbing a sponge to put under my jersey, along with water and coke at the aid stations. I would take a salt tab at the first sign of a cramp of uncomfort in my stomach, somtimes taking on two. I had brought 15 with me in a small ziplock back that I put inside a jersey pocket.
At the start of the second loop the crowds were insane, I have never had some many people cheer for me, it was awesome, all I wanted to do was run faster, then I would hear my HR alarm and back off. Shortly after the start of the second loop I saw Tim, he was walking. I stopped for a minute to walk with him and see what was going on. His stomach had shut down and he was not able to keep anything down, so he was reduced to a walk. This was not how I wanted to catch Tim. In training I had visualized catching Tim right at the finish line and crossing together. I wished him well and he told me to go get'em. I was a little emotional after leaving Tim I knew a small part of the rough year that he had and I wanted to push even more now, just for him. (For those of you who do not know, Tim is my coach, and close friend. I also refer to him as my older brother) I took off saying to myself that I love to run!! I just kept on moving and the miles went by very very fast. From time to time I would walk through an aid station to make sure that I got everything that I needed. Started the 3rd loop and the crowd was again awesome. I also had my family running around cheering for me and they seemed to be everywhere that I looked. My mom was so excited that she was jumping up and down while cheering.
I headed out for the 3rd loop and it was a big blur, time went by fast and I kept counting the miles till was going to be an Ironman. I really focused on my run nutrtion to make sure that I never fell apart, the last thing that I wanted to happen is that I was reduced to a walk or a crawl in the last miles. I saw the 24 mile mark and I really started to move, my legs we hurting now, but was running towards the finish line. At one point I even told myseld "I love to suffer" But this suffering was the good kind, the kind that ends when you see the finish and someone you love waiting for you there. I ran by split where you go out for the first 3 laps and I headed towards the finish pumping my fist with excitement as I knew I was close. I could hear Mike Reily the announcer announcing names of Ironmans in front of me. I made the turn and I could see the finish, I ran down the shoot happy as could be smacking fives with the crowd on the sides and listening for my name, while looking at the clock. Then I saw Kim and I don't remember anything else besides crossing the finish line and holdin it up in the air then hugging Kim and seeing her tears off joy.
I have done it, I have became an Ironman. I posed for some pictures with Kim and friends then I went over and sat down on the grass, RELIEF!! Drank some water, chicken broth, coke and my recovery drink to get some easy calories in me. Took some more pictures, and sat there and rested waiting for Tim to come across the line to share my joy with him. My dad and I walked to the car to get some warmer clothes on and on the way there was time. He looked good when he finished smiling and posing for the camera, but he was still hurting. He had lost over 10lbs and was on his way to get 3 IVs before they would let him leave. I talked to him for a second and then we were on our way to the hotel to relax and clean up.
For my first Ironman it was a huge success. I never stopped once and I was able to finish strong. There is not much that I would change over the course of the day, maybe my swim start position and the decision to get the Coke on my 2nd not 3rd lap while on the bike. I learned a lot and now I know what it takes. I am already signed up for next year along with 2 half in May and June that have qualifying spots as well.
Here are some numbers from the day from my HR monitor:
10:25 avg 144 max 172
Calories burned 9642
Swim: 147 avg 163 max
Bike: 139 avg 160 max (Avg/ loop 144, 141, 133)
Run: 150 avg 172 max
Here are some link to photos from my Sister and ASI Photos.
http://picasaweb.google.com/Krizay/IronmanAZ#
http://www.asiorders.com/view_user_event.asp?EVENTID=32045&BIB=286&LNSEARCH=1

Thanks to everyone who has helped me through the year, and thanks to everyone for the thoughts of encouragement. I crossed the finish line with a lot of people that day, physically and spirtually. And a special thanks to Kim. Without her it would not have been so easy. She has helped me a lot wether it is putting up with me when I am tired or making dinner for me while i stretch or lay on the couch after a hard workout. She has been there for me in everyway and encouraged me at every moment. She has listened to me when I am concerned and pushed away any doubts with her smile. I just hope that I am able to help her as much next year as we are both doing Ironman in November.

So I am taking off the next two weeks and doing what ever I want to. I dont plan on racing for a while as I want to build a huge base for next year as it is going to be another long year. I will be taking part in a 12 hour MTB race in January but that will be part of my base training.

IRONMAN IS AMAZING IF YOU HAVE THE CHANCE IT IS SOMETHING THAT YOU MUST DO! ANYTING IS POSSIBLE!

IM AZ Countdown

The final days are approaching and I can not wait to start the race. My training has been great, my coaching excellent and I feel amazing. I am more anxious then anything right now. I am trying to approach it as an experience rather than a race since it is my first Ironman. I really want to be able to enjoy the day and have a great time. I will be heading down on Friday to get my registration complete and attend the mandatory athlete meeting as well.
You will be able to track me during the race online at www.Ironman.com
My bid number is 286
My coach, Tim Bolen is 1225
Dan Kuch from Havasu is 490
Kim, My parents, and sister will be there cheering the whole day so you maybe able to get a hold of them for a live update.
I'll be sure to let everyone know how it goes since I will be off on Monday.

DT 08: What a great day!

Well another year has come and gone and with some help, a lot of help we were able to pull off the 4th annual Spirit of Triathlon. The day was a windy one as it challenged the new athletes who were on the course to earn the title "Triathlete".
For results you can check the website, www.spiritoftriathlon.com

A special thanks to all those who have helped to pull this off, whether you were a sponsor, volunteer, or a participant, without you this race would not take place.

DT Spirit of Triathlon

The 4th annual Dick Tomlin Spirit of Triathlon is less then a week away. If you have not yet registered then you will want to register ASAP. If you are not doing the triathlon, there are other ways to take part in this great event. You can be part of a team and form a relay, and recruit others to take part in this great event. If you are interested in taking part in a relay and need a team please let me know. We also need volunteers and we always need cheerleaders to comeout and support Kingman athletes. It looks as if we are going to have some beautiful weather for the event again this year. I hope to see you on Saturday.
If you need to register here is the link.
http://www.spiritoftriathlon.com/index.html

My IM training has shifted gears. I am done with the longer distances and I am entering the first week of my race prep and taper period that will last for 3 weeks. My last long ride and run took place this weekend. Well my last long run did as I went for my long ride my legs were shot and my HR we very very low, below 110. So I knew that I had taken everything out of my legs and I was time for me to recover some more. My last long run was 18 miles and felt great! I cameback the next day, after my shortened ride and cruised on the run; it felt effortless. My HR was right where I wanted it and my legs, foot felt great. Hard to believe that it is 3 weeks away!!