What a day...

The night before I managed to fall asleep around 9pm. I guess this is the benefit of having a 4 year old in the room with you. You go to sleep when they do. I'm glad I went to sleep that early because I was up at 2:45 like I was shot out of a cannon. Took a quick shower and headed down to have a bit of breakfast around 3 am. I soon found myself heading to the Great Lawn. Something funny about us rolling out to our Suffer Fest while a group of about 10 guys were heading back in from a hard night of partying with 6 packs in hand still ready to go.

Everything was well organized and before I knew it I was in line for the swim start. I was calm, collected, and ready to go. My first bit of emotion came during the National Anthem...and then the Buguler from Church Hills Downs. Damn...everything sunk in right there. I was about to do my first IM.

Into the water and on I went. I was not to concerned with my swim time. Goal.....just control my HR...get it done..and get rolling. I had clear water almost the entire way but no feet to hang on to. I would like to thank the one ass I encounterd just short of the turn around. Apperntly the river was not wide enough and when we got a little to cozy, he decided to throw a few fists. Clipped me behind the ear and I was furious...but what should I do. I'm not throwing away my entire day....I knew karma would eventually give him a big kick in the ass later that day.
Out of the water:
TOTAL SWIM 2.4 mi. (1:15:41) OA 489 AG 84

Transition was uneventful and I was on the bike. I knew I had to stay within myself, not get to wrapped up with everyone blowing past me, and just focus on my HR and nutrition. I was prepared for the hills, but damn....there was not much flat road anywhere. The hills ended up being my friend as I seemed to have done the right prep and I managed to stick to my plan. Nurtition was on a 20 min rotation, 1.Gu, 2.Infinit, 3.Salt and Gatorade... One hour done, repeat while pounding the water all day. This seemed to have worked as the stomach and energy level remained normal. I was averaging about 1 mile an hour under my goal pace but hey....no need to blow my load and walk the marathon in my first IM. One of my best memories of the entire day was my first trip through the town of LaGrange where I was by myself and the spectators just exploded. An unreal feeling...I wore a shit eating grin for the next 5 minutes.
Off the bike and into transition:
TOTAL BIKE 112 mi. (5:41:15) 19.69 mph OA 230 AG 48

Out onto the run and I was feeling great. I had to slow down as my legs fell right into a pace I knew was to fast. I cranked it down a few notches and was in a groove. I passed one runner after another. Crap...forgot my salt in transition. Guess I need to up my intake of sodium through the Gatorade and whatever else I could get my hands on. Things kept clicking right. Pro Chris Hauth passed me at the 4 mile mark (he was on his second lap) and pulled away quickly. Within 2 miles he had slowed down and I noticed I was getting closer to him. I managed to tuck in behind him and hang on for the next 8 miles untill he peeled off to finish and I went onto my second lap. Damn did I feel good...slowing down....but feeling good. That continued until I hit the 22 mile mark and then the GI monster bit me. Boom...I couldnt go to the bathroom, fart, anything to relieve the pain. I would run for about 2-3 minutes at about 8:30 pace....then walk doubled over. It would subside and I would continue this routine for the next 4.5 miles. I had my first real bout of IM suffering. I kept on plugging and managed to pull it all together for the last .75 mile and the adrenilin kicked in for the finish.
TOTAL RUN 26.2 mi. (3:58:45) 9:06/mile OA 124 AG 26

Coming down 4th Street Live was one memory I will have for Life. I was by my self and as I peeled off and headed down the chute the crowd exploded. I have goose bumps as I think about it now. I crossed that line and let out a scream like no other before. I was escorted by my catcher and got all my new swag, Met my wife and daughter at the end and the celebration began.

Total Time 11:02:48

I feel like I approached this race the right way being it was my first shot at the distance and I am a self coached athlete (wish I could afford a coach). I now know what it feels like to truely suffer. I would say I raced conservitivly and could have gone faster....but thats why I'll be back.

Now a bit of down time and I'll start to prepare for Clearwater in November. Thanks to all Tri Fulers as its been a great resource for this first timer.