My first day in Madison was Thursday. I tried to find my hotel and got all turned around on the Madison streets and cursed all the one-way streets always seeming to be going the wrong direction. I eventually ended up at Monona Terrace and decided to start the day with the Gatorade swim. The swim is where I have the least confidence. Especially since several weeks previous I had an absolute disastrous swim at the Spirit of Racine HIM. I tend to get too worked up at the swim start – go out too hard and have a tough time trying to recover. But this morning the water was very calm. I did a nice relaxed loop. Went through registration – lines were short and moved pretty fast. Felt good to get all that taken care of. Located the hotel and then headed back home. My daughter had a tennis match that afternoon, and I had to be there. I only live about an hour and a half away. Then re-re-re-checked that I had everything packed.
Friday I drove up to swim again and to check in. The swim was a little choppy. I did an abbreviated loop – about a mile. Followed that with a short bike and run. Checked into the hotel and packed my transition and special needs bags. Checked the weather for the 100’th time. Rain 20% (Ya right!) Unfortunately I believed it. Spent time at the Expo and attended the Pre-race dinner. Talked with a variety of athletes, other first-timers and some really experienced guys. I actually got a good nights sleep – nearly 8 hours! More in a night than I’ve gotten in a long while.
Saturday was a repeat of Friday. Swim – water was a little more choppy and the wind was from the opposite direction, then a bike and run. Checked in the bike and T1 and T2 bags. Then met up with PJT, his wife and many others for lunch. That was nice meeting other Trifulers. Settled in early on Saturday to get some rest and to check the gear again.
Up nice and early for RACE DAY! Ate breakfast and then headed off to the race start. Dropped off the special needs bags and got body marking done. Found a quiet area and worked on trying to lower my heart rate. It was pumping pretty good. Finally it was time to put on the wetsuit, drop off the dry clothes bag and get in the water.
It was windy and lots of chop on the water. Tho, the water felt good. Did some warm ups.
Cam back close to shore for the National Anthem. Then slipped off of a rock and banged my ankle pretty hard. But it felt okay, and besides the swim was about to start. The largest IM swim start ever! Nice thing at IMWI is that the start line is over a 100 yards wide so there is room to spread out.
And then the cannon shot!
I eased into the swim – focused on remaining calm. After a couple minutes I stopped for a few seconds to get my bearings and also to take in the spectacle. It is quite a site to be in the midst of so many swimmers all with the same goal in mind. Got back to swimming, the outbound leg was pretty easy as the current was pushing diagonally in that direction. At the turn buoy, I realized how far away from the buoy line that I was swimming. It took quite awhile just to get back to the buoy. But the water was rougher in this direction and quite congested. A bit of mauling going on here – multiple kicks to the chest. Then the return leg was difficult. Several people seemed to get disoriented as they were swimming off course – actually swimming perpendicular to the course. Here is where I got punched in the eye, but my goggles stayed put. Just kept on going. Concentrated on trying to keep my stroke smooth (Slow is smooth, Smooth is fast). Second loop was much like the first. Before I knew it, I was heading to the swim exit! I felt good getting out of the water. Bit of a slippery ramp to negotiate which I quickly fell up on. Not a graceful exit, but an exit nonetheless. I was about like 2003 out of the water. Still about 500 behind me.
Next stop was the wetsuit strippers. These guys were energetic. I think my wetsuit stretched out to about 16 feet as it was coming off. Thank goodness it recovered its shape! Then a long run up the helix to the changing room. A volunteer had my bag ready and got changed for the bike.
Saw the family on the ride down the helix. That was great! I was really happy that the swim went well. Time was not fast, but pretty much on target for as much extra distance I swam on each lap, but seemed worth it. Next time I’ll work my way into the fray and cut off a good 15-20 min.
Shortly after the bike start the mist turned into rain. Kept it in the SCR for a good portion of the out section to Verona and the start of the loop. It is amazing at how many people go way too hard early on the bike. One guy passed me less than 10 miles in and he was huffing and puffing like crazy. You just shake your head at that. The cold made my ankle that I bruised before the swim to really stiffen up.
The wind and rain picked up as we hit the start of the loop in Verona. Pretty uneventful the first half of the loop. When hit the first real hill it was surprising to see so many spectators there. Especially the guy in drag. Then probably less than a mile was another good little climb. On this hill it was like being in the Tour. Both sides of packed deep with spectators – barely room enough for two bikes side by side. Nearly clipped a couple of spectators trying to pass. It was wild. Really cool. Saw a nice collision at the bike special needs area. Thought that there was going to be a brawl. But they sorted it out. Second loop was like the first, but passing more people. Still raining and cold.
Then head back to Madison. Didn’t want to go too hard here. I was pretty happy with my hydration and nutrition on the bike. Felt ready to run when finally seeing the Capital.
Got into T2 and changed completely – needed to get dry and warm. At this point I moved up from 2003 to around 1100.
Then headed out to run. The dry and warm lasted about 5 minutes as it was raining but not too hard. Once getting wet, the wind sure feels cold. The run course is nice, no real hills. The tough part of the run was at mile 2 when I stepped on some RR tracks that crossed the road and rolled the same ankle. That was an owie. Just kept on running. Had miles where felt really good and others where it was challenging. Then come back into the Capital – can hear Mike Reilly – see the lights – and what? Oh ya, have another loop to do. Prior to that I saw PJT heading out on the run. Picked up my special needs bag. One thing that I found was that I don’t much like the chicken broth. It tasted good, but was a bit unsettling for the stomach. One of the must haves for me is Sweet Tarts. My daughter wanted something special for me in my T2 and run special needs bag. On my tough miles I popped 5 or 6 and felt much better – almost immediately.
The second loop was great – Especially once I hit the ½ way point on the loop. At that moment I knew I would finish and actually said to a guy that I just caught up with that we’d be Ironmen in an hour. The rest of the miles just ticked off. It was something to pass so many people walking. Then that magical moment passing mile 25. Shortly after that running through the crowds. The air feels super charged. This time straight to the Finish! You are an Ironman!!!
Felt strong at the finish – My wife and girls were right there to celebrate with me – Then I am doused in silly string. Next order of business was to get warm and dry. It was a great experience. So much so, that I signed up for IMWI 2007! Ended up 1060 overall. Middle of the pack – not bad for a first attempt. The goal was to be conservative and finish. Now, I have a much better idea now as to where and how I need to improve.

Swim 1:35:59
T1: 12:29
Bike: 6:34:07
T2: 11:10
Run: 4:43:45
Time: 13:17:29
M40-44: 154/328