So this whole Ironman experience began a little over a year ago when a friend suggested I register for IM Florida with him. I gave it some thought. I had a running background with two marathons under my belt. I’d done one Olympic and one sprint triathlon along with a charity 100-mile ride. Not knowing what exactly the race would require from me I signed up and thus committed a year, and subsequently my life, to one thing: Ironman. I upgraded my old road bike that most people would be ashamed to commute on to a shiny, new Trek Equinox 7, which would quickly become my girlfriend in the coming months. I had a friend coach me in the swim. I started shaving my legs. I quit going out on weekends. I started eating organics, more vegetables, less meat. I began speaking in run splits, bike jargon. My conversations shifted from college basketball and current events to the Tour De France, Peter Reid’s retirement and debating which razor worked best for leg-shaving with another RA staff member. I worked out more than I went to class. I worked out more than my friends slept. I’d leave for workouts when my friends would come back from late nights… In short, my life had been transformed.

I barely left for Florida early Thursday morning. I say barely because I had planned to wake up at 3:00am for a 6:00am flight. With race day so close, my nerves at an all time high, and sleep precious in these final few days I did what any college student would do: pop a couple of sleeping pills and set an extra alarm clock. Good thing I made sure to hydrate because I woke up at 4:30 having to pee, checked my watch, cursed and nearly pissed myself on the spot. I grabbed my gear, threw on some clothes and sprinted to my car. I made the flight and was off to Florida.

Race morning came and I was ready to go. I knew the swim would be rough. 2200 people in the water going from bouy to bouy as quickly as possible… The best way to describe it would be a human blender or when you go to a stocked fish pond and throw food in the water. It was just a sea of arms and elbows that somehow all managed to land in my face or back (My jaw is still popping three days after…). I came through both laps at around even splits (~34mins each). I felt pretty good throughout the whole swim despite all the people and some wicked armpit chaffing from the wetsuit. It was hell and I was glad to be out of it. Swim time: ~1:08

I knew that once I got out of the water that I would finish, unless something horrible happen. That horribleness almost occurred at mile 50. The course turns onto a highway and the headwind that plagued me for the previous 2.5 hours died. I threw the bike into the big ring and started cruising at 23-25mph. Everything felt effortless. I was passing people who went out too hard in the wind and was having great fun picking people off. That was until I happened to pass this one woman who moved to the center of the lane as I was passing her. To avoid a collision I moved to the left and hit a road cone. I hit the ground, did a 360, and jumped up to my feet as quickly as possible. I immediately thought my race was done. I looked at my bike and saw no damage. Looked at myself- road rash along my right side, knee bruised up pretty bad, and my helmet was cracked with the Roc-Fit system in the back totally destroyed. I was freaked out but wasn’t going to quit. I jumped back on my bike and went. I was able to calm myself down within the next 5 miles. I finished the bike with a solid nutrition plan, fresh legs (or as fresh as they could be after 112 miles) and what would later become a killer sunburn. I would like to just throw this out there to every middle of the pack middle-aged man: If you are riding an expensive racing bike, with a disc wheel and aero helmet please, please, please make sure you are fast otherwise you look stupid. Bike time: 5: 42 (19.63 mph).

I was happy to be out on the run. I feel most comfortable on the run. As with most races I can hang on for the swim, maintain my position or make some progress on the bike, but I really seem to do well on the run. My biggest fear was that I would get excited and take the first mile or so out too fast, so I forced myself to stay aerobic and took it real easy for the first mile. I have to say the thing that got me through the run other than knowing the finish was at the end was my Army jersey. On the course I constantly heard “Go Army� “HOOAH� “Way to go, sir� ! The best was at an aid station manned by area National Guardsmen. I swear to god these soldiers went absolutely ape. One guy even started running with me with a cup of Gatorade so I could wash done some pretzels. I also met a woman in the Army World Class Athlete Program who followed me on her bike for a bit and talked to me about racing opportunities once I commissioned. I felt awesome for the first half and threw down a 1:46:00 Half. When I got to the turn-around I knew it was going to be a struggle. I was able to get to about mile 17 before I started walking through the aid stations. I felt good but I was so exhausted that walking 1 minute every mile helped to revive me. I also give the makers of GU and Coca-Cola a lot of credit. With one mile left I could hear the finish. I started tearing up. I was beyond happy. As I got to the finish I made sure not to bunch up with anybody and ruin the potential for a good finisher’s photo. I gladly let the few people ahead of me gain a bit more ground and looked over my shoulder to make sure my finish wouldn’t be compromised. I’ve never had this much fun in my entire life. Marathon Time: 3:51

Finish time: 10:49:19

Everything in the past year had been for this one moment. I spent months kicking my ass day-in and day-out. All the sacrifices I made didn’t matter to me. I missed out on Airborne School and Air Assault School during the summers. I could have finished all of my graduation requirements early. I could have dedicated more time to having a normal college experience. But the moment I crossed the finish line I knew that nothing would ever compare to this feeling. I knew I had made the right decision on spending my money on bikes and running shoes over beer and video games. The friends I’ve made with triathlon and distance running in the past year are amazing.

With a few days after the finish I’m ready to go out and do another IM. I had a sports massage today and all I could think about was when I’d be able to get my thoroughly sun-burned, bruised and sore body out for another workout. Within minutes of crossing the line I knew I would do another. So Ironman Arizona 2008 I would like to take this moment to warn you: I’m coming.