Florida Half Ironman is done! 160 pounds lost = 1 Half Ironman completed! I raced in the Florida Half Ironman in Orlando, Fl at the Disney Wilderness resort. It has been almost 4 years since I started my weight loss totaling 160lbs and the Half Ironman was my hardest goal. I was a little nervous going into the race and started to second guess myself. Did I have the right nutrition plan, what was the best pace, should I which out my drink for something else, was my bike ready to road, how hot was it going to be…..the list goes on and on. I checked in with all the folks that helped me get ready, Potomac River Running, Lets Swim, Suunto, Spokes Etc, Trek and Bontrager. I was ready to race but a little last minute reassurance never hurt. Come Sunday morning I completed my gear setup in Transition and I made my way to the swim start. After good luck wishes from the wife it was swim time.
I never get use to the elbows and kicking the first couple hundred meters of the swim. Soon everyone spreads out and it is me swimming with Coach Julie in my head, saying extend your reach, finish your stroke, kick fast, and you’ll can rest on the bike, swim faster. I came flying out of the water with a long run into transition and I mean a long run. I did not want to waste any time.  I jumped in my stuff and started the long and I mean long run out of transition to start biking. The biking was great, Spokes had the bike setup perfectly and the Bontrager Aeolus wheels not only looked fast they made you want to go fast. I was passing people by the dozens maybe too many at one time as I got a penalty for being in the passing side more than 20 seconds. I was called for drafting and hit with a 4 minute penalty. It was getting hot and I wanted to have a strong run and strong finish, I kept telling myself to hold back on the bike. I was watching the Suunto to keep an eye on my heart rate and pace. There is nothing worst then having a slow, miserable run. I knew my training with the t6c and to trust it to keep me on pace.
I hit T2 and was out fast! I was ready to run and run I did. I had a great run and felt strong. The heat was beating on me and I was hurting but the feet were moving. I paced myself the first 8 miles and gave it everything I had the last 4.
What a great race, a great first Half Ironman. 70.3 miles of swim, bike and run.
Results: 5:19:57
Overall 439 of 2151
Men 365 of 1597
Age Group 87 of 362