I am an IRONMAN!

What an amazing weekend! The anticipation for this race was huge as I have been wanting to accomplish completing an IM since I started this sport in 2005. Kelly and I drove over to Madison on Friday and got the ball rolling with registration. Madison is one of the coolest towns I have ever been to. I had the pleasure of partying there for a few weeks after high school before I left for basic training. The town is electric with fun and there is never a dull moment.

Registration was a madhouse. It went rather smoothly though and before I knew it I had been weighed and was on my way. I remember 2008 the year I got back from Iraq and how intimidating everyone was even though I was racing really well. Since then I have not been as intimidated until I saw the people doing this race. They all look ridiculously fast, everyone has a high end bike and it is hard to find an ounce of body fat to spare.

After registration I went for a dip in Lake Monona in front of the Terrace. I was told the water was about 75 so I didn't wear a wetsuit. The wind was up and the water was very rough. I still got in a good swim and felt like a few people might have though I was crazy to be without a wetsuit. As I got in the water someone behind me said "he's crazy" in a soft voice to her son. Yes, yes I am. Later that night I learned the water was actually 68 degrees. No wonder I felt a little chilly for the rest of the evening.

Kelly and I stayed at a friend of mine's house just off campus. Katie had done the Ironman last year and rides the course on a regular basis. I leaned on her for information all weekend. Saturday morning I awoke to red cups littering her lawn and I though how wonderful it would be to be back in college again. Katie and I went for a quick spin on a route that is rarely traveled by cars. On our way back there was some crap in the road so I went around it when a truck came barreling up from behind and laid on it's horn. Since the speed limit was 25 and we were doing about that not to mention we had the right of way I felt the need to give him the old your number one sign. We exchanged some pleasantries as he flew by and I asked him to stop and get out of his truck. Of course he didn't have the balls and kept driving. It was Wisconsin's first football game and I'm betting he was a bit under the sauce already. After that we went and turned in our bikes and transition bags and I went for another quick swim. This time I used my sleeveless suit and the water was perfect.

Katie's boyfriend happened to get a flat while riding out of town so we decided to pick him up and drive the course. Katie showed me the false flats, tough downhill turns and when to let loose and when to stay calm. Without this info it may have been a really rough race. Then it was dinner time and then a little Anchorman to calm the mood.

I actually got one of he best nights of sleep I have ever had that night and woke up feeling great. We headed down to the start and got our bikes ready. I noticed my front tire had lost some pressure so I took it to the mechanics to see if there was anything they could do. They explained that the tire I was using would loose 20-30 PSI in 24 hours and it was nothing to worry about. Problem was when I got back to my bike the end of the skewer was missing. Luckily I found it but the spring was gone. I went back to the mechanics and the had a spare spring. Thank god because I would have worried about that the entire ride.

It was then time to head down to the swim start. It seemed like forever waiting for the cannon to go off. Then it happened. With a loud boom 2,500 people started flailing for position. I stayed on the outside toward the front to keep from getting trampled. I went out perfect and got in a good rhythm. I used the swimming in close quarters technique Duane taught me and it worked like a charm. I felt like I was hardly using any energy and yet was making good progress. At about 3/4 threw I started hitting it a little harder and before I knew it I was running up the helix to transition. I looked at my watch and saw 1:07 for the swim. I was hoping for between 1:05 and 1:10. I felt fresh and very happy with how the swim went. I breezed through transition and before I knew it I was pedaling away.

The first 30 miles or so were a blood bath. At the first aid station I was struggling to get my water bottle in its cage when a guy passed me with a few choice words. I explained in some choice words back that I was just trying to get my water bottle in. A little later I passed him and told him all he needed to do was say something nice like on your left I would get out of his way. I was amazed at how someone could get so upset over a few seconds that could easily be made up in a 112 mile race. I then realized it was nothing to get bent out of shape about and I decided to apologize for my comments. We actually formed a bit of a friendship as I could tell he was a strong cyclist and everyone else around was either pushing to hard too early or using us draft off of. Eventually we dropped them and a little while after that I dropped my knew friend and I started picking people off.

After the first loop I knew I was doing well as I felt great and it had really thinned out. In fact there was hardly anyone around. I then came up on Cathy Yndestad and gave her a big CATHY! as I passed. She was looking good and gave me a big grin and a Go Steve as I passed. I then picked up a couple of guys just before the hilly section. They then found themselves getting dusted on the hills. On the hills I was feeling amazing and people said things like "now that's the way to do it" and simply "wow". I didn't even stand the first loop and then put a little more power in on the second. I felt as if it was almost too easy and never felt fatigued.

As I finished my second loop and started back I was all alone. I held back some to reserve energy and took down my Heed and took an Enduralyte to prepare for the run. I got out of my shoes and headed back up the helix. As I came in Kelly and my mom told me I was in fourth. The way things were going I thought they meant fourth amateur. I was really in about 12th and was fourth in my age group. Non the less I new I was in good shape.

I started the run feeling great but knew not to push hard. I kept a nice easy pace and was feeling great. Then I started to make a few bad decisions. First I decided I was doing so well to walk through the aid stations to conserve energy. In doing that I took some of the Endurance Powerade drink they had. This was a big mistake. I had not trained with this and soon after I started to feel bloated. I pressed on though and was still feeling good. At about mile eleven I made a bathroom stop that was actually a false alarm. I was still feeling good though and I was in perfect shape at the turn around with 1:45 left to come in at 9:50. Then at about mile 15 my stomach started feeling really heavy and yet I was still thirsty and getting low on energy. I had to take a needed bathroom stop and got back into the groove. Soon after that I started to slow down again so I tried some coke as I knew I had to try something to get back into shape. It felt like jet fuel for a few miles but then I started to slow down again. My stomach felt so full that I couldn't take anymore soda. On top of the the soda was not defizzed so it caused me to have to take another bathroom break.

At about mile 21 Todd Langraff passed me with a friendly tap on the back. I gave him a get that Kona slot as he passed. At that point I knew I was going to have to change my goal from making Kona to something else. My stomach was full but I felt like I needed more fluid. At about mile 21 I decided I needed to concentrate on finishing and decided to walk. While walking I met another guy named Joe that was on his first lap. We talked for a couple of minutes and gave a little encouragement. Joe then said he needed to get going and starting jogging away. I then started thinking that I didn't want to walk to the finish line. I made a decision that I wanted to come in before 10:30 and in order to do this I would need a walk run strategy. The strategy I came up with was simple. Run as far as I could then walk some and repeat. Then I started to shuffle my feet. Before long the feet were moving pretty good and my stomach was feeling less uncomfortable. Before I knew it I was clipping along at a good pace.

With about a half mile to go I was feeling great again and I came up on another guy in my age division. We were at the bottom of Capital Hill and I seemed to be in better shape than him. I made a goal to beat this guy. I felt very strong going up the hill and glanced back to see he was in no shape to make a move on me. As I passed the shoot at the turn around there were a few thousand people that went crazy for me. It is a feeling unlike any I have ever had. There were some kids wanting to slap some high fives and I was more than happy to oblige them. When I heard my name called out and that I was an Ironman I felt a rush of accomplishment go through me. It was a culmination of not just an amazing race but years of training and nearly a year pf preparation. I looked up and saw my time of 10:13:54. It wasn't a 9:50 and Kona slot but it might as well have been. I strangely was not disappointed at all that I didn't make my goal. In fact there was actually a little relief as I would not have to fork over another $650 and sacrifice for another year of training. With a baby on the way both time and money will be at a premium and I would rather not have the stress of Kona on my shoulders. Kona will come but it will have to wait a few years.

Ironman Wisconsin

The time has come. I have had many firsts in my life. Most of which led to more difficult firsts. Unless I decide to run an ultra marathon (highly unlikely with my bum knee) this will probably be the last first when it comes to testing my limits of endurance sports. Because of the hilly and difficult bike route Wisconsin Ironman is regarded as one of the toughest triathlons around. This is in addition to a 2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike and 26.2 making this a very difficult first to tackle.

I have absolutely no idea how this is going to turn out. I have been plagued with injuries all year as well as more than likely having an iron deficiency since June. I have tapered the past few weeks and feel much more rested and like my legs are ready to explode. However when I go on light runs to keep them up to speed the legs feel like they have forgotten what to do.

My goal for this is simple.... finish. After that the goal is to get a Kona slot. By my calculations if I come in at 9:50 or better I should get a slot. If I come in at that time and don't get a slot I will feel like I did all I could. Although I do have a few other fun goals. I want to be the fastest combat vet. Unfortunately this is nearly impossible to track but I'm betting this is an achievable goal. I would also like to be the fastest person from Minnesota. If it weren't for Todd Landgraff I would say this would be very possible. Unfortunately my knew found friend and arch nemesis will be there and has a wicked fast run split that will be tough to fend off. Regardless I hope we get to enjoy a trip to Kona together. That would be awesome!

In order to go for a 9:50 I have set some goals for pace. First I need to swim around a 1:05 and feel fresh. A month ago I was very worried about this but with another lesson from Duane Dobko I seem to have found my old stroke and feel very comfortable in the water again. I know I have thought this a few times this year but I know feel it more than ever. I seem to be skimming the water rather than fighting through it. Next I need to do around 22 mph on the bike. This is more than possible as I have been doing roughly 20.5 on my long training rides on my heavier bike with about 6 1/2 pounds of water to go a long with it. The question is can I keep that pace and still keep enough in my legs to run a marathon afterwards. Not only run it but run it in roughly an 8 min pace. I think this is very possible but I have no idea if it will happen.

The wild card is my nutrition. I should have done more research a few months ago as I found out I need to consume roughly 300 calories an hour. In order to do that I need to fire down three Gus' an hour. In training I have been doing 2 at most. I don't know if my gut will be able to handle the increase or not. If it does I will be in good shape.

I'm looking forward to the trip with my wife. Kelly has been extremely busy this summer with her rotations and has only been able to come to a couple of races. Also making the trip will be my new sister and brother in law and step father in law and as always my mom. It will be great to have all that support and I'm sure I will need it on the run.

This has been a tough road. Injuries, exercise induced asthma, time away from friends and family, insane long training days and weeks along with all the fatigue that goes with it. When I added up the numbers I was amazed. Since I started keeping records on Jan 15th I have run 790 miles in 99.15 hours, biked 2,928.1 miles in 136.75 hours and swam 332,150 yards in 129 hours. For a grand total of 364.9 hours trained. This equates to 15.2 days of straight training. Hopefully all this will add up to me becoming an Ironman on Sunday.