Arizona Was A Success!
I finished the IMAZ in 15:18:19 and had a wonderfu time doing it. The whole week people talked and motivated you as other athletes and spectators. I trained a long time for this event probably longer than I really should have but I felt good going in.
Race day was pretty chilly and still dard up until about 15 minutes before the gun so it was cold. The water was at 63 degrees and equally was a little shocking to jump into but after a few minutes I was settled in. After the gun it was pretty rough, feet and elbows either hitting me or I was on someone about every other stroke. Just too many people in a small area. I felt good and exited in about an hour and a half right on pace of my sub 15 secondary goal other than to make the cut.
The strippers were awesome helping me out of my suite and I was off to the bike. I felt strongest in the bike than the other two disciplines on Sunday and was pretty comfortable not pushing it and maintaining a 17 MPH average per lap. Head winds did spice things up a bit but I felt good and made some friends on the course of nice words of encouragement then reality set in and I got spanked by not only one of the Pro's but the leader, damn he was fast. I settled back in my own race and soon I was ready for the finish of the bike.
The transition from the bike to run didn't go as smooth as I would have wanted. Lots of people and the grass kept getting all over my socks so I lost a minute or so getting my shoes comfortable. I felt my stress fracture for about the first 5K then felt really strong and think I was putting in around 11ish miles then felt a little slower but still good. Mile 20 came and the realization I would most likely finish! Also did the fatigue and the reality that I was crashing and crashing hard! Within a mile and a half I tripped three times and the last time I almost fell. I was losing my legs and no bananas, Gatorade, or GU would get them back. This is where my race began to be between the ears. As throughout the whole race people egged me on and told me how good I was doing but I was only listening to hear the distant voice of yet another person not only finishing but finishing before me. I focused and took every step one at a time.
Rounding the final turn an older man probably in his 70's said "Finish Strong Like The IronMan You Are Son, Make Us All Proud This Is Your Day!" The words hit home real hard and I turned the corner and heard my name and city and entered a zone I have never been and probably will never be in again. Truly a blessing and to do the roll at the end I have dreamt of so many times was surreal!
I wish you all the feeling I felt that day and the support of not only family and loved ones but the complete stranger that for an instant took time to help you reach your dream of IronMan.
I am taking time off until the end of the year, I plan on eating a whole turkey tomorrow and maybe even a beer!
My focus for 09 are:
The ALS Warrior Spin-A-Thon that I am co-hosting
A couple of Sprints local,
5430 HIM
Harvest Moon HIM
IronMan Kansas 70.3
My goal this year will be to focus more on HIM distances and competing more than just completing as well as breaking my old PB times.
Happy Thanksgiving and God Bless,
Ray
Race day was pretty chilly and still dard up until about 15 minutes before the gun so it was cold. The water was at 63 degrees and equally was a little shocking to jump into but after a few minutes I was settled in. After the gun it was pretty rough, feet and elbows either hitting me or I was on someone about every other stroke. Just too many people in a small area. I felt good and exited in about an hour and a half right on pace of my sub 15 secondary goal other than to make the cut.
The strippers were awesome helping me out of my suite and I was off to the bike. I felt strongest in the bike than the other two disciplines on Sunday and was pretty comfortable not pushing it and maintaining a 17 MPH average per lap. Head winds did spice things up a bit but I felt good and made some friends on the course of nice words of encouragement then reality set in and I got spanked by not only one of the Pro's but the leader, damn he was fast. I settled back in my own race and soon I was ready for the finish of the bike.
The transition from the bike to run didn't go as smooth as I would have wanted. Lots of people and the grass kept getting all over my socks so I lost a minute or so getting my shoes comfortable. I felt my stress fracture for about the first 5K then felt really strong and think I was putting in around 11ish miles then felt a little slower but still good. Mile 20 came and the realization I would most likely finish! Also did the fatigue and the reality that I was crashing and crashing hard! Within a mile and a half I tripped three times and the last time I almost fell. I was losing my legs and no bananas, Gatorade, or GU would get them back. This is where my race began to be between the ears. As throughout the whole race people egged me on and told me how good I was doing but I was only listening to hear the distant voice of yet another person not only finishing but finishing before me. I focused and took every step one at a time.
Rounding the final turn an older man probably in his 70's said "Finish Strong Like The IronMan You Are Son, Make Us All Proud This Is Your Day!" The words hit home real hard and I turned the corner and heard my name and city and entered a zone I have never been and probably will never be in again. Truly a blessing and to do the roll at the end I have dreamt of so many times was surreal!
I wish you all the feeling I felt that day and the support of not only family and loved ones but the complete stranger that for an instant took time to help you reach your dream of IronMan.
I am taking time off until the end of the year, I plan on eating a whole turkey tomorrow and maybe even a beer!
My focus for 09 are:
The ALS Warrior Spin-A-Thon that I am co-hosting
A couple of Sprints local,
5430 HIM
Harvest Moon HIM
IronMan Kansas 70.3
My goal this year will be to focus more on HIM distances and competing more than just completing as well as breaking my old PB times.
Happy Thanksgiving and God Bless,
Ray
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