Ironman Florida 2013
I was a little nervous heading in to this race as my training wasn't where it should be. I'd been able to get my swimming in but my time on the bike and run were weak. I can only sit on my bike on the trainer for so long till I start to go crazy. And with the race being the first week of November, Utah isn't the best weather for riding outside. But talking to people who had raced it previously, they said it was one of the easiest races, so I should be OK. I should have still remembered that this is an Ironman, and It's still a long race. The boys and I flew to Panama City, and got all settled in. This really is a beautiful place. Two days before the race a storm came in and made the waves and ocean look crazy. Trying to practice swimming was almost imposable. I was pretty nervous of what to expect on race day. Also, I go to pick up my bike from the transport place and my bike had a flat tire. I should have realized that it was going to be a long weekend. A huge thanks to Ed and Penny Lunt for coming along to watch the boys while I raced. They really are great people.
So race morning, I get up at 4:30 a.m. and get moving. I head outside to go over to transition and notice I can see stars. It looked like it was going to be a great day, at least weather wise. As I walk out on the beach, the sand was freezing. When I finally get to the water it was like getting into a bathtub. The water was like 74 degrees and calm. Perfect swimming conditions. I was a semi organized mass start, they had everyone kind of line themselves up based on finish time along the beach and then we all run out into the water at the same time. The swim was great. Not crowded and the swells were pretty small. I finished in 1:29, which is what I expected I would be. Then into transition and off on the bike. everything was going smoothly and I thought this was going to be a great day and new PR. Well about 25 miles into the ride I started hearing a weird thumping noise. I thought maybe it was the rode or something in my wheel. Then a loud burst. Flat Tire! OK, so this is the first time that I have ever had a flat while riding in a race. I get my spare out and change the tube. Get everything put back together and go to put air in the tube. Then I noticed a large bulge in the side of the tire. By tire had broken away from the metal wire inside of it. So that tube promptly popped, and I was done for the day. I was pretty pissed. I spent all this money and time for this race, and this is how it was going to end. Well one of the rode crew drove by and said that the bike techs have a tire, but I had to wait for them. They are on a first come first serve basis, so I sat there and waited for them. After about an hour, a bike tech came along and saved the day for me. I was so happy to get back in there to finish this race. Well the bike was flat and a slight wind. Nothing too difficult, but I prefer hills. I know people will think that I'm crazy, but I would rather get up and down then sit there in the aero position for like 6 hours. Well I finished and got out on the run feeling good. After the first thirteen miles I was about 2:20 on the run and felt pretty good. I thought maybe I could still PR. But at about mile 15, my feet were killing me and so I began the walk. The old man shuffle, or what ever you want to call it. I started talking to a guy named Phil from Tennessee, and we chatted for the next three hours and finished the race. my final time was 15:29. My slowest yet, but I'm OK with that. It was a great experience and a great run race.
After the race, a few things that I realized. 1, I don't really want to do a race that is that far from home. Because of the cost, logistics and just being out of your comfort where you have everything that you would normally have. 2, Be better prepared for everything.
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