Ironman Florida Recap

How did I go from a 14:52 finish in Lake Placid in 2009 to a 11:51 finish in Florida? Simply put, I might have had the race of my life.

It should be noted that comparing races is difficult because no two races are ever the same - the course, the weather, and there are so many variables on each individual race day. Lake Placid is known for being one of the top 5 toughest Ironman races out there, while Florida, and no Ironman should be considered easy, is generally thought of as easier in the spectrum.

I was super fit. I came down 20 pounds from Lake Placid. Not carrying 8% of yourself for 10+ hours makes a difference. It felt a lot like a fighter moving weight classes. I wouldn't call it a diet, I ate whatever I wanted, just with a controlled intake. I previously ate 4 meals a day. I started eating 3 and would stop eating just before full. I don't like being smaller, mentally I don't feel as tough. Physically, I am just a rocket.

I had a film crew following me around. No one wants to look slow.

I didn't change anything about my biking or running technique physically, just mentally. I just tried to think if I push hard now, this is going to be over quicker and that would be somehow better.

I have also done one of these before. Knowing what my body needs and how it reacts under such an event was probably the biggest key. I knew I made some mistakes before, not this time. In Lake Placid I kept thinking, "all I want to do is finish." That means staying alive on the bike while going 35 mph downhill on a wet road on a mountain rather than seeing if you can get up to 45 mph. I didn't push too hard on any one activity, just so I made sure I made it to the next activity. I have finished before, I am an Ironman, so this time I made sure just to go.

Nutrition falls under the experience category. I knew what my body would need and I had it ready. I put Chick-fil-A biscuits everywhere. I had a biscuit in my bike transition bag. I taped a cut up water bottle full of chicken minis to my bike. I had a biscuit in my bike special needs bag (you can get special needs bags half way through the bike course and at the half way mark on the run), biscuit in my run transition bag and a biscuit in my run special needs bag. I like having real food to put in the tank with all the gel and Gatorade and it made a big difference in my performance. I love you Chick-fil-A. I accept any sponsorship packages you would like to present.

I got to the starting line healthy, despite crazy throwing up 6 days before, and the weather was great. Really, these two things are impossible to control and just a gift on race day. The weather was just a little bit cold, and I came out of the water and onto the bike thinking I need to put down the hammer and go out strong and try and warm up a bit, and I just didn't slow down the entire day.

Thanksgiving

I have been given a gift. It happened in Florida and apparently hasn't left me yet. I am fast.

I have not ever thought of myself as fast and now running is like something out of a movie scene when the superhero finds out they have powers. It is incredible and I can't explain it. To give you an idea, there is a loop I run that is around 5.5 miles and previously would take me about 50-55 minutes. I ran it the other day in 40 minutes. It's crazy.

I am thinking I need to make the most of of this gift while I have it and achieve what would be for me a miracle in running - qualifying for the Boston Marathon. To do that, in my age group at the Houston Marathon in January, I would have to run a 3:10 marathon time. That is running 26.2 miles at 7.15 minutes each. I need to trade 10 hours of endurance for 1 hour of speed, and knock 50 minutes off of my fastest marathon time ever, run just 3 weeks ago. It is not quite water to wine, but in the running world probably close.

I also have a bit of a knee thing. It is like this gift came with its own kryptonite. It doesn't hurt but feels like it should, or is going to later. It's a warning that I can't tell if the speed inside me is telling me to stop running on it or to speed up and minimize the pounding.

Pray for my health and speed, and I will show you a miracle.

Picture Day

Jeff finished his first Ironman in Florida!

His time was exactly 2 minutes behind my first Ironman finish!

Congrats to The Bear for staying "Hood Strong."

Bonkers

Here's my attempt to give you an idea of what kind of day I had in Florida - I have finished 5 HALF Ironman races in my life. My fastest time ever was last year in Kansas - 5 hours, 57 minutes and 9 seconds. If you double my fastest HALF Ironman ever, I still beat that time in my 2nd FULL Ironman!

And never mind that I had just swam 2.4 miles, biked 112 miles, all I did was go out and run the fastest marathon time of my life!

Quick Recovery

Saturday

Tuesday

Ironman Florida Finish

Marathon Midpoint

Hollywood

Samaritan's Purse sent a film crew down to cover the race at Ironman Florida. It was awesome. Thanks Arthur, Ryan, and Rodney for all the fun, putting a camera in my face and adding to what is already an exciting event. It made me want to go really fast!

Ironman Florida

I finished Ironman Florida - 11:51:53!

I finished with the fastest marathon time I have ever had in my life!

Ivan Drago said it best, "He's not a man, he is like a piece of iron."

Cheering Section

Bike completed

Bike to Run

Ironman Florida

Transition bike to run. Blew some kisses to his fans and spirited off into the final phase. Go Preston.

The Wait is Over

The Creators