St George Ironman Race Day

We headed to St George on Thursday to sign in for the race and so that I could attend the Athletes Dinner and Pre-race meeting.  Athletes were the only ones allowed in the check in area in the Dixie Convention Center so there was a little station to make signs.  The kids were in heaven that they could decorate signs for Daddy, especially after 4 hours in the car.  Here we are after check in, we got some fun swag like the backpack.

Friday was the day to check in my bike and bike gear at Sand Hollow Reservoir, do a quick swim, drop off my run gear bag at the St George Tabernacle and then head back to the condo we were renting to swim with the kids. Heathers parents also drove down on Friday to add their support to both me and Heather.   This was right after my swim on Friday.

After a Texas Roadhouse dinner on Friday night I finished my race day prep and went to check the weather before bed.  The weather was forecast to be in the low 80s, sunny and a light 8 mph wind.  I woke up at 3:30 and we were out the door by 4:15am.  Heather dropped me off near the Tabernacle so that I could catch the bus to the swim.

Once out at the Reservoir, I had time to get my liquid nutrition on my bike, pump up my tires and get ready for my swim.  It was great to be able to see James and his wife Sunny in the transition area along with some other friends.  Friendly faces really help to calm my nerves.  At 6:45 the pro's started their swim.  We got in the water and started at 7.  Open water starts are always crazy, expecially with over 1000 people.  There is very little open water at the start but I managed to find some and get into a rhythm.  I was cruising along fairly well, coming close to the first turn bouy it felt as if one of the boats had sped by us and we were surfing in its wake.  As we made the 90 degree turn it was evident that the once placid water now resembed a raging ocean with white cap waves from 3-5 feet battering us with 40 mph wind gusts.  Once we turned to head back towards the transition it was clear that this would be tough.  The wind and water were pushing against us, waves slamming me and chocking me, let along not being able to see the markers in the water to know where to go.  I have to say it was incredibly scary, I remebered hearing that surfers would say waves came in patterns so I got into a rhythm of freestyle for a number of strokes then breastroke through the big waves then back to freestyle.  I had a goal in mind of 1:15 for my swim, it turned out to be 1:47, I was happy to be alive and to have been ahead of the cut off.   Here is a pic of our start taken by Craig Stevenson, one of the vounteers and then a pic of what the water was like for us.

Once out of the water it was time to hop on the bike.  I sent Heather a text to let her know that I was on my way so that they could find a spot to watch me.  I enjoy the bike, to be able to go fast, pump my legs to go up a hill and all the other fun of riding a bike.  The wind once again made the bike tough, climbing towards Gunlock and out of it were tough.  However, to turn the corner to climb the Veyo wall and feel that tail wind push you was a welcome blessing.  I saw many people walking up hills but I was determined not to.  I made sure to watch my heart rate, keep on top of my nutrition and remember all the other things that James had taught me.  I am often to competitive and go out strong trying to catch and pass people, forgetting that I need to pace myself.  Aside from battling the winds everything went great, no flats or major issues and I made it around the 2 loops.  It was great to see my cheering seciton at the 30 mile mark in Ivins, as you can see the boys had fun trying to bury Preston in the red sand.

The fun of waiting for Daddy to come by.  Here I am at mile 30 feeling great.

Off the bike I ran into the tent to put my run gear on0, it was fun to chat with some of the athletes around me, share ibuprofen, suncreeen etc and wish each other luck.  As I came out of the tent the chearing squad were on hand to see me off.

I knew that on the marathon there should be an aid station every mile, it was 3 loops of a course running up and down St George streets with a mix of gradients.  I wanted to run to each aid station, walk through to fuel up and run to the next one.  I was gradually warming up with James Lawrence caught up to me and let me run with him for a while, it really helped me pick up my pace.  I knew that I had 7 hrs from T2 to the finish line, baring any crazy things happening I was going to complete this race.  I wanted to enjoy it, every last step of it.  People wonder why I was smiling so much, between the joy of all the preparation coming together, the knowledge of the fact that I had conquered some demons, some deeply personal spiritual experiences I had, the wonderful volunteers and the great people out on the streets supporting us it was impossible not to be smiling.  As I pushed through each mile, talking to other runners, it was the best feeling in the world.  As I continued my goal of running between aid stations I knew all to well where my last one would be.  As I pushed out of the last station and headed towards the finish line I met another runner walking and encouraced him to run with me.  We ran down the hill, around the turn around and up the final stretch.  The feeling of turning the corner, high fiving complete strangers and seeing the finish line is indescribable.  All aches and pains disappeared and the energy carried me to the finish.  It was a truly incredible experience and one I hope to repeat someday (sorry Heather it was too good not to want to do again).

Just finished!

The Support crew/cheer squad

I am truly blessed to have a wonderful family who is willing to sacrifice for me and support me.  I am so grateful to the Lawrences for their friendship, support, instruction and encouragement.  I am thankful to Heathers parents for coming down to help Heather with the kids, I know that Heather was very grateful for the help.

Now what to do next?