Packing for Ironman

Yaba daba doo

Here you go. If Fred Flintstone had an Ironman tattoo. This ink comes courtesy of a caveman of another sort, Nick the Wad. Cook managed to hunt Nick down while visiting the in-laws in Boulder.

Representing the LB

-- Post From My iPhone
Chip and I came home with the hardware representing Los Banos lane two at this morning's 1 mile swim. It was a brisk 58 degrees. Brrrrr.....

Tattoo You

My buddy Cook says if you are going to get an Ironman tattoo, you better damn well put your time underneath it. So in honor of Cook, I went into undercover stealth mode. A lot of IM tats, but alas, no finishing times.

Canine Adventures

The Cost of Ironman

Ironman Registration Fee- $525
Airfare for 2- $804
Tri Bike Transport- $250
Rental Car- $186
5 nights at Host Hotel-$2,100
Food and other goodies- $500
Crossing the Ironman finish line- PRICEY!

Terrorist Threat

You never know when a crazy triathlete will hijack an airplane brandishing his finisher's medal.

Ironman is like a box of chocolates

No, I didn't need an ambulance but at one point of the bike I thought I might. I was having some nutritional issues on the run and by mile 10 I thought I was about to faint. One thing I can guarantee about ironman races is you never know what you are going to get. You just have to go with the flow. It is a lot of crisis management, trying to figure out how to rally from a sometimes desperate situation. I was able to slowly titrate some calories back in and eventually I was able to run and finish the race. 11:36. So when is my next Ironman? Probably in a couple or three years. I know I need surgery on my torn rotator cuff. That injury really has hampered my swimming. But I can assure you, I'll be back toeing the Ironman line.

Race Day Photos

Elda, Marie, and Chris race morning. The weather was a little breezy, but nice. It turned ugly in a hurry.

Dan getting bodymarked by one of thousands of great volunteers

Off for a long bike ride

It actually looks like I'm running here

Looking a little dazed, but happy

Race Morning

The great thing about staying at the host hotel is you can hang out until the last moment. The skies are clear, a little wind. Any ironman day is a perfect day. Now ask me that halfway thru the marathon... I'm off!!

The Night Before

-- Post From My iPhone
A little TV, room service, and a good night's sleep.

Checked Out

We checked all our gear in this afternoon. Did I forget anything?!

The Bike, of course

-- Post From My iPhone





Here are some views from the bike course. It is pretty awesome.

Gearing Up

-- Post From My iPhone
Here is the gear I'll need to get me thru an 11 hour day. Getting ready is really a pain. I hate that about triathlons.

The Day Before

-- Post From My iPhone
The Bridge right before the run turnaround. Ellen and I cruised around the course this morning.

Nice Rides

-- Post From My iPhone
There is no shortage of cool bikes at Ironman.

Get Shiggy with it

-- Post From My iPhone
Romey and Shiggy. Shiggy runs like the wind. Expect him to podium on Sunday.

Waiting game

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The registration line. Hoping I get thru before the rain.

Post Swim

-- Post From My iPhone
Slightly chilled Elda, Marie, and Chris after our morning swim.

Two to Go

-- Post From My iPhone
They'll try to sell just about anything here at Ironman.
I'm off for a morning swim with some of the SB gang.