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

-- Post From My iPhone
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.

Calm before the Storm

Imagine 2000 triathletes packed on this beach race morning.

Three to go

-- Post From My iPhone
They are predicting cloudy with a chance of showers. Perfect race weather! Arrived in CDA this afternoon and am settling in with a cold brew.

Four to Go

Old age has not dulled my buddy Cook's sense of humor:

Good luck, remember a few things:

1) Be sure to pack two of everything, knowing that one of your bags will not make it.

2) Wear running shoes on the plane, just in case your connecting flight is in a different terminal and you have to piss.

3) Keep the room hot and stuffy so not to get sick.

4) Eat at places where the servers are missing teeth, it says a lot about the food.

5) Olive Garden pre-race meal is a must.

5) Swim fast, don't get a punctured ear drum. And, don't focus on the fact that Duncan is a better swimmer.

6) Ride smart, don't puke or stop in a porta-potty at mile 56. And, don't worry that Hazards tuned-up your bike.

7) Run/Shuffle, same as number 6 just substitute mile 1. And, be sure to raise your hands when crossing the line as this will block the picture of Madonna Butter finishing behind you.

Four to go- AM: Masters Swim, PM: short jog

Five to Go

5 days til Ironman: AM- 40 minute run, Yoga, PM 90 min bike

Six to go

Note to self: pack sunscreen

11 days to go: Masters swim, Nite Moves
10 days to go: 40 min run
9 days to go: Masters swim
8 days to go: 1:20 run, masters swim, 2 hr bike
7 days to go: 3:30 bike, 40 min run
6 days to go: Masters swim

12 days to go

Morgan awaits her bath at the Arroyo Burro Beach dog wash after rolling in a dead seal during our morning walk. Lilo gave Morgan a run for the money, but Morgan is slowly regaining her title of "the bad dog".
12 days to go- Stair workout- 1:10 and plenty of sweat, yoga

Bike Bling

I think this would be a perfect accessory for my fixey. You can check it out Here.

18 days til Ironman- AM- Track session, 2 mile warm up, 6x1mile at 140 HR, 1 min rest, 1 mile at fastest split, 1 min rest, 1 mile at fastest split, 2 mile warm down. PM- Masters Swim
17 days- AM- 1:20 run, with 3x12min at 150 HR, PM- Yoga, 1.5 hr bike
16 days- AM- Masters swim, 2 hr bike
15 days- 4 hr bike, 40 min run brick
14 days- 2:20 run, easy spin
13 days- Masters swim

The Taper

With 2 1/2 weeks until race day, people are asking, " Have you started your taper?" Well the answer is yes... and no. I certainly won't be doing any more super bricks like last weekend, but my training volume will remain fairly high up until race week. The biggest mistake I've made in the past is tapering myself right out of shape. Chuckie V has just posted a great article on his take on the taper. Check it out here.

19 Days til Ironman- PM- yoga, 40 minute run, still a little tired from the super brick.

Dirty Laundry

What does it take to do a Super Brick? A lot of gear for one. After the completion of each leg, I stripped off the sweaty stuff, suited up with dry gear, leaving at the end of the day quite a pile of smelly spandex.

24 days til Ironman- AM- 2hr run, PM- yoga, 1.5 hr bike
23 days- AM- masters swim, PM- 2hr bike up Mt. Fig
22 days- Super Brick- 2.5 bike/10k run, 2hr bike/10k run, 1.5hr bike/ 5k run
21 days- REST
20 days- masters swim