Race Report-Florida 70.3

Well, I finished the race, and believe me, after reading this recap you will see why I am content and perfectly happy with that. The fact that I am content with this shows me my own growth as an athlete. I accepted the day and the race for what it was. The race is over and I don't feel the need for redemption, I'm ready to recover and move on to the heavy Ironman Louisville training block.

Let start with the events leading up to race day. Months ago in February one of my good friends I was in the Army with who lives within an hour of the race town agreed to be at the race for me. My plan was set so I registered for the race and booked my hotel. Monday of race week she informed me she would not be able to go, causing me to panic. A half ironman is a race I do not want to do sherpa-less, so this caused me to frantically look for a sherpa, stressing me out to the max, and almost causing me to back out of the race. Loraine is usually my sherpa for half ironman race, but with Joel still deployed, she was staying home with my kids. Thursday my friend Tatiana, who is in swim club with me, agreed to accompany me to the race and be my sherpa. Phewww, crisis averted. Crisis #2 was soon to follow though.

Sorry if what I am about to say is too PG-13 rated, but I am a woman racing and this is part of the lifestyle. On Friday Mother Nature payed me a visit with my monthly gift. What timing!!! If Mother Nature was to take her human form, I would have punched her where it hurts at that moment. So, with everything else going on during a half ironman race, this was yet another thing I would have to deal with on race day.

On the road to Haines City

Saturday morning Tatiana and I left South Georgia for Central Florida. Fun car ride chatting and making jokes. We got to the race site for athlete check-in around 3:30 in the afternoon. OMGEEEEEE is was HOT!!! The expo was set up outside in a "tent city" fashion. After I checked in and turned my bike in, we walked around a bit, the heat was already getting to us. We checked out the swim course, the buoys were already set up. Just looking at the "M" swim made me nervous, it looked confusing just standing near the beach looking at it, at that point I couldn't imagine how confusing it would actually be swimming it.

Always love the first name on the bib

Checked into the hotel, lots of other competitors staying at the same hotel. Chilled out in the AC for awhile. I thought I was acclimated to the heat from training at home, but the heat here was on another level! Wait for my friend and Team RWB teammate, Kim, we were going to dinner together. She was on drill weekend for the Navy. Had she not been on drill she would have been my sherpa for the weekend. She wasn't able to get out of it. We went to dinner at Cracker Barrel, which I love! Going to dinner with Kim and Tatiana eased my nerves for the race since we were laughing and joking and just being silly.

Going to dinner win Kim

Woke up the next morning nervous for what the day would bring. Managed to make it out of the hotel room without forgetting anything. Made it to the race site and set up transition. Tatiana went to go put the bike pump back in the car so she wouldn't have to carry it around all day. That's when Joel called me with his good luck phone call. I was so happy to hear from him. Was finally time to head to the beach where the swim start was. Got a big good luck hug from Tatiana and lined up with my wave (wave 6). When it was time for us to wade in the water, it was just disgusting. The water was the color of coffee, and the muck our feet were sloshing through just felt icky and nasty. I fell in an underwater hole of muck and 2 nice ladies pulled me out of it. I was anxious for our horn to go off just so we could stop standing around in the muck. Finally the horn went off, commence washing machine!

Almost go time

This was an "M" shaped swim. The concept seemed simple, but actually swimming it was quite a challenge. I did well on the first straight line. Got hit in the face a few times. The water was so gross and murky. Made it to the first turn buoy, so far so good. After that I was a bit disorientated since swimmers were coming from all directions. They were 2 sets of "sausage buoys" we have to swim through in the middle of the "M" so I was sighting on the first set of those. After I got through the middle of the "M" and was on the last long straightaway I hadn't looked at my watch, but I knew I had been in the water for a long time. Wasn't exactly happy about this, but all could could do at the moment was just keep swimming. Suddenly I had my head up to sight and I got kicked HARD in the gut by a girl doing breast stroke. It knocked the wind out of me. I had to tread water to gather my composure again to swim and and get to the beach. Finally I made it the beach, the muck was so deep it was a struggle to walk through it to get to the swim exit and timing mat. I got out of the water feeling tired and beat up, as seen in this picture. Swim time was 49:34 Garmin File

My face says it all, that swim was ROUGH

T1 was really trying to gather myself and prepare for this bike ride. I was really disorientated from that rough swim. WTC no longer requires us to wear a race belt with bib for the bike, so that was nice. Put on my cycling shoes, helmet, and nutrition and grabbed bike. Tatiana was cheering me on nearby. She was at the mount and was cheering me on and taking pictures as I was mounting my bike. T1 time was 4:08

Doing the shoe dance

Let's roll

The bike was 1 big loop. The elevation profile on the race website was misleading. It was much hillier than I anticipated. In edition to that, it seemed like we couldn't get a break from the wind, almost as if the wind was shifting and on every turn there was a headwind. An hour into the bike the sun was out in full force and I hoped the sunscreen I put on before the swim would hold up for this ride. I had a small piece of masking tape on my top tube with the mile the aid stations were located at so I would know if I was good to drink a whole bottle or if it would be awhile until I could do a bottle exchange. I rode within myself and didn't hammer up the hills. The wind was really slowly me down and wearing on my legs. Lots of turns as well. Around mile 30 I saw the biggest snake I have ever seen outside of a zoo just hanging out on the side of the road watching us ride by. I was starting to get girlie cramps. Toward the end of the bike I was doubting I would make my personal goal of under 3 hours, the bike was just rough. Finally it ended. Bike time was 2:59:06 Garmin File

T2 I took my time, I was so tired and the thought of running a half marathon at this point seemed so daunting. Exchanged the cycling shoes for socks and running shoes, and the helmet for a running hat. Put my run nutrition in my tri top, snapped the race belt on. Made a quick stop to the porta potty in. On my way out to the run I was looking all over for sunscreen volunteers. At every ironman branded race I have ever done, there are always sunscreen volunteers. Not at this one. A feeling of dread and regret came over me. I knew I was going to be badly sunburnt at the end of this, and I knew from experience not wearing sunscreen was going to suck any energy I had in the run. I didn't think to bring any sunscreen for transition because of my experience at all my other ironman branded races. Tatiana was cheering for me and I gave her a smile and wave. Thought I was ready for this run. T2 time was 6:29

The run, if you can call it that, was absolutely brutal! It was so hot! I expected heat, I signed up for this race expecting the heat, but this was a different kind of heat! This was a 3 lap course. The first mile was nice, coming out of transition and the athlete village lots of cheering spectators and great mojo. At the start of mile 2 there was a huge hill, I managed to run up the whole thing, but my energy was absolutely zapped at the top of it. Then I realized I would have to go up this thing 2 more times. Made it to the aid station and walked through it since I was so hot and needed to cool off. After the aid station I started back running, but then started to cramp up. This was strange for me, if I am going to cramp it usually doesn't happen until about mile 9 or 10 and at that point I'm able to just suck it up. I started walking again for a few minutes in hopes that the cramps would work themselves out. They didn't, but I wanted this race to be over so I just picked up a slow jog. At the next aid station I dumped ice water on myself and filled my tri top and hat with ice. Picked up another slow jog and finally lap 1 was done, 2 more to go.

 I was able to keep to good pace going through the athlete village again, the mojo from the crowd always does that to me. I was able to run until I got to the base of that giant hill. I made the decision to conserve whatever energy I had and walk up the hill. Lots of folks were walking up the hill at this point. I was eating some of my Margarita shot bloks every 20 minutes for the extra salt. I was cramping everywhere, calves, hamstrings, quads, sides of my abdomen, and the worse, those girlie cramps from Mother Nature's gift. I was in a pattern of running when I could walking when I had to. I was getting very overheated and dizzy, and I could already feel bad sunburn on my back and shoulders. At every aid station I was dumping cold water on myself and putting ice wherever I could. Was able to run through the athlete village again for the last time, and on to that giant hill for the last time. I was in survival mode at this point. People were dropping left and right. Lots of ambulances and people receiving medical aid. All my time goals were out the window, and my only goal now was to get to the finish line and receive my medal and not get taken away in an ambulance before that could happen. My first time really going into survival mode in a race. I promised myself I would not be upset about my finishing time, and I would be happy just to cross the finish line. Was chatting with a nice young man when my Garmin beeped for mile 10, I told him "come on we got this, only a 5k to go". He said "that's very sweet of you, but I am only on my second lap". After the aid station I really had to pee. Normally I would suck this up too and just go as soon as I get to this finish. I had 2.5 miles to go until the finish line. All my time goals were out the window, and thought I might as well be comfortable, so I went ahead and made that visit to the porta potty. I was able to run the last 2 miles a little more, it was almost over. Finally I made the turn to the finishing chute and was so relieved to see the finish line. More like happy I survived. Run time was 2:12:35 Gamin File

The agony

Happy I survived

Total race time was 6:11:50

Got my finisher's medal and hat, and found Tatiana in the crowd. She knows my running ability and was asking what took so long (I love my friends, they all know me athletically so well). I told her about the menacing punishment that was the run course. Told her about what I went through on the run course just to finish. She sat me down in the shade and got me a shaved ice, which tasted amazing after that run course.I was sunburnt badly, it really hurt. After I felt well enough the move again, I packed up transition and grabbed my bike and we headed back to the hotel. We were going out to Buffalo Wild Wings (which I love and we don't have one where I live) for dinner with Kim and I was really looking forward to it.

Celebrating my survival at Buffalo Wild Wings

I had a rough day at this race. I normally do well in the heat but not on this day. This race was a good learning experience for Ironman Louisville in a few months. I thought I would do better, but I am still happy I finished. I am the same person before, during, and after the race. My finishing time does not define who I am as a person, or even as an athlete. On a day like May 19, 2013 I can honestly say I am happy just to be a finisher. There were so many DNFs and I was happy to not be one of them. Moving on to my "A" race now, Ironman Louisville!

Sexy tan lines

Painful sunburn

70.3 Race Weekend is Here

Its finally time for the first big race of the year. Florida 70.3 is on Sunday. I'm leaving tomorrow for the 4.5 hour trip to Haines City. My original sherpa backed out, but fortunately one of my friends is going to go with me for sherpa duty. I was getting worried that I would have to do this race sherpa-less. Loraine is staying home with my kids and dogs. 


This is a tough course on what will be a very hot day. Non-wetsuit swim in a lake with no current, hilly bike course, and a hot run with a few hills. This is not going to be a PR race, my 70.3 PR is at Augusta 70.3 last year where I posted a 5:27, aside from a hilly bike course, that race was dramatically different than this one will be. I am not expecting a PR. I picked this race to see where I am at as an athlete going into the heavy training block for Ironman Louisville. I'll be able to see my strengths and weaknesses as a long course athlete at this point once I finish this race, and improve on those in the coming months before Ironman Louisville. Ironman Louisville is a hot and hilly race with a non-wetsuit swim and I am determined to beat the 14:17 I posted at that race in 2011

I look at this race as a bit of a stepping stone to this year's Ironman Louisville, which is now 99 days away, double digit countdown already. I wasn't looking for an "ego" course when picking a 70.3 this year, I was looking for a tough course within a 5-6 hour drive. This one was a perfect fit, and the people warning me about how tough of a race it is solidifies the decision even more. This is my only 70.3 this year.

Other exciting news, my 4-year old got her cast off today, though she is afraid of extending her arm at the moment, hopefully she'll be using her arm again by Monday when I return from my trip. Joel will be home at some point next month. He's going to have a busy few weeks of training. He is registered for the Jacksonville Olympic Triathlon #3, the Savannah Century, Augusta 70.3, and the Savannah Rock 'n' Roll Marathon.

Loraine literally "winged it" through a sprint triathlon and two 5ks, but she is now training for a 5k for real. Today she finished day 1 of the Couch 2 5k program. We are going to do a 5k after she finishes the program, and she will continue training and do the Freedom 5k at the Marine Corps Half Marathon while I do the half. I am so proud of her. She does not like running, nor does it come natural to her, but she is still doing this since she set the goal. Similar to the way I am with swimming. Some may say it is "just" a 5k, but to someone who is not a runner, its a big deal. I have never been a fan of the phrase "you ran a marathon, that's cute". No person is high and mighty just because they choose to go long. I personally don't find 5ks any easier or more difficult than say....a half marathon, its just different. Different kinds of pain that's for sure. The level of pain, I would put them almost equal. I do long and short course (triathlon and running) year round or else I will get bored, and I have to admit, I almost get a high off of 5ks and sprint triathlons, going that fast for a short amount of time is such a rush! 

For Sunday's race I am bib#453, and the tracker will say my occupation is a Homemaker, which always makes me laugh. They don't have an option for "can't find a decent job so just trains a lot instead".Hope to learn a lot about myself and my state of fitness in this race, oh, and hope not to be gator bait in the "M" swim in Lake Eva.  

My Biggest Fan with a Simple Gesture

Something so simple yet so special came in the mail a few days ago. A card from Joel. As you can imagine snail mail takes awhile to arrives here from the Middle East, this card was sent on April 17th, the day after Joel and I made our big Savannah Rock 'n' Roll Marathon plans. A few words describing his excitement over coming home and running the race with me. I have been reading it over and over several times a day. These words on this card mean so much to me. I wanted to share this card with my readers to show how a gesture as such, a few sentences on a card, can mean so much to a person and help keep them going. I would not be where I am today without the support of my hubby

Big Fall/Winter Running Season Ahead

Its Sunday late afternoon and usually I would still be out on the road putting in a long bike ride and brick run, but instead I am home sick. I started feeling sick on Wednesday but ignored it hoping it would go away. My Wednesday night bike ride was cut from the usual hour down to 20 minutes because I felt so nauseous and dizzy on the bike. Thursday I went to swim club and was able to hold it together for a great and intense workout from Jennifer the Swim Coach. That was my last workout, since then I've just been sick sick sick. I can't be too surprised by this. Last weekend I had a great race, but since it was an olympic distance I was going hard for 2 hours 45 minutes. Sometimes when I race longer than a sprint tri (roughly 1 hour 15 minutes) or a half marathon (roughly 1 hour 46 minutes) my immune system gets compromised, and since my youngest daughter had been since it was just my time considering the circumstance. The Florida 70.3 is 13 days away and this was supposed to be my last big training weekend, but I have accepted the circumstance and trust in the base I have built up to this point. Better I get sick now than race week.

Since I have been bed-stricken I have had the chance to think about the year ahead, mainly the fall/winter running season. This is my third year of training and racing in endurance sports and I have never been more excited and enthusiastic about running.  My enthusiasm has translated to great running splits in my triathlons so far this year. My 10k run split from last Sunday was a 1-second 10k PR for me. Parris Island Triathlon brought a 21:01 5k, which is a PR for me, and Joel think I can get into the 20 minute range in a stand-alone 5k, which I am not so sure of, but like I was mention in my last race report, I need to work on the self confidence.

A few days ago I registered for the Jacksonville Marine Corps Half Marathon on October 5th. This will be my third time running this race. Its my favorite half marathon within a drive-able distance. Its five weeks after ironman Louisville, but I ran it in 2011 four weeks after ironman Louisville and I felt fine and ran a 1:52, so I know I'll be good. Joel will be skipping it this year since its six days after his first half ironman (Augusta 70.3). Loraine will be running the Freedom 5k that takes place at the same time, and is planning on follow couch 2 5k to do it, so I'm excited to see what she can run with some training. Joel is going to bring the girls to spectate, they actually listen to him. This is a race that will always hold a special place in my heart, it was my first half marathon ever when I ran it in 2010. This year's edition will be the 10 anniversary of the race.

A few weeks after that on November 9th Joel and I will run the Savannah Rock 'n' Roll Marathon . Marathon #3 for me, Marathon #2 for him, our second marathon together. We are both excited about it, I plan to use my enthusiasm and Cliff Shot Bloks to get me through the 26.2

On December 1st I'm going to run the Reindeer Half Marathon on Amelia Island, starting at Fernandina Beach. Its a small race, roughly 350 runners, slightly more women than men, but its a real gem of a race for the area. The emphasis of this race is family fun with a Christmas theme, and being at the very beginning of December it really gets the participants and attending families in the Christmas spirit. They put a lot of work in to the activities for the children. They have crafts for kids, Santa, bounce houses, a kid's race with finisher's prizes, and the beautiful beach where literally thousands of large sea shells can be found. My kids are already looking forward to that race.

1st Place Sport out of Jacksonville had to change the date of their annual Jacksonville Bank Marathon and Half Marathon to the end of December as opposed to the usual mid-December. We were going to skip it this year, but now that the date has changed to the end of December Joel and I are planning on doing the half marathon. I have ran the marathon twice, but want to see what the half marathon looks like.

After that it will be my first Ultra Marathon, the Savannah Rails2Trails 50k. Joel is going to be my super sherpa for the day. The date is January 11th, roughly 2 weeks after the Jacksonville Bank Half Marathon, but I think I will be fine

I haven't committed yet, but I am eye-balling the Tybee Run Fest. Its 5 races in two days totaling 26.2, the longest race is a half marathon on day two. I wanted to do it this year, but at the time I was coming off my calf and hip injury. Its one of those unique races I would like to do while we live here. I ran the half marathon in 2011 when all they had was the half marathon.

Thinking ahead, because of all these running races, one being a marathon and another being a 50k, I have no choice but to put swimming and cycling in maintenance mode over the course of the winter. These races will involve lots and lots of run miles. My longest races last winter were half marathons, so I was able to use the winter to really make gains in swimming and cycling. Triathlon is, and always will be, the love of my life (behind my family and friends), but something inside is telling me to take on these challenges this winter, and I can't ignore it.

I have spent this weekend sick living vicariously through my friends and hope this illness leaves me soon. Next weekend I'm volunteering for Girls on the Run as a run buddy for the fast girls, and the weekend after that will be the Florida 70.3.

Race Report-West Point Lake Olympic Triathlon

I wasn't planning on this race, but after two pool swim races to kick off tri season, I wanted a race with a longer open water swim to build my confidence for Florida 70.3 on May 19th. In addition to that, I was looking for a race with some hills on the bike to prep for Florida 70.3 as well, since as you know, I live in a flat region. I found the West Point Lake Olympic Triathlon outside of LaGrange, GA put on by Georgia Multisport. Georgia Multisport has a great reputation and I have races two of their races before, so I knew it would be a quality event.  

The race was a 4.5 hour drive away, so mandatory overnight trip. I brought my best friend Loraine and my two daughters along with me, I thought it would be a fun girl's weekend. The drive there was miserable, the last 2 hours were all through country back roads. When we got to the hotel my girls would not settle down, they were amped from being in the car so long. Needless to say I didn't get much sleep.

My friend Mindy lived about an hour away and was coming to spectate and take pictures. She is a really talented photographer. I worked with her in 2008 at the Warrior Transition Battalion when we lived in Kansas. She's also an Army wife. This was her first time seeing me since my dramatic weight loss. She met us at the hotel bright and early on race morning to follow us to the race site.

Made it to the race site, picked up my packet, and set up transition. I was so nervous because olympic is a tough distance, and I had only done 1 before this. Went down to the lake with Loraine, Mindy, and my girls and wiggled into my wetsuit. This was my first time putting it on since Beach2Battleship half iron last year. The water temperature was 66 degree, the coldest water I have ever swam in.

About to start

The swim was a time trial start. As usual my heart was pounding. It was my turn to go and when I hit the water it was COLD!!! YIKES!!! Even with the wetsuit the cold stung for the first 5 minutes or so. Jennifer the Swim Coach had texted me a pep talk the night before about the swim and I was heeding the advice. She had told me to use technique, not strength, in the swim and to save the strength for the bike. The first 250 meters to the first turn buoy felt great, I was really settled into a rhythm. The next 500 meters were decent, but not as smooth as the first 250. After about 200 more meters, all of a sudden the people swimming around me stopped to tread water and look around, I freaked out because I thought we had swam off course, but looking far ahead I could see the final 3 buoys and swam on targeting them. The swim was long, a whole mile, several competitors complained about this after the race. I ran up the swim exit, glanced at my Garmin and wasn't happy. Loraine told me later on she could tell by the look on my face. Was nice to see her and Mindy and my girls right before T1. Swim time was 35:07
Garmin swim file 

Finally finished with the swim
photo credit Mindy Morris

T1 I was a bit disorientated. Fortunately I am a minimalist on the bike. After I got the wetsuit, caps and goggles off, all I had to do was put on my helmet, sunglasses, and cycling shoes. I grabbed the bike and left in a hurry, in my mind I was far behind and felt the race has left me in the water. T1 time was 1:36

Starting the bike
photo credit Mindy Morris

The bike was 25 miles of rolling hills. The hills started in the second mile and went on and on throughout the bike. I had one bike bottle of water and one bike bottle of full strength Powerade. I didn't really feel like I needed more than that nutrition wise. The way I ride, I stand up on the hills, I don't like sitting and spinning. Personal preference. I didn't see many women on the bike course with me, so once again I felt like I was just so far behind and feared I totally blew the race in the swim. I rode within my ability, went hard when I needed to, coasted down the hills. I wanted something left for the 10k run. Some of the climbs were pretty substantial. My Garmin read almost 1600 feet of elevation gain for the course. I was happy with how I felt going up and down the hills, it was tough but it didn't totally wipe me out like it did 2 years ago, I see real progress as a cyclist. At mile 23 an old man was coming down his driveway with a walker to the mailbox, his dog was walking alongside him, saw me and started chasing me. The dog stopped when the owner yelled, but the situation still made my legs shaky the last 2 miles of the bike. Approached the dismount line excited for the run, I felt like I held back just enough on the bike to run a solid 10k. Bike time was 1:18:03
Garmin bike file

Finishing the bike
photo credit Mindy Morris

T2 racked bike, took off helmet and sunglasses, flicked off cycling shoes, put on socks and my Newton Distance Us, put on my running hat, grabbed my race belt and put it on while running out of T2. Saw my cheer section again. T2 time was 1:37

Heading out on the run
photo credit Mindy Morris

The run was an out and back with a few small hills (elevation gain was 315 feet). I decided to carry a hand held bottle with full stregth Powerade in it instead of using the aid stations. My target pace was 8 minute miles or faster. The first 3 miles went great, I felt strong. My first 3 miles were 7:45, 7:43, and 7:47. I felt like I was making up for all the time I thought I lost. After the turn-around my pace dropped off to the 8 minute pace. I was pushing hard because my Garmin was telling me I could possibly go sub 49 for this run. I was hurting but just hard to keep the legs moving a little while longer. around mile 4.5 I saw something that gave me a reality check. The women. Up to this point I did not see many women and honestly thought I was in the back the entire race trying to catch up to everyone. The majority of the women were in the first miles of the run. At this point in the race the reality check told me I need more confidence in myself and my ability. Come to find out I finished 11th female overall, so no wonder I didn't see many other women around me. Odd as this may seem, I still don't see myself as fast yet. Mainly I need to work on the self confidence in a race setting. I have made improvements in my confidence in a group training setting. The final mile of the run, my glutes were aching, but it was almost over. I looked down at the ground, gritted my teeth, and put my mind somewhere else all the way to the finish line. Approached the finish, so many nice people cheering me on, crossed the finish line and my cheer crew was right there. Run time was 48:45

Crossing the finish line
photo credit Mindy Morris

Garmin run file

Final race time was 2:45:06

I'm always so happy to see my girls after I cross the finish line, sometimes they are not as thrilled
photo credit Mindy Morris

I love my custom Epix Gear tri kit

Got hugs from everyone at the finish line. Told Loraine and Mindy all about the race. Loraine had told me only a few women had come in before me, so we would stay for awards. While the girls played by the lake, us ladies hung out and chatted and caught up on what had been happening the past few years. It was so great having Mindy there at this race, showing her my new lifestyle. She had a good time watching the race. At the awards ceremony I won my age group. 

First place age group

Official results

We said our good-byes and headed back to our homes. I'm happy with how the race went. I was actually better than I expected and I wasn't anticipating that kind of elevation gain on the bike course. I was pleasantly surprised with how I rode the course. I am so excited for Florida 70.3 and Ironman Louisville. 

Trophy from the race

Close to the End of April, Where to Start

It has been awhile since my last post. Where to start of what's been happening.........I'll start with April 6th. On that day I did the Tri Jax Challenge Sprint Triathlon. No race report (I'll explain why in a minute) but I can sum it up right quick. It was a very cold morning. I didn't bring any cold gear and I froze on the bike, it wasn't until 2.2 miles in to the run until my feet stopped feeling like they were encased in ice blocks. I placed 2nd female overall, but they were only doing awards for 1st overall and then it went to the age groups, so I placed 1st in my age group.

The next day, Loraine was outside mowing the lawn and the girls were happily playing in Miley's (my 4 year-old) room with the occasional bickering. I was starting to type up the race report from the Tri Jax Challenge when I heard an ear piercing scream, then Miley walked out to the kitchen table where I was sitting, calmly holding her arm and telling me it hurt. This is what I saw

I freaked!!!! An arm is not supposed to bend like that!!!! As a reaction I let out a big "OH MY GOD" which probably wasn't the best reaction in front of my kids, but I was in shock, and I still can't get that image out of my head. Miley wasn't phased by my reaction at all, she was just eerily calm. Loraine heard all the commotion from outside and came in and let out a gasp at the sight. We quickly left the house and headed to the hospital. She broke both bones in her arm

She was so brave through the entire ordeal, didn't cry or scream or whine the entire time. She'll be in a full arm cast for 6-8 weeks. Its healing great at the moment so at the moment looking like it will be closer to 6 weeks. Was hard going through something like this with Joel gone.

On Marathon Monday our nation experienced a tragedy. Something us Iraq/Afghanistan veterans dealt with in the Middle East was brought to our home turf. I haven't quite found the word the explain how I feel, but the closest word I can think of is heartbroken. Heartbroken for everyone involved in the sport of running, because it will never be the same again. From the ashes of this tragedy perseverance has risen, and this will not stop us. You cannot break the spirits of people who run 26.2 for the fun of it.

The day after the Marathon Monday tragedy, I ran 12 miles to honor Boston. I was hurting, I wanted to cut out early, but I just couldn't, I had pledged 12 to Boston.

The next day, Wednesday, I was talking to Joel and he told me he wanted to run the Savannah Rock 'n' Roll Marathon. I was shocked, since he was so miserable the last marathon he ran and had said he didn't want to run another one. But Joel is a true patriot, and I understand why he wants to do the marathon. I was already registered for the half marathon, but he convinced me to upgrade to the full and run it with him. I was a bit apprehensive since it seems so soon after ironman, but that man can talk me in to anything. I paid the $20 fee to get my race upgraded to the marathon and now I am officially IN for the Savannah Rock 'n' Roll Marathon, 10 weeks after Ironman Louisville. It will be marathon #3 for me, #2 for Joel, our second marathon together.

I was selected as the Weight Loss Surgery Foundation of America's (WLSFA) "Bariathlete of the Year" award. Its a big honor and I am truly flattered I was selected. The award ceremony is in Las Vegas the same weekend as the Florida 70.3, so I will not be able to attend. I was asked to create a YouTube video telling my story and accepting the award for them to play on the big screen at the awards ceremony, and here it is



That's about it for now, I am doing the West Point (GA) Olympic Triathlon on Sunday, hope to have good news to report from that race.

To Video or Not

Once again, the Ironman Corporation is hosting the Kona Inspired contest. The premise is, you make a 90 second video on how you live the ironman mantra "Anything is Possible". You upload it to the Kona Inspired website and the general public votes on the most deserving people of 7 coveted Kona slots.

I don't hide the fact that racing in Kona is my dream. I don't really care if I ever run the Boston Marathon, but Kona, YES! I am honestly not quite sure if I will ever be fast enough to earn a qualifying age group slot. I  would love to race Kona knowing I was fast enough to earn my slot, but I am also a very realistic person.

Ironman also has the "Legacy" program, where once you have completed 12 ironman-branded ironman races, you can enter a lottery against other "Legacy" athletes. The lottery picks 100 people from the Legacy program to race Kona. I just assumed that the Legacy program would be the way I would get to Kona. The Legacy slots feel "earned" to me because you had to race 12 ironmans to get in to the legacy lottery.

I am in no means saying that if I were to make a "Kona Ispired" video that America would vote for me, my story is actually quite typically. People who lose a lot of weight and then go on to finish ironman are becoming a dime a dozen. There is more to the story, but I don't know if my story is worthy of the chance to race in Kona.

Here's where I have the mental dilemma. If I enter this contest, I enter knowing that there is a chance of winning. I would go race Kona knowing my slot was given and not earned. That would be hard for me to wrap my head around.

Also, what if I don't get a single vote? It might make me feel pretty lousy. In addition to that, I know there will be 100s of entries from people much more deserving than myself, who have no mental dilemma of being given a Kona slot.

The deadline for entries is May 7th

My custom medal display from Allied Medal Displays with the Ironman motto, seemed fitting since it contains medals from one ironman, 70.3s, full and half marathons, triathlons, an open water swim race, and age group awards