I AM AN IRONMAN!

What a journey! A dream come true. A true bucket list item, a full year dedicated.. "to accomplish a goal so big, some find it impossible." I have learned so much over the past few days. On the simple basis of What is an Ironman, It is a triathlon consisting of a 2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike, then a 26.2 run. 140.6 total miles. But the reality is Ironman is so much more. Each individual must have the courage to sign up for the race. To make a pledge that they will prepare for a day long race. To put themselves in any weather, in water conditions that will change, to trust equipment (goggles, wetsuit, bike, shoes) and fight mental and physical obstacles to get to the finish line. In hopes to hear their name called and introduced as an Ironman. Some athletes train alone. They don't want to be distracted, they want to do their thing and that's ok. Some are successful that way. I am truly blessed to be a part of a team that is nothing short of AMAZING.

Team RWB's mission is to enrich the lives of America's veterans by connecting them to their community through physical and social activity.

As a civilian, I love thanking our service men and women and helping them enjoy the sport that has changed my life in so many positive ways. Just about every weekend, RWB put a plan out to all members to meet up and swim bike or run, or any combination you needed. All abilities welcome! I remember the first training session I showed up to. Nervous and just hoped I would be accepted. I quickly learned everyone there was in the same fight, to just better themselves and work towards their goals. We all cheered each other on and offered helpful hints from past experiences. Some members form up Cheer Squads and will spend hours just cheering on other Eagles. Completely selfless. Just making sure team mates succeed. I can't say enough for these team members.

After a year of training, learning from 3 seasons of triathlon, a flying flip crash, hit by a car, 3 staples in back of head, races crushed, race missed (Air Force), trying to be a loving husband and father, working full time with court appointments added in, then the dreaded Taper...the weekend of truth was upon me. I started Thursday off with a massage to loosen up the muscles. Went home and packed. Packing for an Ironman is a chore in itself. Making sure I had enough nutrition and all my race gear, including 2 clothes changes. Watched my favorite movie  

 

a movie about a guy who puts his heart into the empire Rome, gets screwed by a jerk, loses his family, has to fight back to get revenge on the jerk just to die, but saves Rome in doing so. "What we do in life, echoes an eternity!" I was reminded about another saying in the movie, "When I give the signal, Unleash Hell!" Friday morning I packed up the car and made the drive. Met my training partner and great friend Kevin at a Louisville local restaurant, Bluegrass Burgers. Great bison burger with GF BUN! Then off to IM Village! We got checked in and had the IM bracelet placed on our wrist.

This bracelet allows access to transition areas and shows who the IM competitors are. Signed waivers, got our bib, timing chips and swim caps. It was almost unreal knowing the race was quickly approaching. 11 months seemed to fly by. The week before drug by ever so slow. Now the clock was flying. I got to try Normatec boots 

 compression system that massages legs

and speeds recovery. felt great! Met up with other athletes Kalen and Andrew for the 2 o'clock athlete briefing. Katie was stuck in traffic. This was one lesson about IM. Always come into the race city 2 days before the race. Ease all stress 2 days out. Day before race should be minimum stress, maximum relax time. I've been to athlete briefings before, but I learned a few tricks here about transitions and special needs bags. One big thing was to dump out all contents of transition bags. 

 

rows of athletes bike and run gear bags. IM does an amazing job of keeping all this stuff in order
When athletes pack these bags, we prepare to have what we need in separate bags for each event. We need our swim stuff first. So that goes in morning clothes bag. Bike gear and run gear are the other 2 gear bags. Then we are given the option of 2 special needs bags. (Got all that? There's a quiz at the end.) Back to briefing. If I wouldn't have been told this tip, I would've never thought about it. Made the transitions way easier though. Helpful hints about bike and run course were given as well. Kevin and I then drove the bike course. It was great to see the area we were going to cover 112 miles on our bikes. We made it to my intersection, the scene of the crime!, 

 looking much better than the last time I was here

The hair on the back of my neck stood up as I got out of my car and looked around. There was a road sign that said something about texting and driving causing crashes. I knew I had to ride past this place twice during the race. The bike course is out for 20 miles, a 36 mile loop done twice, then back 20 miles. I told myself there would be police officers blocking this intersection and I saw cones and barricades already there waiting for Sunday to be placed. After our ride preview, we met up with teammates at Hard Rock for dinner. Back to the hotel where Kevin and I got down to business placing bike and bag stickers where they belonged. Then filling the gear and special needs bags. This process took a long time to make sure everything was in its proper place. I had packed my stuff in separate bags which helped speed up the process but just another reason why an IM athlete needs to be checked in 2 days before the race. Ease the stress! Once the work was done, I still needed to run my mile for my run streak. Friday was day 20. I go out and find this charm..

Someone has welded a Ford Taurus onto a truck frame (we all know I'm not a car guy, so not sure I worded that correctly). Only in Kentucky, thats what I thought. It was crazy. I made Kevin come outside to check this thing out. I'm not even sure how the driver gets in it. I had to get my picture with it to give real perspective how high up this thing was. It was parked at a meter right outside 4th Street Live. 

Saturday morning, Kevin and I ran just over a mile to keep my streak alive then went to Annie May's Sweet Cafe for breakfast. Everything here is made GF! Donuts, french toast, breakfast sandwiches, cupcakes, amazing bakery! Back to hotel to get bikes and gear bags.

 Misty looking good and race ready!

Brittney was enroute to Louisville with our girls and got caught in traffic. Took her 1 hour to drive 2 miles at 1 point. (did I mention its crucial to get to race city 2 days before for the athlete) I would've been stressing so bad. I told her to relax and just get in when you can. Katie met Kevin and I to take our bikes to rack them. IM makes you rack your bike the day before because it would be mass chaos race morning if you didn't do this now. IM then has you place your gear bags in numerical order.

Volunteers showed us where each bike and bag went. Then pointed us throughout the transition area. Where we would be coming from, what order to get what then where to take bike or run out of. Extremely well done. Organized chaos of directing traffic of adrenalized athletes. After racking bike, I found my wife and kids! We had lunch together with Kevin and Katie. Then Brittney and I took girls to hotel pool. This was great for me the day before my race. It was super relaxing and just spending time with my family was a great way to be thankful for all I've been blessed with. Went to Old Spaghetti Factory and had a great dinner. Back to hotel and early to bed. Lights and television were off before 8:45. My alarms were set at 4:25 and 4:27.

I slept until 1 or 1:15, then couldn't fall back asleep until around 2:30. I was surprised when my alarm woke me up at 4:25. I turned off the 2nd alarm. I was up and ready to go. Breakfast of cereal with a donut. Got dressed and watched my motivational video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V6xLYt265ZM ..I love this compilation video. Muhammad Ali is in it with his "How great I am" speech. I'm not usually one to puff up my chest and say "How great i am!" but when you face a great challenge, you have to believe you are great enough to conquer it!  I also believe in mental tricks. I didn't tell anyone except Brittney this before hand, I memorized Ali's speech. It was a weapon against the dark side of the mental battle. On race morning, a different section of the video "hit me" in a different way. at 4:40 of the video, Sly Stallone talks how "the world isn't full of sunshine and rainbows....it will beat you to your knees and keep you there permanently if you let it. You me or nobody is gonna hit as hard as life, but it aint about how hard you get hit, its about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward! That's how winning is done!" I replayed that section 3 times. I agreed that I can get hit by a car, but I kept moving forward. I knew this race would take its toll, but I would keep moving forward, no matter how slow, no matter what obstacle...just keep moving forward! 5:20 I met Kevin and Katie in the lobby. It was time to face the music, battle time, RACE DAY! The mile walk to transition from the hotel was filled with other athletes. When we arrived at transition we checked our bikes and turned in special needs bags. I waited in line for most important pre race tradition...porta potty! I waited around after but couldn't find my team mates. I walked to the swim start and located the BESST CHEER SQUAD EVER!

I waited for the start with my brother in law Jon and RWB. Wetsuit on and ready to go. The emotions in my head swirled. First I was excited, then scared, then tears came as I was so thankful Jon came just to cheer me and the others on after completing this challenge last year. The cannon went off. It was game time. I walked down the long ramp and the next thing I knew, I was in the drink! Swimming in the Ohio River. I stayed calm and relaxed. Found my rhythm and thought everything is going to be great today! Then i got kicked in the face. No lie, I took it as a sign that I needed to stay focused. I sang the song, "I LIVED" One Republic to myself through almost the whole swim. I believe that some of us are LIVING LIFE and others in this world is letting LIFE PASS THEM BY. I think I let my 20's pass me by, but now I'm LIVING. A few thoughts as I swam, "I'm freaking swimming in the middle of the Ohio RIVER!!! WHO does that?" I looked around and answered, "Oh yea, that guy over there, that girl on that side, all of us Ironman crazies!" "swimmers to my left, swimmers to my right, I must be ok where I'm at, Its like FINS, Fins to the left, Fins to the right and you're the only girl in town!" (2.4 mile swim here people, its a long way and better than thinking negative thoughts). I also thought about this blog. Putting in..then the SHARK came up to me and tried to bite my arm off! but I punched it in the throat!...I was smiling as I thought this, just swimming along. Never looked at my watch to see how long it was taking me. Just focused on the next buoy, the next bridge. The next thing I knew, I head Lady Gaga singing Poker Face. That was not in my head, I was done. There were volunteers in the water who grabbed our hands and pulled us into the stairs. The adrenaline dump was incredible. You couldn't wipe the smile from my face. Then I saw my good friends Matt and Mike cheering swimmers in. Mike took these

I was jacked up! I had finished an Ironman swim! This was all real and happening! And I was succeeding. I knew I still had a long road ahead, literally, but I could argue I was 1/3 done. I knew I crushed the swim in well under my goal time. I wanted under 1:30, I came in at 1:13. Life was GOOD! Then it became great as I found my beautiful wife and kids next to the walkway I was coming down. Jon was there also! I had forgotten to attach a picture of them to my run singlet earlier and had Jon hold the pic for me. Another mental trick that was awesome. A quick hello and kiss from my girls and off to transition I went. The volunteers got my bike bag for me and I did a full clothing change. The picture of my girls was in my back bike jersey pocket. I ran out and got my bike. I took my time to the mount line and saw RWB teammates and my family again. I remembered in the Race Ready meeting at Logic, we were told go to mount line, then walk past it and to the side. I watched a guy who apparently didn't attend this meeting ;)..fall over his bike in the middle of everyone right at the mount line. Volunteers rushed to help him up. I stayed calm, did as advised, took a deep breath and checked to make sure I wasn't in anyones way and off I went. The crowd was incredible. Pumped us up! Many people had told me to cut the race up into small pieces. I used that thought for 13 hours. In the swim I swam to the next buoy, the next bridge. I never thought how long 2.4 mile swim was, just get to the next point. The bike was the same. Get to the next part, I used Infinite in my water bottles, an extra scoop for good measure. I stayed hydrated. There was an info video that I had watched that stressed hydration, and said if you didn't pee at least twice on the bike course, you may be in trouble for the run. I drank my water like a man lost in a desert. I made it to mile 20 then turned into the loop. The bike course is 20 miles out, a 36 mile loop rode twice then 20 miles back. A lot of people will all you how hilly the course is. There are a lot of hills, but if you train correctly, you prepare, they aren't all that bad. Again I referred to my Logic meeting, gotta take it easy on the bike if you don't want to smoke the legs before the run. I was flying down hill! I was using a easy spin up the hills. Never thought I was working all that hard. Then came "the intersection". I was tense as I approached, talked out loud to myself that we were ok and saw the police officers and barricades. I got through and breathed. Smiled to myself and said, "Lets Go!" In LaGrange, The people come out to cheer the riders as we zoom through their town. I stopped around mile 50 for a quick porta potty break and kept my water tank filled up at every aid station. Mile 60 was special needs station. A volunteer and another guy cheering a different athlete helped me out. I ate a turkey and cheese sandwich, refilled my Infinit, unwrapped my 3 Musketeers candy bar and off I went. I was enjoying my candy as I went through "the intersection" again. Man I was glad I didn't have to go through that again! Back through the party scene. Then into this little section of the loop that was narrow and had a nasty little steep incline. Apparently 70 miles into the bike, my legs thought this incline got steeper than the first time around. I saw 2 people walking their bikes up it. I went to the easiest gear but still was working hard for a few seconds to get over it. I continued through the course. I was thankful I didn't have any flat tires. I offered to help a few people on the side of the road but everyone seemed to have what they needed. Time was passing by pretty easy. Then Mother Nature called, LOUD, I needed to pee. Which was great because it showed I was hydrated. But I had just passed an aid station and wouldn't see another one in 15 miles. Decision time. Stop and find a tree to hide behind? Cork it? I've read about people peeing on the bike, but I had never done it. I checked my watch. I was doing well. I didn't want to stop, plus there were people all around. So I became a true long distance racer and peed on the bike. I still blush typing it. The bike shorts needed washed anyway! I stood up and felt so relieved. I know some people who read this will be totally grossed out. Part of it was gross, but I did what I had to do to be comfortable. I laughed when I did it again a 2nd time around my 95. But I was hydrated. I stayed with my Gu gel every 15 miles until mile 90 when my stomach was a little queasy. I backed off the nutrition. I was on my way back, about 105 miles in when my left quad threw up the "were gonna cramp!" signal. UH OH. I sat up out of aero and tried to stretch it out. I slowed down and took it real easy the last 7 miles. I had no idea this would be the hardest part of the day. I just prayed. Thanked the good lord for the day and prayed for the athletes safety. I also prayed for my sister who is going through a lot right now and always for Julie G. 14 months old, brain tumor, has fought through way harder battles than swimming and biking. She is my inspiration that anything is possible as long as you keep up the fight. Rolled into transition 

and saw 

 

these guys are full of Eagle Fire! Made me feel like a rock star! The thought hit me, "I'm 2/3 done here!" A volunteer grabbed my bike for me and there's Matt and Mike again! Big hugs and high fives. Man the adrenalin was flowing like the Ohio River! Another volunteer grabbed my run gear bag for me and back to the tent for the last clothing change. FIRST off, I asked the volunteer to pin my picture I had in my back pocket to my run singlet. He did that perfect.

When I put the singlet on, all I had to do was look down and beautiful wife and kids were looking right back at me. Best mental trick, I think so. Run clothes on and Mike comes into the tent to help with anything I need. Outside, Matt's mom Anne sprays me down with sunscreen. I'm so impressed with the Fadely family. They are all triathletes who all volunteered in Louisville. Doug,Anne, Matt..Thank you!!! Now I hit my watch to start my run time.

I'm in a little bit of shock, I'm on the LAST LEG of an IRONMAN! I also remember my wife and kids are positioned around mile 2.

I hear my wife yell, "There he is!" I see them along with my parents and father in law. It means a lot when people give up their days to cheer you along. It's a huge boost of energy! No matter how old I get, I always want to make my parents proud. Not everyone is lucky enough to have parents there on course. A kiss from my wife, hugs to all, then off I went. I had a marathon to crush. But wait, mental trick alert! I run 4 minutes then walk 30 seconds. I didn't think about how far I had to go. I only concerned myself with the 4 minutes in front of me. Another mental trick that hit me last week, I typed out song titles and taped them to Gu packets. When I took in nutrition, I had a new song in my head. Triathlons forbid music players, iPods, cell phones, but you can sing to yourself. Anything to keep my mind off my legs. The run course is also a 2 loop course. You run out, turn around, run past U of Louisville, Churchill Downs, come back and look at the Finish Line then turn to go run the loop again. This can be mentally draining, but I reassured myself I would get back here. Mikey Cribbs had come down with his son and helped run me through this part! It was awesome having their support and seeing his son being a part of this huge event. I think he is a future Ironman! A great 12 year old volunteer gave me my special needs bag that had my PB and J sandwich and butterfingers in it. I love PB and J. But 13 miles into the run, it just didn't taste that good. I walked while I ate and found my family again! My dad offered me some peanut butter with hershey kiss on top cookies. In normal life, I don't curse around my kids. Competing in an Ironman is NOT normal life, "HELL YES I WANT SOME COOKIES!" blurted right out.

I looked at Brittney and apologized. She was too busy laughing, as was everyone else around. I gave the sandwich to my dad and told him to just throw that away. Savannah asked if she could run with me. Sure! She takes off like a rocket! I can't run anywhere near her speed!! I had to yell at her to slow down. All the spectators got a kick out of that.

My father in law corralled her and I told everyone I would see them again in about 2 and a half hours. The sun was starting to set. I learned about BASE Salts. I'm so glad I used them. Helped me out! I never cramped on the run. I was amazed. I wasn't running fast by any means, but I was running and not walking. I may have danced at an aid station with 2 ladies briefly then said out loud, " I better not waste to much energy here". Kevin caught me and passed me and told me he had lost vision in his right eye. Yet he was killing the run. Mike Sully Sullivan gave me hugs and high fives as we passed each other on the run. Team RWB was "EagleUP!" to every Eagle. I saw Kalen and Andrew who I had trained with and I was so happy to see them succeeding. I'm truly blessed to know so many AMAZING ATHLETES. Shaun Williams hollered out at me. This dude flies. Yet, Like Sully, takes the time and energy to cheer me on. Paul Curtain, Bear Spangler, Jimmy (chiropractor I just met) Shawn Walsh, all giving their best effort to cover 140.6 miles. I mean I saw someone I knew or had someone cheer for me every few minutes. This is free energy. Citizens were out cheering, the officers blocking the course would clap or cheer for us. I talked to other athletes just to get our minds off the legs. I found another father and son team. Iron Family. AMAZING! Mile 18 sign, Logic meeting they said, "Mile 18 is where your race starts! If you want to run fast, now you can GO!" I didn't want to run fast at that point, I just stayed steady. Mile 20, I smile. Judy Stutes had told me at mile 20..its just a 10k left. Mile 23. Judy said its just a 5k left. I can do a 5k anyway of the week. Mile 25 sign..."Holy shit, I'm about to be an Ironman!" All pain left the body. Euphoric. I see Sam and Mel Morgan with Justin Bifro. I hug these friends and thank them for being there, (i think, i was brain foggy) and take on the last left turn. They from RWB greets me and takes my water bottle. She is part of the BEST CHEER SQUAD RWB! I tell her I'm doing great. She points out Colleen who hands me Old Glory. Now for weeks, I've played this out in my head. Look around and make sure I finish by myself so the announcer says my name and those magic "You are an Ironman!" words.....Great Plan! Except what I didn't know was what happens when you hit the Red Carpet in IM Louisville. The super bright Lights almost blind you! The people cheering is louder than a rock concert. I'm flying the American Flag with me which just makes me even more popular among the crowd of crazies!! I see the arch. The Finish Line. The point which I have conquered a life dream. Conquered my IRON GOAL. There was no looking around. There was no taking it slow. There was only KICKING ASS! I ran straight in and heard my name...heard a few other names...but never heard the words. I realized its not about words. Its a journey, with a community, a dream, a goal, a lifestyle, showing my kids and others if you have a dream, and you dedicate yourself. YOU CAN DO IT. and IT IS SO WORTH IT!!!!! Jon put on my medal and I hugged him.

Who else but Mike and Matt got the next hugs! Mikey Cribbs got a big hug! Jon got my Finisher's hat and shirt and showed me to my family.

Brittney and I walked back to transition to get my bike and bags. Yes, thats right. After the mile walk there in the morning, then doing 140.6 miles, I walk another mile to transition and back to hotel. I'm really jacked up anyway so it did't hurt that bad. I removed my shoes to find 3 blisters. Those pics will not be displayed here. 2 were little... I then showered. As soon as I stepped out, I couldn't stop shivering. Brittney said I had a pretty high fever. I felt fine, just could not stop shivering. I wanted to go back and cheer on the final finishers. I had to warm up first. Then I saw my teammates all had finished. My body begged to just stay in bed. I asked for my peanut butter chocolate fudge and turned on my cell phone. 93 Facebook alerts. I've never seen that. The outpouring of love from friends and family was simply amazing. I tried to at least "like" every message. If I missed one, I do apologize. Let me take this time to THANK ALL OF YOU! Friends, family, teammates, volunteers, strangers, athletes, everyone who helped get me to that finish line.

Brittney, my beautiful supportive wife. You girl! You get a huge shout out. I could not have achieved this goal without you. You are simply incredible. Readjusting your own training schedule and accommodating when I needed to train for hours. I LOVE YOU SO MUCH!!

Lets finish this up. I slept like crap Sunday night. The blisters hurt just touching the sheets. My head was spinning. Emotions were outta whack. I ate a donut around 1 am. I was hungry and didn't care! Never really had dinner. IM had burritos post race, that I couldn't have. Morning came and I ate cookies. Then another donut. I figured I had calories to replace. Small headache and sore muscles, but I was walking good. We let the kids sleep in. Then packed up the hotel room. I walked back to the Village and got my Finisher's Jacket. Met up with the girls and father in law for brunch. French toast, eggs and sausage didn't stand a chance. It was delicious. Drive home was fine until about Miamisburg. The tiredness set in and all my eyes wanted to do was close. I probably should've stopped, but that not me. I made it home, thank goodness. I open the garage door and see 

I go through this door and

The Creeger family, our great friends who live behind us, who kept Sloopy for the weekend, decorated my house! THANKS CREEGERS!! Awesome job!

I told Brittney I needed a short nap before dinner. I laid down at 5, woke up at 8! 3 hour nap. Then I realized I had to run a mile if I wanted to keep run streak alive. 11:04 pace is pretty slow for me, normally. But man was I proud to be able to run the day after Ironman. Monday night I slept much better. Tuesday is when I realized, " This is what SUCCESS FEELS LIKE!"  

I have learned so much in the past year. Trials and triumphs. Obstacles, balancing, time management. True meaning of friendships, working together. Listen to all, make your own decision. Set a goal so high, some laugh at you. Work your ass off and accomplish greatness. Enjoy and celebrate your success. Then set another goal. Never quit. Ironman 2017 is October 15, 2017. I'm already registered to do it again. Join me?