Mountains beyond Mountains

Blood Bath. Finished. 

I dont want to over-analysis this, but it was bad. My first and slowest marathon was 3:25 3 years ago and that fitness seems weak compared to what I think I have shown at times. There is no excuse for today, really, it just never happened.

I started in wave 3 and when I finished the people told me I was the first finisher from wave 3. They took a picture of me haha. I had a good overall experience even though I would never have guess a slower than 3:10 time unless I took it out really really hard and blew up hard, but today I just never had it. Slow and slow and slower.

At the finish I was sitting in a secluded area and ran into Meb. I hobbled up and asked him for a picture. He asked me how my race went, I told him bad but that I enjoyed the race. He said " Three things, the boston course is tough, Its HOT and Boston is about the experience" we talked for a few minutes he was very very nice and went out of his way to be kind.

 Very blessed to be able to run this race.

First half ironman. It went well, I am content with the effort. Very hot today in Vegas, 90 degrees or more and I felt it. Felt hotter than Boston was. 

The swim is always what scares me the most. That being said it went fairly well, and when you consider I fear death and swimming equally it went VERY well haha. I put vasoline on my neck because my wetsuit rubs it raw when I breathe but then my rookie (big time)  mistake was grabbing my goggles. Lets just say I pretty much zig zaged the course because I had no visibility out of my goggles. I was hoping to get into a rhythm which I actually was able to do. It was okay, considering I would rather eat insects than swim. ( well why is he doing tris? Answer: I don't know) 45 mins

Bike trans was laughable as you have to go up what is easily a quarter to a half mile WAY uphill on road to get to the bike. The bike course was good. Really pretty but very harsh desert though. I focused on nutrition and easy effort. It went well. There were TWO aid stations for 55 miles. Yes. 2. Comparing that to the like 18 in Boston, plus all the people helping gave me a good laugh. Very tough bike course, lots and lots and more hill climbing. I managed my fluids very well. Need to make a few crucial adjustments to my bike, it will make a massive difference. My garmin had a heart attack out there. RIP. ( until the run when I rebooted : )  3hrs to 3:20 happy with that

 Run was nice. Slow but nice. I knew there were some trails on the course but I did not realize the majority of the course was trail. I enjoyed it even though racing for like 4 hours and the 90 degree sun were starting to take a toll. Lots of water, lots more aid stations on the run. Two bathroom breaks. Mediocre time, but I never got passed at all and probably got  20-30 people on the run . 2- 2:10

 Good day, happy with the result and had a nice ice bath. : ) still really struggling to love tri's, but now I know who I want to spend my life with. ( ultras : )