2011 November | See Tom Tri: One man's mental & physical journey training to be a 2012 IronMan®

just a swim after all

I’ll post a video when I can get one. It’s unlike anything I’ve ever been involved with before.

Right after the pro start at 6:50am, they allowed us to get into the water. The first people at the front of the line seemed to be taking their time, putting on their goggles and caps and walking orderly toward the water. The herd was moving slowly. When I passed under the chip reader on my way a different picture appeared. An almost panic frenzy stirred on by the volunteers as they tried to get everyone in the water before 7 . . . → Read More: just a swim after all

transition(s)

The alarm went off at 3:30 am, however I was already awake. I had my brown rice with sweet potatoes for breakfast before the 9 minute snooze alarm went off. Brushed my teeth, combed my hair, and picked up my bags that were packed the night before. All I had to do was get myself to ‘Transition’ (the place we needed to be before the race) before 6 am. I was working on 4 hours of sleep, two nights in a row. It may have been nerves, it may have been the pillows, but I’ll never really know specifically . . . → Read More: transition(s)

distance to length

On Saturday, the day before the event, we were allowed to partake in a practice swim in the lake. It was either going to be a good thing or a bad thing. It would only be my third time in open water and if I felt comfortable that day, I would have a positive feeling going into the event. If however, I didn’t have a good time, it would make it that much more difficult the following morning. The race organizers were to open the lake at 9 am. At 8:30, there was already a line waiting to jump . . . → Read More: distance to length

starting at the finish line

At 9:33:46 pm (or 14 hours 33 minutes and 46 seconds after I started the day) I raised my hands at the finish line. Those last few seconds running up the finish line shoot seeing my Dad first on the right with a huge smile and a thumbs up, then looking left and hearing my brother Steve giving me a big “YOU are an Ironman”, seeing Kirstin and Anthony with giant smiles, a few steps further on the right I see a hand shoot out of nowhere and I look up to see it was Fawn with her infectious . . . → Read More: starting at the finish line

Run Checklists

This is a list of what I need to bring with me for the run: sneakers, thin socks, braces, shorts, hat, gps watch.

I still have a hard time calling sneakers, running shoes, but I have to bring a pair with me no matter what they are called. The other day I was running in my sneakers with a pair of ordinary socks and after I got home, my pinky toe was crying ‘Wee Wee’ for a few days. So to avoid that again I’m going to wear a pair of thinner socks. I use braces on my left ankle . . . → Read More: Run Checklists

140.6!

You know I like numbers….. 140.6 is the total distance in an ironman event AND the number of hours left before it starts! It’s getting exciting!

Bike Checklists

These are the items I need in order to do the bike portion of the event: bike, bike shoes, thin socks, helmet, gloves, computer, hydration belt, chafing stuff, tools, extra tire tube, food, sunscreen.

My super fast bike was picked up in Philly by TriBikeTransport on Friday morning. It’s being carried by truck to Arizona. Barring any issues, it should be there on Thursday when I get there. I have bike shoes that clip onto the pedals of the bike. At first, I didn’t like using them, but it’s certainly more comfortable because my feet aren’t moving around or . . . → Read More: Bike Checklists

Swim Checklists

I need to bring the following items with me: goggles, wetsuit, trisuit, wetronome, and a towel (I’m guessing on the towel)

We all know or have an idea what goggles are. The wetsuit keeps my body warm and afloat. The water temperature is currently 61 degrees and I’m fairly confident it won’t get any warmer, so I’m very glad I opted for the full length wetsuit. No hypothermia for me please.

A trisuit is a one piece shorts and shirt that makes me look like a wrestler from the early days. I’m going to wear it under the wetsuit . . . → Read More: Swim Checklists

What am I supposed to do

with all this free time?! This ‘taper’ thing frees up hours a week.

oh yea, the box….

it’s destroyed. The contents of it, however, allow me to use my extra long legs to pedal my super fast bike extra efficiently. That’s just a fancy way of saying: I have longer (appropriately sized) crank arms! I’ve been talking about them (to anyone who would listen) for months. The first set arrived and they didn’t fit the bike, so back to CA they went. The second set arrived with the same (income and) outcome. The third and final set arrived and…..they had to modified to fit the bike.

If only we had switched to metric like they promised . . . → Read More: oh yea, the box….