My First Marathon (x2)

There were some fun movie scene references that came up in my head or were mentioned during Ironman Louisville and I thought I would share... 1) First stop on the bike... 2) Trying to capture the feeling I had on the trainer with this clip... 3) Realizing that this was actually the race and I couldn't just throw it in. 4) Every aid station as they were offering me Red Bull, Coke, bone broth, snacks...I just want WATER! 5) So happy to be off the bike...and to be running... As I remember more I'll add them.

It is finished. I accomplished my goal. It was wonderful and miserable and amazing and everything I hoped and dreamed it would be. My parents arrived on Thursday and we headed to Louisville on Friday so I could check-in and attend the first-timers briefing. As I stepped into the athlete check-in tent I had the same feeling I did for my first 70.3 in 2014 (except I expected it this time), the "I'm really doing this" feeling. With my athlete wristband on I attended the first-timer briefing and then headed to the Become One tent to get my "I will become one" wristband. On Saturday we went to the swim practice. The air temp was 43 degrees, but the water was 68. I had a decent little swim and learned what it was like to swim in the downstream current. I was pleased with how calm I was getting in. Later in the day we went to an athlete briefing and checked my bike and bags. In the evening we went to mass at the Roman Catholic Cathedral and then dinner before I ...

Three years is down to seven days. In those three years I have... Finished five more 70.3 distance races (GR twice, Muskoka, Steelhead, and Muncie again), taking 1:45+ off my 70.3 PR) Finished five more marathons (Indianapolis, Detroit, Monumental, Chicago, Carmel) and finally broken 5:30 at Carmel Lost 40+ pounds Completely changed my diet Reduced and then stopped taking diabetes medicine while retaining a healthy A1C I have worked with an incredible team who has been with me through the good, the bad, and the ugly. Matt has been the "head coach" planning the big framework and specifically bike and run workouts, Doug early and then Sean got my swim from ugly to somewhat respectable, Lindsay figured out race day nutrition in all the various iterations, Jackie figured out how to overhaul my diet, Chris got my head in the right place. Along the way Shannon and Mark worked with me to be stronger and move better. Kristine helped me stretch and chill. Brian, Chris, Ryan,...