Photos Photos Photos from the past month

 Finishing SOMA Half Iron holding my 4-year-old son.

 Feeling the effects of over hydration.  I learned a lot that day.

 SOMA swim exit after taking the wet suit off.

 2011 Ironman Arizona Tempe Mayor's Charity Challenge.

  2011 Ironman Arizona Tempe Mayor's Charity Challenge.

 2011 Ironman Arizona Tempe Mayor's Charity Challenge.

6th is not so bad

Thursday Nov. 17, 2011, I competed in the Ironman Arizona Mayor's Charity Challenge. Was excited to race even if it would be for a short distance of 1/100 of the Ironman distance. The swim of just over 20 yards I came out of the water first and on to my bike, provided by a local bike shop, with all riders riding the same type of beach cruiser. Off on the ride, a 1.12 mile course, in first still until just about half way I was passed by one person. Into the transition I was still in second. Then off on the run where I lost 5 positions on the .26 mile run. The race was super fast and I did it all wearing my wetsuit, goggles, shoes, and helmet. No time for anything extra in transitions. The winner was given a $2000 check from the Ironman Foundation, but all participants received $200 for their charity they were competing for. Mine happen to be for the Pedal Power Foundation, whose mission is to expand the opportunities to improve a child's life one bicycle at a time. My fellow photographer Darryl Webb took some awesome photos of the very quick event.

Tempe Mayor's Ironman Charity Challenge 2011

 Mayor's Ironman Charity Challenge video from this year. 

 Mayor's Ironman Charity Challenge video from 2010

Looking back at what went wrong.

I believe the training for my half-iron race was perfect.  With most of my training in the summer and the hot months here in Arizona, I thought I was prepared for the heat that would hit on race day.  The temperature hit 97 degrees.  The morning of I started to drink just a little bit more water than normally to take in account for the heat that would rise during the race. I thought my nutrition and liquid intake was good until the last 10 miles of the bike, I took in to much liquid which made my run tank my goal time of just around 6 hours.  The heat and sun also took a toll on my time.

I have a few running races to finish out the year, but all in all it was a very successful year, with a great 2012 just around the corner.