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Chapter 53: IMFL Race Recap, Part 4 (Post-Race and Final Thoughts)

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  I AM AN IRONMAN!      12 hours, 33 minutes, and 20 seconds from crossing the starting line mat in the sand and swimming 2.4 miles, biking 112 and then “cooling down” with a 26.2-mile run to hitting the finish line under the arch with my name and time displayed.   I heard my name called with those magical words in an Ironman race, had Julie and Dad in the finish line area to greet me, and came to the realization that I actually did this thing!   What a ride.   Here is the final installment of my race recap, with the post-race activities, and final thoughts as I wrap up THIS journey. Crossing the Finish Line :         Once Julie caught me at the finish line, she had a bottle of water for me (with no cap so they didn’t have bottle caps everywhere!) and she walked me through the finish line area.   I had my finisher’s medal put around my neck, and a finisher’s hat and long-sleeve finisher’s hoodie shirt handed to me. ...
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Chapter 52: IMFL Race Recap, Part 3 (Everything Race Day--Swim, Bike, Run, & Finish Line!)

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       Race Day!   It was a LONG day but an absolutely great day. Here’s all the details from my 12-1/2+ hours on the course two weeks ago. A 2.4 mile swim in the Gulf of America, 112 miles of biking through the Florida country side (and behind a grocery store) and then 26.2 miles of ocean-front road to finish out an epic day.   Along with T1 and T2 (transitions) between disciplines.   This might be a long one, but it was a long day.   So here we go…. Swim (2.4 miles):           The water was calm.   75.1 degrees.   A chill in the air made the sand cold as I walked off the boardwalk towards the start line.   I gave Julie and my dad a last hug before finding my swim pace group.   They had signs with the times that you expect to swim, and normally, they are your pace per 100 meters.   So I lined up in the 1:41-1:50 group.   Then I had the realization that for the full Ironman, the signs...
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Chapter 51: IMFL Race Recap, Part 2 (Friday--Practice Swim, Bike Check In)

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       I thought that once I got back from Florida, I’d have all this disposable time to dedicate to writing my recap, processing the race, and planning the next big goal.   But I’m not sure where all that spare time has gone.   I’ve had something every single night, probably not any different than before, but now I don’t have the training to focus on in addition to everyday life.   So I’m hoping to get my recaps done in the next few days, with a special audio version, specifically requested/suggested by my Aussie friend, Ironman World Championship finisher, Tony Carveth. This part of the recap is going to cover Friday before the race with my practice swim, last bike and run, and bike check in.   Then I’ll get into Race Day with the pre-race routine and activities.   So here we go….      After Thursday’s carb load dinner with the McGraws, Julie and I got to walk the pier at night since it was open to the public for free now tha...
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