IRONMAN Arizona

First of all I want to apologize for not having an Internet hookup in Arizona. I was going to post every day, but didn't get the chance to use my computer. Ironman Arizona was TOUGH! I felt good leading up to the race, but Saturday the water was cold on my practice swim and I was happy to have a long sleeve wetsuit! My friends and I were thinking that the water may actually be warm over the summer; we were wrong! I will take you through the day:

6AM: In transition I found a pump to top off my tires which was actually a frantic situation with almost every rider. The cool temperatures had tires low on air. This is the time when all the nerves are kicking in: Am I going to be able to finish? Did I put all I needed in my bags? Where is my timing chip? I should have trained more! Are my new running shoes going to be OK? Where is the start? How long is the Porta-lav line? Why am I doing this again?

6:45AM: Water temp is 63 degrees and I am getting in the front? It will take a while for 2200 people to get in... am I ready for this?

6:50AM: The Pros go off... boy would I like to start with them instead of 2200 people!

6:59AM: I can do this! I am ready! Lets get this thing going!

7:01AM: I can't see.. I can't breathe... why am I doing this again? Try to calm down!

7:35AM: Finally at the turnaround, I may actually get though this swim!

8:09AM: I am so glad that is over! Where is that bike I love? I can't wait!

8:15AM: Now things are great! I love Ironman... this bike is awesome, how did all these people beat me out of the water?

9AM: The turnaround took a while longer than I thought... I didn't realize the end was such a climb! Now that I am going down I can see why I was hurting a little 35mph!

9:45AM: How am I going to get this spare tubular to stay on my bike? I had better hit the mechanics station... I am getting hungry?

10:40AM: That second way out to the turnaround seemed MUCH longer... why is it so windy? Who are all these guys drafting off me getting Red Cards? Is it really worth it? Man that special needs stop took a long time!

11:30AM: Only one more time out and back... keep eating! Is there pizza at the feed zones? I sure would like some water instead of Powerbar drink!

12:20PM: Remember you have a marathon coming and you aren't the best runner! One more time down the descent! Be sure to
get all the food in before you start running! why didn't you eat those peanut butter pretzels again?

1:15PM: I don't want to leave my bike! Please don't make me leave the bike! You mean all I am going to have is some running shoes for that last 26.2 miles?

1:20PM: I am not feeling too good, but that first mile was a little ahead of schedule... just keep going!

1:30PM: Still doing OK... maybe I will get feeling better if I just drink water and have gels?

1:40PM: These people at the feeds are awesome! How can they stand out here all day? Man am I hungry! I wish I could stomach some salty stuff!

1:50PM: Just stay positive.... you will come around.... walk a little if you need to...

2:00PM: Man this is gonna be a long day... you definitely didn't get your food right...

2:10PM: There is always next year... just keep moving! All you need to do is get through this...

2:30PM: Hello Jesus! I am so glad you are here cheering for me! What do you know its not that bad out here!

2:40PM: ELVIS? I knew you were still alive! Can you spare one of those Peanut butter/bacon/banana sandwiches? I am tired... if i just walk over there maybe those rocks are comfortable to lay down on...

3PM: This is as bad as it gets... I am definitely feeling like the King in his "carbohydrate, sequent jumpsuit, purple, bloated, dead on a toilet phase"... to quote Wayne's World.

4PM: OK! One more time around... that will be easy! Why did I do this again?

4:52PM: There is my goal time.... I only have about 5 miles left to walk/run.... maybe next year?

5:30PM: You can't quit now... how would anyone know how to find you? Is it going to be dark soon? Why is Elvis following me, and why won't he give me something to eat? I wonder what kind of beer they have at the next stop? If I could eat it would be a large Pepperoni pizza!

5:45PM: Ahhhhh.... the left tun to the finish... am I almost done? did I do 3 run laps? Where am I again? .....100 meters? Is that longer than a yard? Why don't I know metrics? Can I make it 100 meters?

5:47:09PM: Chris Newell from Reisterstown, Maryland... You are an IRONMAN!!!!!!! I am done!!!!

5:50PM: In the medical tent.... I weigh how much? I lost 7 pounds? why are my arms cramping? I have to lay down... I am freezing!

... And that was my day. I had a great time believe it or not. I finished in 10:47:08. All of that and I was still a minute faster than last time. I am all signed up for 2009 and will try some new things to get ready. I have to get my nutrition down because I feel like I never got a chance to run at all. I was just finished before I started. Ironman is definitely hard to figure out. The day is so long you never know how you are going to feel, or how things will work out. The amount of emotions you go through is just amazing... from feeling like a world beater; to feeling like you got in way over your head... its all in there during the day. The best thing about racing is there is always another shot... all you have to do is keep trying. If I just keep trying new things one day I will figure it out; or at least find something I can try to get stronger. Its been a great year and I am so happy I decided to do Ironman again. I have a feeling 2009 will be a very good year; I appreciate you reading; until next time... keep training!