Ironman World Championship 2017 Race Story!

Swim Start

It is pretty cliche to say that back when I started triathlon in 2013 that this Kona was a dream to me. But when in reality, the first time I put a bib on and did my first ever race, I only had the slightest clue of what an Ironman even was. Let alone the World Championships. But in 5 years of triathlon racing, that is exactly what had taken over my life. This race has a lot of hooplah, so lets go!

I traveled from Minnesota to Kona solo, which was not the most fun experience ever. I also spent the night in the San Jose airport, the floor was not soft FYI. The destination was worth it, going  somewhere I had never imagined visiting was amazing, let alone doing an Ironman there. As soon as I landed it was crazy. Get the bike call up Blake and Kia and get to the pier to swim! Met up with Jacob at the pier, he is another athlete that I met back here at home at the pool, and found out we were both racing. So we went for a quick swim, mainly so I could get over a little big of jet lag/soreness. Later that night I headed to the Wattie Ink house for a Luau and although I was dead tired, it was a fantastic party and teammates and I received a traditional Hawaiian blessing. Thursday was the day when I went and checked in and walked Ali'i drive and the expo. Went for a quick ride with Coach Flanny and  waited for the parents to arrive. They would be getting a rental car so I did not have to burden Blake and Kia for rides anymore! Mom and dad arrived at about 5 o clock and about 2 hours later Mitch arrived! Everyone was super tired, so Friday came quick!

On friday we headed to the beach. It was a ton of fun body boarding in the waves, nothing like that in Minnesota! I doubt a lot of the athletes were getting tossed by the water the day before the race, but I couldn't resist. I got a quick ride in to make sure the bike was all functional. I have to say, when I went to drop it off at transition, it was a pretty cool feeling seeing all the bike companies taking pictures and notes of bikes. Then having a volunteer walk you through transition making sure you are comfortable was very nice. Later that night Maddie arrived from North Dakota and I could finally sleep knowing the whole crew was there!

To do this race the justice it deserves in a typed race report is impossible. An incredible experience I will never forget and will work my butt off to return soon.
Race morning was awfully quiet, I think given the circumstances and the task at hand had me more focused than ever. I got dropped off at the transition so I could go put my bike nutrition in place and go get body marked. Little did I know this would be the last time I saw my family until 11 hours later. I looked for a while to see if I saw them but when I realized I was not going to, I decided to look for Jacob instead. (Jacob is a friend I met here in MN and we are close-ish in age and I am sure glad I met him before this thing. We swam on Wednesday when I arrived and it helped get me settled.) Anyways, I ended up finding him and we entered the water together and watched the pro cannons, we chilled out at the start line and waited for it. Then boom, insanity immediately ensued, never experienced that many people trying to be in the same place at one time before. It was awesome. It was craziness until I got to the boats then the field spread out. This is when I felt like I made up for some time I lost coming out. Exiting the water with a swim PR was wicked!

The ride is all its cracked up to be. Hot, windy, Hot, few hills, lots of sun, oh and Hot. It took a little to get my bike legs underneath me, and once I crested Palani, I had a rhythm going. Not a whole lot happened on the ride, crazy to say but I probably was looking at the ocean and enjoying it a little too much. But I thought I would soak it all in while I could. I think at about mile 45 Jacob came past me and exchanged words of encouragement. We started up the ascent to Hawi and I could not believe I was actually riding up this place I thought was a myth. I can assure you though, it is a real place! The descent from Hawi was crazy fast and I definitely enjoyed going 30mph+ for a good 20 minutes. Then came the long arduous task of making it back to T2 without losing it. I handled the wind pretty well and thought I rode a solid 112 miles. I came to about 90 miles and Jacob was crawling and told me he had cramps. I encouraged him along and knew I would see him later on.
Coming back into town was awesome because of all the people lining the streets and just knowing who was out on course racing with you. I will gladly say I took an extra minute or two in T2 to compose myself for what was about to come. And headed out that tent into the Sun.

Feeling the pain and wanting to throw it all away.

 Running on Ali'i drive is something of legend. Doing it during the race is legendary, so I can add that. It only felt like the inside of a Sauna on Ali'i, running the out and back with thousands of people cheering really keeps you going. Jacob, like I figured, caught me a couple miles in and we decided to run together as long as we could. That lasted about 10 miles before his cramps were so bad I had to tie his shoe for him. The day was just beginning. I came to where mitch and my family was and needed some major help. It was the hardest thing I had ever done and I still had 16 miles to go. Eventually I made it up Palani and with a new spirit decided to go. I ended up running to every aid station from that point on and taking my sweet time at them. The energy Lab was only like running on the surface of the sun, so yeah, it was warm. Coming back on the Queen K with sponges everywhere and the finish only miles away, I got a high five from Craig Alexander and thats all I needed to get me to the finish. I ran with my soaked feet as hard as I could the last two miles and oh was it a Magic feeling running down Ali'i drive that final time. I can not even put into words the feeling that hit me when Mike called my name and it was all over. To see the lights, and cameras and all the people was too much. Indescribable. I shed a tear crossing the line and was caught by teammate Jerry Bartolome, who is a saint. My IT band held up and did not bother me the entire time.

Commence tears....now.

The race was done and it has taken a while to sink in. I got to see what a true championship race is and it did not disappoint me. It was the hardest thing I have ever done and I can not wait to do it again.

 Thank you to My sister for always being there for me as well as my parents for supporting me in this crazy sport. Mitch, you are one hell of a friend and I am so glad you got to experience this with me. To Blake and Kia, I know it was a vacation for you but it made a world of difference to see you guys and enjoy the island with you. Jacob, we did it bro!

And to Heather, Wattie, Flanny and all of my Wattie Ink Teammates, I have never felt so much love in my life from a group of people. It is amazing what we can accomplish with a little positivity and good vibes. Heres' to you and to everything we will do in the future.