The week leading up to the Ironman World Championships is amazing. The hoopla surrounding the race is like nothing else. Checking in with reps from every triathlon company in the world seeing what race gear you are sporting, witnessing the famous underwear run, and being in the same company with the top professional triathletes in the world is truely amazing.

Everyone is so anxious on race morning, and the emotions are overwhelming. The day started off with a bunch of kicking and hitting during the swim that I am not used to. Usually I can get clear and have a relaxing swim, but in Kona everyone is fast. While I stayed with the lead group for the swim, I didn't like it. Everyone fought for position the whole 2.4 miles. I got out of the water in 56 minutes, washed the salt water off, grabbed my bike and headed out into town.

Getting relaxed on the bike wasn't too easy either. Thousands of people lining the streets and everyone going top speeds early on put me on edge, but knowing that Drew (new mechanic at Endure It!) tuned my bike before I left, I knew my bike was in the best shape possible and with the 606's I got from Endure It! I knew that I could handle any wind the Queen K threw at me. We did have a headwind the entire ride which was frustrating, but I stayed steady and rode a 5:20 bike split. I wasn't thrilled with that, but I was still in good shape to have a good run and have a great time.

When I threw my running shoes on I felt the heat really getting to me. The first 10 miles through town felt awful. I got a lot of encouragement wearing my Endure It! kit, and people were shouting "Go Naperville". At mile 10 I had enough. I started walking and didn't feel like I would finish the race. Luckily my family was there to give me some encouragement, my wife and brothers got me going, and I kicked it in. I was around 500 th place at that point, and managed to run a 7:00 split over the next 15 miles. I passed over 200 people once I got out onto the Queen K highway, and ran as hard as I could to the end. I passed the line with no energy left in my body, and I beat my goal.

I crossed the finish line in 9:55 and it gives me hope that I can come back here and do much better. There is a lot of room for improvement and I owe a lot of credit to Endure It! Sports to helping me get to Kona. David and Tom have been very helpful this year, and I appreciate their efforts.

This was the toughest day of racing in my life, but I can't wait to get back to Kona to race again.

Mahalo,