First of all, many thanks go out for the e-mails, texts, fb messages, voice mails and conversations pre-race and post-race. To summarize my race: Swim- eekS!, Bike- so smart, Run- endured and was just feeling strong, and finally thanks to Dr. Phil.

Lake Placid is in my experience (Arizona, Louisville, CDA, Canada, Kona, Placid) is the toughest course if you take out weather conditions. The hills are so well placed on both the bike and the run that you have to work them and you have to pace smartly to have a successful day, no matter your definition of success, finishing or winning.Patience is rewarded.

Several years ago, my then marathon coach, Ed Eyestone, whispered something in my ear before a national cross champs, “Patience then destruction…PATIENCE then DESTRUCTION.” Ironman requires this, and Placid demanded it from me on Sunday.

Ok, the swim was horrible, embarrassing even. No excuses- my swim fitness was not where it should be for my level and I have not been working on technique as much as I should have been. I did not expect a great swim, but figured it would be closer to 60 minutes, more like 61 or 62. I can not expect to move to the next level in this sport until I fix this. Bring on the harassment and jokes, because, swimming has got to become a priority for me to be in the real race.

I had a fast transition and the one benefit for screwing up the swim was coming out near Dennis Meeker and Curt Chesney, two fast mofos from Boulder who swam 55. Curt at the young age of 40 was 9th overall and the fastest age grouper. I was able to work with Dennis over the first 25 miles of the bike course, using that superb pacing draft you get at 10 meters. It makes a huge difference even on a hilly course. Dennis broke away from me on a steady ascent on the first loop and I let him go because I was staying with my power meter. Curt also blew by me on the set of nasty climbs past Whiteface (miles 45-50), but I still stuck with my power meter. Patience would be rewarded.

Onto the second loop of the bike, I started reeling in guys and had caught Dennis, he could not help much at that point, but good to have him in the my rearview mirror keeping me pushing. I was moving in to the top 20 and that is always a good place for me to make my run for the money. I also caught up with Curt and worked with him a couple miles on the same portion of road he had blasted me by on the first loop. He eventually dropped back as he was going through a bad patch.Now into the top 20, I consciously laid off the gas on the final set of hills (the cherries and bears as they are called by Placid racers). I knew I was in a good position and just wanted to have a solid run.Patience would be rewarded.

In the opening miles I was jogging and really felt like I was going pedestrian; however, I clicked over better than 6:30s through the first 8 miles to include a couple under 6 min pace. I don’t know if I will ever figure out how to go out easier. However, I am starting to get strong enough to hold closer to that pace for the entire marathon. I easily nailed back several guys heading out of town and thanks to spotters on the course was pretty sure I would move into the money positions on the second loop. Shortly into the second loop I passed fellow Virginia Beach stud, Mac Brown, he was done due to fitness and thankfully not injury.

The second time on the far point of the course, known as River Road is a terribly boring section with few spectators and similar scenery the entire road. There is no breeze so it is also relatively stifling and humid. Even on the second loop, with most of your closest 2000 friends, it is pretty quiet. I was very pleased to see more Virginia Beach studs, Staci Studer (who qualified for Kona on Sunday) and good friend Marco Pati (who completed his first IM in just over 11 hours). Congrats to those two, and thanks for being there and giving that little yell or slap on the hand to keep each other going.

As I moved along the second loop of the run, I felt myself becoming the huntee and less the hunter.Fellow Boulder pro and fleet of foot, Brad Seng, was taking time out of me, so between turnaround #3 and the final turnaround, I had no idea where he was.At this point, I knew I was in the money and possibly fighting for a ticket to Kona. The final turn around comes with only a mile to go, so I made a feeble attempt to look back over my shoulder after the final climb into town at mile 24. This was a mistake, because Brad is pretty short and it would be nearly impossible to see him in the masses on the course at this point. The other reason it was a mistake was because there are a couple hundred people on that corner and half of them were yelling at me not to look back. It was almost as bad as Navy Coach Al Cantello giving it to me. At the turn around, I began counting seconds, hoping for about a 30 second gap, and found I had well over a minute to Brad. I was relieved and elated and likely ran even faster down hill to the finish on the ice skating oval. Patience was finally giving me my reward.

The finish was great, but I was so beat-up that I had a hard time enjoying it. The course with its relentless hills had me begging to be back in the water to soak. It was great to have my parents there on course to cheer and spot and share in a successful ironman. I seriously had my doubts about my future in this sport after last year (injuries will do that to you).

It was also great to have so many supporters from the Final Kick crew there to keep me going all day. Too many people to mention, but you know who you were and I can’t thank you enough for supporting me and the other Kick folks and taking the time, even some who did not have family racing. What a great triathlon family.

Thanks to Fletch with Cervelo (for his last minute help), Jayme and 2XU, Ryan and the Colorado Multisport Crew, Brooke and the Gu folks (I should have used some of the new recovery drink on the spot post-race).

Dr. Phil is thanked last, but certainly not least. Phil had a plan from the beginning of the year and until Sunday was still untested and I was a bit unsure of how things would turn out. I won’t go into training details; however, the work was hard, and I was still nervous about whether it would work on race day. The result was success. Patience was rewarded.
 
Rock On!
 
later,
billy