Sunday, September 26, 2010

70.3


70.3 miles. 6:12:00

Lawman completed the Redman (Half) Ironman in Oklahoma City yesterday. 70.3 miles by way of swim/bike/run. 6 hours and 12 minutes from beginning to end. One thousand athletes.

This event came to be by way of a challenge. His tri-buddy, Charlie, sent an email. Are you man enough? Anyone that knows Lawman knows that he's not going to let this go. Are you man enough? Are you kidding? 

Charlie gave this challenge to Lawman and another tri-buddy, Tracy. Charlie said, "You race and I'll pay your entry fee, hotel and if you want a tattoo after finishing, I'll cover that too."

So the training began. That was in May.  The days and weeks since have been filled with swim, bike, run. Add in eat (alot) and sleep and the process begins all over again. 1 mile swims several times a week. Long bikes on Saturday. Long runs on Sunday. One day of rest. During the week it is more of the same but in shorter distances.

Friday, he and Tracy headed south at 8am. At the race site to scout out the course by 1pm. Check in to the hotel. Big meal of carbs at 4pm. Back to the race site to set up the bike in the transition area. At the hotel early for some shut eye.

4:30 a.m. Saturday, I get a text -- "Headed to the race site." You've got to be serious to be up at 4am to eat a race day breakfast.

7:33 a.m. - Lawman's swim heat. Just a few hundred swimmers trying to claim their place in an open water swim. Waters churning. 36 minutes. 1.2 miles.

Followed by 56 miles on the bike. Flat. Fast. 30 mph at times.

13.1 mile run. Lawman says it was the longest and hardest leg of the race. He burned up his legs in the bike. This will happen when you get a fast bike course.

70.3 miles.  6 hours, 12 minutes. Mission accomplished. Yes, he's man enough.  Tattoo? No. Not yet. He'd like to have the M-Dot (that's the Ironman symbol if you didn't know).

Another goal? Yep. Do another race with the tri-buddies. Find another course. Finish in less than 6 hours.

Today is a day of recovery. Horizontal. Watching football. Life is good.

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

that is so awesome. what an accomplishment for sure.

Jenni said...

Wow! Congratulations to Lawman! I have walked a marathon before, but I don't think I could ever run half of that. Shoot, I don't know if I could run to the mailbox and back. Running is just not my thing.

Michelle @ Give a Girl a Fig said...

Wow! Go Lawman!! I'm also liking the day of rest...sounds like a good weekend!

Wren said...

Congratulations!! It makes me think.. I have to go downtown today and it is about 30 miles away. It would take me a week to hike/run/swim/bike it and I would need one of those road-side assistance cars. You know.. the ones that drive by and give you water and food..! okay..forget it. I'd never make it.

Great job!!

cheryl said...

Congrats to Lawman!

Renee said...

Wow, awesome!

Anonymous said...

Thanks for all your comments it could not have been done without my wife. She's awesome!!!!

Lawman

Tammy said...

Absolutely awesome! Way to go!
Tammy in Germany