What Finish Line?: Florida Double Iron Race Report

When I started exercising around the end of 2004 I didn't know how far a marathon was. I didn't know the distances in an Ironman, and I sure as heck didn't know people did races longer than marathons.

Last weekend, as I was cycling circles in a small little park outside Tampa, Florida I coudldn't help but think about all the things people were doing around me. There were people out there learning to ride bicycles, there were people out there rollerblading, and there were people out there bird watching.

Little did most of these people know a double Iron distance triathlon was going on around them.

Let me put this in perspective for you.

On Friday afternoon as I was cycling around mile 50 or 60, I passed a group of cyclists training in the park we were racing in. They asked me what I was doing, and I just told them we were having a race.

The next morning around mile 48 on the run, the same group of cyclists were out there starting another training ride. One of the cyclists came up next to me and asked, "Hey, weren't you out here yesterday cycling?"

I could do nothing but smile... This man had gone home, had dinner, slept, had breakfast, and was now back out here training again...

At around 9:46AM on Saturday March 4th, I finished my first double Iron triathlon. A 4.8 mile swim, a 224 mile bike, and a 52.4 mile run in 26 hours, 16 minutes, and 38 seconds.

SO many things happened during this race. SO many things happened BEFORE the race even started!! On the way home I started my race report and am now at the midway point. I've written a MUCH shorter version which was posted on the NEWTON RUNNING BLOG if you're interested in reading that.

Experiencing something like a double iron is something I don't think I'll ever really be able to put into words. Breaking through barriers that I didn't even know ever existed is a feeling that is indescribable. To come from a 220lb high school kid that refused to run, to what I am now is empowering to say the least. I can only hope that everyone at some point in there life can feel what it's like to blow past barriers whether they be mental or physical. Don't settle for just enough. Reach for more, and use your potential. God has given us incredible bodies capable of SO much more than you think.

There are a few people I've got to thank first and foremost. Above all, I thank God for the life he's given me and the ability to do what I do. Without Him I am not, so I cannot take credit for my earthly accomplishments. My wonderful wife Courtney has been incredible with her unwavering support and immense amount of love. Aaron Patel was my only crew member and absolutely blew it away. Without him I would not have finished this race, no doubt in my mind. Big thanks to Rose for driving two hours EACH WAY just to pace me in the middle of the night. Huge thanks to Jay at Sun & Ski sports in Frisco, Texas for always making sure my bike is ready to go. Also thanks to Ironhead Race Productions for always being supportive of even my craziest goals.

Also, a huge thanks to Steve Kirby and his whole crew from USA Ultra Tri. What an incredible organization. Steve really did an excellent job and really made an effort to know everyone at the race on a first name basis, if not a nickname basis :)

What's next you ask? I honestly have no idea. I'm planning on trying to run 12 ultra marathons this year and finally knock off the big 100 mile run hopefully sometime in October. Also, now that I've had time to think about it I'd like to attempt the triple Iron at some point. Maybe 2013. But that's all I'll say about that...

I'm gonna get back to finishing up the long version of my race report and I'll get that posted as soon as I do. For now, here are a few photos from the race.

Thanks to everyone for the incredible support.

_Jacob_

Here's me coming in for the finish...