dakotakelly:

IronMan FL 70.3

So last November on a whim I went to Panama City Florida to watch IMFL and was seduced by it. I’ve never done an IronMan. But watching these people come across the line and all the cheers for everyone who completed; I knew that there was something special. So I found a room for the night, stayed at the finished chute until 11pm, and signed up the next morning to run it myself. I got home and the few friends I have that know what IronMan is did more than raise a few eyebrows my way. I decided to cut my teeth on a half. 

I worked out, learned how to eat a lot better, and disciplined my self with swimming, biking, and running. There is so much I could talk about but I’m just going to hit the high points. 

1. Nutrition is the first leg of a triathlon. If you don’t know how to eat for endurance you are not going to enjoy your race, you probably wont finish. 
2. Training is a lot more than just the disciplines of the triathlon. You need to be doing weight training in addition to your long swims and bricks. I was running out of ability way before I was running energy. 
3. Pack sunscreen. I got sunburned. 

I wanted to finish around 6 hours. I got off the bike and I was still in range for that. They said there was a big hill right at the beginning of the run, I decided to walk it and use that time to eat my honey stinger waffle and drink some, I got to the top and ran. But not far. I started cramping in my sides. I was able to work through that and around mile 9 I started feeling a hot spot on my left foot. Around mile 11 I knew it was a blister. I was at a steady walk and I was saving whatever was left in me for the finish chute. I was able to run through but my calves were locking up. I didn’t fall though. 

At the end of the day if I would have been offered my money back for IMFL in November I would have probably accepted it. I grabbed my bike, put it in the back of my car and went to the Wendy’s by my hotel and got all my favorites. I sat in the shower drinking a coke and a beer. I woke up early and drove home. The entire time I was thinking about what I have to do to get ready for November. 

Goodbye Denver and Haunted Murder House. It was fun.

More Red Rocks. This place is awe inspiring

At Red Rocks for Vampire Weekend and Of Monsters and Men. The venue is amazing.

So we drove up to pikes peak. Sounded like a good idea at the time. Terrifying. Brandon had to get out halfway up and we left him behind at a gift shop. Heather drove the rest of the way. Chris drove us down. Jackie and heather burst into tears when we reached the summit and they went in the bathroom.

It was amazing view but not something I would ever do again. Colorado needs to invest in more guard rails. There were several stretches of road with no guard rail.

Garden of the Gods in Colorado Springs. Next up: Pike’s Peak

I have walked a lot. And forgot my fitbit.

Random Denver photo spam.

The two chairs set up facing the locked door in the basement of our haunted rental house. Why?

Creepy candy shops.

Late lunch.