Photos from finish line!!!

Photos of the sunset on Lake Minneola while Craig was running

Photos from around mile 19 of run

Photos from transition from bike to run

Photos from around mile 112 of bike

Photos from around mile 80 of bike

Photos from around mile 60 of bike

Photos from transition from swim to bike

Photos from second half of swim

Photos from first half of swim

Photos from Pre-Race Registration

Official Results

SWIM: 1:30:55
SWIM TO BIKE TRANSITION: 11:24
BIKE: 7:19:39
BIKE TO RUN TRANSITION: 12:15
RUN: 6:09:14
OVERALL TIME: 15:23:23.95

Journey

"The most difficult part of any long-distance training plan isn't finishing the race. For most of us, getting to the finish line is almost a forgone conclusion. After all, if we've trained well and don't have any major mishaps, there's almost no reason not to finish.
The most difficult part of the training program is getting to the starting line. You confront so many obstacles. There are many places for things to go wrong, so many times when you can give up and quit, that, if you are there when the gun goes off, you are already a different person than when you took your first training run." -John Bingham, Marathoning for Mortals

The book Marathoning for Mortals impacted me greatly and really set me on my way for endurance sports. I carry pieces of that book with me throughout training and at each race. I chuckled to myself a few times during the iron-distance triathlon thinking of quotes from the book. He is truly one of my coaches.

When anyone asks me how I got started doing this crazy stuff, I tell them I started backpacking with Dean, and he started running and I could see the improvements he had, and I wanted them also. And I tell them to go get Marathoning for Mortals because that really got me on my way.

Thanks to everyone for all of your support through this journey!
Craig

Day before the race

Bridget, Bedie and I went to lunch and shopping today. I so rarely get to spend time with them, it was such a treat. The restaurant had misters on the fans on the patio because the temperature was in the low 90s. After lunch, we went shopping. We had a great time. I wished we lived closer.

Meanwhile, Tom and David hung out at their condo. Craig and Carol went to Clermont to drop off Craig's bike, gear and make final arrangements before the race tomorrow. Eric and Nicole are going to arrive tomorrow.

We are expecting rain in Clermont tomorrow. Tonight is going to be low-key in preparation for a 5:00 a.m. departure for the race.

Orlando before race time

Craig and I arrived in Orlando on Sunday the 14th. We are staying about an hour away from the race site in Orlando at a condo. It's been just the two of us until yesterday.

Yesterday Bridget and David arrived. We had a great time hanging out and going for Sushi. Today, Craig's mom Carol arrives as well as Bedie and Tom. Still to arrive are Eric, Nicole and Sally. It's been wonderful to see all the support heading Craig's way.

Today we drove out to see the race site and for Craig to have a look at the lake, etc. before it's a zoo tomorrow. Tomorrow we will drive back to drop off all his gear and bike. We have a convertible rental, so the drive is a blast.

Tonight is the "night before the night before" so it's critical that he get a lot of rest. He's getting a nice mix of anxious and excited! It's unseasonably hot here-still in the 90's. David is cooking us a great dinner tonight.