Ironman Florida - Fun in the Sun

That was an amazing day from start to finish. Up & out for a 5.30am arrival at transition with Pammy & Paula. Not too much stress for them other than getting transition bags in the right places & the usual last minute calls of nature. The atmosphere on the beach was incredible but it was obvious the swim was going to be a tough one as there were some big waves coming down on the beach. Two loops out and back and we managed to see both of them at the end of the first loop and then both into T1. We  have been drilling in the transitions and they both left quickly and almost side by side out onto the bikes. The bike course is a 1 looper so we had no chance of seeing any of the action so we headed back to the apartment, had a swim in the sea & and tracked them online. We planned on heading out to see the lead guy coming in on the bike. It was rumoured that Starykowicz might do something special but he was in so quickly that we missed him. 4 hours and 4 minutes is truly incredible for a 112 mile bike split and though his 17 minute lead was whittled down by the end he held on for the win. 

This is a fast flat bike course & we could tell from tracking the girls online that they were on for some great times. Pam was on her relatively new Specialized Shiv. An awesome bike and I had done a Retul fit on her when we first arrived in Canada and made some big changes. These changes along with a great Coaching program from  Genevieve and some supreme pacing and effort from Pammy meant she knocked out a brilliant 5.12 bike averaging 21.5mph. Paula (also coached by Genevieve) had a great bike finishing in 5.14.

Out on the run Pam hit the ground at a great pace whilst Genevieve & I hit the party zone with a crowd of other crazy supporters. Great fun in the sun with a cold beer on the side.

Pam had an absolute flyer on the run and after I ran out and gave her some 'gentle' additional persuasion a couple of miles out she ramped it up again and managed her first ever sub 4 hour marathon finishing in an incredible 10.32. A 46 minute PB is quite a result and 5th in her age group too. Paula had a bit of stomach trouble for a while on the run but got through it and finished in 11.32 - 11th in her age group.

This was our first time spectating and we totally loved - so many inspirational performances & crazy supporters and we are now having a post race beer & crisp 'party' in the apartment and will shortly doze off listening to the waves break on the beach outside the patio door.

A great day today, and the day after Ironman is always so relaxed & enjoyable for both athletes & supporters I'm sure that will be great too.