Ironman Brad!

140.6 miles...

We have an Ironman in our house!  Last weekend, Brad competed in and finished his first Ironman competition, one of the most grueling athletic events one can undertake.  2.4 miles of swimming, 112 miles of hilly biking, and then a marathon (26.2) miles of running just to top it all off!  All of this in 92 degree heat and full sun.  Sound fun?  Not to me either.  But Brad showed his true athleticism and completed it in 14 hours and 18 minutes, not bad for a first showing.

We started the long weekend with a drive to Indianapolis, stayed the night, then continued the road trip to Louisville.  Headed to the expo to finish check-in and get some Ironman paraphernalia and then to the hotel for a little R and R.  Saturday, Brad went on a practice swim in the Ohio River - and oh no, injured his foot on a a stair railing on his first kick in the water.  It was quite swollen and we were worried it would affect his ability to compete and finish the event the next day.  So, he spent a good part of Saturday resting and icing it.  I ran to CVS to get an Ace wrap.  All was okay by Sunday morning.  Phew!

Here's Brad dropping off his bike and transition bags Saturday afternoon (look at all of those bikes!).

 Said injured foot...

The morning of the event, very early!

Getting tattooed with his number, 1262.

 For this Ironman, the athletes jump into the water a few at a time, as opposed to most Ironman competitions where they do a wave start for the swim.  Needless to say, we had to wait in a line that was about a mile long.  It took 35 minutes for Brad to get to to the plank and jump in.  Shirley and I waited in line with him to keep him company and see him launch for what would be a very long, draining day of competing.

And he's off!!!

Spectating, boy that was an event in itself.  Gavin and the Grandmas were troopers!  14 hours of chasing Brad around on the bike and run.  I think I ended up walking/running a half marathon that day...much of it with Gavin in the jogging stroller along for the ride.  Here we are waiting for a bus ride to La Grange to watch Dadda on his bike ride and for the kids festival.

 Suckers make the day a little more fun!  Along with the bag of tricks and treats to entertain a little one.  Really, though, he just had lots of fun cheering on dad with his big smile each time he saw him.

 Also making the day a bit more fun...a nice break in the water to cool off (did I mention it was 92 degrees?)

 And, what day would be complete without a visit from a 70 pound turtle?  This one, Spike, was walking through our hotel parking lot and we were able to visit for a minute and pet him.  Very random, but fun.

At the expo, we made signs for Brad/Dadda.  Gavin did all of the letters for "Go Dad" correctly and by himself.  I think his little, simple sign was Brad's favorite!

 

Future Ironman?  I think he may be.

At the finish and still awake and cheering (I think he looks a lot like my brother Andy in the photo below, funny because he tends to look a lot like my brother Tim.  So, here you go Andy!).  About 3 minutes after we caught up with Brad at the finish, Gavin was sleeping in the stroller amid the loud music, cheering and bright lights.  He was exhausted, as we all were!

And here he is, ALIVE and well.  An Ironman!!!!

We're so very proud of Brad/Dad/Son/Son-in-law/Brother.  Watching this event was grueling, let alone competing in it!  Will he do it again?  Right after finishing he said he never would.  But by the next morning, he was ready to sign up for Madison next year.  Geesh!  Next event will be our local marathon - just a run?  A walk in the park!