My husband is a (half) Ironman! :)

I am oh so very proud to announce that J successfully completed the Austin 70.3 Ironman on Oct. 28!  It was quite the experience, and it was so fun to be able to cheer him on.  He was so prepared and had a great race.  We had thought the weather was going to be miserably cold, but it turns out 45 degrees makes for a nice swim and bike ride (he wasn't worried about the run, as colder = better). :)  J could fill in SO many details, but from my point of view, the important thing is that he completed it; he completed it well; and he enjoyed himself. :)

 The amount of gear needed is almost comical.

 Getting ready to pack it all up.  J went down on Friday, and then I came down with his parents on Saturday.  The race was on Sunday.

This race was such a big deal that I made signs. :)

On the way to Austin, we had to stop to get a picture of Flat Stanley with the Dallas skyline for my sister-in-law's niece. :)

We got to go and hang out with J's brother's family on Saturday afternoon.  Here's J's "all-access" bracelet.

Here's our sweet nephew. :)

Race morning: we got up at 4:30.  Nothing like an early morning wake up call.  Here's J in my aunt and uncle's kitchen ready to go.  Thanks for letting us stay with you, A and K! :)

 

About to walk out the door.

Leaving the house...it was dark and cold.

 

 "T2" in the dark. (That stands for Transition 2 for all you non-triathlon peeps.)

 I posted this picture on Facebook with the caption, "It's 45 degrees.  Who wants to go swimming?"

 First waves getting ready to start.

 Is it concerning that he looks like he could go skiing, but instead, he's about to take off all these layers and go swimming?  It should be.

 My buddy and me. :)

 Swim start.

 T1 (you should be able to guess what that stands for now. :))

 Nothing like putting sunscreen on when it's in the mid-40s.  Brrrrrrr!!!

 T1 again.

 Rocking the swim cap, wetsuit, tennis shoes look like only a triathlete can...

 Ready for J.

 

 Ready to swim 1.2 miles.

 Waiting to go out.

 Waiting to get in the water.

 I think J is third from the left - just past the point of the buoy.

 The start of the race!

 And they're off!

 M-dot.

 Waiting for the swimmers to come in.

 J coming out of the water.

 Action shot - you get help getting your wetsuit off. :)

 Coming out of T1.

 They were told to carry their bikes because of the possibility of there being stickers in the grass that could cause a flat.

 

 Off to ride 56 miles.

 And he's off.

 

 The weather when J got on his bike.  Thought it was going to be cold, but it turns out it was perfect!

 We had about 3 hours to kill while J completed the bike portion.  This is inside of the arena where the finish was.

 Finish line.

 Finish line up close.

 Map of the run.

 Map of the bike.

 Waiting for J to come in from the bike ride.  I should mention here that he showed up about 15 minutes sooner than he said he was going to...I almost missed him!

 When ya gotta go, ya gotta go.

 Exit from T2.

Off to run 13.1 miles.

 You know it's a hardcore race when you see superheroes out competing.

 

 Looking strong!

 Get it?  It's Ironman...he's running in an Ironman race...

 This is a picture of Teri Griege.  You can read her inspirational story here.  Justin had told me her story a few days earlier - she is currently undergoing treatment for stage 4 colon cancer that has spread to her liver.  She competed in the World Championships in Kona as an inspirational athlete.  It just so happens that we ended up standing next to her sister-in-law on the race sidelines.  I got to talk to Teri briefly and tell her what an inspiration she is.  Very cool.  Such an unbelievable story of determination.

 

 Here comes J on the final lap!

 Entering into the arena and about to cross the finish line!

 Ladies and gentlemen - he has a medal.  He is official!

 

 Recovering with his mom and brother.

I must be recounting some very important details here.

 The sign says it all.

 The whole gang.

  Lays potato chips are a good recovery food.

Below are J's stats...pretty impressive if you ask me.  There were 239 people in his division, and 1,952 athletes completed the race.

We are SO proud of J's accomplishment...and now the REAL fun begins...training for a full Ironman (2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike ride, and 26.2 mile run) in the Woodlands on May 18th. :)  Wanna be part of the cheering section???  We could arrange that...the more, the merrier!