Ironman 70.3 2009

He did it again this year...Nick competed and finished the Boise Ironman 70.3. For those not familiar with self-torture practice of the Ironman, it is a 1.2 mile swim in open water followed by a 56 mile bike ride followed by a 13.1 mile run. Altogether 70.3 miles of fun! This year Nick not only finished but he beat is time in every event with a 20 minute overall improvement! I think it is particularly remarkable considering that for the majority of the bike ride and run it was raining. Not just sprinkling, full on thunderstorms, complete with high winds and pouring rain!

This is Nick before the start. I was impressed by how calm he was.


The bikes; all lined up in a row...just waiting.


Nick's age. I guess that would serve as an extra push for that 21-year-old behind him.


Just before the swim start. The clouds were dark and ominous but the storm held off until after the swim...thankfully.

Jay, giving his dad some last minute advice.

The Ironman is probably more of a mental undertaking than physical. Nick has more determination and is more downright stubborn than most people I know. I love this shot of him getting "his head into the game."

Jay watches as his dad moves closer to the water.

There he is...one of those green caps. See those swimmers way off into the distance they aren't even half way finished.

I didn't take many more pictures because of the rain...but I had to take one of the umbrella's lined up at the bike to run transition area. It was a wet, wet day!

Nick coming into T2. The bike and swim over, now just 13.1 miles of running.

The start of the run and he is smiling!

Finished! And still smiling! I am incredibly indebted to our friends, some of whom aren't pictured here, who stood out in the rain for hours until 10:30 at night to cheer Nick on. Amazing!