The 2009 Ironman Louisville started out like any other Ironman. 2700+ athletes invaded the town of Louisville with state of the art equipment and nervous ambition. Unlike other Ironman experiences, this was the first World Triathlon Corporation (WTC) owned event we would experience. The weather was uncharacteristically pleasant; unlike its first two years where the temperature scaled around 98 with the precipitation running a close 2nd at 90%. WTC, who owns and conducts Ironman Kona, holds Ironman Louisville on the same day Ironman North America traditionally conducts Ironman Canada; end of August. WTC purchased the North American Ironman race series not long ago. (See http://ironman.com/mediacenter/pressreleases/world-triathlon-corporation-acquires-seven-u.s.-based-races for more details.) 

Short Version: If I ever suggest signing up for another Ironman, someone please shotgun my laptop so I can't. Thanks for reading.

- Tony

Extended Version:
Initially, I told myself I would not write a race report this time. However, I can’t help but mention how warm the Canadian hospitality is and the beautiful countryside. Someone on the run changed and left their clothes at one of the aid stations. The next day, the owner of these clothes found them washed, dried, and neatly folded at the lost and found booth. Surprised? Don’t be. This is a great example of the experience you will encounter in Canada. Warm hospitality, a beautiful course, and great volunteer support are some of the reasons I’ve done Ironman Canada three times.

Ironman weekend is a complete invasion of athletes upon a city to do battle with the course. By the end of the day, they all look like they’ve been to war. Ironman Florida was no different. 2500 athletes entered the ocean like turtles migrating to water for the first time. Survival it was as one many lost time fighting the subtle current. The ocean current pushed us right to left making the straight out and back swim difficult to maneuver. Many of us swam up stream to round the corner buoy. Swimming only twice since IM Canada (August) made things unnecessarily more difficult. I made the 2:20 swim cutoff with 3 minutes to spare and was the last official athlete out of the water. I felt for those who were still out there heading for shore only to be told their game was over.

In 1999, I was standing on the Beach in Penticton Canada waiting for the gun to go off. It would be my first Ironman. Located at the rear behind 1700 other wetsuits, I thought “what am I doing here?” Everyone looked so fit. I didn’t belong here. “This is a big mistake. What have I gotten myself into?” Completely unaware of the pain and emotional roller coaster waiting for us on the course, doubt weighed heavy on my mind. The sound of a young lady next to me breaking down it tears caught my attention. I asked what was probably the most stupid question at the time,….“what’s wrong?” “I can’t do this” she cried. I lifted my left arm and said, “lady, you have the use of both arms. If I can do this, so can you.” And as I uttered those words, the gun sounded. I looked straight into her goggles, pointed at her and said “I will see you at the finish line” and then we made like fish.