Beach2Battleship Full Iron

Last weekend, I went down to Wilmington, NC for the day to support a friend competing in the full Ironman distance triathlon. I went to college in Wilmington at UNCW and served in the US Coast Guard for 8 years at nearby CG Station Wrightsville Beach so its always nice to get down there for a visit and catch up with friends. This time, a college friend was up from Florida to swim-bike-run the 140.6 mile Beach2Battleship Ironman race that starts in Wrightsville Beach and finishes at the USS North Carolina in Wilmington on the south side of the Cape Fear River.

I've always been intrigued by the Ironman events and watched the Kona Ironman on television many times but this was my first time seeing one in person. Another friend of mine ran this same event last year and finished within the 17 hour time limit however I was unable to attend and support him so I made it a priority to get down to the Port City for this one.

I joined other friends to catch my friend as he finished the 112 mile bike ride and started his marathon run and than again at mile 10, 16 and 23 as he jogged and than walked by towards the finish. In the end, as night set in, he made it to the finish in under 14 hours and it was a pleasure to be there supporting him. It was a quite a long day to be out there but I would do it again as I find watching these type of race events very exciting and inspiring.

All I can say is "wow" and "no thanks" after watching the iron distance competitors finish the bike and run events throughout the afternoon and evening. While the half iron distance seems reasonable and doable; I can now say that I do not aspire to ever compete at this distance.

Next season, Michelle and I hope to tackle more sprint triathlons locally which will be all for me right now.

Congrats to all the iron and half iron distance finishers last weekend in Wilmington.