Check out Merril. He decided to run the IronMan this year! Nuts, right? He's been training for an hour each day, 6 days a week. He's been improving his nutrition over the last few years and is down to around 185 pounds, which is the leanest I've ever seen him. He's looking great!
Race day is here! Merril's prepping his number and wristband.
Early on May 8th, Mikayla, Juliet and I went out to see him start the swim. The competitors are staggered by gender and age and Merril's heat started at 7:40 a.m. We left the house at 7:00 a.m. but the parking and getting a bus ride took forever. We got to the water's edge in time to see his group go into the water but I wasn't able to pick him out and say hello.
He came out of the water around the 50-minute mark.
He transitioned to the bike and was on his way. Look how happy he is!
The weather was cold and rainy for the bike. He was doing okay but we saw a lot of women shivering.
THen he transitioned to the run. He paced with these two guys and ran most of it with them. They kept each other going with stories and encouraging words.
And here he is at the finish with a smile!
He came in at 7 hours and 44 minutes, 48 seconds. Other racers said that the rain made it super challenging this year. Merril can't just run the IronMan, he has to run the hard one.
I still can't get over how absolutely fine he seemed after moving for that long. He walked normally and was happy and talkative.
Our family is so proud of him! You are amazing Merril!
His official race information: Swim 50:59 Bike 03:44:47 Run 02:50:30 Total: 07:44:49
He was hardly sore the next day and walked around like a normal person. I'm in awe!
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