An Interview with Mr. Ironman

Here's a few comments and thoughts from Todd the day after finishing the Florida Ironman.

SGC: Exactly when did you make the decision to attempt a full Ironman?

T.J.: December of 2004 when I first watched the World Championships (Ironman Hawaii) on NBC. At the time, I hadn’t done a triathlon, didn’t own a bike, had only been running a few months and had just started swimming. I signed up for my first Ironman in 2006 and completed it the following year in 2007.

SGC: Do you have any idea how many miles of training you put in? Time?

T.J.: From registration in Nov 08 to completion in Nov 09: Swim – 297,700 yards, Bike – 4153 miles, Run – 785 miles. Time: about 480 hours.

SGC: As you where standing on the start line awaiting the gun, what was going through your head?

T.J.: Crap that water looks rough! If the race had been the following day (Sunday), the swim probably would have been canceled. Double red flags were out Sunday due to hurricane Ida.

SGC: Other than the obvious physical fatigue, did you have any problems or mechanicals during the race?

T.J.: No mechanicals. I did get very dehydrated this year and things kinda shut down at mile 16 of the run. Walked in the final 10 miles.

SGC: After crossing the finishing line in 13:37:34, what was the immediate feeling?

T.J.: That was WAY harder than I remember.

SGC: Will you ever attempt another full Ironman?

T.J.: Yes. My goal was to break 12 hours this year. I went in knowing I’d done the training to hit that goal, but the day dished out conditions that weren’t going to allow it - rough swim and a stiff headwind on 75% of the bike. I’ll be back for some redemption in a few years.

SGC: What’s comes next for an Ironman completer?

T.J.: Family time.

Thanks Todd for taking time to give us some insight and fullfilling my dream of being Bob Costas.