Ironman Boulder was about the journey – I did not finish, am not an Ironman.

It’s tough to set a goal, call it out to the universe & not succeed.

Not completing a goal leaves unfinished business – but the effort was there.

I learned to swim, bike & run.  During the journey, I ran 8 marathons – and committed to running one in each 50 states.  I sacrificed time with friends & family.  I logged in literally thousands of hours at the gym.  I put in the time.

 

Woke 3:15am on Sunday.  Ash & Tom dropped me at Boulder High to catch the bus to Boulder Reservoir (swim event site).  Wet-suited up after race officials announced Rez temps at 74.5 (below the 76.1 degree wetsuit threshold).

National anthem, 6:20am starting gun for men pro athletes, the ladies staggered 10 minutes back.  After the pro start, athletes lined up based on expected swim time.  My fastest lap swim has been 2hrs 05 min – so I cued way way back.

Gun pop, walk forward; gun pop, walk forward.

Nervous but ready to compete.  My strategy today: swim hard (try not to zigzag), finish under 2:20, then no more swimming – giving it up; jump on the bike, pace myself across 7 aid stations, finish 112 miles, then no more road biking – yep, also giving up biking.  Not super positive I suppose (giving up both disciplines)…but after 10 months of training, I found it motivating.

I’ve only open-water swam twice.  Steamboat was numbing cold; Boulder Rez bathwater warm (with lotta algae).  Started zigzagging almost immediately.  Picked a flock of women swimmers with bright pink caps & kept them to my left, 10 feet out.

At the one mile mark, folks started slowing but found myself still hitting the water strong.  I’m not a fast swimmer but I swim relaxed & maintain almost clock-like rhythm.  I started passing swimmers, seeing more & more men’s green caps on my left.  Key for me – watching for swim caps.  At the first turn transition, kayakers quickly corralled me back on path…same at the second transition turn.  Not sure why I can’t swim a straight line in open water (I can swim with my eyes closed for laps in a pool).

Stroke, stroke – pitched up & could hear the race announcer…only a quarter-mile more.  Stumbled out & saw 1:55 on the race timer (1:51 official finish time) – FAAANNNTASTIC!

4 people pulled off my wetsuit (little weird having folks undress you but appreciated), grabbed my bike gear bag, changed in the transition tent, then handed discarded swim gear to yet another group of volunteers.  Well run IM Boulder, well done!

Mounted my bike & rode north to Lyons.  I’ve ridden this route twice, no surprises.

And then it started….

On your left.  On your left.  Cyclist after cyclist passed by.  Like I wasn’t even moving 🙁

Flying down a hill on the St. Vrain approach, experienced my first bike crash.  As I flew over the handle bars, I sensed what was happening & instinctively tucked-n-rolled.  It’s asphalt so came up bloodied & bruised – but had always expected the pain to be much worse.  HUGE phobia re: road biking – and in the end, crashing was not so bad.

Front tire rubbed & I lost a valve stem but thankfully no flat.  Picked up, sucked up & continued the ride.  Checked my bike at the first aid station.  Front tire definitely messed up, constant rubbing further slowed my cadence.

Took a bite of a bagel, downed some Gatorade and headed to Longmont.

Just inside Berthoud, 2 guys in a Super Shuttle van followed behind close.  I waved them around.  As they matched my pace, they shouted I would not make the next Aid Station before the time cut-off.  They asked for my timing chip & I jumped aboard.  Disheartening.  I really only missed cut-off by 5 minutes.  That said, my cycle pace was not Ironman standard & undoubtedly would have missed the next time cut-off 60 miles away.  Hot day.  Ho hum.

My Ironman journey ended without a medal but during the process I transformed both body & mind.

(Kinda cool to see my name listed in the official Ironman Participant Guide 🙂 )

 

Retrieved gear bags later in the day & saw the pro athletes.  Amazing, fit beings.  Truly impressive.

Taking a mental break & hitting the mountains for 6 weeks.  Enjoy the summer!

 

Boulder resident wins inaugural Ironman Boulder

 

Thanks for personally reaching out & providing encouragement.

• HUGE thanks to Ash & Tom for acting as my race support team all weekend.  Much appreciated!

 

Dawn  Not an Ironman, but a paragon & a lodestar! XXOO

Kelly  You did awesome! Are you running the Boulder Marathon in October?

Keenan  Maybe next year Kelly. Running in Nebraska the weekend before (and catching the annual Buffalo RoundUp in Custer State Park SD – bucket list item).

Krissy  still so proud of you and the effort and spirit you put into this!

Michael  Valiant valiant effort. You set a goal 99% of us wouldn’t even consider. I know you let yourself down and that’s a tough nut to swallow. But, so many are proud that you trained and tried. I hope there’s a next time.

Rajeev   read your blog – very inspiring….

Robin   Ahh…Keenan, you might not have finished, but you didn’t fail. You are a rock star in my humble opinion. Enjoy the mountains

Sharon  Still proud of you

Bill   You rock, Keenan!

Leslie  Life is about the Journey, not the Destination! You Rock!

Karen   I just think it’s amazing that you entered the Ironman race to begin with! Congratulations on a job well done and on how far you did make it! That was an accomplishment in and of itself and one most of us will never have bragging rights to in our entire lifetime!

Shane   Medal or not… you’re still a beast!

Anish  you rule…!

Beth  You are a winner in my book! Fantastic! I am amazed at all you do all the time!! Great job and great swim time!!! enjoy the mountains and rest a little. You deserve it!!

Sarah  YOU are still an IRONMAN in my books!!! there’s always next year!
hope you are resting up and taking care of yourself… as you enjoy the rest of the summer!

Chris   Wonderful perspective and attitude! Congrats. You are an Ironman!

Lori   You ARE an iron man and a wonderful man! I hope you are enjoying all this training that must have been needed.  Next time compete in NYC and swim the Hudson

Laura   Keenan, we are so inspired by your effort, commitment and spirit!