I Must Be Crazy

Question: Why did I sign up for the 2010 Ironman Arizona, a 2.4 mile swim in Tempe Town Lake, a 112 mile bike ride, and a full (26.2 mile) marathon, without ever competing in a triathlon before? Answer: I must be crazy. I guess I shouldn't be shocked, after all, I did sign up for the 109 mile El Tour de Tucson after being on a bike for only a few months back in 2008. I figure, what the heck, might as well go for it, so on 11/17/2009, I purchased a tri bike and set my sights on the main event.

My good buddy, and two time Ironman, James Bruce, talked me into volunteering for the 2009 Ironman so that we could get priority sign-up for the 2010 race. We were working the first transition area (T1) where the athletes were trying to find their bikes after finishing the swim. It wasn't really until we got into the "controlled chaos" of this area, that I became fired up for what was ahead. The energy was unbelievable and the environment was completely inspiring. The very next morning, I headed back down to Tempe and waited in line with all of the other volunteers to plop down my $550 entry fee. When the lady handed me my receipt, I thought to myself, "Oh, it's on now!"