Ironman Arizona Update
On one of the most difficult Ironman race days in history, with a drop out rate approaching 20%, three team JFT2 members perservered through heat and wind to finish Ironman Arizona, April 2008. Congratulations to Bruce Morgan, Jill Brandon, and new first time Ironman Steve Garrity!
Race Day, April 13
Race day, and it's much warmer than the prior days. The 2000 or so competitors get ready for the day.
T1 is a busy place, with about an hour before the cannon.
Here's Bruce, his 8 lady posse, and Danny, just before the race start.
The Pros were sent out at 6:45, with a 15 minute head start.
An amazing site to see... a full Ironman mass swim start.
Steve Garrity, heading out of T1, and into the wind!
Check out the dust/sand storm on the right.
Bruce, smiling 5 miles into the run, on a very long, very hot day.
Jill Brandon, at the same point in the run.
Steve, running strong at mile 5.
Saturday, April 12
Once again the team meets up for an early morning swim.
The crowds have grown as this is the last chance for a pre-race swim in Lake Tempe.
Bruce is the first to dive in, followed by Steve and Jill B.
This is a view of the swim course, starting from the west end, facing east.
The team begins the long walk through transition.
The team is now heading south, around the east end of Transition.
The camera is facing north, at the southeast corner of transition area.
Hey, Candace, I said no posing!
Michellie Jones and Paula Newby-Fraser walked right in front of us... had to turn around to snap this picture.
While Jill was checking out the 2XU wetsuits at the expo, Candace said "Hey, Mom, you should get a bike like this!" Michellie's bike in the expo area; (nicely matches her outfit!)
Stephen was three for three on catching lizards. He got up at 5am to catch his second gecko!
Friday, April 11
It was yet another perfect morning in Tempe as the Team JFT2 crowd gathered once again for the morning swim in Lake Tempe.
Candace and Jill, catching some sun as they waited for Bruce, Steve and Jill to emerge from their swim.
Jill2.
View of the swim course, facing east.
With this early Friday morning capture of a whip-tail lizard, Stephen is now two-for-two in lizard catching. A perfect vacation!
Thursday, April 10
It was a beautiful Thursday morning in Tempe as Bruce Morgan, Steve Garrity and Jill Brandon prepared to brave the waters of "Lake" Tempe for the first practice session of Ironman Arizona 2008.
The murky waters of this man-made lake are home to some large carp, and to hundreds of daring Ironman swimmers on this day.
So far, so good as far as the trip is concerned. On day 1, Stephen achieved his primary goal, capturing a banded gecko.
... and the great day continued as Team JFT2 joined Bruce and his family at their wonderful vacation home for a team barbeque.
Bruce had flown down with his three teenage daughters, and their three friends. They were joined by mom, Theresa, and her mother as well. Bruce and Danny (the corgy) were the only men in the house until the team joined for the evening.
