IMAZ Race Report
First IM so wanted to have an enjoyable day and felt very relaxed after listening to the 4 keys talk and having had such good race rehearsals. Actually slept like a rock and very little nerves. Race morning nutrition was 2 naked juices and had a gatorade prior to swim start. Sister worked body marking so I just hung with her and pumped up over 20 bikes since I brought my tire pump. Helped me stay relaxed and warm.
Swim - I knew how cold this was going to be so didn't want to jump in too early and tread water for more than 10 minutes but did it anyway since I was way up front. I think I was in the worst spot to start, dead center in the middle of the pack. It was actually fun to be in that enviroment and swimming on top and over people. Swim was going good until I lost feeling in my left hand and it sent me into a panic attack. I was at the furthest part of the course so just had to relax and slow down. My swim time was horrible but I didn't let it get me down. I keep telling myself just have fun and enjoy your first IM. 1:30:52 
T1 - If it wasn't for a volunteer I don't know how I would have gotten dressed. My hands and feet were so numb I couldn't put on socks or arm wamers. Luckily this guy dressed my like I was a two year old and sent me on my way.
Bike - First 30 min was hell due to the cold and my body didn't like being arrow that soon but pushed through it. Having such a poor swim helped my bike since I just passed people all day long which was a big confidence boost. I rode the course so much I knew what was in store and actually went a little too easy because I just wanted to be able run the whole marathon. The only issue was peeing on the bike. I did it twice and people were looking at me funny(one guy actually said something to me) so I actually stopped once at a porta potty on the start of the 3rd loop which really helped out. 5:19:01 
T2 - Pretty uneventful. Forgot to slip on my 2XU calf guards which I was bummed about but overall pretty smooth
Run - Wanted to break 4 hour run but made it in 4:09:57. Ran the whole time except for aid stations which went from 30 secs to a full minute that last loop. I ran the last mile sub 8 minutes and last 400 meters at a full sprint since someone was trying to pass me so I had some left in the tank. I just felt extremely good at the finish line. 11:11:34 overall 495th place. My goal when I first signed up was sub 12 so I can't complain but I wanted that sub 11. 
Overall the guidance I got from EN was spot on. My family knew exactly where I was going to be all day long and at one point on the bike I was within a minute of when I told my family I would reach loop 2 on the bike. I signed up again for next year, this time to race it. Need to focus on swimming in the offseason and going to try to qualify for Boston Marathon at P.F. Chang's in January so I have some goals to keep me motivated until then. It was nice to meet the team at Thurs. night dinner and see team members out there grinding it on the run. Hope everyone had an enjoyable stay in AZ and luckily I get to enjoy this weather all winter. Turkey trot on Thurday 
Regards
Neil
Comments
The family and I loved your hometown. I took the kids to the Science Museum on Friday and it rocked.
nice work out there, sounds like a great day. Enjoy your time off, you'll nail a sub 11 next time!
11 hours is crazy good is right! Excellent, top-notch day. Congratulations, Neil! Way to plan the work and work the plan!
That's one great first IM! You built up alot of good IM karma pumping all those tires before the race.
Enjoy your recovery!
AWESOME job on your first Ironman!! What an incredible day you had. AZ is on my list for 20XX. Thanks for sharing!
Great Job on you first IM. I did not hear and have to ask, how cold was the water?
Gordon
Neil, that's one helluva first IM. And, you're gonna race it next year!?! Lookout! Great job.
Dave
Great Race Neil!
I competed in the November version of IMAZ last year. The water was so cold that with 3 minutes to go over half the field was still on the wall at Tempe Town Lake. I remember glancing back just before the start and there were several hundred racers slowly jumping in.
It looks like your race execution was solid. Be sure to capture the little details somewhere so you can look use this as your benchmark event.
Super job Neil! Congrats on your 1st IM!! Very impressive results.
Thanks, Chris
Neil -
Great job, especially impressive bike/run combo. you run time for first IM, given you're a big guy is one you should be proud of.
Here's a goal for you next year: run under 4 hours, and sprint past me at the finish line.
Water was 61 that AM; it had been high 60s a week earlier! I ran (on my third lap) with a women (on her first lap) who said she spent HOURS in the med tent after the swim from hypothermia. Volunteers at the swim noted many who finished slower than 1:20 who came out shivering and blue. OTOH, I started next to a young (22?) lady in just a Speedo (NO WETSUIT) who insisted she was not cold. I think she just didn't know any better.
Very impressive Neil. Great first IM, you must be pumped. Anxious to see what another year of training will do for your 2nd IM.
Holy Cow! That's one hellofa race! Way to take care of business and it was great meeting you.