Thanks to everyone for the kind words and thoughts on race day. It is great to have the emotional (and physical support) of the SBR team!

Ironman Switzerland is an absolutely beautiful race that is extremely well run and worth going to if you area looking for a destination Ironman. I wouldn't not typically advertise something like this, but traveling with Endurance Sports Travel, Ken Glah's Ironman "vacation" packages, was really worthwhile. The "fee" is added to the price of the hotel, but includes: hotel/airport transfers, to/from race transportation, bike course tour, and much more. The comfort of going to a foreign country and knowing things were already organized was very comforting.

I had a really great day and I am pleased with the result... ESPECIALLY after my calves completely seized from cramps with about 500M left to swim; which made me stop for 30 seconds to stretch. I just figured I was screwed and this was just going to be a REALLY long day. Otherwise, the swim was great and I stayed comfortable the entire way. Transition was easy but different. It was set-up like a short course race in that we had our own spots to rack with our gear. No bags, no changing tents... in fact, if you were a spectator, you could probably get quite the show watching athletes drop their shorts.

The bike was great!!! Three loops which I was able to preview before hand -- thanks to Endurance Sports Travel. Fast section around the lake before you hit some hills which climbed to give some epic views, cows with bells, people screaming "hoop, hoop, hoop (go, go go)" -- it was fantastic. One hairy, roller coaster descent easily took me to 50mph. There was one other hill on the opposite side of the lake that was shorter and steeper. The best part was they shuttled spectators from the transition/expo area who wanted to watch... so the top of the hill was 2-3 people deep and opened up in a TdF-like way. No devil running next to me... but very cool! On the third loop (about 108miles) I started cramping again -- DAMN!

The run was mostly flat and most all in the shade which was hug as it was at least 85ºF. The only bad part of the run was 4 U-turns during each loop. It kept the athletes tight, but made it difficult for spectators to follow because they had no clue what lap or section of the course you were on. I started sipping on Coke about 3k into the run and continued about every other aid station for the remainder as I heard from {SBR teammate} Paul Bashforth (yes, he is more than a transition king) among others, would help with the cramps which I have suffered on all the previous IM races. It did!

I sucked down 3 Gu's during the run, but kept most of the calories in fluids... sips of Powerbar drink, Coke and water. I was hoping for a 3:20... but super pleased with the 3:30! I was a great day and am pleased with the outcome. I was 20-something in my AG with no Hawaii spot...Well there's always next year!

[Note: Greg was actually 24th in his AG with a time of 9:37:30.]