Ironman Wisconsin 2025
Created: Sunday, 05 July 2026
Ironman #13!!! The plan was to take this year off from racing. But Ironman changed their qualification rules (again) for the World Championship in Kona, Hawaii, which changed the number of qualification years of eligibility starting with my first 70.3 Ironman race. So to keep my qualification alive, I signed up for IM Wisconsin, even though I’m undecided about actually racing in Kona, I’ll keep the option open by keeping my qualification active.
I watched the 70.3 race the day before my race to get some good insights on what I will face. Good thing I did! I saw that the racers were freezing coming out of the water, and onto the bike. And that the transition area is on the upper levels of a parking deck with a spiraling ramp. The finish line was epic, with the Capital Building in the background. The second largest in the country, second to the one in D.C.
I decided to race wearing 2 layers, arm sleeves, and calf sleeves. During transitions, try to keep moving to stay warm.
Also before the race, I drove the bike course and got in a practice swim. The bike route is all hills with rough roads. Monona Lake was warmer than the air temperature, at 68°, so it felt great in my wetsuit.
After assembling my bike, I realized I forgot my rear bottle cage!!! I was able to borrow one (Thank you!!!). Biked through the University of Wisconsin, and ran in brand new Nike AlohaFlys. I was confident and ready to race.
Swim - 2.4 mile lake swim
The air temperature was 45°, wind chill made it feel like 40°. Brrrrr. The lake was calm. The rolling start started 5 swimmers every 5 seconds on a boat ramp. From the practice swim, I learned I need to dive in and start swimming as soon as my ankles got wet because there were painful rocks near the entry.
There was a lot of contact! Pushing, kicking, grabbing… While the plan was to swim along the side to avoid the mix, the numerous life guards on kayaks kept everyone corralled in a narrow corridor, forcing everyone to in contact with everyone else. The second loop was smoother.
There was a red arch in the water we had to swim under to begin the second loop. I did not know we had to swim under it again to exit the lake. On my last loop, I headed straight to the finish area and noticed I was by myself. I looked up and saw I needed to adjust and head back through the arch before exiting.
I generally complete the swim around 1 hour, 45 minutes. My shoulder has been sore, and I felt it on the second loop. I finished in 1:55. I’ll take it!!! I saw there were many swimmers still in the water, so I pleased not to be the slowest!!
Place: 73rd of 92 in Age Group,
1104 of 1318 overall
Time: 1:55:06
T1
After swimming in a prone position for nearly 2 hours, I was definitely dizzy standing quickly and trying to run. I was about to take off the top of my wetsuit, the volunteers were right there immediately out of the water to help everyone remove their wetsuits.
Fortunately, the transition area was indoors!! I grabbed my bike bag and took it into her changing area. I swam with my 2 layers on, so I just need to put on my thermal arm sleeves, socks, and aero calf sleeves. All from Zoot sports. Most of the bikes were gone, so it was easy to find my bike. Time to chase them down!!
Time: 14:37
Bike - 112 miles, 5800 feet of climbing
It was definitely very chilly at the start of the bike, but I was dressed for it. I didn’t wear gloves, but also don’t think I needed to.
The hills were relentless. The climbs were not real long, just back to back to back to back. All day. The downhills were quick and didn’t provide much recovery before the next climb.
Other than constantly trashing my legs, the course was scenic with lots of corn fields. The hardest climbs were lined with spectators! That was very motivational. You can’t suck with people watching. I saw everyone push harder with all the cheers.
The race even had shuttle buses bringing spectators out to the bike course and bringing back to the run course. That makes this course one of the most spectator friendly races I’ve been in.
I tackled the hills with no problem. No cramping. I stayed ahead of my nutrition and hydration.
Moved up in the ranking!
Place: 64th in AG, 894 OA
Time: 7:08:45
T2
The typical strategy at the end of the bike course, is to spin your legs easily to get ready for the run, but you cannot do that on this course. We had to bike up the Helix, a spiraling ramp in the parking garage, up to the fourth floor to get to the transition area! There was a lot of fan support throughout the Helix as we all were grimacing, having to climb one last time just to get off of the bike.
At the top of the helix volunteers were waiting to grab our bikes as we ran to pick up our run bag and change in the changing area indoors.
Time: 7:20
Run: 26.2 miles
It was time for the last leg!! It took 2 miles before I could get my “running legs”. The course was energetic, with lots of spectators and college students out. Much of the course was through the UW campus, including a lap around the football field inside of the stadium! That was pretty cool.
I felt good for the first lap, but my body started breaking down for the second half. My muscles and endurance was fine, but I have old man knee and back issues that started to flare up. I’ve been managing both, which has successfully allowed my body to continue racing.
The last 13 miles were much slower than the first, but I was able to keep jogging through the end.
Of course, the Capital Building is at the top of a hill, and marked the finish line. As the sun disappeared, the full moon illuminated the run course. The emotions started building with all the runners as we left the darkness and entered the lights and music downtown Madison.
The route led to Capital building, past the finish line, u-turn, then down the red carpet lined with bleachers and screaming family and friends supporting everyone that came down! Amongst the music, I heard over the loud speaker, Derrick Britton, You Are An Ironman!!
Place: 76th AG, 1123 OA
Time: 5:53:08
Overcoming all the challenges, pain, and sacrifices made it worth it to be successful. Time to rest my mind and body. Next race, #14, IM South Africa in April.
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