Happy Birthday Ironman!

Ironman Texas May 21st 201

3:30 Am, my alarm goes off. As soon as it does Mindy rolls over and gives me a big hug and whispers, "Happy birthday honey! Your going to have a great day!". I just simply replied yes I am! You see I decided to do Ironman Texas for my birthday, crazy, well those of you who know me know that you don't even have to ask that. I was doing this Ironman with my awesome training buddies Matt, Lilly, Carrie, Mallory, and Lindsey when we had a chance since we had gotten so busy it was really hard to coordinate times to train so I really treasured the times we had together. There were several others that were out here doing the race as well and you will hear about them and my awesome support crew that allows me to do Ironman races.

Me and Lilly were going to be driven to the transition site by Blake and Lilly's mom (who I wanted there so she can bless me like she did in Florida before the race). Me, my family and the Blake's all stayed int he same hotel so i meet them out front at 4:30 to head down to transition. trying to eat my bagel and peanut butter (by this time I was so tired of eating for this race). Blake parked by transition and me and Lilly started walking. Whoops walked the wrong way and had several athletes following us (funny how that happens). Changed direction and starting in the right path. Man the energy was so thick in the air, oh wait no it was just damn humid already.. I thought this was going to be a long day. But I didn't care it was my birthday and nothing was going to take away my fun! Get to transition, this still gives me goose bumps. You see a field of bikes, equipment, bright lights and athletes wondering around in the hopes of becoming an Ironman today. This for me would be my third. Go to my bike check my wheels (I rented some race wheels this time, I was very excited to try them out), put my water bottles on, food on and I was set. Went to help Lilly and she was having a hard time airing up her bike. So I asked a fellow lady competitor to barrow a pump and she was very rude. REALLY?? Asked another nervous lady and she said as long as you bring it back. I told her I would and got Lilly's bike ready. Gave the pump back and wished the nice lady good luck. Me and Lilly made our way out to see Lilly's mom jumping up and down to get our attention, we both laughed. Was worried about Matt because I didn't see him.

Back to the car and off to the swim start. Blake was so nice to drop us off and we walked to get body marked. Have to admit the volunteers there were FREAKING AMAZING! I was blown away with the hospitality and service they provided, cant even say enough about how helpful they were. Thanks to all who volunteered!! Got marked and ran into Rommel and Melanie. I gave them hugs wished them well and took some pics. It was really good to see them. Walked over to give our special needs bag (I was excited because I had packed a blueberry muffin to have on the run to celebrate my bday!!) I told Blake and them to hold on and I went back to the body markers and had them put this on me:

Right afterwards I found a quite spot and lost it. I missed my kids could feel the energy they were giving me and it was too much. I composed myself and went back where Lilly's mom blessed me with holy water and said a prayer for me. Lost it again. I could feel the energy from everyone flowing through me. At that point in time Blake tell me Mindy is here, lost it again, REALLY?? My whole family was there, my sister, her friend, and most important my dad. You see me and my dad are reconnecting and have been doing this for about 4 years now, he really didn't understand what an Ironman was, today his son was going to show him.

Getting ready I run into Matt, Carrie, Jason, Nick, Peaches, and several others. I thought wow look at what I had done in this sport and look at my friends who were about to become Ironmen. We head to the water, I go into the chute were non wetsuits went (you see you could wear a wetsuit if you wanted to, I wanted to experience the swim without one). So did Matt, Lilly, Carrie, Mallory and Lindsey. We all start shuffling into the water as we did I saw a couple of my cycling students Al and Lupe, they came all the way just to see us race. I hugged them and they wished me well! Love those guys! As we got very close, they started rushing us into the water. Me and Lilly get in the same time, and that's when it got rough. We swam to the buoy where we wanted to start from and there was NO space to tread water, a kayak came close to the start and people were climbing over me and Lilly and she started to panic and was getting close to drowning and so was I! I grabbed her and pulled her back into more open water and told her to calm down. We had two min so just calm down and we will be ok. She did, I looked over and told her ok we have 1 min and BAM! The gun went off, WTF!!! Oh well here we go.

The swim start:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cT1PajCc8eg

Started my watch and my Ironman bday race was on! Started strong but damn the water was murky and you couldn't see a thing! Started swimming towards the big white house and was hit and bumped and kicked on the way. Dude really move!! I swam towards open water and was still grabbed on the ankles, so I kicked harder :) Finally found some rhythm right beside the white house and headed towards the turnaround. Made the left through the crowd and a few meters another left turn. Headed back to the canal I was feeling great and still getting hit and bumped I was smiling and enjoying my Ironman swim. Wow that canal was further than I thought saw the turn buoy and headed down the canal. I never got a great rhythm but still felt good till the canal. There it felt like I was swimming backwards!! Wow this damn thing was longer than I thought as well, then all a sudden my hand hit the ground, Really???? I walked a bit then was kindly reminded by a volunteer that there was glass and re barb on the bottom (They said this since they didn't really know what was there). I could see the bridge and as I was breathing to my left I could see the fans, and I was really hoping to see my family. Sure enough right under neath the bridge I saw my dad. Felt like I was 5 years old, I yelled at the top of my lungs, "Dad, Dad, Dad, I'm right here!"

He saw me and waved I smiled and teared up because he was standing by my wife and waving with such elation of a proud father. This point my shoulder was really hurting abut I wanted to finish strong. I switched my breathing pattern then back to my left and there was my dad walking with me as I finished my first leg of my Ironman. Just what I needed. Get it done Dave!! I thought and he walked me to the finish line. Turned left at the yellow buoy and headed towards the stairs, and wow!! My foot was really stiff from kicking.

The last swim finisher:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M7k-zLrDSpM&feature=related

Out of the water into transition to get my bag and I hear a crowd yelling my name! Shouts of "Go David", "Rock it Dave" and many others just cheering, energy absorbed! I looked at my watch 1:30, oh not the time I needed for my A goal, gonna have to make it up! Missed my bag had to go back and get it, got it headed to changing tent. Sat down take off my chip to put on my compression socks, nutrition helmet, glasses and shoes. Off I go, then i hear someone say "HEY",I turn around, "You might need this". Oh snap, I forgot to put my chip strap back on. the athlete handed it to me and I put in on, porta potty and to get my bike. Disoriented I couldn't find my bike, finally what seemed like forever I got it and ran towards mount line. As I do I run into Kirk, who was doing his first Ironman. I wished him well and he did the same, "Go kill it Dave!" he yelled. Off I went, I couldn't stop smiling! I was having so much fun, passing people but still taking it easy. Looking back I went out to conservative, avg around 22, should have punched it. I was loving the race wheels, never even go close to zone 3 for the first 30 miles! loved seeing signs-"Why 140.6, because 140.7 would be crazy!", "Welcome to Ironman, now your broke!", and many others. On the way out I saw a former student of mine, Graydon, we yelled at each other and waved. My plan was going well with nutrition and supplements, mile 40 had to pee, stopped in the park we rode through which was AWESOME! I came out of the porta potty and saw Jerry, said good luck and I went on, almost out of the park I saw Tom who was volunteering.

Got my special needs bag at mile 56 and headed back to transition. this is where I picked the pace up. This was supposed to be the windiest part of the course but with the training I had done in Austin it wasn't that bad and the rolling hills were just perfect to me (Mindy told me later that my bike splits were pretty even when others slowed down, felt a little better about the bike). Coming back I was getting concerned that I may not get the time I needed for the day, THEN at that point in time I saw a older woman walking with a cane and a riffle yes a riffle over her shoulder, WOW I was in East Texas :). I passed Malory and she looked strong, Kevin, he looked great as well. I started to worry that I had not seen Matt. I was hoping he had a awesome swim and he was in front of me, so I pushed even harder to catch him and make my time. I was feeling great and my legs had plenty of energy. Mile 80, man its getting close, not sure if I was going to make my time. Mile 90 pushed harder, mile 100, damn it not going to make it. I was hoping to get under 5 hours but it wasn't going to happen. I still pushed through the last part of the neighborhood where the fans were yelling and cheering which made me push even more. Almost back I see Sancha and Max, funny I see them first before they see me, I wave and smile. Left turn almost there, right turn on Lake Robins, unvelcro my shoes and do my flying squirrel move as someone calls it and 112 miles on bike done! Time 5:09

Hit that dismount line flying and feeling great! I run with my bike and hand it off to a volunteer and off I run through transition to get my run gear, missed the bag again DAMN!! Go back get it and head to changing tent as I do my socks get soaked from the water, damn there already wet, oh well get my shoes on and a volunteer gives me a towel for my feet, AWESOME! Dried off a bit, shoes on hat food and off I go! I head out and there were the sunblock volunteers, so I jumped in front of them and did my sunblock dance for them and they all laughed! I thanked them and off I went, getting my hat and food situated running by the same canal we just swam in and I see Mindy. She yells Lindsey is right in front of me, i told her I loved her and I would see her in a bit. I see Paul and Meredith yelling for us and I was getting fired up. I looked at my watch 7:45, damn slow down Dave! I slowed to a 8 min mile pace by the first mile and felt great but damn it was hot and humid. We were lucky on the bike there were clouds but they were getting sparse very quickly and it was getting really hot! First aid station water and ice. I turn and I see Lindsey, I know that running stride anywhere, as I do I hear a man on a bike call out watch out women's 3rd place, I move over and look back. Its Desiree!! She says something to me that I cant make out, I call out to her dig deep girl your looking great! I almost thought about pacing her for a second which would have been awesome but didn't. We all caught up to Lindsey at the same time. The man on the bike yelled out again to Lindsey, she quickly yelled out "WHAT!!!!" at the top of her lungs, I busted up laughing!!!

I caught up to Lindsey and said really, did you just do that? she laughed as well. I went on, got to the fourth mile and that's when it hit me. I wasn't going to get my PR today. I would have to run my fastest marathon and it would just destroy my body trying. I had to make a hard decision, I had to let go of my dream of getting another PR on my birthday. Not gonna lie, I was pretty upset, but only for a second. I am lucky I had a great life coach who gave me tools to go through this and come out with a positive. I decided that I was just going to enjoy my day, my birthday and just do what I can. I knew I would finish, that wouldn't be an issue. As soon as I decided that Lindsey caught back up to me and we ran back down the canal were most of the spectators were down the backside of the course. On the other side I see my family where they set up camp, waved, and smiled to them. This to me was better than a PR, I was running with my friend. We made it to the next aid station walked through it taking in everything we could and I started running again, Lindsey didn't, but I knew she was in pain, so I continued on by the Landry's and turn around where they had COOKIES!! Hell yeah! grabbed some and started running again. AS I do I have people yelling my name and giving me high fives, this by far was the best part of the course, next to the finish line of course.

Closer to my family I run to them then walk past and I tell Mindy I am just going to get through the day, she asked if I was ok i said yes, she understood as well. Since she is the one who knows my numbers better than me she knew what I would have to do and in those conditions was almost impossible. I kissed her waved to my family and headed for the finish of the first loop, I run past my special needs bag, grabbed some stuff and i keep hearing happy bday Dave! All around that area, I head to the market square around and I see beaux, love him. He made me smile yelling,"Is that David Garza, yup it is! Happy bday David!" I turn and pass the finish line chute as I head out for my second lap, as I do I befriend Pat who was holding a same run pace with me, so we chat and he tell me about his story and how he injured his back after Texas 70.3 so I told him I would run with him to get him though the run. As we start our second loop I run see Rommel! I ran to him and walked beside him. I told him I was so proud of him and that all he had to do was keep moving, you will be an Ironman today, hugged him and off we went. As we ran on I see Lindsey on the other side of the course, so what do I do I flash her of course! She laughs at me and I laugh as well, man was I having fun! Our plan was to get through the second loop then pick up the pace on the third. I see Jamie and Chris out there cheering us on on by the house with the Ferrari in front of it. Back to the canal and there was Lilly! So this time as I past my family I was running with another friend. This was awesome! I told her run with us through this part since there were a ton of people who knew me and was yelling for me and she could draw off the energy!

She does and Pat runs with us too, I could tell Lilly was hurting too, but who wasn't? I have never seen so many people walking. I mean every aid station was down as much fluid as you could till the next one, I was soaked from head to toe. We lose Lilly somewhere but then she catches up at an aid station, i lean over to her and hug her and told her how proud I was of her especially because of the start, she thanked me for the help and I went on running. As I was going past the turn around I see Dustin. Dustin you are an inspiration to everyone and I love you man, hugged him and wished him well. Told him he would become an Ironman in a few short hours. I ran past the bar where it was the loudest cheering section, gave high fives on both side. After that I look down to see my pace and WTF, the glass on my Garmin was shattered! Gave a high five and broke my watch, oh well. After that I did just thought how good I felt, I was still feeling pretty good! Headed back to my family I hear Matt finally across the canal! He yells out,"Dave, Dave, Dave, happy birthday!" I yelled back pick it up Harmatuk! Tell Mindy i am still doing ok going to pick it up on the last loop, Pat looks at me and said are you sure, I smiled! Back to special needs bag area and I grab my muffin. I had been looking forward to this small little muffin for HOURS!!! I eat it and I swear it was the best damn muffin I have ever eatten :) I run again I see Blake:

You know I dont think I have ever smiled so much, I was having fun and helping my friends. Around the Market square and on to my final loop I see Maria and Ansley. Maria will be doing Ironman Cozumel with me and I was so happy to see her there. I eyeball the finish line and made a mental note of how good its going to feel coming back down that chute! Off me and Pat go on our last loop. He said his back was really huritng, so next aid station we fill his cycle jersey pocket with ice and i tell him to press it on his back while we walk to help the pain. I could feel a blister to start under the ball of my foot, not good, toes were hurting, but once again all things considered I was good. We walked past Max and Sancha for the last time (Max later told she could see how much pain I was in but I still had a huge smile on my face) Yup I was having fun!Told Pat to pick it up and we did, finally he had to walk and I shook his hand and told him I needed to run this mile for someone.



Came to mile 20, this mile I dedicated to Jennifer. She is battling some health issues and I had her sign my Livestrong band for the race. Jenn that mile was for you, it hurt bad but not enough to make me stop, keep up the fight! Passed Jamie for the last time and he said matt was right behind me! I picked it up more. Walked my last aid station and last food I wanted to get, walked for a bit more than ran. I came by the canal again and Mindy yelled out what I asked her to from a great friend I really respect and look up to, "David it cant hurt wrose than this, now go!" So I did trying to push past the pain now, now it was hurting. I could see a couple of Jack and Adams jersey and wanted to catch them. 4 miles outPain was intense, but made it to the next aid station, water and ice. Run David! I ran out of that aid station, OUCH, this is hurting now but I wanted to feel the pain of the day and here it was, now whos going to win. I AM! I caught up to the Jack and Adams guys but had to walk through the last aid station, legs hurt, feet hurt, it hurts to walk and to run. I was getting tired, but knew it would be over with very soon. As I was running I saw Peaches and was happy to see her on the run, she was going to be an Ironman today too!! Grit my teeth and picked it up. Looked at my broken garmin, 8:10 pace! Nice! Head up the slight incline past transition and I repass the Jack and Adams guys and I kick it in! Holy cow that pain elevated to a new level, no stopping at the aid station. I literally grit my teeth and pick up the pace, I hear people yell for me kick it in that awesome, Go Dave you got it! Yeah I do! turn left into the Market Square, looked down last time at my watch 7:05 pace! I see Blake on the side again no high five just finish strong! Left turn down the back stretch, crowds are going crazy. Its so close my moment, no one elses my moment I have worked hard for. I see Mindy on the backside I glance at her and she see me in pain and flying! Left turn, past the back stretch, pain is so intense but no slowing for my moment! LAST LEFT TURN! This is where you went right for the second and third lap, not this time I am done! The volunteers see me and they know I am finishing. They point to the finish line line like there it is Dave it's all yours!! I make the last left turn and I pump the crowd up and they respond with a deafing roar! I push harder to pass one last guy in front of me and I catch him 10 feet from the finish line! I cross the finish matt with my fist held high! I slow to the catchers, they take my chip, and I almost colapse from fatigue. It takes two cathcers to hold me up. I regain my balance and then I see Chucky, I hug him and all the emotions flow out of me. He congradulates me and walks me to the end of the chute. There Maria, Ansley, Sarah gave me huge hugs and told me how proud they were of me. but I was looking for the one person that I needed to see, Mindy!

Mindy has helped me complete my 3rd Ironman. She has been with me through all my training and has supported me all the way. With you by my side I know there is nothing I couldnt accomplish! I dedicate this race to you my love!

No I didn't get a personal best time but I am proud of the way I held my head up in the face of adversity and had the funnest Ironman's I have had. I held a positive attitude and helped out some people who needed it. At the end of the race I looked at mindy and asked her,"Can you believe what we have done?" She replied, "Yes!"

Big Congrats to all who finsihed the race on some very tough conditions. First timers, Carrie, Alex, Mel, Rommel, Mike, Dustin, Peaches, Chelsea. And to my other friends out there especially Matt and Lilly, I love you guys like my brother and sister, well sometimes!

Cozumel Ironman, your mine this November!