Support the Ironbaby!

View Iron Baby Course Map in a larger map

(Google Maps doesn't have a runner icon, so I used a wheelchair.  That's probably what I'll need by that time anyway.)

I will be racing a self-supported Ironman-distance triathlon on October 9th, 2009.  This will be the third time I've done it, but the first time for charity.  We would love your support!

Here's the FAQ:

Q: What charities are you racing for and why?

A: I missed my first "real" Ironman because my son was born 2.5 months premature.  He toughed it out and showed me what a real Ironman he truly is.  As soon as there was time, I completed my own "solo" Ironman distance race in my hometown.  I named this the race the "Ironbaby."   

I am now going to run the "Ironbaby" again to raise money for three charities.  I have chosen the March of Dimes (they help hospitalized kids and without their assistance my son may have never made it) and the Ronald McDonald House (they gave us a place to stay near the hospital in Houston).  I have also included the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research to the list because my own dad is struggling with this terrible disease.  Donation links are at the bottom of this page.

Q: How long is this event?

A: It's a 2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike ride, then a 26.2 mile run.

Q: Are you serious?

A: Absolutely!  I've done two before, finishing in 17 hours and 15 hours.  I've also done IM Wisconsin, finishing in 12:59. 

Q: How do you do it?

A: I will do the swim at a local pool (next to my awesome swim team - The "Brazos Splash"), then drive to my house, bike 4 loops so that I can swing by my house and refuel, then run 9 loops near my house so that I can also refuel on the run.

Q: This sounds easier than a "real" Ironman.  Is it?

A: Not at all.  There's no crowds to motivate you, you have to totally support yourself, and quitting is very tempting when you keep passing your own house multiple times.  I've done both and it actually feels harder.  It's essentially the same, though. One year, the temperature stayed between 34 and 44 degrees all day long. It is still the coldest IM I've ever heard of.  It was brutal!

Q: Can I join you?

A: Absolutely!  The course will be laid out soon and anybody can come out for part or all of it.  The company would be fun.  It is in College Station, TX.

Q: How can I follow you on that day?

A: I will be posting to my twitter account as I go along.  It should be very interesting!

Q: How will you be collecting funds?

A: Just click the links below and donate directly to them.  Let me know how much you donated by sending Texafornia at Gmail.com an email with "Ironbaby" in the subject line and how much you donated to which charity.  I will post your first (and last if you ask) names as "sponsors".