THE DREAM COMES TRUE!

KIEL KELLER, You are an Ironman! those were the words I have been waiting to say to him! These words mean everything about the journey of life and how one handles adversity, mental challenges.  The gods of Thor dished it out on Sunday but we persevered as Keller boys so often do. This was by far the most mentally challenging race Ive had to do, as like any father wanting to protect his son, as I knew I was not going to be able to sugar coat the journey. He had to do his own race, his way, the way he was coached and the way he was trained. And so it was, after 400 yards of the swim, just like that he was gone, in the sea of masses.  I wouldn't see him again until the run at mile 10. And then there he was just before going up Curry Rd hill.  He was hurting then, in the dark place, a place many of us have been before, unable to process nutrition, over the heart rate limit. Why?  I was the carrot he was chasing all day after the swim, trying to real in 20 something minutes. But like all our mentors have told us, it will pass and get better, and it did! By mile 12.5 he was good and I sent him on his way as he was already doing the math to the finish line. I knew he would be good but it was important to not hold him back, and then he was gone.  At first in eye sight but slowly he started to pull away.  Of course we had our spotters through out the course.  After all we are nascar people, we understand what spotters can do. Mile 13 check, mile 15 check, mile 17check, mile 20 2x check, mile 24 check and he now with Bill Gilbertson to finish off the race on his own. His way!  The reports roll in like clock work as I was reduced to a walk after Mile 18, major feet issues again.  None of that mattered only the reports of his progress.  I would have walked through hot flaming coals to make sure I finished if i had to but I knew with 4 minutes of what my time would be at mile 22.  Math is a beautiful thing on an Ironman.

At mile 26.1 I saw it all starting to unfold, Jenn Huston busts out running toward me giving me a big hug and shared the news.  The Zman is there giving the thumbs up.  At the chute are the fellas, Gary and David.  I had to stop in my tracks when I heard them as it was bedlam by then.  Finally Carla, Hannah, and the entire Team Keller entourage in the ussual place for Ironman.  I get the kiss! check...the place is going beserk and I can hardly hear. Really I cant even hear Rielly it was so loud.  Its time to finish, no thought out plan this year, as my plan crossed 12 minutes before me.  So I rolled down the right side of the chute and high fived every person I could.  Half way I see this guy with a TV camera rolling with me as i continue down the line.  As i get to the line I see Jordan Rapp standing there and give him a high five. I couldn't figure out what the heck was going on. Camera flashes everywhere going off, geez u would have thought we won the lottery. 2o feeet later the lottery winner was right there.  Kiel was waiting for me to finish.  A huge monumental hug, one that told me all I needed to know about what had happened to him/us today. And then there was Swet to capture those moments.  Thank u my friend for the morning prayer and for being there with your camera.  Photo ops, so many from everywhere.  Bill Gilbertson is still there and we share the story how him and Kiel finished.  It was rock-paper-scissors to see who went first.  It doesnt get any better that! I wanted to spend time with Bill as he was worked so friggin hard to get that medal, and we will as he and Kiel have a bond that will be forever.

Its now post race photo op time as we picks a place near the finish line to meet and greet the family and friends who showed there support for 17 plus hours.  WOW, just how cool is that! Ther e was a lull and then POW, champaine bottles spewing everywhere.  Ok that caught me off guard for sure.

Twenty six years in the making since my son at age two asked his daddy about Ironman.  Well son, how did that taste? You went out and got it. You never gave up and for that.  You Are an Ironman!

Going backward from pre race and into the race, I cant tell you how much positive energy that we got.  We used it like gasoline to fill up when needed. I lost count of how many times we saw Carla and Hannah and the entrouage! At the swim exit, bike entrance, Beeline at Shea 1, 2, 3rd loops, run start, both sides of the Mill St bridge and well into the night and finally at the finish line.  Yall made this happen! To all the ONE teammates and I dont know where to start.  i used every ounce of positive energy that you gave out.  EVERY drop! John, Cyndi, Jenn, Katie, Bernice, Amy, Jeff and Jane, Dan, Erik, Bryan, Carlos, Sue, Lisa, Beth, Alveretta, Swet, Kirt, Lindsay, Rhino x2 for getting through another race, Lisa, Klas, Peter Carmel, Robert, Terra, Brooke, John, and all the families of the racers.  Good lord thats alot of energy needed and i didn't name all of you.  So many times I heard both my names so a big shout out also to my FB buds. I HEARD YOU ALL and used every one of your encouragements. To my SEC boys plus ONE,  you guys know the deep respect I have for each of you. ONE MULTISPORT, I bleed orange and black for each of you!  Finally to my fellow Ironman triathletes who towed the line yesterday, relish the moment and dont be disappointed in your times.  Nobody will care what your times were only that they will call you an Ironman.  Ironman is about perseverance, it may take time to get there, but if you are inclined to try never give up the goal. Thank you all so much for helping us make our dream come true.

     

IRONMAN ARIZONA 2013: A LIFE LONG DREAM

NOVEMBER 11, 2013

Five days and a wake up before the race of of our lives. Are we ready? Kiel are you ready? 52 weeks ago we made this decision to embark on the journey of a lifetime.  At 60 I see the journey clearly, at 28 the journey may be a little blurry.  Later though as life goes on, this journey will be crystal clear. for it is not often one can share the race experience of a lifetime with there son. What makes a fathers dream become reality?  What does it take for a son to step up and out beyond his father's shadow and say, lets do this!  What emotions must be going on as we prepare silently for what surely will be an epic day. Surely he must be thinking Am I ready, did I prepare enough, can I finish?  If only I could wash away his hidden fears and nerves before race day, but how can I as I'm having the same thoughts, just how the hell are we going to pull this off.  So many emotions this week, so much preparation, for just ONE special day.
Yet here we are on the precipice of race day.  Maybe its a good thing to work a little before thursday as surely when we enter the village the butterflies will be flying when it is time to pick up our packets.
The time to reflect is now as I reminisce on his basketball team winning the city championship in 7th grade as he followed the exact plan to defend the other teams best player, golfing in the high school state championship in Show Low with the wind blowing 30mph and the flagsticks bent to the ground,  playing his last high school football game in the quarter finals before loosing in the last few seconds or fighting his way onto the starting foursome in golf while in college.  Yes he has had lessons on lifes highs and lows.  But Ironman, 140.6 miles of mental hell, Are you ready for this, better Are we ready for this.  Will this bond as father son, will us to complete this battle. I believe I have shown him the light, the path to success in sports and in life.  We will both dig deep into the bag of tricks.  I know his weaknesses and he knows mine but more importantly we know our strengths, that burning desire to never quit against all odds.  Yes that is what it will take.  That never say die attitude no matter how tuff the battle is, Survival and the belief that anything is possible.  Yes I remember when anything is possible, when a 145 lb, freshman heat seeking missle  was told to go and make a play againist a 230 lb running back when your backs were againsit the wall... and you did, not once but twice in a row, rallying your team that night. yes anything is possible.  We have had so many lifes journeys but this will be the hardest to date. 
So here we are, Alaska boys ready to engage in the race of a lifetime, not againist each other or anybody else, just us againist the clock.  We have 17 hours and we may need all of it to get us through.  There will be issues, there always is, what they are I dont know yet , just that there will be trouble that brews and we will have sort it out and move on forward toward our goal. At 60 ya never know how many more chances you get to accomplish a dream.  Im a beat up warrior for sure but it aint quite my time to be done yet.
We are grateful for all that have gotten us through this year.  The women in our lives have made that possible.  Both Carla and Hannah have sacraficed while making this happen. Who do you thank for a years worth of blood, sweat and tears.  For me, I have had a lot of help to get me to the line this year.  My PT expert magician, Kate at DIPT, my nutrionist Brooke who opened up a whole new door on the way the body proceesses good and bad fats, Dr. Mike Robb at FIX24 who sorted out my spine and discs, and his assitant Whitney with the vibrating gun to keep my back and shoulders operating correctly, LIFETIME for my sanctuary at the pool, Mcdowell MTN park my real sanctuary to hike and run with no boundaries, my ONE mates, John/Cyndi Dean,  Rhino for guiding me in to the finish for 2012 IMAZ, Jon Ford for Barletting, my bike buddies, Todd, Pete, Robert and Jeff, the girls of ONE who swam and ran for me to relay this year, to keep this old guys legs fresh, Klas for seeing to it that Kiel made it to the starting line.  Im sure Im missing a lot of names but yall know who you are and believe me each and every one of you made a difference in my life as a ONE triathlete.
This week will fly by and we wont begin to be able to tell everyone thanks so Im doing it now. God speed all u Ironmaners and to my son Kiel Keller, a soon to be rock star!  

Theme for Ironman Arizona 2013

Thor Soundtrack - Sons of Odin

http://www.youtube.com/v/SuxCmC9GRqc?version=3&autohide=1&showinfo=1&autohide=1&autoplay=1&feature=share&attribution_tag=sGhzf0ankn73buu1JmjfDQ

2013: A Partnership in Ironman

With 2012 well behind us , we are now preparing for the upcoming race season. This is gonna be a very special year as my son, Kiel and I embark on the challenge of completing Ironman Arizona together. This has been my dream vacation since 1987 when I fisrt competed in Ironman Canada. We are both very excited to make this happen.  We will need all the support we can get as well as the training support and camaraderie from our ONE Multisport mates. We will be doing several races together this year in preperation for IMAZ. This is how the race season will unfold:

1. Oceanside 70.3  2. Leadman 125   3. Boulder 70.3   4. SOMA 70.3  5.  Ironman Arizona

This along with some of the local races should help us along the way for our journey. We will have interesting ride in 2013 and we look forward to having our ONE mates help us all along the way. what better present could a dad have than racing Ironman with his son. ONE LOVE for sure! We will need help along our journey as there will surely be many ups and downs along the way. but ONE thing is for sure, we will not quit.  We are in it to finish it. We will be working with new nutrition this year and I will be relying on Kate @DIPT to keep me going through out the year. So look for the Keller boys at a venue near you soon.

Ironman Arizona Race Report

Ironman Arizona:
November 18. 2012
Time: 16:25

Ironman Arizona was my end of the year race for the year 2012.  This was a race heavy year with eleven races on my plate.  In each race I've learned something new but none like IMAZ.  My goal for this year as always is to finish but underneath that layer I did have time goals set.  I was close to hitting my goals on the swim and bike but once again the run is where I have struggled and this year was no different. I make no excuses for the race that I ran and I did complete my main mission...Finish.  However, triathlon is a goal orientated sport so time goals have to be set and examined for the past present and the future of my races.
Swim goal: 1:30  Reality 1:38   Bike goal:  6:15    Reality 6:45  run goal 6:15  Reality 7:30
So I have some work to do to improve which is what this sport is all about.  My strategy is always to finish first and sort out my times second and that is exactly what I did this year.  The outcome ........3X Ironman finisher!

Race morning:  Up early after a great sleep, coffee and banana(first of eight that day) and a little sports center.  Got my gear together and headed to Tempe at 4:30 am. At the garage Peter dewey and Carmel were already walking to the mad house. Got my stuff dropped off, body marked, tires inflated and back to the ONE tent to kick back.  We took a bunch of pre race pictures, had a quick prayer from Swet, and then it was time to get ready.  Wet suit on more pictures and before I knew it it was 6:50 am.  The first of several bad omens happened as Im walking with my training partners Pete and Jeff, when I realize I forgot my goggles back at the tent.  Back i go where I get my goggles jog back to the wall.  As Im talking to Cindi Dean at the tent, I debate swim booties as the water is 62 degrees, not terrible but numbing for sure. Nope roll without them like i did the day before...2nd bad decision, if they allow them wear them for u have warm feet on the exit and don't cut your feet getting out of the lake. 

BOOM, the cannon goes off and all hell breaks loose.  Im not swimming, I'm fighting to keep afloat while being punched, kicked and pulled on.  Ok,  so this is how it is going to be?  Yep for 1.2 miles a sluggfest and slow, almost 52 to the turn where I followed Erik Svans advice and stayed against the north wall and came home in 46, my swim number. It was an OK swim because on the return I had no contact with anyone til the Mill St Bridge where the battle began for the last 1/4 mile. Out of the water and stripped, I begin to hear people call my name all the way to the bike transition.  I dont remember who you are except that it was freaking awesome to have so many people cheering you on.  I was pumped and looking forward to the bike.

Once in the changing tent, the guy takes my bag and dumps it in the wet grass so I stuff gets scattered about.  no worries Im that way too so I deal with it.  but where is my chamois butter...logistics error , no butter.  Ok I asked the guy in the tent for Vaseline or butter. He comes back with a jar of sun screen and proceeds to dump it in my helmet, the whole jar.  Off he goes with my helmet to wash it out, 3 minutes go by and Im wondering,  Dude are u coming back with my helmet.  He does and Im ready to go but as i put on my helmet my visor is a blurr.  Stop, off comes the helmet, grab a water and I clean my visor.  So now 15 minutes later, Im finally on my bike all because of a logistics error. Leaving the bike area is again very cool because of all the people leading u out .



Lap 1, standard morning Beeline wind in the face up the hill.  18 mph to Gilbert rd. and climb the hill at 13 just like I planned.  Get to the turn around grab a banana and haul ASS down the hill at 27-32 mph.  I passed hundreds of folks down the hill and down into Tempe.  I'm feeling like a normal training ride with my HR at 135.  Hit the turnaround back to the Beeline we go, and as usual the wind has shifted to the east. Same plan, go with to Gilbert and climb the hill at 13 stay in the HR zone. the return down the hill was a little slower as the PROS were dogging me when I went to pass slower traffic.  I was at 25 they were at 35mph.  Erik passed me at the turn around and then he was gone.  At mile 56 I wanted to keep going but thought I better stop for chamois butter or i will be in big trouble. stopped and loaded up with my goodies and away i went.  Back to Tempe and a 1;15 lap, great Im still doing good. On lap three a mechanical issue popped up, my tube holder strap broke and got tangled in my rear wheel.  It sounds like a baseball card, Go Braves, was clattering the spokes.  I stopped quick and a  good thing as if I had one more turn on the wheel down I would have gone.  Jury rigged the bag in place(5 minutes) and bam gone again.  Those ZIPP Firecrest wheels are definitely fast and it made a huge difference in the wind.  I could have road faster but 6;30 was a number I thought i could manage going into the run. A quick nature call at the top of the beeline and then it was back into town, passing many many folks on the last lap.  All in all still OK minus some exceptable errors, loss in time so far 30 minutes, and i could live with that. Got to the run station, changed and was on the go.

THE RUN:  this is the whole race and immediately I struggled with my HR, amped up and ready to go and my HR shot to 150...Nope not good so I walked to get started again and had the same trouble for mile and two.  Things settled down but I was already thinking there is gonna be some trouble if i dont get control of myself.  this mental fight went on for the first lap, and Im thinking to my self, really all that training and we are at this stage mentally. When I got to the ONE LOVE aid station every thing straightened out.  I knew going in that Cindy Blair would be playing my 1st song, Gangnam Style and that I had a surprise for the ONE crew including MyBella and Kiel.  So me being me I busted out with my best dance moves to the song..that took my mind off the mental drama and I was able to actually start a consistent run pace.  Lap two is always the hardest because the reallity of most people starting to finish while you have a lonely 8.5 to go just sucks.  I saw many ONE teamates along the way and believe me it helps having that support on the course.  And I needed it big time.  Lap three and my mental math to finish on time was in full mental panic mode. wouldn't you know it my Garmin says night night, no more time piece.  In oder to finish in 17 hours I needed to run the last 11 miles without dilly dallying.  At the ONE LOVE aid station Kiel gave the real time and the numbers that were needed to get this thing done. Where the F did all the time go i'm thinking.  It was then I told my self, listen son,  you've been through way bigger life threatening bad deals than this so get your sorry ass going and dont fn stop till u cross that line.  So with that I ran the last 11 or jogged in reality and only walked the Curry Rd hill.  When i go to the aid station Carla gave me a quick kiss and Kiel went with me the last two miles.  At the Mill Street bridge, Rhino was there to escort me home.

  Coming up the hill to the finish line shoot was loud and I knew no one was in front of me for a minute or two so it would be me by myself trying to find Carla before i crossed the line.  I made the turn and Riley was there on the PA but I couldn't hear him because of the noise.  I missed Carla completely as I slowly airplaned in and began high fiving everyONE I could. The crowd was so loud and for that minute in time, it really is indescribable the emotions that cross your brain. Proud to finish such a demanding venue, realizing the crowd is responding to the accomplishments and dreams of the triathletes as they cross the line. So so many thoughts, wondering how my teammates did, what they were thinking when they crossed, all the training we did together as a team.  My god how could I not sign up for another year of this. Then the line, ONE finger raised to the sky in honor of all my ONE teammates and there accomplishments through out the year.

I am so proud to call my self a ONE Multisport triathlete.  I would not have been able to reach the goals that I have set for myself if it wasn't for ONE.  John and Cindi Dean, you will never truly know all the people that you have touched by starting and carrying this club to where we are today. I have been blessed to have so many friends as a result of ONE Multisport.  And know this my friends, ONE is a club of some Bad Ass triathletes.  Proven again by the winning of the Red Rock triathlon points championship. You tread on ONE u tread on all of us.  That's how we roll!!  From snow angels, to racing in Alaska, Europe, Canada, Mexico and to racing a freaking marathon in Antarctica.  ONE is across the globe and really, how cool is that.  John and Cindi coined it...ONE LOVE...and i am all about that.

Lastly,  I want to thank my number ONE support group, TEAM KELLER, led by my MyBella, love of my life and my future Ironman guy Kiel and of course his Hannah.  So now its on to 2013!!  Lordy knows what the hell is in store for next year....

THE COUNTDOWN

So here we are, Ironman Arizona race week and the excitement is starting to build.  I prepared myself for this all year so I think it is time to get this party rolling. Race week is always exciting as there is activities most everyday.  For me, I like being busy with lots to do to help take my mind off the task at hand.  Sunday will be a very long day, somewhere close to 16 hours.  The winner will be done in 8 something but while he and she are resting I will be on the course grinding away toward the finish.  One of the hardest parts is mentally telling your self that most everyone will be done when you finish. But that's what make this race so special and to have one in our back yard is simply fantastic. For my friends that aren't triathletes, think of it as working a double shift 7am-11pm, while eating on the go.  I will burn between 400-600 calories per hour depending on the work load or roughly 10,000 calories on Sunday for the 140.6 miles.  The swim will be 2.4 miles in water temps of 62-65 degrees and thats cold.  2800 people will all start the swim together creating a calm lake into a washer machine of water. Then we will jump on a bike and ride up and down the Bee Line Hwy foe 112 miles for over 6 hours and this is where i will have my breakfast lunch and dinner in all types of weather, maybe sunny, rainy, windy, hail, cold, heat whatever. Now between 7-8.5 hours has gone by and you are tired after a long day except you have one minor thing to take care of, running a marathon, 26.2 miles.  And for this we have paid 700 bucks!  And everyone including myself always asks the question, WHY?  Everyone is different, each with there own personal goals but the ONE constant value that triathletes have is the will to push themselves to their own personal limits, both mentally and physically. And what to you get for this, memories that last forever, friendships, personal satisfaction, and all the while knowing that only a select few of people will ever experience the euphoria of completing an Ironman.  That's me and that's why at 59 I still race.  Once an elite and now a finisher with a boat load of stories, grateful for all those who share in the Ironman experience and helped me along the way. For me sharing the experience with others I know makes each race a special one. So here we are 6 days out and we are all waiting till the cannon goes, BOOM and the journey begins.

Ive been asked numerous times how do you feel leading up to a race? OK here goes... Excited, nervous, anxious, calmness, outgoing, happy, scared, focused, scattered, withdrawn, laughable, hot, cold, panicky, motivated, driven, kicked back, relaxed, matter of fact, detailed, analytical, apologetic, chill, euphoric, smiling, grinding, digging deep, push through mental clutter, eye on the prize, never ever giving up, finishing, and those freaking words..."...you are an Ironman."   That's how I feel!!!

whats in store this week:
DIPT strentgh training, Race Plan update, PRE Race strategy meeting, a run , a ride, a swim. ONE Multisport get together, ONE gear party, Tribe party, Mike Reilly dinner at IMAZ, and a race.  so its a busy week getting ready, sorting out your equipment, what to wear to the party, nutrition, organizing, planning and executing!

Lastly I want to thank everyone who made this year's  IMAZ so special...ONE Multisport all of you, my training partners new and old, all my friends, DIPT for keeping me healthy, my son and my darling wife ...MYBELLA for which none of this would be possible..  thank you all from the bottom of my heart...TRI TO LIVE ..LIVE TO TRI....P