Ironman Maryland Is Underway

I’m up early thinking about my friends Jim and Katherine swimming their asses off right now at Ironman Maryland.  They should both be well on their way to swimming 2.4 miles for a little warm up this morning.

I know exactly what they’re going through and hopefully they are relaxed as I think that is always the key to the swim.  I have the “Swim Finish” pulled up for Maryland and it’s really cool to listen in and watch what’s going on.

IM Maryland

I can’t wait until they add more cameras to the scene.  It’s amazing how many people told me they watched me at the finish and I’m sure there would have been interest in watching before the swim and seeing who’s in the crowd, etc…

Here are a couple things I’ve heard while watching this morning:

– They just said some guy is competing in his 100th IRONMAN today!  He’s finished every IRONMAN from around the world at least once.

One hundred Ironman’s?  That’s just insane.  I mean, that’s 3 a year for 30 years.  Is that even possible?  Maybe they are including 70.3s?

– 800 of the 1,500 competitors are in their first Ironman.

– The 12th ranked competitive eater is racing today

– First swimmer out of the water in 50:10.  Bill Bishop from Chicago and he has a pretty big lead.  The announcers seemed kind of blown away by his time.