Hello Everyone,
Well ... I did it. What an incredible adventure this has all
been. I still can't believe it's all over. Years of dreaming, months of
training, all completed in 13 hours 37 minutes and 57 seconds. It was one of
the most amazing experiences of my life. There's no possible way I could have
done it without everyone's amazing support. It's been an incredible up and down
journey and it just wouldn't have been possible without all the encouragement
and help I received. It was huge knowing that you all had my back, believed in
me, and were cheering me on. It gave me the confidence and courage to achieve
such a huge goal of mine. Everyone's support will be something I will be
forever grateful for, and I truly mean that from the bottom of my heart. This
really was a team effort and I can't say enough how thankful I am to have such
amazing people in my life. I owe you all such a huge debt of gratitude.
Alright now on to the race summary.
The water temperature for the swim was about 78 degrees meaning
it was wetsuit optional. If you wanted to be up for an award, meaning a top age
group finish which would earn you a qualifying spot in Kona, the world
championships, then you were not allowed to wear a wetsuit. I was not racing to
win any awards, I just wanted to finish so I choose to wear my wetsuit. The
wetsuit makes you much more buoyant which saves me a lot of energy. The way the
swim works is there is a mass start but they have you arrange yourself into
waves depending on how fast you expect to finish the swim. Because the swim was
wetsuit optional only the non-wetsuit participants were sorted out into waves.
Everyone wearing a wetsuit had to start in the back. I would say that about
half to half of the participants were wearing wetsuits. This led to the
craziest swim I have ever been in. Once you got into the water it was chaos.
There were arms and feet all over the place. People swimming over others and
swimming in all different directions. The first mile of swimming was nuts, but
I was able to keep my composure and once I made the turn to come back to shore
the field finally started to spread out and there was room to swim comfortably.
I was able to get into a great rhythm coming back and actually had a really
great swim time. I finished the 2.4 mile swim in an hour and 23 minutes.
Once you finish the swim you pick up your bike gear bag and
are supposed to head into the male transition tent. But I decided to change
outside before the tent on the grass. I was glad that I did. I had to walk through
the tent to get to my bike. It was already getting pretty warm outside and the
tent was very dark and damp which made it incredibly humid. There were a bunch
of naked middle aged guys getting changed on plastic chairs. Pretty gross.
Once on the bike it was pretty crowded on the roads. The most people I
have ever had to bike with. So I had to be very careful of everything around
me. The bike course was incredibly beautiful. One of the most scenic rides I
have ever done. It got really warm on the bike. The temperature probably peaked
at around 95 or so. I was pouring ice water over my head and every aid station
to try and cool myself off. The aid stations were spaced out about every 25
miles or so. I wish they had a bit more because it was pretty warm out there
and I would have liked a few more ice waters to pour over my head. But all in
all the bike ride went great. The course was relatively flat with just a few
small climbs. The easiest 112 miles I have ever rode haha. I finished the 112
miles in 6 hours and 31 minutes.
The transition tent for the run was a little better. It
wasn't damp and there weren't a bunch of naked dudes, but it was still really
hot in the tent. I got out of transition and started to run. My legs were
pretty tired at this point and it was tough transitioning from the bike to the
run. It was definitely a shock on the body to be feeling the impact of gravity
on every stride. But I was able to establish a pretty decent rhythm after about
2 miles. I was run walking the whole thing. I knew I needed to pace myself
because I wasn't able to run very much in training because of my IT band
problems. I would stop at every aid station and put ice under my hat to keep my
head cool, I would also poor a cup of water over that. I had quite a procedure
going each aid station. They had a bunch of oranges, bananas, and grapes so I
would eat those as well. I was also taking in salt and electrolytes at each aid
station to prevent any dehydration and cramps. The run was along Boulder creek
and there were people cheering you on for pretty much the whole route. It was
incredible. Probably the closest I will ever feel to being a rock star. I got
through the first 13 miles in decent shape but I really just wanted to be
finished then but I was only halfway done with the run. I knew the next 13 were
going to be quite a struggle. I had to walk a lot between miles 13 to 20. But
once I hit mile 20 I just started to run. I didn't stop at the aid stations
anymore. I just ran solid for the next 4 miles. I then walked mile 24 to give
myself the energy to run the last mile. The last mile is always the most
incredible, especially in any long distance event. I can't help but get so
freaking emotional. My feet just get so light and I start floating. I start to
think about everything it took to get here. All the work, all the hours, all
the people, all the love and support. And then the next thing you know you're
there, to that moment you've been dreaming of … crossing that finish line …
hearing the announcer say your name and that you are an Ironman. It was all
just incredible and surreal. I finished the 26.2 mile run in 5 hours and 17
minutes.
After you cross the finish line they have volunteers escort
you through the finish area to make sure you are alright. You get your metal
and your finisher goodie bag and then they lead you to get your picture taken.
In line to get my picture my sister, Rachel Mundstock came running up to the
barricades. She yelled my name and I saw her. I stared walking over to her and
I just lost it. I started balling. I was just so happy and so thankful that I
have so many people that I love so close to me and I know I can always depend
on them. My cousin Cat Yee was behind my
sister and I gave her a huge hug. I
remember seeing my sister and my cousin cheering me on when I was running. I could see tears in my sister’s eyes because
she knew how much this whole thing meant to me and I could tell she was
proud. It was a moment I won’t
forget. Both of them making the trip out
to Boulder was wonderful and their support was spectacular. Then my parents Dan-Alice Mundstock came up
and I can't thank them enough. Their
support was beyond amazing. They were behind
me for every single step of the way and there is no way I can thank them
enough. They are the best support team I
could ever ask for. None of this would
be possible without them. So of course I
gave them the biggest hugs I could and cried all the happy tears on their
shoulders. Next my girlfriend Rachel
Antoniak came up. Let me tell you
something, I love this girl so much. She
has been more than incredible throughout this journey. She saw me at the worst of times when I
didn't think I was going to be able to do it and she wouldn't let me fail. She makes me better and I feel like the
luckiest guy in the world to have her in my life. Then all of my amazing
friends who made the long trip out the Boulder came up Beth Alexander Lauren
Vallicella Jordan Faragher and her boyfriend Sean Mark Prenger Janaye
Culton. I can't tell you guys how
incredible it was to see you throughout the course cheering me on. You all gave me energy when I thought I had
none. I couldn't be more thankful to
have friends like you in my life. You
are all and inspiration to me and I hope in the future I can be there to help
support your dreams just like you all did for mine. After all of the hugs and tears I made my way
over to a grassy area and popped a bottle of champagne. I've been able to celebrate the Giants and
Warriors winning world championships but this was my world championship and
nothing ever did taste as sweet.
I wanted to also give special thanks to those who really
helped me and showed amazing support through this whole journey and couldn't
make it out to Boulder.
Oscar Ramirez and Casey Ramirez you two are truly the best.
Briana Cahn it was really special seeing your sign and
getting your support in Napa.
Richie Louis DeRobles I couldn't ask for a better
friend. You keep me pushing.
Keith Nishikawa and Jared Kwak even though we may be miles
apart we are brothers for life.
The boot camp crew, Rob Grayson, Tom, Paula Michal, and
Cindy your support was spectacular.
The Family, Chris Yee, Elaine Kiang, Uncle James Yee, Uncle
Artie, Uncle Tony, Aunt Beth, Uncle Stanley, Aunt Audrey, Uncle Allen, Aunt
Ruth, Mike Yee, Aunt Alana, Grandma, Paul Fong, Jeanette Fong, Mike, and Joyce
family means the world you me. All of
your support helped get me to that finish line.
Michael MacElhenny I may help you train but you help me more
than you know.
Erin Cox and Dave Cox you two were my two biggest
supporters. No way could I have done the
swim without all of your time and energy.
Erick Sobey can't thank you enough for all your help on the
bike.
Colin and Kyle all of the body work you both did on my legs
was amazing. For me to have absolutely
no pain throughout the race is a credit to both of you and I can't thank you
both enough.
"Swim 2.4 miles! Bike 112 miles! Run 26.2 miles! Brag
for the rest of your life"
You start out doing something crazy like this to prove
something to yourself but in the end you do it for the people you love because
they stand with you through it all, they pick you up when you fall. They become
your strength.
