Ironman 140.6 — Done ✅
2.4-mile swim, 112-mile bike, 26.2-mile run — and 944 riders overtaken on the bike
12:20:00 — Ironman Florida 2025 is done. From swimming like a rock to overtaking 944 riders on the bike, this is the story of my first (and maybe last) full Ironman.
12:20:00 — that's the number on my finish time. Ironman Florida 2025 is done. I'm an Ironman. Writing those words still feels surreal.
4.5 years ago, I couldn't even walk fast. Today, I've completed a 140.6-mile race — 2.4-mile swim, 112-mile bike, and a full marathon. This is the story of how it went down.
But first, can we talk about the 5 bags Ironman gives you for race day? Bike gear bag, run gear bag, morning clothes bag, special needs bike bag, special needs run bag... I spent more time the night before organizing bags than I did sleeping. By the time I was done labeling everything, I felt like I was packing for a month-long expedition, not a single day of suffering. Pro tip: make a checklist, or you'll be that person frantically searching for their nutrition at 5 AM.
The Swim: Like a Rock with Determination
The start was brutal — 30 minutes standing in line in the cold, shivering and waiting for my wave. But the moment I hit the water, everything changed. The sea was calm and absolutely beautiful. What could have been a stressful start felt like a dream instead.
For someone who swims like a rock with determination, I actually beat my own expectations. I felt great the entire time, just focused on my rhythm and breathing.
Still, when I came out of the water in position 1288, I knew the real work was about to start. Swimming has always been my weakest discipline, and I made peace with that a long time ago.
The Bike: Moving Some Watts
I messed up the watch timing right at the start — apparently you don't have to hold the button between triathlon legs. Lesson learned for next time (if there is one).
Two quick stops for pee and nutrition, then I just focused on rhythm and patience. All those months of training with my coach Robin paid off here — the nutrition plan was dialed in, pacing was on point, and heart rate control kept me in check. Tens of weeks running with tired legs after long bike rides had prepared me for exactly this moment.
When I got off the bike, I was in position 344 — meaning I overtook 944 riders during the ride.
Conclusion: I'm a bad swimmer, but I can move some watts.
The Run: Pure Mental Work
It's almost a miracle I finished this marathon. At mile 2, I had to sit down and take my shoes off because of burning pain in both feet — probably nerve compression from all that time pushing on the bike. Not ideal.
Shoutout to the amazing support woman at the first water station who saw me struggling and ran to her car to grab me 2 pain pills. I waited 8 minutes for her to come back, and it was absolutely worth it. Angels come in all forms on race day.
I repeated the shoes-off routine four times before the halfway mark. I never wanted to quit, but I genuinely thought it was impossible to run with that kind of pain. And yet, I kept trying. One step at a time. The second half was pure mental work, but I never stopped. For that alone, I'm proud of myself.
Key Takeaways
This race tested everything — body and mind at every level. There were moments I wanted to quit, but I didn't.
Becoming an Ironman — for me, it was about staying in the fight when everything hurts. Not about the finish time.
The transformation is real — 4.5 years ago, I couldn't even walk fast. And now I've finished an Ironman.
First and last full Ironman — at least for the next 5 years. The training volume takes too much family time. My priorities are clear.
Heart is now a Z1/Z2 machine — next phase is shorter races (70.3 and below) where I can push harder and race faster.
The Crew That Made It Possible
No one finishes an Ironman alone. Massive thanks to everyone who supported me through this crazy journey.
To my wife Gina — thank you for putting up with the early mornings, the long weekends, and the endless talk about heart rate zones. This wouldn't have been possible without you.
To my coach Robin Sandos — for believing in me, building the training plan that got me here, and guiding me through every phase of this journey. The nutrition strategy, the pacing, the heart rate discipline — all of it came from her guidance.
And to my amazing crew — Yurany, Fabricio, Mariana, Esteban, Clarita, and grandpa Cesar — for all your love, support, and energy on race day. You made those dark miles brighter.
Andres.
12:20:00 — from barely being able to walk to finishing an Ironman. This journey taught me that you don't have to be the fastest; you just have to refuse to quit. Mission accomplished.