Hi everyone -
Back from LP and watching my first IRONMAN ---- oh boy what a set of emotions that weekend holds! Riding into town was amazing - going up those mountain roads thinking holy moly they have to all that and then realizing Christen, Bob and I were riding the course the next morning was not that appealing anymore!
Met up with the team after our ride and got a great pix of everyone - see attached .... the team was ready to roll!!!
Stayed with Paul - who must have given me all his nervousness cuz I was scared as hell for those racers after riding the course and couldn't imagine having to do the swim before and then that run after!!!!
5am - rise and shine it's race day people .... went down to volunteer for a bit from 6-10 ... they let us go over and hang at the start for as long as we wished which was the craziest thing ever ... people didn't want to tread water so most hung on the shore or over on the banks and when the race started they came from all sides (remember that video on you-tube about the race start - I think that was filmed HERE!) ... as Patrick said - he took either a foot or a fist to the jaw that made it click!) one swimmer didn't even make it out of the starting gates, and a few others came out with gashes on their head ... But all of Team Comp made it thru ---- one down two to go!!!
I ran down from the food tent when I saw a comp shirt come out of the changing tent and caught most of the team ... when Denise came in I ran down to the oval to tell her her hard event was done and get on that bike and go for a nice ride --- she was beaming!!!
After Bob and I finished out shifts we hooked up with Christen and headed out on the bike course to catch some more action ... saw an incredible crash - not one of ours - phew - and the guy fixed his bike and went back on the 2nd loop! Hey it's Ironman right!
Paul came flying thru doing about 80 we think at one point!!! and the rest of the crew was looking good after the first loop .... we decided to head over to different spots to catch everyone again and snap some more pics and ring that cowbell of mine!!! (I think Christen was liking that a little too much we kept thinking we were driving people away next to us but we didn't care these people NEEDED us screaming!) tee hee
Next, we headed over to the run course around mile 24.5 where they had to do that aweful 1.5 mile climb ... 1st loop brought many emotions for the team but everyone kept chugging along - and throwing a wave and a smile out to us as we went crazy screaming as they jogged on by!!! GO TEAM COMP!!! (oh and Jay sorry I yelled 'go John' I was so focused in my camera that I yelled what was on your bib till I realized they printed John and not Jay!)
2nd loop is here and JP went flying by to the finish making this look a little too easy my friend! Headed over to the finish to catch Paul come around the bend --- totally focused and glad it was over I am sure ... caught up with him for some much deserved hugs and congratulations then headed back out with Bob and Christen to do some more cheering!
Got so into cheering I really didn't want to get dinner but it was getting on in time so I ran into cafe ordered and low and behold Stu goes by so YUP I ran out of the cafe and chased down the road with my camera to give him some kudos then went back to get my order - these people thought I was crazy but what fun I was having ...
Watched and waited for everyone to come thru ---- most surprised to see us was def. Kelly (she had the funniest expression and was beaming like a kid on Christmas morning!) ... most glad to be done - whom I accousted in the street since there was a break in the action was Denise ... you know me I just ran out there snapping pics and screaming she is an Ironwoman till that girl got up the energy to jog up that hill and bring it home!!!!
After a bit Christen headed back to meet up with Paul and around 11:45 I headed down the road to try and find Chaz who was still on the course - Bob left me to go back as well ... I got down around mile 23.5 and they told me he would be pulled at midnight ... Marty from fitwerz was going to drive me out b/c they said he was 3 miles back but the roads were closed I went out anyway but then was told it was 5 min. till and they would pull him as soon as the roads opened so I headed back up to the finish to catch the last seconds ... as I got there (I ran up the hill they had to do twice and let me tell you I was dying!!!) ... there was a guy screaming toward the line with a group yelling for him to hurry he crossed the line just as it turned to 17 so the announcer says 'we will give you the second ---- you are an IRONMAN!!!' and the crowd went nuts ... but what about Chaz???
I couldn't get ahold of Jodi and sent an email out then shut down the computer to chat with Paul about the race ... went to bed at 1:30 still wondering and when I got home and signed on found out Peter and Jodi sent me a message at 12:48 am asking if I was going to watch Chaz finish ... needless to say I was sooo mad for listening to that cop - I was about .5 to 1 mile away from him apparently but didn't know it - he wasn't as far back as they said!!! but Jodi, Peter, and Marty did get to him and walked him home --- he crossed the line had his pic taken and received all the finisher's goods only thing missing was the announcer!!! I am still crying about it now ;-)
watching the team and the emotions written on their faces that day was incredible to say the least ... from the lows of: anxiety, anguish, pain, and the looks of why the hell am I here, I can't do this, someone please tell me I am okay!!! to .... the highs of: seeing each one of you crack a smile as you went by no matter what you were feeling, realizing you didn't drown in that mass start, to the euphoria you displayed realizing you had one last push up that hill around the corner from mile 24 to bring it home ...
I might have just found myself a new career ---- professional IRONMAN cheerleader ;-)
Now for the individual report
JP --- took home hardware, 5th, and a ticket to big dance in KONA!!!! I feel a BBBBIIIIG team party coming on October 10th!!!
Paul ---- rock solid on the bike .... lookin good on that Jumbotron and made an appearance on the online live stream screaming down the hill!
Nancy ---- 1st out of water in age group ... way to go girl! was all smiles all day!
Jay --- going cognito with John on his bib ... never saw this guy walking up those hills!
Joe ---- looking good and smokin fast esp. at the end!
Tim - gave a great smile every time we saw him - think he even stopped to sign some Comp. racing autographs too ;-)
Stu - tough morning but pulled it together and came up that last stretch poised and ready for his IRONMAN mug shot!
Jodi - doing her 5th? 8th? USA Ironman ... and still doing it with a smile on the whole time!!! stop making this look easy will ya ;-)
Peter --- decided to hang around Jodi for the race and they looked good! this Ironman thing brought out some serious love connections today!
Patrick - went by so lightning fast up the hill on the first loop he never saw us till he came back down the hill a mile later and then he shot us one of those famous pearly white smiles!
Kelly --- best pic of the day - arms out mouth all smiles and looking strong at mile 24!
Joe --- Everytime we caught him he was blazing by - not even sure the camera got him ;-)
Chaz --- who embodies the spirit, strength and determination more than this guy .... the never give up attitude he has always had paid him back today for sure ... completed the toughest course out there and did it in style as always ... CHAZ FAIRWEATHER .... YOU ARE AN IRONMAN!!! and yes he signed up for next year ;-)
okay --- if i missed someone please let me know I am going off the top of my head which all know isn't a good idea .... you guys recoup and the rest of Comp. Racing let's keep on training and racing there is a lot of season left out there ...
Disney Dawnie signing off (aka ... crash test dummy #1)
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