It'd take quite a bit to capture the whole experience from yesterday--and I will later, but suffice it say
Ironman atmosphere here at
Ironman Florida was AWESOME. What a day...beautiful weather, great racers. I saw/cheered the first lap of the swim, then all the folks going out on the bike, then out on the bike course at an out and back stretch so we could see folks twice, and then back to the run course at the turn-around for a bit (I love the names on bibs...I cheered for tons of folks by first name), and then worked the finish line from 6-9PM holding the tape. More than 1300 racers came through during that time, and it was up and down and up and down...my knee is a little sore from it. IT WAS AN AWESOME job...I got to see the emotion and expression of joy from so many racers, wow. I'm hoarse from cheering! It was tough trying to get the tapes up in-between racers when there was a mass of them coming through. Most everyone got a tape to run through, but in the masses, we would've tripped people if we had done that. All of the friends I was really watching for came in during my shift and that was great!
This morning I was down at registration for 2009. Wasn't supposed to open until 9AM, but being the Type-A that I am, I was there at 7AM. BUT, they had opened early and it maybe took me 30
mins to get through. Yes, I have done it. I have taken the plunge and I am REGISTERED for
Ironman Florida 2009 on 7 November. Come cheer for me! :) Now...must start training! 1 year and 4 days to get ready for 140.6 miles of swim, bike, and run! (Yes, family, I know I've lost my marbles...but reserve the date and come experience WHY I have!)
7 comments:
WOW! I'm not surprised at all since you said you were going to register, but Congratulations all the same! I'm sure you will rock it!
You guys WERE working hard with that tape. I was watching the live feed for at least part of the time you were there. How cool! Glad you had such a great experience.
Congrats for taking the plunge!
I remember losing my voice too the two times I went to IMFL to work the race. Congrats on getting in for 2009!!
Wahoo!!!! I wasn't able to watch as much on-line as I wanted, but I did see you working the finisher tape at the end. Up, down, up, down - it did look like a fun, but tough job. I had not had Florida on my list of possible Ironman's, but after watching, who knows. Maybe I'll come volunteer and cheer you on next year and then think about 2010. Did I just say that?
Yay!!!
Yay! So glad to hear that you signed up for next year. It was SOOOOOO much fun this year and I can't wait to do it again next year. Thanks for holding the tape for me... You got a first hand view of my sorry butt tripping then! :) Darn carpet monster got me! I don't even care that my finish line picture shows me stumbling... it was SO worth it!
Can't wait to follow your journey next year!
you rock!!!!!!!!! can't wait to cheer you on! i'm scared about my 70.3 next year and look at you! we can both do it:)
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