If you are a true loyal stalker (or are my friend on Facebook), you know yesterday was the Ironman competition in Louisville. Butterflies girlfriend, Rhonda, attempted to kill herself participated. We were there from when she jumped into the water at 7:00am until she crossed the finish line at 9:30pm.
(UHM, we did go back to her house to nap chill for a few hours while she was on the bike...but our thoughts were with her the whole.entire.time...)
Of course, there will be a FULL & LENGTHY post to follow complete with pics & commentary like only I can give... But in the meantime - I need another post to up my numbers wanted to give you some real insider since I'm a expert now information on the Ironman.
You MAY or may not know the deal so here it is: It's a 2.4 mile swim in the yucky Ohio River. Then you run outta the river & get on your bicycle (whilst being soaking wet with yucky Ohio Riverness on you, no nap, no rest, no nothin') to bike 112 miles. THEN just when you think you're finished - you're not. You gotta run a FULL marathon of 26.2 miles. Again, with no nap... I mean, really?!
If you lost count, that's 140.6 miles. 140.6... If you ever see someone with a tattoo or vehicle sticker that says 140.6 that means they've done a FULL Ironman. If you see 70.3 - that means they've done a HALF Ironman. Sometimes you see a 26.2 meaning they've done a marathon...& others have 13.1 that means they've done a mini-marathon. Uh, yea - I have a purple flower sticker on my car...
Butterfly was a spectator this year so we had to put up with him all day we were able to see the day through a past participants eye. You would think for a guy who did it TWICE he would know something about something. However, I knew more about what was going on than he did. It was nice for B-rad to have someone to talk to rather than just hanging out with me & mom all day.
There is NO DOUBT that it is an amazing thing to finish. Of all the Ironman competitions that are held around the world, Louisville is like the 5th or 6th most difficult. Whoa. And unless you've been there from beginning to end (Tracey - holla!), I cannot begin to describe to you the electricity in the air. The excitement. The nervousness. The sheer sound of all the spectators watching & cheering.
Now-with all the excitement - there is also boredom. And being hot. And more being bored. And waiting. And watching your phone for split times. And lots of walking...and finding a decent restroom...And being bored some more.
But all the boredom...all the sweat running down your back...all the walking is kinda SO worth it when you see your Ironman cross the finish line. (Please pay no attention to Butterfly getting in my shot OR the crazy chick screaming in the video...)
3 comments:
Those Iron people are nuts!!
Would it be wrong to get a sticker that says 1?
That is so awesome!!! As much as I love to run and workout, I CANNOT imagine doing this!!!!! I don't have a sticker that says 13.1 because I feel like a slacker just doing that! ha ha!
Ha Jami! I love what you said about a sticker saying 1!
Okay, yeah, this is NUTS. But totally freaking awesome. I admire her strength and determination. Oh, and I admire your strength and determination to nap and sweat and all that DIFFICULT stuff you did in one whole day.
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