I went to Louisville for the Ironman to cheer on the gazillion people I knew racing. I was able to kayak the swim and work in the women's change tent in T2. It was a great perspective to other parts of the Ironman I hadn't seen that up close and personal.
Kayaking the swim was fun, but a lot of work! I think we kayaked at least 3 miles that day. The current was pretty strong and I was in the down current so I had to keep moving back up stream. I have always appreciated the race volunteers but have even more respect for those out there keeping us safe. It's a lot of work kayaking, keeping out of race traffic and watching everyone to make sure people are doing okay - all at once.
It blows my mind some of things I saw out there:
-The pros have an amazing stroke that caused my jaw to drop in awe. Glad to see most only breathe out of one side and breathe every other stroke too!
-One guy stopped at my kayak to rest, he asked how much longer he had to go. I told him he was 2.5 buoys away from the half way buoy so probably about 1.6 miles. He said, no, you're wrong, it's only half a mile, I can see Joe's Crab Shack from here. I told him I was pretty sure it was longer than that. He argued again, I said, well if you're that close, go swim and rest in transition.
-One guy stopped and was chatting a bit. I asked him if it was his first Ironman, he said it was his first open water swim. Are you fucking serious? Yes, an Ironman does seem like a good time to take your first open water swim. Another guy told me it was his first triathlon. Where do people come up with these ideas?
-One lady was FREAKING OUT in the water. Every kayaker knew her, Rosie. It was her second Ironman. Because she was in sheer panic, they had a kayak following her, which I thought was unfair, but what do I know. Her personal kayakers needed to help someone else so she had a meltdown in front of my kayak. Yelling and screaming bloody murder, she wanted me to come into race traffic so she could stop. I told her to swim to me. I seriously thought she was going to tip me as she was shaking so much. She had been back stroking and I first thought she was drowning as she was splashing and making such a commotion. I get that people panic in the water, but come on.
After kayaking I'm feeling good about my 2.4 swim. I know I swim stronger than some of the people who finished, so I'm not too concerned.
I'm beginning to see that people do not have respect for the races. I always love it when I tell someone I'm doing an Ironman and they say I could do the entire thing except for the swim. Really? Do you really know what the distances feel like? Or people say, I could fuddle my way through the swim. No, actually you really can't. The swim is the most dangerous part, people panic being in a large body of water, body parts flying around smacking each other.
T2 was an interesting experience. It's hotter than hell and the smell of urine is nauseating. It's really interesting to watch the spectrum of attitudes of people coming in. Some are grateful for the help and volunteers. Some are in their zone and don't really acknowledge you. And some are just bitches that wouldn't give you the time of day regardless of the situation. I touched more disgusting clothes and peed-on cycle shoes than I'd like to think about. It was interesting to see how some people pack the kitchen sink in their transition bag and others pack very little. I picked up a few good ideas for my own race. I was able to help Lindsey and Tina, a blind athlete and guide, it was especially cool because they are friends of my good friends the Crowleys. It was nice to be able to see all my friends come through and give them a kiss wishing them luck on the run. Low lights: One woman had too much sweat in her eyes after spraying with sunscreen, there weren't any towels so she used my shirt to wipe her face. Then I was crouching to the ground to organize a woman's stuff and she was sitting changing her shorts and she peed on me. BARF. I don't think I have ever felt so gross leaving that tent. Tossed the shirt and took a shower.
Enjoyed the finish line at 4th Street Live! I would like to do that race one day just for the finish line. LOVED watching all my friends make their dreams come true by finishing their first Ironman. And watching my friends finish their Xth Ironman, PR or QUALIFY FOR KONA!! Congratulations to Shea :-)
Everyone did a great job and I'm so honored to know such amazing athletes. We all know I love to cheer just as much as I love to race (well, next post might change that) so it was a great day with lots of wonderful friends.
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