144.6 Miles of Inspiration
Pioneer runner Katherine Switzer, best known as the first woman to win the Boston Marathon, once said, “If you are losing faith in human nature, go out and watch a marathon.”
I always thought this was true. Until I watched an IRONMAN.
Last weekend, I experienced a day I won’t soon forget. I was a spectator at IRONMAN Chattanooga in Tennessee. Many of my closest training friends were competing in the race, and since it’s just 2 hours north of where I live, I drove up to cheer them on. I volunteered to be the Sherpa for my dear friend Teesha, which is essentially like being her personal race day assistant. From helping calm her nerves the night before and sitting with her for hours before the race start, to seeing her 7 times on the course and helping her in the medical tent after the race, I officially became an IRONmate … and I loved every minute of it.
It’s really impossible to express in words how Sunday’s IRONMAN experience affected me. Even as just a spectator, I was moved beyond measure. I never expected that watching this race would send me on such an emotional roller coaster. If there was an award for the biggest crybaby, I certainly would have won it.
I suppose it’s the amazingness of it all that gets me most. A human being should not be able to swim 2.4 miles, bike 116 miles (yes, 116 … the Chattanooga course was 4 miles longer than all other IRONMAN courses) and then run a marathon. And yet, I watched people do it. My friends who raced have tried to explain to me the very dark place you go into during the hardest parts of the race (i.e. the run). Despite that darkness and utter pain, the will to persevere and the desire to finish pushes you beyond your breaking point. The only word to describe it is strength. Strength of mind. Strength of heart. Strength of body. Strength of soul. So many people could barely walk or nearly collapsed after they crossed the finish, but that desire to hear the words “You are an IRONMAN.” As you cross the line keeps them going. They choose greatness over giving up.
It’s a truly magical thing to witness.
What I will remember most from my IRONMAN spectator experience are the expressions of every athlete I saw cross the finish line. The pure joy and disbelief that they feel when they cross the finish (particularly the first timers) is indescribable. Most throw their hands up in the air, quickly followed by holding their head in their hands as they become completely swept away with emotion. I must have cried for 15 straight minutes just watching people’s expressions as they crossed the finish line. There was so much depth in each smile, each fist waving in the air, each sigh of relief that they had made it.
That feeling, those emotions. They are exactly what I want to feel in Chicago next weekend at the end of my marathon. Maybe that is why I was so emotional.
The biggest surprise of the weekend was that it made me want to do an IRONMAN (one day). Yes, seriously (sorry, Mr. rUnladylike). I know I’ve boycotted triathlon this year in favor of running and focusing on the sport I love the most. It was incredibly hard just to train for the 2 half iron distance races I have done in 2012 and 2013. The time, dedication and sacrifices you have to make to prepare for an IRONMAN are really serious – for you, your family and your entire quality of life. But still, I experienced a yearning I have never had before to join this incredible club.
Congratulations to everyone who finished IRONMAN Chattanooga and any iron distance race this year. You are amazing.
Have you ever spectated at an IRONMAN? How did the experience affect you? If you have completed an IRONMAN, what advice would you give to someone considering signing up for one?
Comments
Ok so I was crying just READING this because I can only imagine!!! Ironman is an idea I toy with from time to time but, like you said, it’s all encompassing so I would really have to be serious about it, and have total commitment from my family. Someday….
All those emotions you describe – that’s why we love racing and competition and these Ironman athletes are at the top of their game! Congrats to ALL your friends!!! That is an amazing accomplishment!
Hearing that definitely doesn’t surprise me. I know you could complete it and rock an Ironman. I’m a big crybaby watching runners cross the finish line! I always have so much emotion over seeing people reach that goal!
OMGracious! I can’t even imagine what it would feel like to cross the line after an Ironman!!! This really makes me want to go spectate! Witness this first hand and be able to see and feel the determination in the air. Plus, I can’t get enough out of watching people finish a race, it is just amazing!!
I was waiting for this post! I know you so well 🙂 hehe
great sign by the way 🙂 i have no doubt no matter when you decided to take the plunge you will crush it, look forward to reading about it when you ramp it up!I took my youngest to see a Pro Cyclocross race this past weekend, from the Cat 4/5 to the Cat 1’s, all working it, all having fun, something very special about endurance sports 🙂 hope you guys have a great weekend!
Oh man this made me tear up! I love that you loved it! It is such a cool feeling to come into that chute b/c it’s not only finishing the race it’s the culmination of the months of hard word and sacrifice. It’s going down as one of the best days of my life. So glad I got to see you out there! I’m here for you when you are ready to register.
Kudos for being such a great IRONmate! I encourage you to volunteer at one next time, it’s even more rewarding! I spent Sunday morning on a kayak out on the swim course supporting the athletes then spent the whole rest of the day cheering on all my Charlotte friends competing. I found myself crying on several occasions and all the way home on Monday… then sure enough Tuesday after work (and much encouragement from friends) I found myself signing up for next year’s race! It is so inspiring, the journey just as much as the race itself. Can’t wait!!!
I’ve watched several IM races and the feeling is indescribable seeing the finishers, especially those close to midnight and the cut-off. It gives you a fever to get out there and be one of them! I’ve done several half IM and will finally sign up for a full soon…it’s so daunting but I’ve no doubt the feeling will be even more than we’ve imagined as we cross that line after 140.6 miles. Good luck next weekend!
I had so many friends doing it as well that I desperately wanted to get out there. Spectating will make you want to do one! And if you can do a half, you can do a full. Get signed up, pick your IM, and go do it. I’ve done 3, and it’s totally feasible. Just remember that Beach 2 Battleship is also driving distance from Atlanta.
Hi Jessica! I tried to look for you at the race to introduce myself but never saw you. My husband was racing and I know how you feel about the emotions! I was a teary mess all day and crying like a baby at the finish line. I saw where you commented on Beth’s blog post about how do you do it without losing all your relationships and still being able to have a life, and I can tell you it is possible! We still had a very fulfilling and active summer even with my husband training (and he finished in 11:08 so he REALLY trained!!) Please e-mail me if you have any questions about the spouses perspective of training. I’d me more than glad to chat with you!
Sounds like a great day! I just did my first full IM in June, and it was an incredible experience – I felt so lucky. I definitely think that one of the most important things to consider is timing of the event, both in terms of your life (what do you have going on at certain times of year? I’m a teacher and no way would I ever do a fall IM because of the back-to-school schedule) and also in terms of the seasons/how you train in certain seasons.
I also agree with Brianna – you can still train for IM and have a life! There are really hard moments, but I think that it’s totally possible.
I had the same emotions that day. I cried for every finisher in the midnight hour and cried more for those who did not finish.
I’m so inspired and motivated.
What a great experience! I have done one HIM and am doing another one this June, then I plan on doing my first marathon in November 2015 and then decide whether to register for a IM. I thought I needed to do a full marathon before an IM. But just thinking about it gives me goosebumps and I know I need to pick a year that works for my entire family, as it is a big commitment for them too! Great post!
You could also dip into ultrarunning. And shoot for a 50 miler instead of a 50km to add challenge akin probably to a IronMan. And if you got in Lake Sonoma Mr. rUnladylike could do some wine tasting or craft beer touring during the trip… Lottery opens Dec 7th…
and you’re already in kickass running shape… take advantage of it!
http://www.lakesonoma50.com/index.html
I’ve never spectated an ironman, but I have watched my Dad compete in a sprint tri and I totally wanted to be out there! Not enough to buy a bike and start swimming though:) I love volunteering at races, it can be so inspiring!
you know all my answers 🙂 congrats, T! i know I will eventually get to finish cheering for a full ironman one day, but it won’t be in 2015…
Amazing article that I’ve sent to my Sherpas for IMCHOO 2015 to help them understand the Magic of the day (none of them have any idea what they’ve signed up for:). I’ve completed the 70.3 distance and sherpa’ed the full IM and could not have written a better explanation of the day (and the emotion of spectating!)
I live in Chicago, and hope you have an amazing race Sunday. Looks like near perfect conditions for a near perfect marathon race!! Best of luck, and thanks for sharing!!
Thank you so much Victoria! I’m glad it resonated. It was such a deep experience! Thanks for having us all in your city this weekend 😉
I spectated at several IMs, two of which were my husband’s finishes, so it was very emotional and exciting! After I had signed up for my first (which I completed in LP this past summer), I had the privilege to attend the IM World Championships in Kona (last Oct) and WOW! Talk about receiving some motivation before my training plan began! (I recently recapped my visit to Kona in 2013 on the blog). We were there to witness the final finisher cross the finish line. Very inspiring! As far as advice, just make sure you are signing up for the right reasons…you! While it does require intense dedication, maybe let the spectating high relax just a bit before committing! Once I made my decision, I never regretted it or looked back once! It was a tough, but amazing experience!
Thanks so much for these great insights, Lee! I can only imagine what Kona was like and I look forward to reading your recap. I think your advice is so important about signing up for the right reasons! Thanks again for sharing!