Iron Will

The Goat completed the St. George Ironman in 13 hours 23 minutes.  He woke up at 3AM for a gourmet breakfast of 1000 calories consisting mainly of liquids.  A banana, pretzels, and Ensure drink graced his stomach, destined to guide him into the long day ahead.  He left the house at 4AM and caught the big yellow school bus out to Sandhollow Reservoir, with the other athletes, arriving there around 5:40AM. 

I left the house at 5:30AM, and by the time I got to the fair grounds it was obvious that everyone else on the road was heading the same direction as me.  It was a long steady stream of traffic.  It was kind of pretty.  After I finally made it to the parking lot, everyone loaded like sardines into big yellow school busses.  Eventually, the busses arrived at Sandhollow Reservoir. 

The sun had yet to come up, and the crisp cool morning air was filled with excitement.  I had been to several triathlons at that same location, but I had never seen so many people there in all my life.  It was amazing.  

It didn’t take long for the announcer to call all athletes to the race chute.  The Goat slipped off his wedding band and tossed it to me, saying it was too loose and would fall off.  “Don’t lose that.”  He laughed not showing any signs of being nervous.  I watched him line up with the others, feeling proud of the moment. 

I lost sight of him when all 2000 athletes headed down to the water.   The visual of so many people in the water at once was incredible and inspiring.  I was chilly sitting there on the rocks taking pictures and wondered if the athletes were cold or quickly warming up as they raced across the lake.  The route looked so long, so far, and I couldn’t believe how fast they were swimming.  

I snapped more pictures than anyone could possibly need and sat there and took it all in.  It was beautiful as the morning sun rose up over the lake.  Everything about this race splashed magic on all the spectators as everyone watched in awe.

I headed over to the transition area hoping to get a peek of the Goat on his way out on the bike.  It was so crowded that it was hard to find a spot for peeking, but I found one.  I waited eagerly, very focused, determined not to keep taking pictures of the wrong guy.  

First, it was guy who looked just like the Goat from the helmet all the way down to the bike.  The bike was wrong, and then I knew it wasn’t him.  Next, I started with the bike.  The bike was his, all the way up to the body.  Then I knew it wasn’t him again!  

About that time I noticed a news camera man sticking his giant camera right in front of me.  I felt annoyed with him and said to my daughter….”What does that guy think he is doing putting that camera in my way like that?  I want him to move it!”  About that time the guy walked right up to me and said, “Can I interview you?”  I looked at him like he was insane.  

“You want to interview me?  Uh….I don’t think so.”  I said.  “I promise you it will be totally painless.”  He said as he pinned the microphone to my jacket.  “Why did you pick me?”  I asked.  “You looked so focused, so intent to get the perfect shot, it had to be you.”  He said.  I laughed and went ahead with it. 

To make a long story short, the most important question the reporter asked me was:  “What would you say to someone who says doing an Ironman is CRAZY?”  This was comical to me because I had just had this discussion with someone.    

“What is crazy to me is someone having no goals, no ambition, no dedication to anything or anyone.  Doing an Ironman requires dedication and commitment and completion of a goal.  I admire that, and it’s not crazy!  It’s great!”  

After my moment of stardom on camera, I got re-focused on the race and immediately spotted The Goat in his bright yellow jacket.  I snapped more pictures than I can remember and then ran down the sidelines of the bike chute as he made his way out onto the course, hoping to catch another shot.  

He disappeared, and I figured that was the last I’d see of him for a while.  That’s when I looked up and saw him changing out a flat right at the end of the bike chute.  It was like the Tour De France tire change since it took about 4 minutes or less.  It was amazing.  He looked right at me but later said he didn’t remember seeing me at all.  Ha ha.    It was another photo op for me, as he jumped on his bike and headed out for the 112 mile bike ride.  

He was gone, and I was ready to leave Sandhollow.  Little did I know that I would be stuck on a school bus until the very last swimmer got on the bike.  It seemed like forever, but finally the busses took everyone back to the fair grounds.  Locating the car was a different challenge.  The panic button came in handy.

I went back home and checked out the live coverage.  It was great coverage, and I felt like I was watching the Tour De France.  The live web cam was amazing.  

Later when I was down at the race finish, I was really glad other people were watching it because they knew more than I did when it came to Goat’s progress.  It was amazing to get the updates, and it made the waiting game a lot easier.    

Goat’s brother became an expert on the course and giving updates.  I was so glad because it made it even more exciting!  All my friends and family were texting me and checking on The Goat too.  Everyone was so excited!

You’d think I was doing the hard part of the Ironman race if you heard the complaints or watched my two year old attempting to destroy a Japanese Garden at the park as I waited with the kids for The Goat to appear.  The posters turned into scribble pads and wings as they entertained themselves for hours.  

By the time I heard the Goat’s name announced I could not be happier!  I watched for him, and it was so crowded that I had a hard time seeing him.  I saw him, and then he disappeared.  Then he reappeared guided by two volunteers after he had collapsed.  But of course he had a big cheesy grin on his face.   I met him on the way out, and he was a sweaty blabbering mess as he gave me a kiss and tried to tell me his muscles were giving out at the finish.   

I left him on the grass in a blanket to recover since he was not ready to get up yet.  I went and got his bike and bags hoping to find him in better shape upon my return.  

He was still staggering a bit but talking up a storm.    His fan club began to call and text, and it was apparent that this was one happy Goat.  

A baked potato and some pizza were his request.  How he had so much energy after such a grueling day was beyond me, but this man/goat out lasted me.  I dozed off around eleven, and he said he was awake most the night.  I guess he was so wound up, so excited, and proud of the accomplishment that his brain wasn’t ready to rest with his body! 

I am so proud of The Goat’s dedication and ability to follow through on this goal.  The mental effort is equal with the physical effort because I honestly believe that a strong body also requires a strong mental will power to accomplish this.  A strong mental will power is the drive behind everything and everyone that ever becomes anything; so I score The Goat an A!  I admire the strong will.  

“Goat, you are an Ironman again!”  2.4 mile swim-112 mile bike ride-26.2 mile run!  Wow!  Well done. Well done.  

The race details can be found here:   http://www.ironmanusa.com/results/index.php

http://www.ironmanstgeorge.com/